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Written Answers

Volume 507: debated on Thursday 11 March 2010

Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 11 March 2010

Leader of the House

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

To ask the Leader of the House what recent discussions she has had with the trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund on its exercise of shareholder voting rights during annual general meetings of those companies in which it invests. (321533)

The Leader has not had any recent discussions with the Trustees on this subject. The investment of the assets of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund is a matter for the Fund's Trustees. The scheme regulations require the Trustees to have in place a Statement of Investment Principles and to consult with the Leader about it.

The current Statement of Investment Principles states that the Trustees have instructed their investment managers

“to exercise the rights attached to the Fund's investments in order to ensure, so far as is consistent with the Trustees' duty to act in the best financial interests of the beneficiaries, that the companies in which the Fund is invested adopt high standards”

in relation to a

“responsible approach to social, ethical and environmental issues”.

Northern Ireland

Criminal Proceedings

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long on average it took the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service to bring a criminal case to court following the submission of papers by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last three years. (321465)

This is an operational matter for the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the volume of carbon dioxide emissions from his Department's buildings in each year since 2005. (320567)

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) contributes data annually to the NI Public Sector Energy Campaign (PSEC) regarding energy consumption.

The most up-to-date figures on carbon dioxide emissions are contained within the 2007-08 PSEC report and are shown in the following table:

CO2 total

Tonnes

2007-08

1,546

2006-07

1,873

2005-06

1,616

2004-05

1,751

The Department has a Green ICT strategy in place, derived from the Cabinet Office “Greening Government ICT” strategy, to assist in reducing energy consumption and emissions.

The Department participates in Government Carbon Offsetting Fund (GCOF) to offset emissions relating to air travel by Ministers and staff on official business.

Departmental Internet

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many designs for its (a) internal website and (b) intranet his Department has commissioned since 2005; and what the cost was of each such design. (321982)

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) maintains an internal intranet. Since 2005 the homepage has been redesigned at a cost of £7,040 and the content management system upgraded at a cost of £1,760. Two further updates were carried out by departmental ICT staff at no additional cost.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the Northern Ireland prison population formerly served in the UK armed forces. (321214)

While all prisoners are asked their occupation on committal, there is no requirement for prisoners to disclose this information. Of those currently in prison, 0.36 per cent. (five persons) have stated their occupation as being in the armed forces or protective services.

Work and Pensions

Children: Maintenance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals paid off arrears to the Child Support Agency by credit card in each of the last three years. (318744)

The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.

Letter from Stephen Geraghty:

In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals paid off their arrears to the Child Support Agency by credit card in each of the last three years. [318744]

Data on child maintenance arrears payments made only by credit card is not available as it is not possible to separate regular and arrears payments and it is not possible to break down payments made by credit or debit card.

I am sorry on this occasion I can not be more helpful.

Housing Benefit: Greater London

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit paid to (a) local authority tenants, (b) housing association tenants and (c) private sector tenants was in each London borough in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average rent level was in each of the three sectors in that period. (321076)

[holding answer 11 March 2010]: The most recent available information is in the table.

Average weekly housing benefit paid to local authority tenants, registered social landlord tenants and private sector tenants in London boroughs: November 2009

£

Local authority

Local authority tenants

Registered social landlord tenants

Private tenants

All tenancy types

Camden

93.08

115.23

211.99

118.67

City of London

86.40

102.98

174.18

97.24

Hackney

91.68

108.11

194.93

120.33

Hammersmith and Fulham

90.72

124.58

196.77

124.77

Haringey

121.10

119.23

157.60

132.78

Islington

91.14

111.00

194.00

109.26

Kensington and Chelsea

123.75

117.47

274.64

154.47

Lambeth

107.44

99.94

148.65

112.94

Lewisham

86.22

90.81

162.65

109.08

Newham

132.36

121.84

167.97

142.92

Southwark

82.95

104.36

147.75

95.94

Tower Hamlets

121.78

100.57

193.32

119.57

Wandsworth

103.62

109.48

215.40

135.71

Westminster

97.73

127.03

310.74

182.54

Barking and Dagenham

86.52

102.39

158.61

107.69

Barnet

85.61

138.18

184.16

145.27

Bexley

266.29

89.38

148.43

110.33

Brent

108.77

145.21

199.75

159.12

Bromley

97.96

143.12

110.48

Croydon

88.38

103.44

154.47

121.48

Ealing

121.71

120.37

178.32

141.57

Enfield

122.99

110.83

179.10

147.84

Greenwich

76.44

96.58

146.17

94.15

Harrow

81.11

143.85

180.14

147.75

Havering

84.54

90.94

149.34

104.98

Hillingdon

115.65

100.24

164.66

129.48

Hounslow

92.77

102.00

173.07

119.28

Kingston upon Thames

113.46

103.38

175.40

134.13

Merton

80.99

101.67

156.66

115.23

Redbridge

159.50

106.05

163.35

152.43

Richmond upon Thames

241.47

91.19

175.53

119.15

Sutton

76.83

95.32

151.45

107.21

Waltham Forest

105.49

99.94

149.23

119.36

Notes:

1. Data as at second Thursday of the month.

2. Average amounts of housing benefit are shown as pounds per week and rounded to the nearest penny.

3. Housing association tenants are shown as registered social landlord tenants.

4. Tenure type does not include recipients with unknown tenure type.

5. “—” denotes nil cases.

6. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

7. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems. It replaces quarterly aggregate clerical returns. The data are available monthly from November 2008 and October 2009 is the most recent available.

Source:

Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE).

Treasury

Climate Change Levy

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the monetary value of receipts from the Climate Change Levy has been in each of the last five years. (321254)

Final outturns of climate change levy receipts are published at Budget in table C.6 in chapter C “The public Finances” for each fiscal year.

Public Bodies

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the recommendation in the Public Accounts Committee report on the Equality and Human Rights Commission published on 4 March 2010 that his Department should draw up best practice guidelines for the creation of public sector bodies. (321600)

The Government's response will be set out alongside responses to the other Committee of Public Accounts' conclusions and recommendations from its Fifteenth Report in a Treasury Minute in due course.

Tax Allowances: Energy

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has plans to amend the categories of equipment eligible for support under the Enhanced Capital Allowance Energy Scheme to include low energy loss distribution transformers. (321626)

The Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme for energy saving technologies is dynamic and kept under regular review. Updates and changes to the EGA schemes are normally announced at Budget.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many submissions were received to the technical consultation on the draft legislation and guidance on the ending of Furnished Holiday Lettings relief which closed on 26 February 2010; and how many of those submissions expressed views in favour of the Government's proposals. (321332)

None of the responses to the technical consultation on the proposed legislation to repeal the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) rules identified any technical difficulties with the draft legislation which was published at the 2009 pre-Budget report. Therefore there are no plans to publish a full report on the findings from this informal consultation.

The Treasury receives representations on a range of policy issues. As was the case with the previous Administration, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of such representations.

The Government acknowledge that this change has not been welcomed by the tourism industry. However, for legal reasons, a change is necessary.

Culture, Media and Sport

Departmental Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether consultants have been contracted to carry out public participation activity on behalf of his Department in the last three years; and, if so, how much was spent in each case. (319763)

The Government Olympic Executive in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport runs an East London digital network. This is an on-line forum for invited members of the public to give their opinions and ideas and is one of the key ways in which Government are meeting their promise to engage with local people about what they want from the Olympics and ensure that Government policy reflects their views.

The cost of the project, including the contracting of consultants stands at £111,759.20 exclusive of VAT.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many enquiries from households in Gordon constituency have been received by the Digital UK Help Scheme; and how many of those households were eligible to receive the digital conversion service free of charge. (321650)

The Switchover Help Scheme receives eligibility data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is only able to report statistically at an ITV region level. The provision of help scheme eligibility data at both country and local level is a matter for the DWP. The help scheme estimates around 170,000 people in the STV North TV Region will be eligible to receive help. It is estimated that 37 per cent. of the 170,000 eligible people in the STV North TV Region are entitled to receive the help for free. The numbers of help scheme eligible people and people entitled to receive the help for free in this region are likely to change between now and when the last STV North transmitter switches in October 2010.

Irish Language Broadcast Fund: Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department has provided to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund in each of the last five years. (321213)

My Department acted as the conduit through which the UK Government paid £3 million for the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund in 2009-10. Funding was provided through the UK Film Council.

Stroud

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Stroud constituency, the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2000. (321475)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.

The impact of bodies and policies of the Department on the Stroud constituency since 2000 include:

£156,862 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Stroud in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.

£121,000 of English Heritage grant offers to the Stroud constituency in 2008-09.

Digital Switchover is due to take place in Stroud in April 2010. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV—the same number that can currently receive analogue.

Over £18,046,315 of national lottery grants made to applications from the Stroud constituency since 2000.

The Stroud constituency has also benefitted from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:

£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.

More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.

Almost 750,000 free swims taken in London in the first eight months of the Free Swimming programme.

A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09—10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socio-economic groups.

£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.

48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.

90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04—exceeding our target.

Trade Unions

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in his Department and its agencies are seconded to trade unions; what facilities are made available to them; how many days other staff of his Department and its agencies spent on trade union activity in the latest year for which figures are available; and what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of such activity. (320610)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency do not have any employees seconded to trade unions.

Both DCMS and the Royal Parks provide facility time for local trade union officials.

The annual cost of trade union facility time for DCMS is up to £25,952.

The annual cost of trade union activity for the Royal Parks is up to £29,333.

There are no figures available for the number of days other staff spend on trade union activity. To obtain such information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Ulster Scots: Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department has provided for the promotion and development of Ulster Scots language and culture in each of the last five years. (321208)

None, but under the terms of the BBC’s charter and agreement, the BBC Trust must have regard to the importance of ensuring appropriate provision in minority languages. Funding to enable the BBC to provide minority languages is included in the BBC’s funding settlement, which is set by my Department, although my Department does not specify the amounts that the BBC must spend in this area.

Transport

Aviation: Security

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) effect on time taken for passengers to pass through security of the use of different types of scanners used to detect liquids. (321187)

The Department for Transport has been working with the European Civil Aviation Conference and other international partners to test the effectiveness of liquid screening technologies and final results will be available by the end of the year.

The Department has also undertaken several studies on the time taken for passengers to pass through liquid detection systems, the results of which have been used to define options for the deployment of liquid detection machines and also to guide manufacturers on how the performance of the machines might be improved.

Departmental Advertising

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department has spent on advertisements on television and commercial radio on campaigns run by the Department since 2005. (317100)

The majority of television and radio advertising media expenditure by the Department for Transport is in support of the THINK! Road safety and the Act on CO2 campaigns. Among the Department's executive agencies, the most prominent use of advertising has been by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, in support of Electronic Vehicle Licensing, Sale of Marks and Vehicle Excise Enforcement (Continuous Registration).

The information sought is not held in the format requested by all parts of the Department and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information available is included in the following table:

£000

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Television advertising

DFT(C)

6,889

5,171

8,002

8,171

DSA

0

0

0

0

DVLA

n/a

n/a

n/a

4,800

GCDA

0

0

0

0

HA

0

0

0

0

MCA

25

4

15

13

VCA

0

0

0

0

VOSA

0

0

0

0

Radio advertising

DFT(C)

2,011

2,578

2,511

3,089

DSA

0

0

0

41

DVLA

n/a

n/a

n/a

1,400

GCDA

0

0

0

0

HA

n/a

n/a

40

66

MCA

0

0

0

0

VCA

0

0

0

0

VOSA

0

0

0

0

Departmental Energy

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the estimated (a) amount and (b) cost was of energy used in his Department and its agencies in each year since 1997; what proportion of the energy used was generated from renewable sources in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. (317236)

The Department for Transport was formed in 2002 and therefore no records exist for the Department prior to that date.

The following tables show the electricity, gas and other fuels used by the Department for Transport and its Agencies since 2004-05.

Total electricity

kWh

Business unit

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Central Department

8,073,203

9,187,270

8,039,848

7,522,387

7,472,014

Executive Agencies

34,810,758

36,567,277

39,721,844

37,988,465

42,271,338

DfT total

42,883,961

45,754,547

47,761,692

45,510,852

49,743,352

The following table gives the percentage of electricity consumed by the Department that came from renewable resources for each of the last five years.

Electricity from renewable resources

Percentage

Business unit

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

DfT

68

74

66

62.5

53

The reducing percentage of electricity from renewable resources depicted above is as a result of a change in the main supply contract from Buying Solutions which now has a reduced renewable allowance in order to ensure renewable energy is available in the private sector.

Total gas

kWh

Business unit

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Central Department

1,183,339

1,743,451

893,005

970,130

1,144,174

Executive Agencies

29,967,416

46,974,572

42,517,851

48,308,845

52,890,398

DfT total

31,150,755

48,718,023

43,410,856

49,278,975

54,034,572

Total other fuels

kWh

Business unit

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Central Department

421,858

450,079

448,200

390,760

211,385

Executive Agencies

1,639,613

219,000

2,746,182

2,819,862

2,496,956

DfT total

2,061,471

669,079

3,194,382

3,210,622

2,708,341

Part of the progressive increases shown in the above tables is accounted for by improvements in the standard of data collection.

The following table provides the total annual cost of the energy used in the above tables.

Total fuels

£

Business unit

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Central Department

1,261,721.52

1,931,567.00

1,124,339.31

870,380.58

1,031,824.05

Executive Agencies

2,371,574.30

4,559,976.64

4,237,074.20

5,195,331.01

7,238,984.25

DfT total

3,633,295.82

6,491,543.64

5,361,413.51

6,065,711.59

8,270,808.30

In addition to the above listed energy use the Highways Agency is responsible for the provision of roadside technology and lighting which incurred £23.9 million in energy costs in 2008-09. It is not possible to provide consumption data for this facet of departmental activity.

Departmental Manpower

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many staff from BAA (a) are seconded to his Department and (b) were so seconded in each of the last five years; what the roles were of such personnel; and if he will make a statement. (320137)

The Department’s records indicate that no staff from BAA have been seconded to the Department for Transport in the last five years.

Departmental Theft

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many thefts from his Department have been recorded in the last two years. (318998)

The figure provided here is for all items recorded as stolen in the past two years and is for the entire Department for Transport including its agencies and shared service centre. The figure provided does not include thefts where records are not available centrally, or such thefts that were not reported. While some of this information may exist in records held locally within the central Department and the agencies, it could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Central records show that since 10 February 2008, 76 items have been reported stolen. Of these 54 were reported stolen from within departmental premises.

The Department has in place access control measures in accordance with cabinet office guidance, issues staff awareness guidance on its Intranet and provides lockable pedestals and personal lockers. Reminders on security awareness are also disseminated to employees via security liaison officers within the Department teams.

Official Cars: Senior Civil Servants

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the annual cost to the public purse is of the provision by the Government Car and Despatch Agency of official cars with drivers to senior civil servants. (318635)

The annual cost of providing official cars to senior civil servants by the Government Car and Despatch Agency is £371,379.00.

Roads: Litter

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will take steps to bring A-roads under the responsibility of the Highways Agency for the purposes of removal of roadside litter. (320963)

The Highways Agency retains responsibility for litter collection on the motorways and also on some all purpose trunk roads. A list of these roads has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The Highways Agency will continue to collaborate with local authorities to ensure the effective removal of roadside litter.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much of the £6 billion allocated has been spent on completion of schemes funded under the first tranche of the National Roads Programme. (316869)

The following table gives the amount spent on completing work on the first tranche of schemes out of the up to £6 billion allocated to the National Roads Programme in the January 2009 Roads Announcement.

Amount allocated from £6 billion national roads programme

£ million

M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill

31.4

M1 J6a-10 Widening

82.5

A14 Haughley New Street to Stowmarket

14.0

M62 J6 Improvements

14.7

M25 J1b-3 widening

15.1

A5117/A550Deeside Park Junction improvement

23.3

A1 Bramham to Wetherby

31.8

Total

212.7

Thameslink Railway Line

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what proportion of the increase in capacity provided by the Thameslink Programme will be attributable to the (a) Key Output 0, (b) Key Output 1 and (c) Key Output 2 phase. (321211)

Key Output 0 has already delivered an increase of 2,500 seats in each peak period. The Key Output 1 service, from December 2011, will increase the capacity into central London initially by approximately a further 1,000 seats in each peak period.

As the new Key Output 2 trains are progressively brought on to the rail network, capacity will increase in to the central London section of the Thameslink route by up to approximately 30,000 additional seats in each peak period.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund: Nottinghamshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund money by Nottinghamshire county council in villages directly affected by quarrying. (321601)

It is for local authorities to decide how to spend money provided via ALSF as a non ring fenced area based grant. These monies are spent according to local priorities.

Nottinghamshire county council uses all money allocated to it on aggregates projects and reports through the DEFRA ALSF database, which can be viewed at:

http://alsf.defra.gov.uk/

The database currently records 73 projects funded by Nottinghamshire county council with a total value of nearly £2 million, of which £495,000 is from ALSF grants.

DEFRA is currently undertaking an assessment of the effectiveness of the ALSF, including funds provided to local authorities, in advance of the next spending review.

Compost: Mushrooms

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with Bassetlaw council on the prosecution of mushroom composters in breach of regulations on odour emissions. (321602)

Our officials continue to receive regular updates from Bassetlaw council about the regulation of the mushroom composting plant in their district, most recently from council officers on 3 March. DEFRA officials spoke to the newly-employed consultant to the council on 9 March. The decision on whether or not to prosecute is a matter for the council, having regard to, among other matters, the statutory Regulators' Compliance Code.

Noah's Ark Farm Zoo

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to ensure the compliance of Noah's Ark Farm Zoo, North Somerset, with section 7.13 of the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice as a condition of its zoo licence. (321598)

The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 places responsibility for the inspection and licensing of zoos with local authorities, in this case North Somerset council. The Act provides local authorities with all the powers they require to ensure that zoos operate to high standards consistent with the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) disciplinary and (b) capability procedures have been (i) initiated and (ii) completed in his Department and its predecessor in each of the last five years; how much time on average was taken to complete each type of procedure in each such year; how many and what proportion of his Department's staff were subject to each type of procedure in each such year; and how many and what proportion of each type of procedure resulted in the dismissal of the member of staff. (320638)

We are unable to provide the information requested on procedures initiated or average length of time that procedures take as responsibility for commencing capability and minor disciplinary procedures rests with line management across the Department. No records are collated centrally regarding how many procedures are initiated in the Department.

Staff may be dismissed for poor performance, poor attendance, gross misconduct or repeated misconduct. Information for the Department, including any predecessor Departments and data for UK Trade and Investment, in relation to dismissals on these grounds are set out in the following table. Totals of five or less are suppressed on the grounds of confidentiality.

Number of staff dismissed (all reasons)

2009-101

2

2008

8

2007

14

2006

12

2005

15

1 To date. 2 Unable to supply this information under section 40 (personal data) of the Data Protection Act.

Departmental Paper

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) suppliers and (b) brands of (i) paper and (ii) paper products his Department uses; and what his Department's policy is on the procurement of those materials. (320036)

The Department uses the Pan- Government Office Supplies Framework set up by the MOD. Under the framework Office Depot are the paper suppliers. Our reprographics department also use The Paper Company (formally Dixon and Roe) for their supplies.

Our hand towels, toilet rolls and kitchen paper are purchased through our cleaning company—GBM who in turn purchase from either Bunzi Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies or Futures Supplies and Support Services Ltd.

For the paper we use some unbranded products and some branded products as follows:

Reprographics Department uses Evolve Office Paper and Nine Lives Paper.

Office Depot provides Evolve, Unbranded; Filemaster; Paradis; Kendall; Kestrel; Communiques; Conqueror; Copyspeed; Classic and Rellex.

Our cleaning consumables are Kimberley Clark.

Insolvency: Essex

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses employing fewer than 50 people went into administration in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point constituency in (i) each of the last 12 months and (ii) each of the last five years. (321446)

Official statistics for corporate insolvencies, including administrations, are not currently available at a sub-national level within England and Wales.

Additionally, the number of employees of a company in administration is not recorded on the Companies House source data.

Met Office

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to page 27 of the document Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government, what underlying data for weather forecasts will be released for free download and reuse by April 2010. (321358)

I have been asked to reply.

The underlying data that have been made available are detailed in the following table. These data can be downloaded for free from the Met Office website at the following link:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/pws/invent/weathermap/

As outlined in ‘Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government', the Met Office has also released a free iPhone application to access weather data and a widget that enables other websites to deploy Met Office supplied weather information.

Category

Data details

Weather warnings

Type, validity period, risk and severity for all current valid warnings issued by the Met Office

Weather

For all UK weather stations for which an observation or a forecast is available:

Site name

Latitude

Longitude

Wind direction

Wind speed

Wind gust

Weather type (as numerical code, decode provided on website)

Visibility

Temperature

Pressure—observed values only

Pressure tendency (e.g. “Rising”)—observed values only

Mountain and leisure areas

For Mountain areas:

For the current day (day zero): weather hazards including severity, fell top conditions, weather forecast including precipitation probabilities

For the next day (day one): weather forecast

For days two and three: weather outlook For Leisure areas: a textual overview of the current day's weather

Pressure

Forecast Pressure for the entire UK area at various time frames

Ultra Violet

Forecast UV values for the current day through to day four for every forecast location in the UK

Post Offices: Bank Services

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many sub-postmasters have had back-payments collected from them by Post Office Ltd. in relation to ATMs installed in their branches; and from how many Post Office Ltd. continues seek to collect such back-payments; (321089)

(2) what recent discussions he has had with Post Office Ltd. on the collection of back-payments from sub-postmasters for ATMs in their branches; and if he will make a statement.

Following agreement with the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, Post Office Ltd. notified sub-postmasters in September 2009 that they would not be asked to pay any backdated fees from the time their ATM was installed up to the end of August 2009.

Royal Mail

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to announce the appointment of a new chief executive for Royal Mail Group; and if he will make a statement. (320978)

The chief executive post is not a Government appointment. The Royal Mail Board has begun the search for Adam Crozier's replacement but there is no set timetable for the recruitment process. An announcement will be made when the process is concluded.

Women and Equality

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many (a) disciplinary and (b) capability procedures have been (i) initiated and (ii) completed in the Government Equalities Office in each of the last five years; how much time on average was taken to complete each type of procedure in each such year; how many and what proportion of staff of the Government Equalities Office were subject to each type of procedure in each such year; and how many and what proportion of each type of procedure resulted in the dismissal of the member of staff. (320640)

Since its creation in 2007, the Government Equalities Office has had one disciplinary case, in 2009. The case involved one member of staff and did not result in dismissal. It was initiated and completed within the 2009 calendar year.

Cabinet Office

Departmental ICT

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what information technology projects initiated by (a) her Department and (b) its agency were cancelled prior to completion in the last 12 months; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse. (320437)

My Department has not cancelled any information technology projects in the last 12 months.

Employment

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have moved from being (a) unemployed and (b) economically inactive to employed in each quarter in each (i) region and (ii) country of the UK since 2007; and what proportion of the labour force this represented in each (A) quarter and (B) such area. (321064)

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

Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2010:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people have moved from being (a) unemployed and (b) economically inactive to employed in each quarter in each (i) region and (ii) country of the UK since 2007; and what proportion of the labour force this represented in each (A) quarter and (B) such area. (321064)

Estimates for the working age population of the UK are provided in the attached table. They are derived from datasets extracted from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which enable the estimation of the labour market status of people surveyed in two successive quarters. These datasets are made publicly available as the “LFS Longitudinal Datasets”. Estimates for the regions and countries within the UK, and for all people aged 16 and over, are not available due to sample size restrictions and the limitations of the estimation methodology.

As with any estimates extracted from sample surveys, the figures provided are subject to a margin of uncertainty. More precise estimates of the quality of the estimates provided in this answer are not available.

Estimated quarterly flows1 from unemployment and from economic inactivity into employment, working age people2, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted

Flows (Thousand)

Flows as a percentage of total economically active

Unemployment to employment

Economic inactivity to employment

Unemployment to employment

Economic inactivity to employment

2007

Q1

376

406

1.3

1.4

Q2

448

478

1.5

1.6

Q3

454

655

1.5

2.2

Q4

567

528

1.9

1.8

2008

Q1

395

453

1.3

1.5

Q2

421

444

1.4

1.5

Q3

409

600

1.4

2.0

Q4

549

503

1.8

1.7

2009

Q1

370

359

1.2

1.2

Q2

450

330

1.5

1.1

Q3

555

518

1.8

1.7

Q4

582

405

1.9

1.4

1 From the previous calendar quarter to the quarter shown.

2 Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.

Source:

ONS Labour Force Survey Longitudinal Datasets

Communities and Local Government

Birmingham City Council: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with Birmingham city council on its financial situation. (321363)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with Birmingham city council regarding its financial situation.

Community Development: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2010, Official Report, column 247W, on community development: finance, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) data and (b) plans used to determine the allocation of funding from the Connecting Communities Fund to each local authority. (319106)

The neighbourhoods which benefited from Connecting Communities funding were identified after a range of hard and soft data around cohesion, deprivation and crime, perceived unfairness in the allocation of resources had been carefully examined. Feedback was also given by people working locally. The plans for each area were decided after discussions between local authorities and their Government office about the support required. The data and the plans are specific to each local authority and may include sensitive information. The hon. Member may wish to contact Peterborough city council about the selection of areas and the activities taking place in his constituency.

Departmental Location

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on the relocation of staff from posts in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point constituency in each of the last five years. (321434)

Communities and Local Government has not relocated any posts from either Essex or the Castle Point constituency.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time equivalent staff of each grade are employed by his Department to assist special advisers. (321131)

Two full-time and one 0.4 full-time equivalent civil servants support the special advisers in the offices of the Secretary of State and the Minister for Housing. All three civil servants provide support of a non-political nature, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. They also provide support to Ministers' private offices.

Departmental Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid in reimbursable expenses to special advisers in his Department in each of the last five years. (320476)

For information up to 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the answer he was given on 21 July 2008, Official Report, column 765W.

Since 2007-08, the information is as follows:

£

2008-09

4,407.35

2009-10

1,327.90

Procedures for reimbursing staff expenses are set out in the Department's staff handbook, and are in line with the provisions set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

Empty Dwelling Management Orders: Squatting

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been produced by his Department on whether an Empty Dwelling Management Order may be issued in respect of a property which is occupied by squatters. (319296)

The Department issued a Guidance Note on Empty Dwelling Management Orders in July 2006 which can be downloaded from the Communities website:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/guidancenote

An interim Empty Dwelling Management Order can be issued only by the Residential Property Tribunal Service if the dwelling has been wholly unoccupied (i.e. no part is occupied whether lawfully or unlawfully) for at least six months.

The issue of squatters is managed through separate provisions—other powers exist to evict squatters. The landlord must obtain an eviction order from a county court. The EDMO provisions can then be followed if required.

Fire Services: Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on the fire and rescue service per 100,000 population in each local authority area in the last 12 months. (321597)

The latest available outturn net current expenditure on the fire and rescue services per 100,000 of the population in each local authority in England is for 2008-09 and is tabled as follows:

£000 per 100,000 population

Greater London Authority

5,388

Greater Manchester Fire and CD Authority

3,887

Merseyside Fire and CD Authority

5,013

South Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority

4,168

Tyne and Wear Fire and CD Authority

4,648

West Midlands Fire and CD Authority

4,393

West Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority

3,184

Avon Combined Fire Authority

3,862

Bedfordshire Combined Fire Authority

3,651

Berkshire Combined Fire Authority

3,758

Buckinghamshire Combined Fire Authority

3,505

Cambridgeshire Combined Fire Authority

2,714

Cheshire Combined Fire Authority

3,927

Cleveland Combined Fire Authority

5,006

Derbyshire Combined Fire Authority

3,129

Devon and Somerset Combined Fire Authority

4,048

Dorset Combined Fire Authority

3,375

Durham Combined Fire Authority

4,417

East Sussex Combined Fire Authority

4,714

Essex Combined Fire Authority

4,032

Hampshire Combined Fire Authority

3,449

Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority

3,691

Humberside Combined Fire Authority

5,085

Kent Combined Fire Authority

4,071

Lancashire Combined Fire Authority

3,966

Leicestershire Combined Fire Authority

3,245

North Yorkshire Combined Fire Authority

3,598

Nottinghamshire Combined Fire Authority

3,853

Shropshire Combined Fire Authority

4,145

Staffordshire Combined Fire Authority

2,813

Wiltshire Combined Fire Authority

3,618

County councils

Cornwall

3,842

Cumbria

3,865

Gloucestershire

3,184

Hertfordshire

3,600

Lincolnshire

3,835

Norfolk

3,499

Northamptonshire

3,428

Northumberland

5,033

Oxfordshire

3,547

Somerset1

39

Suffolk

3,279

Surrey

3,778

Warwickshire

3,955

West Sussex

4,047

Isles of Scilly

15,547

Unitary authority

Isle of Wight UA

4,227

1 Fire and rescue responsibility was transferred from Somerset county council to Devon and Somerset Combined Fire Authority on 1 April 2007. However, Somerset county council still has some residual costs. Source: Communities and Local Government provisional Revenue Outturn (RO) returns.

Population figures used in the calculation are the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Mid-Year Population estimates for 2008.

The current expenditure defined here is on a Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17 basis and is the cost of running local authority services within the financial year. This includes the costs of staffing, heating, lighting and cleaning, together with expenditure on goods and services consumed within the year. This expenditure is offset by income from sales, fees and charges and other (non-grant) income, to give net current expenditure.

Greater Manchester

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Manchester, Gorton constituency, the effects on that constituency of the policies of his Department and its predecessors since 1997. (322141)

My Department does not routinely collect information at constituency level but, as the constituency of Manchester, Gorton falls within the local authority of Manchester we have, where relevant, included information from them in this answer.

The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources.

This service is available on the National Statistics website at:

http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/

Communities and Local Government statistical publications can be found at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/researchandstatistics/statistics/

This includes time series data across the Department’s remit at various geographic levels.

Details of research projects commissioned by Communities and Local Government and its predecessors are available from our Research Database (RD) at:

http://www.rmd.communities.gov.uk/

This includes evaluations of key policies.

Over the last year, Communities and Local Government has:

Played a critical role responding to the recession ensuring people, business and communities receive the practical help they need, including: helping people avoid repossession; Real Help Now; supporting the construction industry, critical regeneration projects, jobs through Future Jobs Fund; and businesses with the business rates deferral scheme.

Set in place a platform for greater local devolution for more effective decision making through local area agreements (LAAs)—including slashing central performance standards from over 1,200 to fewer than 200.

Continued building on this through Total Place pilots, leading innovation across public services—cutting out waste, overlap and duplication, meaning more and belter quality services at less cost to the taxpayer.

Established the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) set out in the Planning Act 2008—which will make the major Infrastructure Planning decisions for) the country, delivering a faster, fairer and more transparent planning regime.

Announced the £1.5 billion Housing Pledge to deliver an additional 20,000 units of affordable housing, creating 45,000 jobs in the construction industry over this year and next, including 1,300 new apprenticeship schemes.

Last year there were 330 additional affordable homes provided by Manchester local authority. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1406085.xls

During the period since 1997, the Department’s achievements include:

Working with local housing authorities to reduce the number of people accepted as owed a main homelessness duty by 71 per cent. since the peak in 2003—the lowest level since the late seventies—through greater emphasis on the prevention of homelessness.

In 2008-09, there were 539 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in Manchester local authority compared to 2,688 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in 2002-03. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141476.xls

Launching the Local Government White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” which set out a new stage of public sector reform, significantly strengthening leadership and devolving power to local government as well as providing a major expansion of opportunities for local people to influence local decision-making and improve their lives.

Helping reduce accidental fire-related deaths—the lowest level since 1959.

In 2008-09, there were 12 accidental fire related deaths in Greater Manchester, compared to 28 accidental fire relate deaths in 2001-02. At the local level, fire deaths may fluctuate within a general declining national trend. See link for further information (Table 4b):

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/1403049.xls

Reducing by 1.2 million the number of non decent social homes

As at 1 April 2009, there were 7,201 non-decent dwellings in Manchester local authority, compared to 40,586 non decent dwellings at 1 April 2001. See links for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1393612.xls

(2008-09 data)

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141950.xls

(2001-02 data)

Investing through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund £1.87 billion for England’s 88 most deprived local authorities, leading to real positive change.

Hackney

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Hackney, North and Stoke Newington constituency, the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies since 1997. (318372)

The Department does not routinely collect information at constituency level as far back as to 1997. The constituency of Hackney, North and Stoke Newington constituency falls within the London borough of Hackney and therefore where relevant information is available, this has been included in the answer.

The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at:

http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/

Communities and Local Government statistical publications can be found at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/researchandstatistics/statistics/

This includes time series data across the Department's remit at various geographic levels.

Details of research projects commissioned by Communities and Local Government and its predecessors are available from our Research Database (RD) at:

http://www.rmd.communities.gov.uk/

This includes evaluations of key policies.

Over the last year, Communities and Local Government has:

Played a critical role responding to the recession ensuring people, business and communities receive the practical help they need, including: helping people avoid repossession; Real Help Now; supporting the construction industry, critical regeneration projects, jobs through Future Jobs Fund; and businesses with the business rates deferral scheme.

Set in place a platform for greater local devolution for more effective decision-making through Local Area Agreements (LAAs), including slashing central performance standards from over 1,200 to fewer than 200.

Continued building on this through Total Place pilots, leading innovation across public services, cutting out waste, overlap and duplication, meaning more and better quality services at less cost to the taxpayer.

Established the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) set out in the Planning Act 2008, which will make the major infrastructure planning decisions for the country, delivering a faster, fairer and more transparent planning regime.

Announced the £1.5 billion Housing Pledge to deliver an additional 20,000 units of affordable housing, creating 45,000 jobs in the construction industry over this year and next, including 1,300 new apprenticeship schemes.

Last year there were 990 additional affordable homes provided by the London borough of Hackney, compared to 709 additional affordable homes provided in 1996-97. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1406085.xls

During the period since 1997, the Department's achievements include:

Working with local housing authorities to reduce the number of people accepted as owed a main homelessness duty by 71 per cent. since the peak in 2003—the lowest level since the late seventies—through greater emphasis on the prevention of homelessness.

In 2008-09, there were 615 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in the London borough of Hackney compared to 1,136 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in 2002-03. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141476.xls

Launching the Local Government White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” which set out a new stage of public sector reform, significantly strengthening leadership and devolving power to local government as well as providing a major expansion of opportunities for local people to influence local decision-making and improve their lives.

Helping reduce accidental fire-related deaths—the lowest level since 1959.

In 2008-09, there were 30 accidental fire related deaths in Greater London, compared to 56 accidental fire related deaths in 2001-02. See link for further information (Table 4b):

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/1403049.xls

Reducing by 1.2 million the number of non-decent social homes.

As at 1 April 2009, there were 7,326 non-decent dwellings in the London borough of Hackney, compared to 26,649 non-decent dwellings as at 1 April 2001. See links for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1393612.xls

(2008009 data)

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/142466.xls

(2001-02 data)

Investing through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund £1.87 billion for England's 88 most deprived local authorities, leading to real positive change.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many port businesses have paid the assessments for business rates for 2009-10; how many such businesses have paid a first contribution into his Department's scheme to allow the payment of such retrospective charges over eight years; and what estimate he has made of the number of businesses eligible for assistance under this scheme. (321417)

The Department does not hold information on the extent to which individual businesses have met their business rates liabilities for 2009-10.

Local authorities reported that, as at 8 October 2009, ratepayers occupying 221 properties within ports had fully discharged their backdated liability and ratepayers occupying a further 200 business properties within ports had been granted a schedule of payments.

In a Business Rates Information letter dated 10 February 2009, the Government said that, based on historical trends, they estimate that up to 1,500 properties could benefit from a schedule of payments in 2009-10.

The Government have listened to the concerns of businesses with significant and unexpected backdated bills, including some of those within ports. It has legislated to enable such bills to be repaid over an unprecedented eight years rather than in one instalment thus helping affected businesses to manage the impact on their cash flows during the downturn by reducing the amount they are required to pay now by 87.5 per cent.

Stroud

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Stroud constituency, the effects on that constituency of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessor since 2000. (321478)

My Department does not routinely collect information at constituency level but, as the constituency of Stroud falls within the local authority of Stroud we have, where relevant, included information from them in this answer.

The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at:

http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/

Communities and Local Government statistical publications can be found at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/researchandstatistics/statistics/

This includes time series data across the Department’s remit at various geographic levels.

Details of research projects commissioned by Communities and Local Government and its predecessors are available from our Research Database (RD) at:

http://www.rmd.communities.gov.uk/

This includes evaluations of key policies.

Over the last year, Communities and Local Government has:

Played a critical role responding to the recession ensuring people, business and communities receive the practical help they need, including: helping people avoid repossession; Real Help Now; supporting the construction industry, critical regeneration projects, jobs through Future Jobs Fund; and businesses with the business rates deferral scheme.

Set in place a platform for greater local devolution for more effective decision making through local area agreements (LAAs), including slashing central performance standards from over 1,200 to fewer than 200.

Continued building on this through Total Place pilots, leading innovation across public services, cutting out waste, overlap and duplication, meaning more and better quality services at less cost to the taxpayer.

Established the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) set out in the Planning Act 2008, which will make the major Infrastructure Planning decisions for the country, delivering a faster, fairer and more transparent planning regime.

Announced the £1.5 billion Housing Pledge to deliver an additional 20,000 units of affordable housing, creating 45,000 jobs in the construction industry over this year and next, including 1,300 new apprenticeship schemes.

Last year there were 70 additional affordable homes provided by Stroud local authority compared to 50 additional affordable homes provided in 2000-01. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1406085.xls

During the period since 1997, the Department’s achievements include:

Working with local housing authorities to reduce the number of people accepted as owed a main homelessness duty by 71 per cent. since the peak in 2003—the lowest level since the late seventies—through greater emphasis on the prevention of homelessness.

In 2008-09, there were 22 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in Stroud local authority compared to 89 households accepted as being homeless and in priority need in 2002-03. See link for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/141476.xls

Launching the Local Government White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” which set out a new stage of public sector reform, significantly strengthening leadership and devolving power to local government as well as providing a major expansion of opportunities for local people to influence local decision-making and improve their lives.

Helping reduce accidental fire-related deaths—the lowest level since 1959.

In 2007-08, there were five accidental fire related deaths in Gloucestershire, compared to two accidental fire relate deaths in 2001-02. At the local level, fire deaths may fluctuate within a general declining national trend. See link for further information (Table 4b):

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/1403049.xls

Reducing by 1.2 million the number of non decent social homes

As at 1 April 2009, there were 625 non-decent dwellings in Stroud local authority, compared to 1,895 non decent dwellings at 1 April 2001. See links for further information:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/1393612.xls

(2008-09 data)

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/142016.xls

(2001-02 data)

Investing through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund £1.87 billion for England’s 88 most deprived local authorities, leading to real positive change.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the merits of making the provision of assistance to the Congolese army conditional on progress towards the release from its ranks of those under the age of 18 years and the removal of individuals suspected of having committed human rights abuses. (321661)

The UN Peacekeeping mission, MONUC, has a conditionality clause in its mandate that support will be withdrawn from Congolese army units (FARDC) which commit human rights abuses.

We fully support this approach and will continue to maintain pressure on the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to take appropriate action against perpetrators of human rights abuses and uphold the rule of law. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa visited DRC last month and raised the issue with President Kabila, urging progress on security sector reform and implementation of his “zero tolerance” policy on human rights abuses. The Minister also met with FARDC officers and UN Peacekeeping troop commanders in South Kivu, in eastern Congo, and was encouraged by their considered approach to the newly mandated operation, Amani Leo, where they have created a method for vetting FARDC commanders before collaborating with them, shifted emphasis to predominantly civilian protection and developed a robust message on zero tolerance and the need to maintain professional standards. We will continue to monitor the mission through our staff on the ground as well as UN, non-governmental organisations and independent reporting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of providing assistance for accountability mechanisms in Democratic Republic of Congo in respect of reported human rights abuses, with particular reference to the participation of children in armed conflict. (321662)

Accountability is essential for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) armed forces to be able to provide civilian protection. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa raised the issue of impunity for human rights abusers with Prime Minister Muzito and President Kabila when in the country last month. We have lent support to developing the justice sector in DRC. We are providing about £80 million over five years to increase accountability of the security sector through strengthened oversight mechanisms, technical assistance and training.

Through the EU advisory and assistance mission for security reform in the DRC we are funding a biometric census project which provides accurate personnel figures for the military of the DRC regiments and allows child soldiers to be successfully identified and removed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the merits of extending the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1698 (2006) to include all political and military leaders responsible for the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo. (321663)

UN Security Council Resolution 1698 states that political and military leaders recruiting or using children in armed conflict in violation of applicable international law, and individuals committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction and forced displacement be subject to sanctions. We fully support this measure as stated in the declaration.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Political Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the arrest in January 2010 of Lutu Mabangu. (321392)

[holding answer 9 March 2010]: My noble Friend Baroness Kinnock raised freedom of expression and the need for media freedom and freedom of association in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the President, Prime Minister and other Ministers when she visited in late February. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials will raise the specific case of Lutu Mabangu at the meeting of the EU human rights working group in Kinshasa next month. We are currently not making any specific representations to the Government of DRC about this case.

Departmental Location

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on the relocation of staff from posts in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point constituency in each of the last five years. (321429)

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many full-time equivalent staff of each grade are employed by his Department to assist special advisers. (321136)

Since June 2009 there have been two full-time Civil Servants: one Band A member of staff (AO equivalent) and one Band B member (EO equivalent) employed to assist Special Advisers. These Civil Servants have provided administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Palestinians: International Assistance

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to seek to ensure safe passage of the Free Gaza flotilla through international waters. (321677)

Vessels in international waters enjoy the right of freedom of navigation. However, the Government strongly advise against any travel to Gaza at this time. Humanitarian aid workers and other essential specialist staff needing to travel to Gaza should co-ordinate their entry to Gaza with the major international humanitarian organisations already on the ground. The Government also regularly lobby the Israeli Government to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

If, despite this advice, Free Gaza decide to travel to Gaza, they do so at their own risk. They should review their security arrangements and seek professional security advice on whether they are adequate. They should register with our consular office in Gaza. The level of consular assistance the FCO can provide is extremely limited.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made in its policy of supporting the provision of compensation by the Libyan government for victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland. (321769)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Libya/Northern Ireland Reconciliation Unit continues to support the campaign by victims and families of victims of Irish Republican Army terrorism to obtain a settlement from the Libyan Government. This dedicated unit continues to provide facilitation, logistical support and advice to the campaign.

Trade Unions

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days staff of his Department and its agencies spent on trade union activity in the latest year for which figures are available; and what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of such activity. (320613)

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in North Africa on the effects of the Western Sahara dispute on the effectiveness of the Maghreb Arab Union. (321617)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have not discussed the effect of the Western Sahara dispute on the Maghreb Arab Union with all governments in North Africa. This issue has, however, been discussed with the Moroccan authorities. The UK recognises the negative impact of the long-running dispute over the territory of Western Sahara on a range of regional co-operation initiatives, including the Arab Maghreb Union.

The UK regards the status of the disputed non- self-governing territory of Western Sahara as undetermined, pending UN efforts to find a solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. To this end, we continue to support the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, in their efforts to resolve the dispute.

Home Department

Alcoholic Drinks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projects his Department is operating to encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol; and how much is being spent on each. (321156)

The Partnership Support Programme, run by the Alcohol Strategy Unit identified 50 CDRP areas where they expected to see action to tackle binge drinking and related antisocial behaviour. These areas are being encouraged to engage with their communities about the damaging effects of irresponsible drinking and the action they are taking to address problem areas. A total of £1.5 million has been distributed between the 50 CDRPs for this purpose.

12 selected CDRPs on the partnership support programme have received specialist strategic consultancy to develop sustainable communications plans to engage local communities and tackle people’s perceptions of the issues. The consultancy included research dissemination and feedback, the facilitation of communications workshops and the development of communications strategies. This is supported by ongoing liaison with regional Know Your Limits stakeholders, providing them with promotional materials to run their campaigns about irresponsible drinking and keeping them informed of Home Office activity and news.

We provide support to CDRPs and other stakeholders who have questions and requests about the Know Your Limits campaign. This includes information about materials available to them, using logos and amplifying campaigns locally, advice on the type of communication programme that they could run in their area, as well as general communication guidance and best practice.

The Know Your Limits advertising campaign targets 18 to 24-year-olds to prompt them to reconsider their behaviour around binge drinking. Throughout the summer adverts appeared on websites, radio, TV and in magazines. The cost of media for the financial year 2009-10, excluding production and fees, was £1,661,612.

Additionally, we have funded a number of adult and young people’s alcohol arrest referral projects. These seek to offer a brief intervention to individuals who have been arrested for an offence, and are under the influence of alcohol. A total of £1.6 million has been spent on these arrest referral projects during the financial year 2009-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) prosecuted, (b) convicted and (c) received the maximum available fine for the offence of not obeying an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place in each of the last three years. (321158)

The number of defendants proceeding against at magistrates courts and convicted and fined at all courts in England and Wales, and issued with a penalty notice for disorder for not obeying an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place in each year from 2006 to 2008 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table. No defendants have received the maximum fine of £500 between 2006 and 2008.

Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned to be published in autumn 2010.

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty, issued with a penalty notice for disorder and issued with a court fine at all courts for not obeying an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place, England and Wales 2006-081, 2, 3

Offence description

Number

2006

2007

2008

Failure to obey an instruction to stop alcohol consumption in designated public place (Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, sec. 12)

Proceeded against

101

113

4153

Found guilty

73

98

4123

Penalty notice for disorder

1,061

1,544

1,761

Maximum fines issued

Number of defendants fined

59

76

92

1 The court proceedings figures given in the table 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 it 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.

3 The offence of alcohol consumption in designated public place (section 12 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001) came into force on 1 September 2001.

4 Excludes prosecutions and convictions data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008.

Source:

Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions on the purchase, production, sale or misuse of alcohol introduced in legislation since 1 May 2007 have not yet been brought into force. (321161)

[holding answer 8 March 2010]: Legislative provisions that fall under the responsibility of the Home Office and have not yet been brought into force are as follows:

Policing and Crime Act 2009

The secondary legislation in relation to the mandatory licensing conditions for alcohol retailers. The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order is currently before Parliament for approval.

Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006

Sections 6,7 and 8 in relation to Drinking Banning Orders on conviction will come into force on 1 April 2010.

Alcoholic Drinks: Fixed Penalties

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many penalty notices for disorder have been issued for the offence of consuming alcohol in a designated public place in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines for such notices in each of the last three years.; (321034)

(2) how many penalty notices for disorder have been issued for the offence of being drunk in a highway in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines for such notices in each of the three years;

(3) how many penalty notices for disorder were issued for the offence of purchasing alcohol on behalf of a person under 18 in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines for such notices in each of those years;

(4) how many penalty notices for disorder were issued for the offence of buying or attempting to buy alcohol by a person under 18 in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines for such notices in each of those years;

(5) how many penalty notices for disorder have been issued for the offence of selling alcohol to a person who is drunk in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines in each of those years.;

(6) how many penalty notices for disorder were issued for the offence of being drunk and disorderly in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines in each of those years;

(7) how many penalty notices for disorder were issued for the offence of selling alcohol to a person under 18 years old in each of the last three years; and how much was paid in fines in each of those years.

The number of penalty notice for disorder issued for selected offences 2006 to 2008 (latest) are given in the tables. Alcohol related offences have been italicised.

Offences requested as follows:

DB07—consuming alcohol in a designated public place

DB05—being drunk in a highway

DA19 and DA20— purchasing alcohol on behalf of a person under 18

DB14—buying or attempting to buy alcohol

DA16—selling alcohol to a person who is drunk

DA06—drunk and disorderly

DA18—selling alcohol to a person under 18 years old

Penalty notices for disorder data for 2009 are planned to be published in autumn 2010.

Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20061

Of those paid

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

%

Paid in full within 21 days

%

Paid in full outside 21 days

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,933

1,911

49

1,355

34

556

14

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

909

523

58

388

43

135

15

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

106

43

41

35

33

8

8

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

82,235

43,120

52

30,757

37

12,363

15

DA05

Throwing fireworks

682

380

56

267

39

113

17

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

43,556

24,673

57

18,123

42

6,550

15

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

20,620

11,351

55

8,342

40

3,009

15

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

38,772

16,169

42

12,370

32

3,799

10

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

53

34

64

27

51

7

13

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

28

12

43

9

32

3

11

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

76

51

67

34

45

17

22

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

47

35

74

29

62

6

13

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

60

53

88

41

68

12

20

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

3,195

2,756

86

2,354

74

402

13

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

407

268

66

213

52

55

14

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

60

39

65

35

58

4

7

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

297

176

59

132

44

44

15

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,042

551

53

320

31

231

22

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

15

6

40

5

33

1

7

DB05

Drunk in a highway

2,712

1,433

53

1,064

39

369

14

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,061

252

24

165

16

87

8

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,169

593

51

427

37

166

14

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

75

55

73

46

61

9

12

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

14

10

71

10

71

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

73

52

71

43

59

9

12

All offences

201,197

104,546

52

76,591

38

27,955

14

Other outcomes

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

Fine registered

%

Court hearing requested

%

PND cancelled

%

Potential prosecution

%

Outcome unknown

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,933

1,911

1,787

45

44

1

108

3

81

2

2

0

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

909

523

319

35

14

2

26

3

24

3

3

0

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

106

43

52

49

6

6

5

5

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

82,235

43,120

35,154

43

780

1

1,914

2

1,126

1

141

0

DA05

Throwing fireworks

682

380

264

39

5

1

23

3

10

1

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

43,556

24,673

16,919

39

269

1

886

2

725

2

84

0

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

20,620

11,351

8,492

41

134

1

324

2

287

1

32

0

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

38,772

16,169

21,157

55

203

1

732

2

392

1

119

0

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

53

34

16

30

1

2

1

2

1

2

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

28

12

15

54

1

4

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

76

51

21

28

3

4

1

1

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

47

35

9

19

1

2

2

4

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

60

53

7

12

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

3,195

2,756

390

12

6

0

30

1

10

0

3

0

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

407

268

122

30

1

0

10

2

6

1

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

60

39

20

33

1

2

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

297

176

99

33

3

1

14

5

3

1

2

1

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,042

551

463

44

2

0

19

2

6

1

1

0

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

15

6

6

40

2

13

1

7

DB05

Drunk in a highway

2,712

1,433

1,158

43

7

0

94

3

16

1

4

0

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,061

252

749

71

7

1

45

4

6

1

2

0

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,169

593

536

46

3

0

26

2

10

1

1

0

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

75

55

17

23

2

3

1

1

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

14

10

4

29

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

73

52

20

27

1

1

All offences

201,197

104,546

87,796

44

1,480

1

4,268

2

2,710

1

397

0

Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20071

Of those paid

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

%

Paid in full within 21 days

%

Paid in full outside 21 days

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,966

1,862

47

1,384

35

478

12

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

1,193

670

56

526

44

144

12

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

96

55

57

38

40

17

18

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

77,827

40,357

52

30,761

40

9,596

12

DA05

Throwing fireworks

649

374

58

290

45

84

13

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

46,996

26,367

56

19,727

42

6,640

14

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

19,946

11,072

56

8,401

42

2,671

13

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

45,146

19,111

42

15,390

34

3,721

8

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

39

25

64

20

51

5

13

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

22

10

45

7

32

3

14

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

106

67

63

57

54

10

9

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

81

64

79

50

62

14

17

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

54

41

76

31

57

10

19

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

3,583

3,074

86

2,623

73

451

13

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

555

320

58

244

44

76

14

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

64

31

48

23

36

8

13

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

431

268

62

219

51

49

11

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,527

780

51

441

29

339

22

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

25

13

52

11

44

2

8

DB05

Drunk in a highway

2,066

1,146

55

942

46

204

10

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,544

328

21

259

17

69

4

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,374

705

51

541

39

164

12

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

85

67

79

55

65

12

14

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

11

9

82

8

73

1

9

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

158

109

69

85

54

24

15

All offences

207,544

106,925

52

82,133

40

24,792

12

Other outcomes

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

Fine registered

%

Court hearing requested

%

PND cancelled

%

Potential prosecution

%

Outcome unknown

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,966

1,862

1,807

46

34

1

122

3

140

4

1

0

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

1,193

670

431

36

17

1

43

4

32

3

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

96

55

37

39

3

3

1

1

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

77,827

40,357

33,021

42

626

1

2,210

3

1,577

2

36

0

DA05

Throwing fireworks

649

374

223

34

9

1

30

5

13

2

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

46,996

26,367

18,161

39

244

1

1,038

2

1,177

3

9

0

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

19,946

11,072

7,979

40

112

1

384

2

393

2

6

0

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

45,146

19,111

24,344

54

172

0

988

2

507

1

24

0

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

39

25

13

33

1

3

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

22

10

10

45

2

9

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

106

67

31

29

1

1

5

5

2

2

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

81

64

9

11

3

4

2

2

3

4

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

54

41

11

20

1

2

1

2

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

3,583

3,074

405

11

13

0

69

2

22

1

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

555

320

211

38

4

1

14

3

5

1

1

0

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

64

31

22

34

10

16

1

2

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

431

268

138

32

1

0

19

4

5

1

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,527

780

675

44

45

3

26

2

1

0

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

25

13

10

40

2

8

DB05

Drunk in a highway

2,066

1,146

788

38

8

0

94

5

30

1

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,544

328

1,090

71

6

0

87

6

32

2

1

0

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,374

705

589

43

2

0

64

5

13

1

1

0

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

85

67

16

19

2

2

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

11

9

1

9

1

9

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

158

109

35

22

13

8

1

1

All offences

207,544

106,925

90,057

43

1,253

1

5,249

3

3,980

2

80

0

Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20081

Of those paid

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

%

Paid in full within 21 days

%

Paid in full outside 21 days

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,443

1,659

48

1,302

38

357

10

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

888

532

60

422

48

110

12

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

77

50

65

35

45

15

19

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

57,773

29,646

51

23,172

40

6,474

11

DA05

Throwing fireworks

531

296

56

240

45

56

11

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

44,411

24,775

56

18,371

41

6,404

14

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

13,427

7,624

57

5,880

44

1,744

13

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

45,616

20,903

46

17,280

38

3,623

8

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

23

21

91

17

74

4

17

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

23

12

52

10

43

2

9

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

67

42

63

38

57

4

6

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

66

51

77

47

71

4

6

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

83

70

84

60

72

10

12

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

2,824

2,473

88

2,121

75

352

12

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

524

291

56

232

44

59

11

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

50

34

68

24

48

10

20

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

286

162

57

134

47

28

10

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,468

797

54

313

21

484

33

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

27

16

59

7

26

9

33

DB05

Drunk in a highway

1,438

773

54

657

46

116

8

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,761

296

17

254

14

42

2

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,202

660

55

543

45

117

10

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

36

23

64

19

53

4

11

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

6

4

67

4

67

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

114

79

69

62

54

17

15

England and Wales

176,164

91,289

52

71,244

40

20,045

11

Other outcomes

Offence description

Number issued

Total paid in full

Fine registered

%

Court hearing requested

%

PND cancelled

%

Potential prosecution

%

Outcome unknown

%

£80 Tickets issued

DA01

Wasting police time

3,443

1,659

1,519

44

35

1

115

3

113

3

2

0

DA02

Misuse of public telecommunications system

888

532

285

32

11

1

40

5

20

2

DA03

Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority

77

50

25

32

1

1

1

1

DA04

Causing Harassment, alarm or distress2

57,773

29,646

24,623

43

419

1

1,688

3

1,387

2

10

0

DA05

Throwing fireworks

531

296

204

38

3

1

17

3

11

2

DA06

Drunk and disorderly

44,411

24,775

17,368

39

299

1

873

2

1,072

2

24

0

DA11

Criminal Damage (under £500)2

13,427

7,624

5,251

39

72

1

210

2

266

2

4

0

DA12

Theft (retail under £200)2

45,616

20,903

23,090

51

189

0

881

2

540

1

13

0

DA13

Breach of fireworks curfew

23

21

1

4

1

4

DA14

Possession of category 4 firework

23

12

11

48

DA15

Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework

67

42

22

33

2

3

1

1

DA16

Sale of alcohol to drunken person

66

51

9

14

3

5

1

2

2

3

DA17

Supply of alcohol to person under 18

83

70

12

14

1

1

DA18

Sale of alcohol to person under 18

2,824

2,473

309

11

9

0

15

1

17

1

1

0

DA19

Purchase alcohol for person under 18

524

291

210

40

4

1

10

2

9

2

DA20

Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises

50

34

15

30

1

2

DA21

Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

286

162

116

41

8

3

£50 Tickets issued

DB03

Trespass on a railway

1,468

797

585

40

1

0

69

5

16

1

DB04

Throwing stones at a train/railway

27

16

10

37

1

4

DB05

Drunk in a highway

1,438

773

586

41

4

0

55

4

20

1

DB07

Consumption of alcohol in public place

1,761

296

1,365

78

2

0

72

4

26

1

DB08

Depositing and leaving litter

1,202

660

496

41

8

1

25

2

12

1

1

0

DB12

Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

36

23

11

31

2

6

DB13

Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

6

4

2

33

DB14

Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18

114

79

30

26

1

1

4

4

England and Wales

176,164

91,289

76,155

43

1,062

1

4,089

2

3,514

2

55

0

“—” = Nil.

1 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 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.

2 Offence is a Notifiable offence included within OBTJ figures.

Source:

Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

[Ref: IOS 120-10], [Ref: IOS 124-10], [Ref: IOS 125-10], [Ref: IOS 126-10], [Ref: IOS 127-10], [Ref: IOS 128-10] and [Ref: IOS 129-10]

Animal Experiments: Primates

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department takes steps to ensure that monkeys imported for scientific research from (a) China and (b) Vietnam have been bred in that country and not re-exported from a third country. (321326)

Appraisal of the breeding centres in China and Vietnam currently regarded as acceptable by the Home Office has not revealed any evidence that animals consigned to the United Kingdom have been bred other than at the Chinese or Vietnamese centre in question.

Following each shipment of non-human primates to the United Kingdom, the Inspectorate has access to the full-lifetime records of the individual animals to be used under project licence authority including details of their origin. Second and subsequent Inspectorate visits to overseas sources allow supplementary checks to be made of the reliability of the records provided to the United Kingdom users.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many companies in (a) China and (b) Vietnam are designated as breeding and supply establishments to supply non-human primates to the UK for the purposes of scientific research. (321341)

The Home Office has no authority to designate primate breeders or suppliers outside Great Britain. However, the use of any non-human primate from an overseas source under the authority of a project licence issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires prior approval which is given only if the conditions at the supplying centre, and at the breeding centre where the animals originate, if different, are acceptable to the Home Office at the time of the supply. There are three centres in China currently considered acceptable to provide non-human primates to UK designated user establishments and one in Vietnam.

Antisocial Behaviour

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of antisocial behaviour police forces in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England and Wales have received in each year since 1997. (313498)

The total number of incidents classified as antisocial behaviour as defined within the National Incident Category List (NICL) in 2007-08 and 2008-09 are set out in the table. Data are not available by constituency and were only collected in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

These data are normally used for management information only and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications.

Force area

2007-08

2008-09

South Tyneside

19,030

16,233

North East of England1

298,864

271,707

England and Wales

3,868,002

23,669,100

1 For policing purposes the Home Office defines the North East region as consisting of three police forces: Cleveland, Durham, and Northumbria. 2 This figure has increased by 7,602 compared to the figure in PQ ref: 289587 owing to a correction to Wiltshire's figure. Note: The data represent calls for service as recorded by police forces under the ASB categories and may be subject to local variation in reporting and classifying.

Arrest Warrants: Operating Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse has been of enforcing European arrest warrants issued in each other EU member state in each year since 2003; and what the average cost to the public purse was of enforcing such a warrant in each of those years. (321191)

[holding answer 8 March 2010]: The European arrest warrant has been in operation since 1 January 2004. The Home Office does not hold these data. They could not be accessed without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Translation Services

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies incurred on translators in each year since 1998. (317982)

The Department's expenditure on translation and interpretation services from 2003-04 to 2008-09, being the most recent period for which audited figures are available, is as follows:

£000

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Home Office, including UKBA

13,499

14,903

10,419

9,683

9,636

8,301

Identity and Passport Service

3

3

3

6

1260

1,177

Criminal Records Bureau

0

0

0

13

0

0

1The Identity and Passport Service introduced compulsory face-to-face interviews for first time applicants in 2007-08. The first compulsory interview making use of an interpreter took place on 11 May 2007.

The Home Office figures in the table, for the financial years 2004-05 to 2007-08, do not include those for the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the Office of Criminal Justice and Reform (OCJR), which transferred to Ministry of Justice on 1 April 2007: figures for NOMS and OCJR for 2003-04 could not be deducted from the Home Office total without incurring disproportionate cost.

Data prior to 2003-04 can only be extracted at disproportionate cost.

Firearms: Arrests

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests for possession of a firearm and (b) gun-related incidents were recorded in each year since 1997. (320893)

The relevant Home Office data collection includes information on the number of arrests for possession of firearms resulting from searches under the Firearms Act 1968 Section 47 and other legislation. Data on the number of arrests under these powers from 1997-98 to 2007-08 (latest available) are provided in Table (A). The information provided only covers arrests under these powers and does not cover other arrests for firearms.

Information on the number of arrests for possession of firearms not resulting from these searches is not available centrally.

Data on offences in which firearms (excluding air weapons) were reported to have been used from 1997-98 to 2008-09 are given in Tables (B) and (C). Statistics for 2009-10 are scheduled to be published in January 2011.

Firearms are taken to be involved in a crime if they are fired, used as a blunt instrument or used as a threat against a person.

The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002. Firearm offences before and after that date are not directly comparable.

Table A: Number of arrests for possession of firearms following stops and searches under Section 47 of the firearms act 1968 and other legislation, England and Wales 1997-98 to 2007-08

Number

1997-98

726

1998-99

707

1999-2000

756

2000-01

815

2001-02

899

2002-03

1,041

2003-04

924

2004-05

1,438

2005-06

1,417

2006-07

1,410

2007-08

1,496

Table B: Firearm offences1 (excluding air weapons), England and Wales, 1997 to 2001-02

Number of offences

1997-98

4,903

1998-992

5,209

1999-2000

6,843

2000-01

7,471

2001-023

10,024

1 Firearms are taken to be involved in a crime if they are fired, used as a blunt instrument or used as a threat

2 There was a change in the counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998.

3 Figures may have been inflated by some police forces implementing the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard before 1 April 2002.

Table C: Firearm offences1 (excluding air weapons), England and Wales , 2002-03 to 2008-09

Number of offences

2002-032

10,248

2003-04

10,338

2004-053

11,069

2005-06

11,088

2006-07

9,645

2007-08

9,865

2008-09

8,208

1 Firearms are taken to be involved in a crime if they are fired, used as a blunt instrument or used as a threat.

2 The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.

3 More explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons introduced on 1 April 2004 may have increased the recording of firearm offences, particularly those committed by imitation weapons.

Intelligence Services

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the guidelines issued by his Department to officers of those intelligence services which fall within his responsibilities on interviewing prisoners abroad have been (a) seen and (b) agreed by him; and if he will make a statement. (321502)

The draft consolidated guidance is being seen and agreed by the relevant Ministers, which includes myself, and, as the Prime Minister has made clear, will be published shortly.

Post Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has discussed with Post Office Ltd. the award of the contract set out in tender notice 2009/S 247-354963. (319963)

The Secretary of State for the Home Department has not discussed with Post Office Ltd. the award of the contract set out in tender notice 2009/S 247-354963.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he made an assessment of awarding the contract set out in tender notice 2009/S 247-354963 to Post Office Ltd outside the competitive process. (319964)

The National Identity Scheme Management Board and its professional advisers concluded that a competition was required to find partners to help provide the services set out in tender notice 2009/S 247-354963. They advised the Secretary of State for the Home Department accordingly.

Prisoners: Health

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the number and proportion of (a) youths, (b) adult males and (c) adult females in custody following sentencing who experienced (i) drug dependency health problems, (ii) alcohol dependency health problems and (iii) serious mental health problems in the last 12 months. (321122)

I have been asked to reply.

The Department does not collect information on the number and proportion of sentenced prisoners (including young offenders (18 to 20 years), adult males and adult females) who experienced drug dependency and alcohol dependency health problems.

A source of information regarding prevalence of substance misuse among sentenced prisoners is “The problems and needs of newly sentenced prisoners: results from a national survey” published by the Ministry of Justice in October 2008. This reviewed 1,457 newly sentenced prisoners from 49 prisons.

In 2008, 703 sentenced prisoners were transferred from prison because of a mental illness severe enough to warrant treatment in a mental in-patient facility commissioned by the national health service.

UK Border Agency: Manpower

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff were based in each overseas country on 1 December 2009. (313504)

661 UK-based UK Border Agency staff are posted or are working overseas.

Another 1,510 staff locally engaged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office also work for the UK Border Agency are based abroad.

The following tables give the breakdown by each country:

Table 1: Entirety of work force1, United Kingdom-based UK Border Agency staff posted or working overseas

Countries2

Number

France

125

India

76

Nigeria

68

United Arab Emirates

43

Belgium

36

China

39

South Africa

25

Philippines

23

Russian Federation

21

Ghana

23

Pakistan

17

Bangladesh

12

Jamaica

10

Kenya

10

Turkey

10

Egypt

8

Thailand

8

Poland

6

Total of employees in countries with five or fewer posted UK staff3

101

Total

661

1 Border Force staff as at 31 December 2009, International Group staff as at 22 January 2009. 2 Countries with more than five posted UK staff. 3 Total representation in countries with five or fewer posted UK staff.

Table 2: Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff who are locally engaged and are thus based overseas, who work for the UK Border Agency

Country

Locally engaged workers (Number)

India

208

Nigeria

133

China

110

United Arab Emirates

106

Pakistan

88

United States

66

South Africa

51

Bangladesh

43

Philippines

36

Russian Federation

34

Australia

33

Turkey

32

Ghana

31

Thailand

28

Kenya

26

France

18

Germany

18

Iran

17

Malaysia

16

Sri Lanka

14

Italy

13

Jamaica

13

Jordan

13

Saudi Arabia

13

Ukraine

13

Canada

12

Egypt

12

Ethiopia

12

Spain

11

Colombia

10

Gambia, The

9

Irish Republic

9

Kuwait

9

Cyprus

8

Morocco

8

Taiwan (China)

8

Brazil

7

Macedonia

7

Yugoslavia

7

Libya

6

Netherlands

6

Romania

6

Vietnam

6

Countries with five or less locally engaged workers

184

Total

1,510

Energy and Climate Change

Electricity

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether he plans to bring forward proposals to set minimum standards for energy loss from distribution transformers in respect of (a) the installed base of transformers and (b) new units procured by distribution network operators; (321624)

(2) whether he has made a recent estimate of the potential carbon savings arising from the adoption of the highest energy efficiency standards in distribution of transformers distribution network operators; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what mechanisms are in place to encourage distribution network operators to procure the most energy efficient distribution transformers; and if he will make a statement.

DECC's policy is to ensure that grids, including at distribution level, support the new generation mix we need to meet our targets.

Ofgem did consider setting minimum standards for losses as part of its review of the losses incentive in DPCR5 but opted to retain the output based incentive (which was improved in DPCR5) in order to encourage distribution network operators (DNOs) to manage losses both through low loss technology and also through network operations or network users and to incentivise them to identify ways to tackle the issue of theft.

The downside of setting minimum standards would be the need for Ofgem to specify equipment which could lead to the risk of equipment market distortion and could stifle DNO's innovation on technical loss reduction.

Insulation

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of homes which require (a) additional loft insulation, (b) cavity wall insulation, (c) draught proofing and (d) new heating controls for the purposes of increasing their energy efficiency. (320327)

The English Housing Survey published by the Department for Communities and Local Government provides annual estimates on loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and heating controls. Using the approach contained within the Energy Performance Certificate, the 2007 report from the survey identified the following number of homes that would benefit (that is, their energy efficiency rating would significantly increase) in terms of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and heating controls. The survey is not able to measure the benefiting impact of draught proofing.

This is an estimate of the number of properties that would benefit from this measure, but that does not imply any requirement for such measures. The survey also does not take into account any practical issues of installing such measures. Many of these homes will be performing to a reasonable standard in terms of their energy efficiency.

EPC recommended energy efficiency measures, 2007

Size of applicable group1 (thousand)

Number of dwellings that would benefit from the measure (thousand)

Percentage

Loft insulation

19,908

8,871

45

Cavity wall

15,527

7,088

46

Heating controls

19,499

7,784

40

1 The total number of dwellings that have some level of existing loft insulation; have cavity walls, including those already insulated; have heating systems appropriate for heating controls, including those with controls fitted.

Source:

English House Condition Survey 2007 Annual Report, Table 2.6, pg 119 CLG.

Figures for 2008 will be published later in the year.

Warm Front Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households have had works funded by the Warm Front scheme in each month since January 2009. (320326)

The following table shows the number of households which have received works funded by Warm Front in each month since January 2009 to January 2010, the latest month for which figures are currently available.

Number of households assisted

January 2009

19,402

February 2009

30,023

March 2009

21,674

April 2009

17,690

May 2009

21,004

June 2009

19,960

July 2009

15,954

August 2009

19,676

September 2009

24,308

October 2009

20,664

November 2009

17,855

December 2009

15,982

January 2010

12,010

Wind Power

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the proportion of UK electricity that will come from (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind in (i) 2012, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2020. (321255)

The Renewable Energy Strategy (July 2009) contains recent analysis of the full technology breakdown to achieve the renewable energy target on a consistent basis across instruments and technologies. It is based on economic modelling of the costs and support for renewable technologies in the electricity, heat and transport sectors. The data below are based on the lead scenario from the Renewable Energy Strategy for large-scale electricity, which reaches 29 per cent. large-scale renewable electricity in 2020, and include estimates of onshore wind additionally brought on through feed in tariffs. However these numbers are just an illustrative mix on how we could reach 29 per cent. large scale renewable generation. The Government do not set targets for individual energy generation technologies but take a market-based approach to generation.

Percentage

Electricity generation from

2012

2015

2020

Onshore wind

4

5

9

Offshore wind

2

5

11

Source:

Data are based on analysis by independent consultants Redpoint/Trilemma and Element Energy for the renewable energy strategy.

Children, Schools and Families

Building Schools for the Future Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the gross internal floor area (a) before and (b) after rebuilding was of each school that has been rebuilt under the Building Schools for the Future programme. (319982)

[holding answer 2 March 2010]: Neither the Department nor Partnerships for Schools routinely collects information about the gross internal floor area of schools before they are rebuilt under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. However, we require all secondary schools to be in line with the Department's current area guidelines, for example, Building Bulletin 98 ‘Briefing Framework for Secondary School Projects', published in 2004, and Building Bulletin 82 ‘Area Guidelines for Schools', published in 1996. Prior to 1996 schools had to comply with statutory Minimum Teaching Area.

The following table shows the gross internal floor area for schools completed as part of BSF where data are available. It excludes ‘quick win' projects (those in wave 1 of BSF that were accelerated for early completion) and ‘one school pathfinders' (single projects for those local authorities in later BSF waves).

Local authority

School

Gross internal floor area m2

Bradford

Titus Salt School

16,773

Bradford

Tong High School

15,145

Bradford

Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College

15,965

Bristol

Bristol Brunel Academy

13,056

Bristol

The Bridge Learning Campus

14,450

Bristol

Brislington Enterprise College

17,640

Bristol

Bristol Metropolitan College

11,200

Durham

Durham Johnston

13,100

Hackney

Stoke Newington School (Phase 1)

13,430

Hackney

Clapton Girls Technology College

11,077

Haringey

John Loughborough

2,977

Haringey

Highgate Wood Secondary School

11,970

Haringey

Alexandra Park School

12,256

Haringey

Gladesmore Community School

10,034

Haringey

Homsey School for Girls

11,739

Haringey

Park View Academy

12,462

Haringey

Northumberland Park Community School

13,985

Islington

Holloway School

8,215

Islington

Highbury Grove + New Sixth Form

12,626

Islington

Samuel Rhodes SEN School

2,834

Kent

Dane Court School

10,148

Kent

The Community College Whitstable

10,777

Kent

Northfleet School for Girls (phase 1)

9,861

Kent

St. George's Church of England Foundation School (phase 1)

8,242

Knowsley

All Saints Centre for Learning

10,872

Knowsley

St. Edmunds Arrowsmith Centre for Learning

10,315

Knowsley

Huyton Arts & Sports Centre for Learning

10,949

Knowsley

Knowsley Park Centre for Learning—serving Prescot, Whitson and the wider community

10,844

Knowsley

Kirkby Sports College

10,872

Knowsley

Halewood Centre for Learning

12,455

Knowsley

Christ the King Catholic and Church of England Centre for Learning

9,585

Lambeth

Stockwell Park

11,919

Lambeth

Elm Court Special School

1,272

Lambeth

Park Campus

2,399

Lambeth

The Michael Tippett School

3,468

Lambeth

Elmgreen School (temporary accommodation)

12,240

Lancashire

Sir John Thursby Community College

13,574

Lancashire

Burnley Campus (Thomas Whitham Sixth Form)

13,262

Lancashire

Pendle Vale Campus

14,122

Lancashire

Shuttleworth College

9,888

Leeds

Swallow Hill Community College

13,965

Leeds

Allerton Grange

13,528

Leeds

Cockburn College of Arts

10,336

Leeds

Allerton High School

12,114

Leeds

Pudsey Grangefield School

10,528

Leeds

Rodillian School

12,485

Leeds

Temple Moor High School

11,811

Leeds

Crawshaw

11,528

Leicester

Soar Valley College

13,291

Leicester

Judgemeadow Community College

10,750

Leicester

Beaumont Leys

10,129

Leicester

Fullhurst Community College

9,225

Lewisham

Catford

8,873

Lewisham

Sedgehill

15,227

Liverpool

Lower Lee SEN School

4,631

Manchester

Enterprise Academy

8,278

Manchester

Health Academy

7,273

Manchester

Our Lady's RC Sports College (Higher Blackley Education Village)

7,023

Manchester

St. Matthews RC High School

9,541

Manchester

Newall Green High School

5,028

Manchester

Gorton Education Village

11,931

Manchester

St. Paul's

13,112

Manchester

Gorton Education Village (Melland High School)

4,110

Manchester

Piper Hill

13,112

Manchester

Meade Hill (Part of Higher Blackley Education Village)

2,745

Manchester

Buglawton Hall

2,850

Newcastle

Kenton School

19,382

Newcastle

Benfield School (phase 1 of refurb)

11,461

Newcastle

Walbottle Campus Technology College

17,106

Newcastle

Thomas Bewick (Previous PFI delivered by LEP)

4,106

Newham

Brampton Manor School

15,186

Nottingham

Big Wood

7,759

Nottingham

Hadden Park High School (phase 1)

9,728

Sheffield

Yewlands Technology College (two phases)

9,143

Sheffield

Talbot Special School

4,199

Sheffield

Newfield Secondary School

8,366

Sheffield

Silverdale Secondary School

10,913

Solihull

Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School

12,086

Solihull

Smith's Wood

12,850

Solihull

Park Hall School

12,557

Solihull

Lanchester School

3,911

South Tyneside

Mortimer Community College

11,105

South Tyneside

Jarrow School

9,383

Sunderland

Red House Academy

5,322

Sunderland

Castle View Enterprise Academy

7,880

Sunderland

Academy 360

10,104

Sunderland

Washington School

8,903

Waltham Forest

Walthamstow School for Girls

9,614

Waltham Forest

Frederick Bremer

9,519

Waltham Forest

Kelmscott School

7,413

Westminster

Westminster City Boys

8,344

Westminster

St. Marylebone CE

9,198

Westminster

Pimlico

12,769

Note:

The gross floor areas are estimates based on returns from local authorities

Departmental Taxis

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what contracts his Department has with private hire taxi companies; and what expenditure his Department has incurred on such contracts in each year since his Department was established. (300837)

The Department for Children, Schools and Families was created in June 2007. The Department does not currently have any contracts with private hire taxi companies but does have an arrangement with the Government Car Despatch Agency (GCDA). Any other expenditure incurred would be through account arrangements or through spot hire.

Expenditure incurred for each year with companies through accounts or spot hire since the Department was established is as follows. These figures also include expenditure (GCDA).

£

June 2007 to March 2008

247,738.00

April 2008 to March 2009

319,447.03

April 2009 to December 2009

237,359.30

Total

804,544.33

Stroud

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Stroud constituency, the effects on that constituency of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 2000. (321479)

Since 2000 the Government have transformed education and child care with improved outcomes for children and young people. Figures showing the performance at Key Stage 2 and GCSE and equivalents in Stroud are given in the following tables:

Key Stage 2 results of 11-year-old pupils attending schools1 in the Stroud constituency

Percentage of pupils gaining level 4 and above

2000

20092

Percentage point improvement 2000-09

Stroud

English

79

86

7

Maths

77

84

7

Science

89

92

3

England

English

75

80

5

Maths

72

79

7

Science

85

88

3

1 Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including academies and city technology colleges). 2 Revised data.

Source:

School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables.

GCSE and equivalents1 results for pupils2 attending schools3 in the Stroud constituency:

Percentage of pupils gaining

2000

20094

Percentage point improvement 2000-09

Stroud

5+ A*-C

61.3

70.2

8.9

5+ A*-G

95.1

94.0

-1.1

England

5+ A*-C5

49.2

70.0

20.8

5+ A*-G5

88.9

92.3

3.4

1 From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only. 2 From 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of Key Stage 4. Prior to 2006 results are based on pupils aged 15. 3 Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including academies and city technology colleges) and from 2000 does not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. 4 Revised data. 5 England figures also include independent schools as well as hospital schools and PRUs. Source: School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables.

Further information by constituency is provided within the Department's “In Your Area” website available at:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea

Information available at constituency level includes the number of specialist schools, number of operational academies, number of teaching assistants and other support staff, number of teachers and pupil:teacher ratios. Where information is not available at constituency level it has been provided at local authority level.

Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Support for All: The Families and Relationships

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much has been allocated to fund specialist relationship counselling services for families with disabled children as referred to in the Green Paper, “Support for All: the Families and Relationships” in the last 12 months. (318284)

The funding for the proposals outlined in “Support for All: the Families and Relationships” Green Paper has been allocated from current budgets. We have provided over £3.5 million of strategic funding to a range of third sector organisations, such as Relate, Marriage Care and the Asian Family Counselling Service, who provide relationship counselling for families, including those with disabled children. Over the past year, we have also provided funding of £3.1 million to support families through the recession, including £1 million to Relate for more face-to-face and telephone counselling to families, again including those with disabled children.

In addition, around £400,000 for 2010-11 has been re-prioritised from the current Aiming High for Disabled Children budget to provide specialist relationship counselling services for families with disabled children and to enhance helpline support for these families through third sector organisations.

Defence

Armed Forces: Food

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the duration is of his Department's contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions for armed forces food supply; and when that contract will be reviewed for the purpose of inviting competitive bids. (320754)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) food supply contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions (PFS) commenced in October 2006; it is a five-year contract with two two-year extension options. The MOD has taken up the first of these options and the contract is currently due to expire in October 2013. The MOD is considering the merits of extending the current contract with PFS against the benefits of competition.

Armed Forces: Health Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers have been treated at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court in each of the last five years. (321327)

The following table presents the number of personnel from all three services treated at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Headley Court from September 2008, by patient status (in-patient/out-patient/residential patient). Patients are treated for injuries and illnesses requiring rehabilitation that have arisen as a result of both operational and non-operational circumstances.

2008 (September-December)

2009

In-patients

98

304

Out-patients

882

2,414

Residential patients

335

806

All

1,136

2,607

Notes:

1. An in-patient is a patient that has been admitted and allocated a ward bed. A residential patient is a patient that is on a three week rehabilitation course; they are not allocated a ward bed, but reside in dormitory style accommodation. An outpatient is a non-resident patient attending DMRC for treatment.

2. Patients include naval service personnel, Army personnel (including those from the Gibraltar Regiment), RAF personnel, and reservists. The totals shown exclude special forces and other nations service personnel.

3. The Defence Patient Tracking System (DPTS) is a live system that is constantly being updated. Therefore data are provisional and subject to change.

Information on the total number of patients treated at DMRC has only been captured by the DPTS since 1 September 2008. Prior to this date only patients treated at DMRC following aero-medical evacuation to the UK were captured on the DPTS. Figures between October 2007 and August 2008 are included in monthly statistics published by MOD’s Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) organisation on armed forces personnel returned to the UK from Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of an injury or illness who have been treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) Birmingham and at Headley Court. Monthly reports for the whole of 2007, 2008 and 2009 are available both in the Library of the House and on the DASA website at the following link:

www.dasa.mod.uk

Equivalent verified data prior to this date are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers have been treated in Selly Oak Hospital in each of the last five years. (321331)

The Ministry of Defence's Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) organisation publishes information on Armed Forces personnel returned to the UK from Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of an injury or illness, who have been treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) Birmingham. Monthly reports covering the period October 2007 to January 2010 are available both in the Library of the House and on the DASA website at:

www.dasa.mod.uk

Equivalent verified data prior to this date are not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The following table offers a summary of the DASA data, showing Armed Forces personnel treated at RCDM Birmingham and the cause of their injury/illness.

Battle injury

Non-battle injury

Natural causes

All

20071

54

65

31

150

2008

218

270

224

712

2009

411

285

211

907

Total

683

620

466

1,769

1 October to December. Notes: 1. A battle injury includes those wounded as a result of hostile action. This includes injuries sustained while avoiding direct and indirect fire. A non-battle injury is any injury that is not caused by a hostile act and includes any accidental injuries such as sports injuries, road traffic accidents etc. 2. Patient totals include Naval Service personnel, Army personnel (including those from the Gibraltar Regiment), RAF personnel, and reservists. These totals exclude Special Forces, other nations' Service personnel, and patients returned from theatres other than Iraq and Afghanistan. Numbers include both in- and out-patients. 3. Some data are provisional and subject to change.

Armed Forces: Rescue Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's long-distance fixed-wing search and rescue capability following the withdrawal from service of the Nimrod MR2. (321289)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 February 2010, Official Report, column 47W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) and the answer I gave him on 25 February 2010, Official Report, column 678W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational radius is for Sea King helicopters based at RAF Lossiemouth for the search and rescue task. (321291)

The maximum operational radius for the RAF Sea King Mk 3/3a is 240 nautical miles. The Sea King undertakes short range Search and Rescue tasks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what multi-agency radio communication equipment is available for RAF C-130 Hercules aircraft for communication with fishing and merchant vessels during long-range search and rescue missions; (321292)

(2) what onboard communications capability the C-130 Hercules has to co-ordinate search and rescue agencies involved in major off-shore incidents.

The Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC), based at RAF Kinloss, is responsible for co-ordinating major off-shore incidents and multi-agency rescues. An on the scene co-ordinator may be designated, if required, by the ARCC. If appropriate, this could be an RAF aircraft.

RAF Hercules C130K and C130J have HF, UHF and VHF radios using aeronautical and marine frequency bands as standard equipment. This would enable them to communicate with and co-ordinate civil and military aircraft, ships and ground stations including the ARCC and HM Coastguard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions a UK-based Hercules C-130 has been called out on a search and rescue mission in each of the last five years. (321324)

In the last five years a Hercules C130 aircraft has been utilised on a Search and Rescue task only once, to provide on-scene co-ordination for the rescue of a civilian casualty from a ship at sea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on (a) how many occasions and (b) for what duration search and rescue assets at RAF Gannett have been unavailable during the last 12 months; and on what proportion of such occasions those assets were unavailable because of (i) aircrew shortages and (ii) technical problems. (321334)

During the period 1 March 2009 to 28 February 2010, the Search and Rescue aircraft at HMS Gannet were available for 97 per cent. of the time. There were 46 occasions when an aircraft was not available at the required notice of 15 minutes by day, 45 minutes by night. These occasions were all due to technical problems. The average down-time was three and a half hours, although there were four occasions when an aircraft was not available for a period of over 24 hours. These four occurred during a period when Gannet had loaned one of its complement of three aircraft to its sister SAR unit, 771 Naval Air Station based at RNAS Culdrose.

On an occasion when no aircraft was available, any calls for assistance received by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss would have been channelled to RAF Stations at Lossiemouth or Boulmer or to the Maritime Coastguard Agency at Stornoway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (a) how many S-92 helicopters his Department plans to procure for the UK-based search and rescue helicopter task and (b) where those helicopters will be based. (321335)

The future joint Ministry of Defence/Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MOD/MCA) Search and Rescue Helicopter service will be provided by the contractor Soteria under a service contract - MOD/MCA will not be procuring any helicopters. It will be the contractor's responsibility to ensure, throughout

the life of the contract, that they have sufficient helicopters to meet the requirement to be able to field one helicopter to incidents from each base during its operating hours. The helicopters will be based at RAF Boulmer, RMB Chivenor, RNAS Culdrose, Glasgow Airport, Leconfield, Lee On Solent, RAF Lossiemouth, Portland, Stornoway, Sumburgh, RAF Valley and Wattisham Airfield.

Armed Forces: Vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vehicle urgent operational requirements of each type have been (a) ordered and (b) delivered to Headquarters Land Forces since 2006. (319489)

The breakdown of UOR vehicles by each type ordered and delivered since 2006 is as follows:

Vehicle

Total qty ordered

Number of UOR procurements

Date of first order

Achieved/forecast date of last delivery to MOD/user

Qty issued to Purple Gate

Qty delivered to land forces

Mastiff (1 and 2)

299

5

1 January 2007 2 August 2008

Spring 2011

275

207

Wolfhound

101

2

April 2009

Winter 2010/spring 2011

32

8

Ridgback

177

2

October 2008

Summer 2011

156

125

Jackal (1 and 2)

445

6

July 2007

Winter 2010

332

260

Coyote

76

1

April 2009

Spring 2010

52

36

Husky

333

2

February 2009

Spring 2010

218

86

Snatch Vixen (Plus)

100

1

March 2009

Summer 2010

87

49

Snatch Vixen

32

1

August 2008

Autumn 2008

31

0

Vector

198

5

June 2006

Spring 2011

178

127

Talisman Systems

6

1

July 2008

Spring 2010

0

0

Cougar

30

1

November 2008

Summer 2009

30

30

Warthog

115

2

December 2008

Autumn 2010

4

0

Springer

78

1

December 2008

Summer 2009

78

75

Total

1984 + 6 Talisman systems

30

1,473

1,003

The quantities delivered to land forces are for whole vehicle UOR platforms and do not include details of those vehicles delivered to MOD, awaiting receipt and inspection by land. It should be noted that while land forces is the major recipient of many of these UOR procurements, vehicles are also delivered to other defence users. Also excluded are non UOR vehicles which have had UORs added to them. In addition, I am withholding details of covert vehicles, civilian armoured vehicles, EOD vehicles and special forces procurements as this could compromise operational security.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects the delivery of the order for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle to be completed; (321708)

(2) pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 15 December 2009, Official Report, column 802, on Future Defence Programme, whether the £280 million funding for the new vehicles includes funding for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle;

(3) when he expects the assessment phase of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle programme to be completed;

(4) what the cost of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle order is to (a) his Department's core budget and (b) the contingency reserve;

(5) whether a target (a) main gate and (b) in-service date has been set for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle;

(6) how many tranches will form the full order of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle; and what the total number of vehicles will be.

Two contenders, which could fill the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) requirement, are currently being assessed as part of a Concept Vehicle Evaluation. It is expected that this assessment phase will be complete in early April 2010. It is currently assessed that 200 LPPV will meet the need in Afghanistan. These 200 vehicles will form the first batch ordered under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) as soon as the design was ready, in order to get them into theatre as quickly as possible.

Until the full military requirement has been refined we judge that it makes sense to order an initial batch of 200 vehicles with a view to further buys in future. Buying vehicles in tranches allows us to learn lessons, to modify the vehicle if necessary and helps speed up the delivery of future orders.

Due to commercial sensitivities, and while the full requirement is being refined, I am unable to comment on the likely cost of the full LPPV order, or the funding arrangements. I can, however, confirm that the initial batch of 200 vehicles will be funded from the Treasury reserve as a UOR. This will be over and above the £280 million for additional equipment announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 15 December 2009. A business case will be submitted for the initial 200 vehicles in the coming weeks, once the assessment is complete. As the contract for the LPPV requirement has yet to be let, delivery details cannot be confirmed at this stage as they are still subject to commercial negotiations, but we intend that they should be delivered in 2011.

Departmental ICT

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information technology projects initiated by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies were cancelled prior to completion in the last 12 months; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse. (320428)

The Ministry of Defence and its Agencies (excluding trading funds) did not cancel any of its information technology projects, prior to completion, during Financial Year 2008-09. This excludes low value projects funded locally by individual units across the Department. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Interpreters

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Pashto and (b) Dari interpreters are employed by his Department. (321153)

No professional Pashto or Dari interpreters are currently employed by the Department. However, military personnel who have been trained to higher levels of proficiency in Pashto and Dari are available. Although not at the level of a professional interpreter, they are able to provide trusted translation and some consecutive interpreting capability.

When professional interpreting services are required, external provision is sought by the customer area from commercial agencies.

Joint Strike Fighter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter. (321337)

The Government remain committed to the Joint Strike Fighter as stated by the then Secretary of State on 18 March 2009, Official Report, column 54WS, on the approval to purchase three Joint Strike Fighters to allow the UK to participate in Operational Test and Evaluation in the US. The Joint Strike Fighter remains the optimum solution to the UK’s Joint Combat Aircraft requirement as part of our Carrier Strike programme. We have not made further investment decisions at this stage and cannot, therefore, announce overall numbers, variants or the in-service date.

Land Mines: Detectors

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department’s policy is on the provision of pre-deployment mine detection training. (321367)

Personnel are trained in Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Tactics, Techniques and Procedures and how to use the Vallon Hand Held Metal Detector during pre-deployment training, if their operational role in theatre requires it. Additional training is provided on arrival in theatre to ensure that personnel are given the latest tactics, techniques and procedures. All pre-deployment training is reviewed constantly in the light of operational experience.

Military Aircraft: Deployment

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum flight endurance time without mid air refuelling is for a (a) Typhoon eurofighter, (b) Harrier GR9, (c) Tornado GR4 and (d) Super Tucano; and what the average fuel consumption level is for each aircraft. (