Written Answers Written Answers to Questions Monday 7 January 2008 Scotland Christmas Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his Department's policy to use (a) incandescent light bulbs and (b) LED lights for festive decorations on departmental premises. David Cairns The information is as follows: (a) The Scotland Office is included in the environmental management policy and programme for the Ministry of Justice and is implementing the Government's UK sustainable action plan, issued on 5 March 2007. This includes the ongoing changeover from general lighting bulbs to energy saving bulbs wherever possible. (b) No specific requirements have been set for decorative Christmas lights. Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's policy is on the selection of (a) real and (b) artificial Christmas trees for his Department's festive decorations; and how real trees are disposed of. David Cairns The Scotland Office purchases a real Christmas tree, via an MoJ procurement contract, from a sustainable source and it is collected and recycled as green waste. Departmental Minimum Wage Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many London-based staff are employed by his Department on the national minimum wage. David Cairns All the staff in the Scotland Office are on loan from other Government Departments and the office reimburses those Departments for the costs involved. We do not hold payroll information on the national minimum wage as it applies to such staff. Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on special advisers in 2006-07; how much has been allocated for 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. David Cairns I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1216W. Members' Correspondence Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters his Department received from hon. Members and Peers in each session of Parliament since 1997. David Cairns The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2007 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2006 was published on 28 March 2007, Official Report, columns 101-04WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. Wales Barnett Formula Mrs. Moon To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment has been made of the Barnett consequentials arising from the Children’s Plan for (a) Wales and (b) the Bridgend constituency, broken down by funding area. Mr. Hain The funding for the Children’s Plan announced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS) in December 2007, formed part of their comprehensive spending review (CSR 2007) settlement. Barnett Consequentials formed part of the settlement for the Welsh Assembly Government. It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to determine the allocation of the block budget reflecting their priorities and policies. Mrs. Moon To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister in Wales on the £20 million Barnett consequential payment from support for disabled children and their families; and whether funding from this payment has been allocated in Bridgend constituency. Mr. Hain I meet regularly with the First Minister and discuss a wide range of topics including the Welsh Budget. It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to determine the allocation of the block budget reflecting their priorities and policies. Departmental Minimum Wage Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many London-based staff are employed by his Department on the national minimum wage. Mr. Hain None. Departmental Redundancies Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost was of redundancies in his Department in the 12 months preceding (a) 30 June 2004, (b) 30 June 2005 and (c) 30 June 2006. Mr. Hain Nil. Regulation Mrs. May To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for which regulators and inspectorates his Department has had responsibility in each year since 1997; what the budget was of each such body in each year; and what the cost to the public purse was of any restructuring of each such body in each year. Mr. Hain None. House of Commons Commission Energy Efficiency Mr. Winnick To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will take steps to ensure that (a) heating is not kept on in offices within the Parliamentary Estate at weekends and on other occasions when it is not likely the rooms are being used and (b) radiators are turned off at weekends and times when they are not used; and if he will make a statement. Nick Harvey All buildings on the parliamentary estate are under the control of a Building Management System (BMS), together with heating time scheduling to automatically turn on the heating prior to the time office areas are usually occupied and turn it off when the areas are vacated at the end of the day. The BMS is monitored by the Parliamentary Works Services staff around the clock. Mr. Winnick To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much was spent on heating on the Parliamentary Estate in each of the last four years. Nick Harvey It is not possible to determine how much was spent just on heating on the parliamentary estate in each of the last four years. Most of the buildings are heated by natural gas boilers which are not metered separately; most of the gas meters also record the gas used in hot water generation and in some buildings, kitchens, as well as in heating. The heating costs of a small number of buildings are included in the leasing charges and therefore they are not known. The amounts spent on gas on the parliamentary estate in each of the last four years are given in the following table: ----------------- | |£ | ----------------- |2003-04|455,554| ----------------- |2004-05|380,627| ----------------- |2005-06|584,069| ----------------- |2006-07|793,760| ----------------- The increase in gas expenditure in the last two years is mainly due to significant increases in the unit price of gas in those years. Portcullis House: Fires Norman Baker To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many times the occupants of Portcullis House were directed to leave the building due to fire in 2007; on how many such occasions a fire had occurred; what the seat of the fire was in each case where fire occurred; and what steps were taken on each occasion to (a) identify the person or persons responsible and (b) minimise the likelihood of reoccurrence. Nick Harvey Since 1 January 2007 there have been 13 evacuations from Portcullis House. Three were actual fires. After each fire a full fire investigation was carried out by the Fire Safety Manager. Transport Aircraft: Noise Mr. Boris Johnson To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimates she has made of the likely mean (a) nitrogen dioxide and (b) aircraft noise levels in each London borough under each of the proposed third runway scenarios in (i) 2015, (ii) 2020 and (iii) 2030; and what equivalent estimates she has made if levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions and noise from aircraft remain at average 2007 levels; (2) what the mean (a) nitrogen dioxide, (b) PM10 and (c) aircraft noise levels were in each London borough in (i) 2000 and (ii) the last year for which figures are available. Jim Fitzpatrick The consultation document “Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport” and supporting technical reports include data and contours for NO2, PM10 and noise in the Heathrow area for 2002 (the base year for comparative purposes) and future airport development scenarios for 2015, 2020 and 2030. Comprehensive information on air quality for each London borough is available via the London Air Quality Network (www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/default.asp?la_id=&showbulletins=&width=1024) and is updated daily. Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reasons were for the time taken to publish her Department's Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources report. Jim Fitzpatrick This was an especially challenging study given that it was not only reviewing attitudes of people to aircraft noise, but additionally was attempting ground breaking work by using specialist techniques to examine what monetary value should be put on such annoyance. The study took longer to complete than originally envisaged primarily to accommodate additional pilot studies—as recommended by independent experts—designed to reinforce the methodology underpinning the main phase of the social survey. The results of the study were announced just as soon as the extensive independent peer review process was completed. Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to provide for independent verification of whether aircraft noise limits are being exceeded at UK airports. Jim Fitzpatrick The issue of independent monitoring of breaches of aircraft noise limits is a matter for individual airports as part of their day-to-day operational business. I am aware of a number of cases where airports ensure that there is independent consideration of their noise and track keeping systems either by being certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard or having environmental policy and management systems subject to regular independent audit. In their environmental guidance manual for airports the Airport Operators Association acknowledge that the demonstration of a good environmental management system through externally certified management system can enable the airport to secure better relationships with customers, investors and the local community. In the “Future of Air Transport” White Paper we said that our preference remains that local solutions should be devised for local problems wherever possible, and we expect airport master plans to describe the package of measures that an airport operator intends to apply to deal with local noise problems. We look to individual airport noise and track keeping groups and consultative committees to monitor airport operations such as track-keeping, noise mapping and observance of Continuous Descent Approach (CDA). Cars: Exhaust Emissions Mr. Boris Johnson To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the number of cars in (a) London and (b) South East England which have carbon dioxide emissions (i) under 120g/km and meeting the Euro 4 standard for air quality, (ii) under 120g/km and not meeting the Euro 4 standard for air quality, (iii) between 120 and 225g/km and (iv) above 225g/km in each of the last five years. Jim Fitzpatrick Information on the number of vehicles meeting the Euro 4 standard is not held centrally. The number of licensed cars over the last five years in London and South East England with carbon dioxide emissions between 120 and 225 g/km and above 225 g/km were as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |London |South East England (excluding London)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |120-225 g/km|Above 225 g/km |120-225 g/km|Above 225 g/km| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |366 |733 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |532 |1,095 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |594 |117 |1,253|181| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |749 |141 |1,556|215| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |902 |161 |1,840|244| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. CO2 emissions data are unavailable for vehicles registered before 1 March 2001. In addition, CO2 data are also unavailable for a small number of vehicles registered after this date.2. CO2 emissions data in the above 225 g/km group are not held separately for 2002 and 2003.3. Data regarding the number of vehicles meeting the Euro 4 standard are not held centrally.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cumbrian Coastal Rail Service Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers used the Cumbrian coastal rail service between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle in each year since 1997. Mr. Tom Harris The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) does however publish regional passenger flows in the National Rail Trends Yearbook editions, which are available in the House Library or from their website at www.rail-reg.gov.uk Departmental Conditions of Employment Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of her Department's staff are employed within each salary band; what the title and role of each position within each salary band is; and for each salary band what the (a) bonus structure, (b) retirement provision, (c) expenses provision, (d) total expenses incurred in each of the last 10 years, (e) average age of employee, (f) number of (i) women and (ii) men and (g) ethnic composition is. Jim Fitzpatrick The current staffing figures for the Department are in the following table. --------------------------------------- |Level |Male |Female|Total | --------------------------------------- |SCS Level |148 |49 |197 | --------------------------------------- |Grades 6/7 |905 |297 |1,202 | --------------------------------------- |All other grades|10,180|7,140 |17,320| --------------------------------------- |Total |11,233|7,486 |18,719| --------------------------------------- The default retirement age in the Department is 65, with an option to retire at 60. Staff may continue working after 65 subject to there being an annual business case to remain in service. Further analysis of the composition of the Department's workforce is included in the Civil Service statistics collected by ONS from the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (formerly mandate) and the latest published statistics are for the year to 30 September 2006. These can be found in Table H at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/2006CivilServiceStatistics.pdf A further breakdown of the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Departmental Illegal Immigrants Damian Green To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many illegal immigrants were discovered working for her Department and its agencies in the last year for which figures are available. Jim Fitzpatrick There are no cases of which we are aware of illegal immigrants who have been discovered working for the Department for Transport and its agencies in the last year. Departmental Training Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff aged between 16 and 18 were employed by her Department and its predecessors (a) directly and (b) through an employment agency in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of these were given time off work to undertake some form of training; and what proportion were provided with some form of training (i) wholly and (ii) partially funded by her Department. Jim Fitzpatrick Generally, nearly all 16 to 18 year-olds employed directly will be given time-off to undertake training and this is funded. However, the detailed breakdown requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Galileo Mr. Jenkin To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the EU Lisbon treaty, once implemented, will have an effect on the EU's Galileo programme. Ms Rosie Winterton No. Mr. Jenkin To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the treaty basis is for the EU's Galileo programme; and if she will make a statement. Ms Rosie Winterton The objectives of the Galileo programme derive from Article 156 of the treaty establishing the European Community. Galileo: Finance Mr. Austin Mitchell To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the UK (a) has spent and (b) is expected to spend on the Galileo satellite navigation project. Ms Rosie Winterton The technical development of Galileo is a joint project of the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA). Approximately €1.6 billion has been committed to the development phase of the system. European Finance and Transport Ministers have recently agreed a way forward for the funding of Galileo over the 2007-13 financial perspective. Ministers have acknowledged the Commission’s estimate, based on a public procurement, of €3.4 billion over the period to 2013 for deployment and initial operation of the system, and have agreed that it should represent a ceiling on expenditure within this financial perspective. It is intended that the deployment and initial operation of Galileo will be taken forward as an EU only programme funded through the EC Budget. The UK’s directly committed costs as an ESA member state for the ESA element of the design and development phase of the programme is €142 million. As EU member states contribute to the EC Budget as a whole rather than to individual spending programmes within it there is no specific UK contribution to the EC Budget funded element of the development and subsequent deployment costs for Galileo. There has been no political discussion of potential funding commitments for the public sector beyond 2013. Heathrow Airport: Railways Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the number of flights into and out of Heathrow which were to destinations where there is a viable rail alternative in the latest period for which figures are available. Jim Fitzpatrick There is no definition of what constitutes a viable rail alternative to flying. However, according to CAA statistics for 2006 there were 58,915 domestic flights to or from Heathrow carrying just under 6 million passengers. There were 28,550 flights to or from Paris and Brussels, with 2.7 million passengers. Public Transport Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was made available to support rural public transport in Cumbria in each year since 1997. Ms Rosie Winterton We have supported the provision of bus services in rural areas by means of rural bus subsidy grant (RBSG), a grant paid to local transport authorities according to numbers living in rural areas. RBSG allocations to Cumbria county council since the grant's introduction in 1998 are shown in the following table. ---------------------- | |Allocation| ---------------------- |1998-99 |957,384 | ---------------------- |1999-2000|957,384 | ---------------------- |2000-01 |957,384 | ---------------------- |2001-02 |1,222,506 | ---------------------- |2002-03 |1,399,254 | ---------------------- |2003-04 |1,428,712 | ---------------------- |2004-05 |1,471,573 | ---------------------- |2005-06 |1,529,273 | ---------------------- |2006-07 |1,566,783 | ---------------------- |2007-08 |1,604,293 | ---------------------- |Total |13,094,545| ---------------------- In addition, we have encouraged the development of innovative solutions to meeting rural transport needs by means of Rural Bus Challenge (RBC) competitions held from 1998 to 2003. RBC awards to Cumbria county council are shown in the following table. --------------------- | |Award | --------------------- |1999-2000|722,000 | --------------------- |2000-01 |800,000 | --------------------- |2001-02 |542,300 | --------------------- |2002-03 |805,573 | --------------------- |2003-04 |482,594 | --------------------- |Total |3,352,467| --------------------- Local authorities also support rural public transport from their own resources, including revenue support grant from central government. Rail funding is not split on a county by county basis and therefore we cannot provide a specific figure for rail support for Cumbria. Public Transport: Concessions Mr. Todd To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will extend the national concessionary fare scheme to community transport services. Ms Rosie Winterton Those community transport services operated under section 22 of the Transport Act 1985 which are fully available to the public will be eligible. The inclusion of all community transport services would have to be fully funded and careful consideration would have to be given to the impacts on the sector and rural bus services. The Government have a strong track record in extending concessionary travel. However its current priority is to focus on the successful implementation of the national concession in 2008. Local authorities will retain the flexibility to include community transport in their local schemes to reflect local needs and circumstances. Railways: Standards Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2007, Official Report, column 430W, on railways: standards, how many hits there have been on the website; and if she will place a copy of the study in the Library. Mr. Tom Harris This information is held by Stagecoach South Western Trains who can be contacted at the following address: Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited Customer Service Centre Overline House Blechynden Terrace Southampton Hampshire SO15 1AL Refuse Collection Vehicles Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the new tachograph regulations will apply to local authorities' refuse collection vehicles. Jim Fitzpatrick Vehicles used in connection with door-to-door household refuse collection and disposal are exempt from the EU drivers' hours and tachograph rules provided they are operated by, or under contract to, a public authority. In the Department's opinion, such operations would involve the primary collection of waste from household or commercial premises, including the collection of street cleansing waste, where the transport activity remains subsidiary to the collection. The waste collected from commercial premises must be similar to or of the same kind as that collected from households, it must be collected in the same way (i.e. door-to-door), it must not be subject to any special collection regime or special rules, and must be collected using the same vehicles. Such operations might involve longer aggregate journeys where there are a number of stops, particularly in rural areas, but such journeys should not normally exceed a radius of 50 kilometres from the place where a vehicle is normally based. Road Traffic Andrew Rosindell To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected traffic numbers are on the M25 approaches to the Dartford Crossing from Essex. Mr. Tom Harris The projected traffic numbers on the M25 approaches to the Dartford Crossing from Essex for the financial year 2007-08 are 26,576,414 vehicles. Roads Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the lane restrictions on the M3 at its junction with the M25 came into force; what works were undertaken requiring the restrictions; when those works were completed; for what purpose cameras were installed west of the junction; and when she expects to lift the lane restrictions. Mr. Tom Harris The trial layout of lane restrictions at Junction 12 of M25 came into force on 5 March 2007. The lane restrictions were put in place to improve the flow of traffic from the M25 onto the M3 by re-allocating the available road space more accurately to reflect actual traffic flow. Traffic on the M3 has been restricted to a single lane through this junction to allow two dedicated lanes for traffic joining from the M25. The trial was initially implemented for a period of four weeks to confirm the effective operation of the layout. As the trial layout has proved to be effective it has been retained. Throughout the new layout a speed limit of 50 mph has been implemented and managed by Surrey Safety Camera Partnership to act as a safety deterrent while the trial is in place. An announcement will be made shortly as to whether this scheme is to be made permanent or if lane restrictions are to be removed. Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department has made of the likely levels of road usage on the A595 between Greenodd and Whitehaven by (a) private vehicles and (b) freight traffic in each of the next three years. Mr. Tom Harris The Department has made no specific estimates of road usage, either private or goods vehicles, on this stretch of road for the forthcoming three years. Forecasts of traffic at a regional level are made using the Department's National Transport Model (NTM) and these are published on the Department's web site: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/roadpricing/researchtrafficcongestion. The latest forecasts for Northwest Region, which were published in October 2007, indicate that traffic growth on rural A roads between the years 2003 to 2010 will be 9 per cent. for cars, 17 per cent. for light goods vehicles and 2 per cent. for heavy goods vehicles. Roads: Accidents Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents resulting in a fatality in Copeland involved (a) drivers under 25 years of age and (b) drivers within 12 months of passing their driving test in the last five years. Jim Fitzpatrick The number of reported fatal road accidents involving drivers aged under 25 in Copeland in each of the last five years is as follows: -------------------------------- | |Number of fatal accidents| -------------------------------- |2002|2 | -------------------------------- |2003|1 | -------------------------------- |2004|2 | -------------------------------- |2005|0 | -------------------------------- |2006|1 | -------------------------------- Information on the length of time that drivers involved in personal injury road accidents have held a driving licence is not available. Roads: Children Mr. Leech To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the merits of roadside pedestrian training schemes for children. Jim Fitzpatrick We funded the £9 million Kerbcraft child pedestrian training research project in 64 English local authorities. The project provided training for five to seven-year-olds in three important road-crossing skills. The project was fully evaluated; we have disseminated interim evaluation results which show that trained children made statistically significant improvements to key behaviours, compared to untrained children. We will disseminate best practice to all local authorities. Mr. Leech To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will extend roadside pedestrian training schemes for children on a national basis. Jim Fitzpatrick Local authority road safety officers (RSOs) have the responsibility of supporting and co-ordinating road safety education, training and publicity; it is for them to consider how best to meet their local needs. DfT will disseminate good practice in roadside child pedestrian training schemes to local authorities and educators, based on, but not exclusive to, the Kerbcraft child pedestrian training scheme as it was piloted and evaluated in England and Scotland between 2001 and 2007. Roads: Lorries Mr. Lancaster To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to reduce congestion caused by heavy goods vehicles on roads. Jim Fitzpatrick To reduce congestion the Department provides direct grant funding to support the use of rail and water freight where appropriate. This year these mode-shift programmes are expected to remove 1.1 million lorry journeys from the roads. The Government also promote efficiency within the road sector through the Freight Best Practice and other programmes. Roads: Repairs and Maintenance Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many community groups she has met to discuss road improvements since her appointment; how many road improvement schemes she has visited since her appointment; and which representatives of road haulage businesses she has met since her appointment. Ms Rosie Winterton As part of routine business Ministers will meet a wide range of organisations including Members of Parliament, local authorities and community organisations in relation to road improvement schemes. In addition, during visits to regions, Ministers will also see a number of road schemes that have been completed or which are being promoted by the Highways Agency and local highway authorities. Ministers have over recent months met a number of community groups, MPs and local councillors to discuss road improvement schemes, across England. Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much was spent on (a) road building and (b) road maintenance in Copeland in each year since 1997; (2) how much was made available to support road improvement schemes in (a) Cumbria and (b) Copeland constituency in each year since 1997. Ms Rosie Winterton Since 1997, the Department has contributed funding as set in the following table to the following Highways Agency major road schemes on the trunk road network in Cumbria. A595 Parton to Lilyhall Improvement Scheme; A590 High and Low Newton Bypass; M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill Extension; A66 Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass; and A66 Temple Sowerby Bypass and Improvement to Winderwath. ---------------------------- | |Cost (£ million)| ---------------------------- |1997-98 |0 | ---------------------------- |1998-99 |0 | ---------------------------- |1999-2000|0 | ---------------------------- |2000-01 |2.2 | ---------------------------- |2001-02 |5.3 | ---------------------------- |2002-03 |9.0 | ---------------------------- |2003-04 |2.8 | ---------------------------- |2004-05 |3.8 | ---------------------------- |2005-06 |10.7 | ---------------------------- |2006-07 |65.4 | ---------------------------- |2007-08 |94.3 | ---------------------------- Cumbria county council as local highway authority is responsible for local transport in Cumbria including the Copeland constituency. The council is currently promoting the Carlisle Northern Development Route which will be partly funded through the Government’s private finance initiative with a departmental contribution of £142.8 million towards the total cost. The following table shows the funding through the Local Transport capital settlement that has been allocated to Cumbria county council since 1997. It is for Cumbria to determine how allocations are spent, having regard to its Local Transport Plan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07|2007-08| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Capital Highway Maintenance|5.5 |9.2 |9.8 |11.1 |13.0 |14.7 |15.5 |18.8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Integrated Block Allocation|2.3 |6.0 |7.2 |5.8 |5.7 |5.7 |5.3 |5.3 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prior to 2000-01, the Government funding support for local transport investment by Cumbria county council (including for major schemes and major maintenance) totalled £3.748 million in 1997-98, £2.384 million in 1998-99 and £5.311 million in 1999-2000. The following table sets out the total reported revenue and capital spend both by Cumbria county council and Copeland district council on road maintenance in each year between 1997-98 and 2006-07. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Cumbria council |Area of spend|1997-98|1998-99|1999-2000|2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total Reported Revenue Spend|Cumbria |16.4 |16.9 |17.6 |16.0 |16.8 |18.1 |12.1 |15.3 |14.6 |13.4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Copeland |0.037 |0.054 |0.032 |0.029 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total Reported Capital Spend|Cumbria |n/a |2.4 |5.2 |2.3 |4.4 |11.7 |10.3 |12.3 |15.6 |13.5 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Copeland |n/a |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |n/a = Not available. | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roads: Safety Mr. Leech To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of UK road safety measures against EU member state benchmarks; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick We keep abreast of developments in road safety best practice across the EU (and indeed, the world) on a continual basis, and maintain regular dialogue with our international counterparts. In addition we produce statistics showing how the UK compares with other countries, including other EU member states, as part of the yearly report Road Casualties Great Britain. The UK is one of the safest countries in the EU in terms of overall casualties. In 2005 there were 5.5 road deaths per hundred thousand population, which is the fourth lowest in the EU; or 4.9 road deaths per billion passenger-kilometres, which is the second lowest in the EU. Roads: Tolls Mr. Spellar To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost has been to date of the consultancy contracts for road pricing policy; and how much is committed for future costs. Ms Rosie Winterton Since the then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh, South-West (Mr. Darling) committed in 2004 to lead a national debate on the practicality of road pricing as a highly-effective response to rising congestion, the Department has spent some £6.5 million on consultancy contracts including professional advice on possible technical designs, system architecture and cost modelling. Another £1.0 million is currently contractually committed through to the end of 2007-08. Although further consultancy expenditure on road pricing policy is envisaged in 2008-09 and beyond, the amount will depend on our requirements, yet to be determined, and no further expenditure is contractually committed. South West Trains Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how many (a) Class 442 and (b) Class 444 units South West Trains has reduced its main line express rolling stock fleet since the renewal of the franchise; and what percentage of the fleet the reduction represents. Mr. Tom Harris 24 Class 442 units were taken off lease before the start of the Stagecoach South Western Trains (SSWT) Franchise that commenced in February 2007. The class 442s represented 7 per cent. of the total South West Trains (SWT) fleet under the previous franchise. No Class 442s ran in service under Stagecoach South Western Trains. 45 Class 444 units are on lease to Stagecoach South Western Trains and no class 444s have been cut from mainline express services. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to require South West Trains to put Class 442 back in service in the interests of passenger comfort. Mr. Tom Harris No. Speed Limits Andrew Rosindell To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average speed is of London bound traffic on the M25 during the morning and evening peak hours between junctions 26 and 30. Mr. Tom Harris The average speed of traffic on the M25 from Junction 26 to 30 is set out in the following table. --------------------------------------- |Junctions|Peak |Average speed (mph)| --------------------------------------- |26-30 |Morning|57 | --------------------------------------- | |Evening|48 | --------------------------------------- |30-26 |Morning|52 | --------------------------------------- | |Evening|54 | --------------------------------------- The data are for weekdays only, for the hours of 7:00 to 10:00 (inclusive) and 16:00 to 19:00 (inclusive). Sustainable Development: Finance Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding her Department has provided to the Sustainability of Land Use and Transport in Outer Neighbourhoods Project. Ms Rosie Winterton The Department's overall expected financial contribution to the above project amounts to £136,495, of which £35,000 was funded by ODPM in 2004. To date £120,221 has been spent. Trains Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment she has made of the reliability of Reading’s Class 458 train coach units; and if she will make a statement. Mr. Tom Harris The miles per casualty (moving annual average) in the period prior to the start of Stagecoach South Western Trains 07/11 (January 2007) for the Class 458s was 14,817 with six units in service. The miles per casualty (moving annual average) in the latest period available 08/04 (June/July 2007) for the Class 458s was 14,613 with 30 units in service. This demonstrates that the reliability of the units remains steady despite there being more trains diagrams in service and undertaking more mileage. Defence Afghanistan: Frontiers Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all NATO member states with forces serving in Afghanistan recognise the same international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan for military operations. Des Browne All contributing nations to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan agree to be bound by the definition of the joint area of operations contained within the operational plan. Consequently the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is viewed consistently by all these nations. Afghanistan: NATO Mr. Bone To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many NATO personnel are serving in Afghanistan; and what percentage are of (a) British, (b) American and (c) other nationality. Des Browne There are currently around 42,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of ISAF. British forces deployed in Afghanistan currently number approximately 7,800. We do not comment on the numbers of deployed troops from other nations, which are matters for the countries concerned; however they are listed with periodic updates on the ISAF website at: www.nato.int/isaf/index.html Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operation Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the earliest date is by which the Future Lynx could be available in Afghanistan. Des Browne I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 14 May 2007, Official Report, column 515W. James Duddridge To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what roles the Army employs native Pashtun speakers. Des Browne The vast majority of locally engaged civilians are employed as interpreters. However, local nationals are also employed in the following roles: Assistant Chef Barber EFI Shop Assistant EFI Stock Controller Guards Kitchen Hands Labour General Duties Mechanics Tailors Welders Cleaners Clerks While we require our interpreters to speak Pashto, there is no such requirement on locally engaged civilians in other roles. Mr. Keith Simpson To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has conducted any review of the procedures governing to operations of private security companies in Afghanistan since 2001. Des Browne [holding answer 15 November 2007]: The MOD operates according to the cross-government ‘Guidance on Contacts with Private Military and Security Companies’, as published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in February 2007. The MOD currently is reviewing the application of this guidance within Defence. The MOD has not carried out any reviews into the procedures governing to operations of private security companies in Afghanistan. Currently, the MOD does not employ any private security companies in Afghanistan. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what outreach programmes are being carried out by British forces in Kandahar province. Des Browne UK forces carry out a range of outreach projects around the Kandahar airfield that are designed to improve local infrastructure and public health. These vary in size and scope and include the provision of blankets to villages and escorting medical and dental personnel to local villages. Further activity, such as painting of mosques, installation of water pumps and drainage and irrigation projects are planned up until the end of March 2008. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the small arms threat to aircraft in (a) Helmand and (b) Kandahar province. Des Browne We constantly assess the threat to our aircraft operating in Afghanistan and utilise tactics, techniques and procedures suitable for the threat. I am withholding further information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) planned and (b) actual Apache flying hours were per month in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq in 2007. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I am withholding the information relating to Afghanistan as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. The UK does not have any Apache helicopters deployed in Iraq. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to send Vector armoured vehicles to Afghanistan; what the Vector’s capabilities are; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne The Vector vehicle has provided a light protected patrol vehicle capability in Afghanistan since April 2007. Mr. Laws To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters of each type were deployed in Afghanistan in each month since 1 January 2002; what additional deployment of (a) Sea Kings and (b) other helicopters is planned for 2008; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Information on the type of helicopters deployed each month prior to January 2006 is not held centrally. I am withholding the number of helicopters deployed as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. The following table sets out, by month, the helicopter types deployed in-Theatre from January 2006 to December 2007. --------------------------------------------- | |Chinook|Lynx|Apache|Sea King| --------------------------------------------- |January 2006 |Yes |No |No |No | --------------------------------------------- |February 2006 |Yes |No |No |No | --------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Yes |No |No |No | --------------------------------------------- |April 2006 |Yes |No |No |No | --------------------------------------------- |May 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |June 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |July 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |August 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |September 2006|Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |October 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |November 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |December 2006 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |January 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |February 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |April 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |May 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |June 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |July 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |August 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |September 2007|Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |October 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |No | --------------------------------------------- |November 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes | --------------------------------------------- |December 2007 |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes | --------------------------------------------- Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department uses (a) civilian and (b) military personnel during the take-off and landing phase of unmanned aerial vehicles operations in Afghanistan. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Ministry of Defence uses both civilian contractors and military personnel during the take-off and landing phase of unmanned aerial vehicles; however, the vast majority of operators are military. Once airborne, all operational mission activity is conducted by military personnel. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what capabilities Sea King helicopters would have in Afghanistan. Des Browne The Sea Kings will be operating as a support helicopter able to carry troops and equipment and will be tasked accordingly. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what plans his Department has to recruit and deploy specialists who speak Afghan languages and understand tribal dynamics. Des Browne The MOD is already using specialist linguists in support of its operations in Afghanistan and we expect to increase the number deployed over the coming months. In addition to specialist linguists, considerable use is made of local employed civilians in a linguist role. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, how many of his Department's personnel serve in the collocated headquarters. Des Browne I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 777W. Patrick Mercer To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom each soldier killed during the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment/2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiments’ recent operational tour in Helmand Province was replaced in the order of battle. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I will write to the hon. Member. Airborne Manned Surveillance Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of the Airborne Manned Surveillance urgent operational requirements; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth There have been a significant number of urgent operational requirements relating to surveillance capabilities for manned airborne platforms. Some are in service delivering capability on operations. Others are in progress. I am withholding further information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces. Aircraft Carriers: Finance Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost to his Department is of extending the out-of-service date of (a) HMS Illustrious and (b) HMS Ark Royal caused by the delay of the in-service dates of the CVF Carriers from 2012 and 2015 to 2014 and 2016. Mr. Bob Ainsworth There has been no delay to the future aircraft carriers' in-service dates of 2014 and 2016 as announced on 25 July 2007, Official Report, column 865 and no subsequent changes to the out of service dates of the current carriers. These out of service dates have been adjusted as planning assumptions for the introduction of the new aircraft carriers have been developed. There have been no significant extra costs associated with these adjustments. Aircraft Carriers: Procurement Dr. Julian Lewis To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current status is of the order for two future aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne [holding answer 17 December 2007]: As I announced on 25 July 2007, Official Report, column 865, we have committed to placing an order for two future carriers. Contracts will be placed with the industrial participants in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance delivering the project, when the joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group has completed the necessary approvals to allow it to receive a contract. This process is nearing completion. Animal Experiments Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his timetable is for concluding the review into hyperbaric experiments excluding the use of (a) goats and (b) any other animals; and which alternative methods are being considered. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The team of experts has now concluded its stage of the review and its recommendations are to be considered. I will write to the hon. Member when the whole process has concluded. Armed Forces: Deployment Patrick Mercer To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 394W, on armed forces: deployment, from which units the 200 regular army reinforcements came; and how many of them have been operationally deployed in the last six months. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 18 December 2007]: The Regular Army reinforcements required by the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment to provide the particular skill sets and rank structure required in its role as the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team came primarily from other units in 52 Infantry Brigade. Units within the brigade have not deployed on an operational tour at either unit or sub-unit level in the last six months. The trawl process used by the Army prevents individuals from deploying on operations within six months of a previous deployment, unless the individual is a volunteer or there is a pressing operational requirement. Armed Forces: Finance Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much in near cash terms was spent on service retention in each financial year since 2002-03. Derek Twigg The cost of Financial Retention Initiatives (additions to basic pay for groups or trades with particular shortages) and Commitment Bonuses (cash payments at particular times throughout the career progression of personnel to encourage a continuance of service) is shown in the following table. -------------------------- |Financial year|£ million| -------------------------- |2002-03 |44.3 | -------------------------- |2003-04 |63.7 | -------------------------- |2004-05 |73.9 | -------------------------- |2005-06 |58.2 | -------------------------- |2006-07 |74.1 | -------------------------- Many disparate activities within the Services could be considered as measures to improve retention, from the improvement of accommodation to the implementation of welfare lines or services. Information about these activities could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Armed Forces: Health Services Richard Younger-Ross To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) by what means he monitors whether servicemen and women discharged with combat stress receive continuing treatment from the NHS; (2) what arrangement his Department has in place for the transfer of the medical care of discharged service men and women to the NHS. Derek Twigg The Ministry of Defence is committed to doing all it reasonably can to ensure successful transition to civilian life. On discharge, all ex-service personnel are provided with a medical summary record, and this can be presented at the GP’s surgery when they register with a civilian doctor. If the doctor has a requirement for the full medical record, we will provide this upon request. For the vast majority of service personnel these procedures are sufficient to ensure a seamless transition to the NHS. However, for those who are medically discharged with significant ongoing physical or mental health conditions, the care is formally handed over to appropriate medical staff by MOD specialists as the patient is medically discharged. In the case of physical illness or injury, social work teams at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre or the single service welfare organisations ensure this seamless transfer. For those with ongoing mental illness, the specific Defence Medical Services mental health team who have been caring for that individual will begin a liaison with appropriate civilian healthcare providers (e.g. general practitioner civil mental health team) to ensure that transfer of care and patient history takes place. Additionally, we have specific mental health social workers who manage the individual’s wider resettlement issues, liaising with relevant civil agencies such as local housing authorities, financial authorities, service welfare and charitable organisations. These MOD mental health social workers ensure that the individual's transfer into the civilian environment is as smooth as possible. Since the beginning of 2007, we have also put in place arrangements for the Department’s Veterans Welfare Service to monitor those discharged with a seriously disabling injury; this covers cases of both physical and psychological injury. While this monitoring is primarily focused on welfare matters, the service will also identify sources of medical assistance where appropriate. In cases where there is a mental health issue, this could include if appropriate a NHS/MOD Mental Health Pilot team, the Medical Assessment Programme at St. Thomas’ Hospital London, or the charity Combat Stress. Richard Younger-Ross To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department of health provision for service men and women in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force was in 2006-07. Derek Twigg The information is not held in the format requested. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) are headed jointly by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Health) (DCDS(H) and the Surgeon General (SG). They oversee the work of three separate organisations: (a) Defence Medical Services Directorate Headquarters (DMSD HQ); (b) Defence Medical Education and Training Agency (DMETA); (c) Defence Dental Services (DDS). DCDS(H) and SG also produce medical policy for the three single services. However, the Royal Navy (RN), Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) Medical Services are responsible for delivering primary healthcare to their respective service commanders in chief and for providing the requisite medical support on operations. The overall expenditure for the DCDS(Health) organisation for the financial year 2006-07 was £268 million. The organisational structure of the DMS in its entirety means that comprehensive primary care and operational costs cannot be provided without disproportionate effort as they are disaggregated and embedded in individual military units’ budgets. Armed Forces: Housing Mr. Baron To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) single and (b) family defence estate accommodation is classed as (i) category 1, (ii) category 2, (iii) category 3 and (iv) category 4; what criteria he uses for deciding whether accommodation is sub-standard; and what assessment he has made of the findings of the Public Accounts Committee report on managing the defence estate. Derek Twigg [holding answer 18 December 2007]: Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is assessed by Grade for Charge, while most SFA is also assessed by Standard for Condition. Grade for Charge takes account of an assessment of the physical condition of the accommodation and other factors such as location and closeness to amenities. As at 30 June 2007, our worldwide SLA stock of some 165,500 bed spaces was at the following Grade for Charge. ---------------- | |Number| ---------------- |Grade 1|38,100| ---------------- |Grade 2|19,000| ---------------- |Grade 3|28,200| ---------------- |Grade 4|80,200| ---------------- At 1 April 2007, the worldwide SFA stock of some 70,193 properties is at the following Grade for Charge. ---------------------- | |Number| ---------------------- |Grade 1 |12,430| ---------------------- |Grade 2 |26,447| ---------------------- |Grade 3 |22,209| ---------------------- |Grade 4 |8,720 | ---------------------- |Below Grade 4|387 | ---------------------- Of the 70,193, some 55,548 have also been assessed by Standard for Condition (SfC). These are broken down as follows: ------------- | |Number| ------------- |SlfC|30,223| ------------- |S2fC|19,016| ------------- |S3fC|3,954 | ------------- |S4fC|2,355 | ------------- All occupied accommodation is considered of a habitable standard. The Department currently expects to publish its response to the Public Accounts Committee report on managing the defence estate in February 2008. Armed Forces: Influenza Dr. Murrison To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that sufficient quantities of (a) influenza vaccines, (b) anti-virals and (c) face-masks are held by armed forces operating in (i) Iraq, (ii) Afghanistan and (iii) elsewhere in the world for them to cope with a potential influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg The best method to prevent infection with influenza is by prior immunisation with an appropriate vaccine. The Department of Health (DH) has purchased a quantity of the H5N1 Avian Flu vaccine, which could be offered to key occupational groups when the risk of a pandemic increases as it may give a degree of protection should the pandemic strain be a variant of H5N1. Supplies of this vaccine are being held by the DH on behalf of the MOD and in the event of an outbreak will be deployed by MOD in accordance with DH guidelines. When an influenza virus is already circulating, therapeutic antiviral agents can help to lessen the severity of illness, reduce deaths and contain spread. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that during an influenza pandemic, patients with a flu-like illness should be treated with zanamivir (“Relenza”) or oseltamivir (“Tamiflu”). The DH has arranged for an appropriate stockpile quantity of Tamiflu to be purchased, which is also being held centrally, and includes an allocation for MOD. For armed forces personnel employed at one of MOD’s Permanent Joint Overseas Bases (PJOBs), stockpiles of the Tamiflu antiviral have been pre-positioned within the PJOB logistics chain for rapid deployment if necessary. For those on operational deployment in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, supplies are held by Permanent Joint Headquarters, and will be deployed to theatre as required. Supplies of face-masks are already held in-theatre and will be used with other appropriate preventative measures in the event of a pandemic outbreak of influenza. Armed Forces: Leave Mark Pritchard To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to reduce leave entitlement during operational tours. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Armed forces personnel take rest and recuperation (R and R) while on operational tours. R and R is not leave. There are no plans to change the amount of R and R for which personnel are eligible. Armed Forces: Legal Opinion Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether armed forces chiefs receive allowances for the commissioning of legal advice. Des Browne There are no allowances payable to service personnel for the commissioning of legal advice. Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice is available to armed forces chiefs for official purposes; and whether such advice was sought before the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Des Browne Internal legal advice is available to armed forces chiefs from the legal branches of their respective services and from the MOD's Director General Legal Services as appropriate. Any such advice is subject to legal professional privilege. Armed Forces: Personnel Management Norman Lamb To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2007, Official Report, column 173W, on armed forces: personnel management, how many underpayments there were to Royal Air Force personnel between 1 January 2007 and 30 September 2007 classified by category of error; how many of these underpayments have now been corrected; and what changes have been made to the (a) payment system and (b) departmental processes following these errors. Derek Twigg From 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2007, other than a Change of Rank (see serial number 6 in the following table), there were no Joint Personnel Administrative system errors which affected RAF basic pay. During this period 1.83 million payments were made. Details of the Royal Air Force underpayments are given in the following table: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Serial |Type of Error |Service |Number|Action taken | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |January | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 |Substitution Pay |RN and RAF1|620 |Error corrected. Supplementary payroll run, payments one day late into bank. Average underpayment value of £150 per person. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |March | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2 |Flying Pay for Reserve Band Pilot Officers, Navigators and Observers|RN and RAF1|54 |Data and records manually correct and payments made. Average underpayment value of £170 per person. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |June | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |3 |Incorrect Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) |All1 |90 |Error corrected. SMP now being processed correctly. Individuals underpaid by 4 days salary per month. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |4 |Reservists' Home to Duty Travel (HDT) allowance |All1 |10,752|Error corrected. All outstanding payments made in September. Average value distance related, typically £20 to £30 per person. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |September | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |5 |Non-Commissioned Officer Flying Pay |RAF |12 |Error corrected. Refunds of Flying Pay paid in October. Underpayment typically 12 per cent. of that month's salary. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |6 |Change of Rank |RAF |666 |Records manually corrected. Automated process refined. All records corrected for October's pay run. Underpayment of promotion uplift, typically 5 per cent. of basic pay.| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 The numbers of Royal Air Force personnel affected by these issues could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Service personnel who have been underpaid can request cash advances from their units.| | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Service personnel who have been underpaid can request cash advances from their units. Armed Forces: Weapons Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which less-than-lethal weapons and non-lethal weapons are available for use by armed forces personnel; how many personnel are qualified for those weapons in each branch of the forces; and how much training is required annually to maintain that qualification. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The only non-lethal weapons used by our armed forces are the L104 and L67 baton guns. Information on the number of personnel trained in the use of these weapons is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Neither of these weapons is permanently held by units; they are issued to meet the requirements of specific theatres of operation. When these weapons are required, nominated personnel will receive appropriate training in their use prior to deployment. Those personnel trained in handling such weapons, who are required to maintain their proficiency, will need to pass a weapons handling test every six months and take part in an annual weapons assessment shoot as is the case for any weapon. In addition to baton rounds, these weapons can also be used to fire a CS gas grenade, the L96A1, for law enforcement operations at the discretion of unit commanders in theatre. The necessary instruction is delivered during unit pre-deployment training. Armoured Fighting Vehicles Ann Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Supercat vehicle is classed as a (a) protected, (b) unprotected or (c) patrol vehicle. Mr. Bob Ainsworth We have a number of Supacat-based vehicles, used for specialist roles. The most numerous are the All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP), and the Mobility-Weapon Mount Installation Kit (M-WMIK) which will enter service shortly. The ATMP does not have a specific classification. It was procured as a lightweight load carrying vehicle used by airborne and airmobile units. The M-WMIK, like all WMIK vehicles, is designed as a carrier for medium support weapons, providing high levels of terrain accessibility, situational awareness and firepower. It complements the use of Protected Patrol Vehicles. Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Afghanistan Ann Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2007, Official Report, column 1402W, on armoured fighting vehicles: Afghanistan, whether the 170 Vector vehicles are in addition to the 160 previously ordered. Mr. Bob Ainsworth We have ordered over 170 Vector vehicles in all, comprising a small number of specialist ambulances in addition to the original order. Army’s Total Fleet Requirement 2007 Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Army’s Total Fleet Requirement 2007. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I will arrange for a copy of the most recently endorsed Army’s Total Fleet Requirement, from 2006, to be placed in the Library of the House. AWE Burghfield Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operational restrictions have been imposed at AWE Burghfield following the report from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) now requires AWE plc to seek prior authorisation for assembly/disassembly work. Such activities have always been allowed to proceed, with no impact on operations at AWE Burghfield, which remains fully operational and safe. It is emphasised that, if NII believed a particular operation were unsafe, it would not allow it to take place, and has appropriate regulatory powers at its disposal to cease operations. AWE Burghfield remains operational as the NII is satisfied that all appropriate licence conditions are being met by AWE plc. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why AWE Burghfield did not meet the deadline of 27 September to address the shortfalls identified as a result of its periodic review of safety. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Some of the issues identified by AWE plc as a result of its periodic review of safety required the procurement of specialist equipment where the acquisition time was such that the equipment could not be brought into service by the deadline of 27 September. Consequently, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) has agreed a new programme of work with AWE plc. It is important to note that NII is satisfied that appropriate progress is being made at AWE Burghfield to address the findings of the periodic review of safety. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety care shortfalls were identified by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate at AWE Burghfield. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The safety case issues in question were identified not by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), but by AWE plc in its own periodic review of safety. These were associated primarily with risk assessment techniques and the clarity of audit trails. A revised safety case addressing these issues was adopted in September 2007 and NII is satisfied that appropriate progress is being made at AWE Burghfield to address the findings of the periodic review of safety. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responses he has made to the letter from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate dated 9th May, Annex 1, with particular reference to its conclusions on the safety of continuing to operate at AWE Burghfield; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The letter from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) was to AWE plc and not MOD. MOD officials work very closely with both the AWE nuclear site licensee, AWE plc, and the external regulator, the NII The latter is satisfied that operations at AWE Burghfield are safe and the Department's internal nuclear safety regulator supports this position. No useful purpose could therefore be served by the intervention of the Secretary of State for Defence in matters which are essentially for AWE plc to address with the NII. AWE Management Nick Harvey To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) name, (b) function, (c) estimated cost and (d) projected in-service date is of each of the 23 new build projects in the Atomic Weapons Establishment Site Development Context Plan 2005-15. Des Browne The 23 projects included in each of the functions in the Atomic Weapons Establishment Site Development Context Plan 2005-15 are listed in the following table. Where applicable, the names of projects are indicated where they have been finalised. The function of each project correlates with the headings in the plan. Costs not shown are being withheld as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests. Projected in-service dates are shown in five-year bandings in order to avoid prejudice to national security and/or defence interests. These facilities are required to support the UK's current warhead in-service. Decisions on whether and how we may need to refurbish or replace this warhead are likely to be necessary in the next Parliament. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Name of project |Cost (£m)1|Function | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Projected in-service period 2007-10 | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Orion Laser |183 |Testing/research | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |IT server buildings (two projects) |30 |Computer/communications | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |New office accommodation Phase 1 |71 |Office and business support accommodation| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |New office accommodation Phase 2 |— |Office and business support accommodation| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |New office accommodation Phase 3 |— |Office and business support accommodation| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Modular accommodation five buildings|25 |Office and business support accommodation| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Car park |0.1 |Office and business support | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Car park |— |Office and business support | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Landscaping |— |Environmental | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Projected in-service period 2011-15 | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Small components interim |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |High explosives climatic trials |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warhead assembly/disassembly |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Systems engineering |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hydrodynamics |— |Testing/research | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |High performance computer |— |Computing/communications | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |High explosives fabrication |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chemical processing |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Landscaping |— |Environmental | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Projected in-service period 2016-20 | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Uranium components |— |Manufacturing/production | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |High explosives assembly for trials |— |Testing/research | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Small components |— |Testing/research | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Laboratory |— |Testing/research | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |12007-08 prices. | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ballistic Missile Defence Norman Baker To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has received from the United States administration to use RAF Menwith Hill as part of the US Missile Defense System since 1st January 2001; and if he will place copies of those requests in the Library. Des Browne The US administration's request for missile warning data being routed through RAF Menwith Hill for use in the US missile defense system was received in a classified letter dated 29 June 2007. It is not the practice of the Government to make public the details of correspondence with foreign governments as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations. Mr. Moore To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter he received on 29 June 2007 from the United States requesting the use of RAF Menwith Hill as part of the US Ballistic Missile Defence programme. Des Browne It is not the practice of the Government to make public the details of classified correspondence with foreign governments as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations. Bombs Mr. Oaten To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition the Government uses of (a) smart and (b) dumb cluster munitions; what munitions it will ban in accordance with the Oslo process; and if he will consider banning all forms of cluster munitions. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 3 December 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Dr. Howells) gave on 4 December 2007, Official Report, column 1131W. Contracts Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average rate of increase of indices used in variation of price formulae for fixed price contracts was in each financial year since 1997-98. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The information requested is not held centrally and could be provide only at disproportionate cost. Corporate Hospitality David Taylor To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which members of (a) the Defence Council, (b) the Defence Management Board, (c) Defence Equipment and Support, (d) Defence Estates, (e) Science, Innovation and Technology TLB and (f) Central TLB attended the reception hosted by defence equipment manufacturers at the Automobile Club in London on Tuesday 18 September 2007. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Defence Analytical Services Agency: Forecasts Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library copies of each of the Defence Analytical Service Agency’s quarterly ‘what if’ fuel price forecasts issued since 2001-02; (2) if he will place in the Library copies of each annual review of the Defence Analytical Service Agency’s ‘what if’ fuel price forecast model issued since 2001-02. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Details of these forecasts are not available for this period as the Defence Analytical Services Agency does not routinely retain this information. Defence Analytical Services Agency: Publications Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which statistical publications have been produced by the Defence Analytical Services Agency since 1997. Derek Twigg The external statistical publications produced by the Defence Analytical Services Agency are available on the DASA website at: http://www.dasa.mod.uk Information in some instances goes back as far as 2001 or 2000. UK Defence Statistics, the annual statistical compendium of the Ministry of Defence is available on the website back to 1997. Prior to the establishment of the website, the following titles were published in printed form: TSP01 - Strength, Intake and Outflow of UK Regular Forces (Monthly) TSP02 - UK Armed Forces Full Time Strengths and Requirements (Quarterly) TSP03 - UK Armed Forces Trained Strengths and Requirements (Monthly) TSP04 - Quarterly Press Release TSP05 - Trained Outflow to Civil Life (Quarterly) TSP06 - Global Location of UK Regular Forces1 (Quarterly) TSP07 - Reserve Forces (Annual) TSP08 - Age Distribution (Annual) TSP09 - Rank Structure of UK Regular Forces (Quarterly) TSP10 - UK Regular Forces Stationed Location (Quarterly) TSP11 - Marital Status by Paid Rank (Annual) TSP13 - UK Regular Forces servicemen age on entry2 (Annual) TSP15 - UK Service Personnel on loan to other countries2 (Quarterly) TSP16 - UK Regular Forces disciplinary convictions2 (Annual) TSP19 - Intake to and Outflow from UK Regular Forces (Annual) TSP20 - Male Regular Forces outflow by rank2 (Annual) TSP22 - UK Regular Forces comparative statistics2 (Annual) TSP24 - Strength of uniformed medical staff2 (Annual) CPS01 - Civilian Personnel Statistics (Quarterly) CPS02 - Regional analysis of resignations for admin and science group staff1 (Quarterly) 1 TSP06 was merged into TSP10 from January 2007. 2 Publication discontinued. Defence Analytical Services Agency: Standards Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of all extant Defence Analytical Services Agency service level agreements. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Yes, copies of Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) extant service level agreements (SLA) are being collated. I will arrange to place copies in the Library of the House when this work is complete. Defence Equipment and Support Organisation: Private Sector Annette Brooke To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many secondees from the private sector are working within the Defence Equipment and Support Organisation at Abbey Wood. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 11 December 2007]: As at 1 December 2007 there were 79 non-MOD employees working at MOD Abbey Wood. The number of these who were secondees from the private sector within Defence Equipment and Support is not recorded separately. Defence Equipment and Support: Cost Effectiveness Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in what ways Defence Equipment and Support encourages competition in the supply chain in order to ensure value for money; (2) in what ways the Defence Suppliers Service encourages competition in the supply chain to ensure better value for money. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Department seeks effective competition at the prime and sub-contract level, using the Defence Contracts Bulletin and, where appropriate, the Official Journal of the European Union to publicise future requirements including competitive sub-contract opportunities. The Ministry of Defence is currently reviewing its policy in relation to supply networks. One of the aims of the policy is to address the issue of competition and value for money in the supply chain. Defence Equipment: Procurement Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the programmes for (a) Type-45 destroyers, (b) Astute submarines, (c) MARS and (d) CVF; and what is expected to be spent on each project in each of the next seven years. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Expenditure up to 31 March 2007 for the Type 45 Destroyer and the Astute submarine programmes was reported on 30 November 2007 in the National Audit Office's Major Projects Report 2007 and is reproduced in the following table: --------------------- |Programme|£ million| --------------------- |Type 45 |3,477 | --------------------- |Astute |2,539 | --------------------- Expenditure up to 31 March 2007 for the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) and CVF programmes is shown in the following table: --------------------- |Programme|£ million| --------------------- |MARS |10.5 | --------------------- |CVF |374.9 | --------------------- Detailed spending plans are kept under review. Defence Estates: Charities Ann Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether his Department charges charitable organisations for public liability insurance for events held on departmental property; (2) what arrangements are made for public liability insurance for events organised by charitable organisations held on his Department’s property; (3) if he will make it his policy not to charge charitable organisations for events held on departmental property; (4) whether his Department charges charitable organisations for events held on departmental property; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg Under Government Finance Accounting Regulations (Managing Public Money), there are no special arrangements for the treatment of charities, whether service or other. The fact that a charity is to be the main beneficiary of a good or service is not in itself sufficient justification to introduce a special charging regime or to set charges aside. There is the opportunity for abatement of full costs and this decision is on a case-by-case basis taking account of any special circumstances that may apply. All privately-run events on departmental property, whether charitable or other are required to be covered by public liability insurance. This requirement is passed on to the organiser who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate cover is in place. Where commercial insurance is either not available or only at disproportionate cost, then organisers are charged under a Departmental Insurance Scheme. Defence Manufacturers Association Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines his Department issues to staff at (a) his Department, (b) Defence Equipment and Support staff and (c) members of the armed forces on attending events organised by the Defence Manufacturers’ Association. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The MOD Statement of Civilian and Service Personnel Policy Annex: Gifts, Rewards and Hospitality issued by the People, Pay and Pensions Agency, provides Departmental guidance to all MOD Civilian staff and Service personnel on the rules governing the way in which individuals should react to offers of gifts, hospitality or other considerations from private companies and defence contractors that have a contractual relationship with the MOD. This will include the Defence Manufacturers Association and associated member companies. Defence Equipment and Support (D E and S) have issued additional separate guidelines to all D E and S officials on attendance at external events and conferences. Defence Suppliers Service Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Suppliers' Service maintains a list of preferred suppliers. Mr. Bob Ainsworth No. Defence: Finance Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent discussions he has had with HM Treasury on payments for urgent operational requirements; (2) whether urgent operational requirements are paid for from the Treasury Reserve; (3) pursuant to his statement of 12 November 2007 that the defence budget will receive an additional £200 million in 2010-11, Official Report, column 500, what the revised (a) near cash resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (b) non-cash resource DEL and (c) capital DEL is. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The first £100 million of the additional £200 million in the defence budget for 2010-11 was included in the MOD’s capital departmental expenditure limits (DEL) announced in the comprehensive spending review. HM Treasury has agreed that a further £100 million will be added to the defence budget in 2010-11, which will bring the capital DEL funding to £8,971 million in 2010-11. There will be no change to the near cash or the non-cash resource DEL. Defence Ministers have frequent discussions with colleagues from HM Treasury on a range of issues. Urgent operational requirements are, and will continue to be, paid up front in full from the Treasury Reserve. We have agreed a new overall funding arrangement with HM Treasury for the funding of UORs for the comprehensive spending review period as I set out in my statement to the House on 12 November 2007, Official Report, column 500. This arrangement is designed to be cost neutral to defence. Defence: ICT Mr. Steen To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of switching to the Defence Information Infrastructure version F computer system from the Defence Information Infrastructure version C; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg [holding answer 17 December 2007]: The long-term aim of the MOD is to implement a single information infrastructure across Defence; the Defence Information Infrastructure Future (DII(F)). The Defence Information Infrastructure Convergence (DII(C)) project was implemented at specific sites to bridge the gap between ageing legacy systems in MOD, which were going out of service, and DII(F) being available. DII(F) is being rolled out now to become the primary information infrastructure across the MOD and is replacing many ageing legacy systems and DII(C) as planned. DII(F) will provide common core infrastructure services which meet the security, technical and interoperability demands of the MOD jointly across the business and battle space and will provide access to the applications required to support and enable the delivery of MOD’s outputs. Mr. Steen To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost is of changing from Defence Information Infrastructure version F to Defence Information Infrastructure version C; and how many officials worked on making the change. Derek Twigg [holding answer 17 December 2007]: Defence Information Infrastructure Convergence (DII(C)) was a precursor infrastructure to Defence Information Infrastructure Future (DII(F)) and was only implemented for a subset of the eventual DII(F) user community. DII(C) was implemented at specific sites to bridge the gap between the ageing legacy systems in MOD going out of service and DII(F) being available. DII(C) will eventually be subsumed by DII(F). Defence: Lobbying Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is in place for (a) his officials and (b) officials at (i) the Defence Suppliers Service and (ii) Defence Equipment and Support Organisation on meetings with lobbyists employed by defence contractors. Mr. Bob Ainsworth No specific guidance is issued to MOD officials regarding the meeting of lobbyists employed by defence contractors. However, all MOD Crown servants (including members of the armed forces) are expected to conduct themselves at meetings with representatives of defence contractors in accordance with MOD policy on the acceptance of gifts, rewards and hospitality and the civil service code. Defence: Procurement Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each of the last four years the principal items of military equipment acquired under the Urgent Operational Requirements procedures which have been transferred to his Department’s budget; when they were so transferred; and what proportion of Urgent Operational Requirements acquired equipment in the 2007-08 financial year he expects to be charged to his Department’s budget in 2007-08. Mr. Bob Ainsworth When there is an enduring requirement for Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) equipment, it is brought into the core defence programme. This is usually at the end of the operation. Continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan mean that we have not yet brought a significant number of UORs into core. UORs brought into core have only been recorded centrally by MOD since 2005. Principal UORs taken into core since 2005 include enhanced armour and environment modifications for Challenger II; AS90 environmental enhancement to operate in extreme hot, dry conditions; tactical Global Positioning Systems; Helmet Mounted Night Vision Systems; and additional weapons stocks. We have not yet taken decisions on UORs to be brought into our core programme in the current financial year as the planning round has not yet concluded. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on spare parts for equipment by (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force in each of the last five financial years. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The total defence equipment and support (DE&S) expenditure on capital spares additions in each of the last four financial years (to the nearest £ million) is provided in the following table. Individual capital account codes did not exist within the Department’s financial systems prior to Financial Year 2003-04. Previous information for Financial Year 2002-03 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. ------------------- | |£ million| ------------------- |2003-04|581 | ------------------- |2004-05|439 | ------------------- |2005-06|385 | ------------------- |2006-07|409 | ------------------- The breakdown by Front Line Command for Financial Years 2005-06 and 2006-07 is given in the following table. Information broken down for Financial Years 2003-04 and 2004-05 (to the required accuracy) could be provided only at disproportionate cost. -------------------------------------- |Service |2005-06|2006-07| -------------------------------------- |Army |82 |109 | -------------------------------------- |Royal Navy |45 |55 | -------------------------------------- |Royal Air Force |248 |228 | -------------------------------------- |Joint service/others|10 |17 | -------------------------------------- |Total |385 |409 | -------------------------------------- It should be noted that these figures do not include any expenditure for non-balance sheet low value spare parts for equipment. Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria have to be fulfilled for a would-be defence supplier to become a prime contractor; and how a decision on the matter is made. Mr. Bob Ainsworth In response to business need, the Department assesses any potential supplier's eligibility against a number of standard objective criteria including capability, quality, financial and legal status, organisation, and supply chain management. The potential supplier is also assessed against project-specific criteria pertinent to the particular requirement. Departmental Assets Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total value of (a) land and (b) facilities is surplus to his Department’s foreseeable purposes in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to dispose of such assets. Derek Twigg The Ministry of Defence keeps its estate, including that in Northern Ireland, under constant review to meet present and planned future requirements. Land and property that is no longer required is disposed of as quickly as possible. It is the Department’s normal policy to dispose of such surplus assets at market value in accordance with the guidance set out in “Managing Public Money”. Sites are disposed of by means of a competitive process in order to ensure best value for defence. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to release expected receipts as it might impact on future negotiations with potential purchasers. A list of all sites currently in disposal is available in the Library of the House. Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total value of (a) land and (b) facilities gifted, donated or loaned to local community initiatives by his Department was in each region of the UK in each of the last 10 years. Derek Twigg The gifting of land and facilities over £100,000 (£250,000 since 1 April 2005) requires the approval of HM Treasury and Parliament. Details of gifts below that level are not held centrally. Since 1997 the following value of gifts of land and facilities, in support of local community initiatives, have been reported in the departmental accounts following approval by Parliament: ---------------------------- | |£ million| ---------------------------- |Northern Ireland| | ---------------------------- |2002-03 |6.4 | ---------------------------- |2003-04 |13.0 | ---------------------------- | | | ---------------------------- |South East | | ---------------------------- |2005-06 |0.35 | ---------------------------- The MOD does not loan facilities for local community initiatives except in so far as these constitute welfare facilities for the armed forces. Any land and facilities that are surplus to defence requirements are disposed of in accordance with “Managing Public Money” issued by HM Treasury. Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total value of his Department’s (a) land and (b) buildings was sold in each region of the UK in each of the last 10 years. Derek Twigg This Department does not keep a separate record of the value raised from the sale of land and buildings in each region of the UK and such a breakdown could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the total accrued disposal receipts for each year since 1998-99 (the earliest year available) were as follows: -------------------------- |Financial year|£ million| -------------------------- |1998-99 |59 | -------------------------- |1999-2000 |301 | -------------------------- |2000-01 |225 | -------------------------- |2001-02 |185 | -------------------------- |2002-03 |279 | -------------------------- |2003-04 |207 | -------------------------- |2004-05 |212 | -------------------------- |2005-06 |258 | -------------------------- |2006-07 |394 | -------------------------- These figures are taken from the Defence Estates annual reports and accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanism exists for liaison between his Department and the Northern Ireland Office when considering disposal of departmental (a) land and (b) buildings in Northern Ireland. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to obtain market value when disposing of surplus assets. In Northern Ireland all surplus MOD assets are advised to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFM/DFM) at the earliest opportunity. OFM/DFM circulates details to Northern Ireland Government Departments. We have also committed to adhere to the “clearing house” process used by Northern Ireland Government Departments under which details of surplus MOD assets are circulated to Northern Ireland Government Departments and agencies. This process is managed by the Central Advisory Unit (CAU) of Land and Property Services. Northern Ireland Government Departments and agencies may register interest through the CAU who notifies MOD accordingly. Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account is taken of community cohesion when considering the disposal of departmental (a) land and (b) buildings in Northern Ireland. Derek Twigg The Ministry of Defence is required to obtain market value when disposing of surplus assets, and follows procedures laid down in “Managing Public Money’ and particular processes applicable to Northern Ireland. The Department works closely with the Northern Ireland Office when disposing of surplus assets to allow other Northern Ireland Government Departments and agencies to express an interest. We also work closely with the local authorities and other key stakeholders when considering its disposal strategy and the most appropriate alternative use, taking into account the requirements of the local community. This will often include an assessment of development and regeneration opportunities through the preparation of a planning brief or outline planning application which can be taken forward by prospective purchasers. Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider gifting his Department's land and facilities to local communities to promote inter-community cohesion initiatives. Derek Twigg Land and facilities that are surplus to defence requirements are disposed of in accordance with HM Treasury's "Managing Public Money" guidance. Any gifting with a value in excess of £250,000 requires both Treasury and parliamentary approval. Departmental Carbon Emissions Chris Huhne To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many air miles were travelled by Ministers in his Department in each year since 2000; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced as a result; (2) how many air miles were travelled by (a) the Secretary of State and (b) other Ministers in his Department on short haul flights over the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced as a result of these flights. Derek Twigg Since 1999 the Government have published a list of all overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over £500. Information for the last financial year was published on 25 July 2007. Details for the current financial year will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year. From next year, the list will include details of overseas visits undertaken by all Ministers. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code. All central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries. In addition, offsetting the flights of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, and the Prime Minister has been backdated to 1 April 2005. A list of Government Carbon Offsetting Fund members, their emission figures and what activities they have offset through the fund is available online at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset/government.htm Departmental Coordination Mr. Spellar To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2007, Official Report, column 309W, on Departmental Coordination, on what date his Department was consulted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Des Browne I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer of 11 December 2007, Official Report, column 395W. Departmental Equality Philip Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. Derek Twigg The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Departmental Expenditure Limits Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Winter Supplementary Estimates (HC 29), for what reasons he plans to transfer £70 million from voted capital departmental expenditure limit to non-voted near cash resource departmental expenditure limit; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg The transfer of £70 million from voted capital departmental expenditure limit to non-voted near cash resource departmental expenditure limit relates to a planned increase in the cash release of provisions. Under arrangements agreed in the 2004 spending review, increases in the cash release of provisions (which score as non-voted DEL) are offset against voted near cash provision. Departmental Finance Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will break down his Department's RfR1 near cash resource expenditure by (a) value and (b) standard industrial classification for each financial year since 2001-02; (2) if he will break down his Department's RfR1 capital expenditure by (a) value and (b) standard industrial classification for each financial year since 2001-02. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Estimates of aggregate MOD cash expenditure in UK industry and commerce, by standard industrial classification (SIC), are published in the annual United Kingdom Defence Statistics, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. This analysis, however, is not fully compatible with the Treasury RfR framework, as it measures only cash expenditure and excludes non-cash costs such as depreciation; it includes both capital and resource expenditure; and it does not cover expenditure overseas incurred by the Department. It is likely also to include expenditure which may be claimed under RfR2 (Conflict Prevention). Identification of RfRl near cash expenditure by SIC could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Departmental Freedom of Information Mr. Spring To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of the Freedom of Information requests his Department has received in the last 12 months were answered with (a) the information requested, (b) a refusal and (c) a partial disclosure (i) within 20 working days and (ii) after more than 20 working days. Derek Twigg The Ministry of Defence received 3,103 Freedom of Information requests in the period from October 2006 to September 2007, the most recent 12-month period for which statistics are available. Of these requests, 2,571, 83 per cent., were answered within 20 working days. 532 requests (17 per cent.) required longer than 20 working days to answer. However, in 148 of these cases (5 per cent. of the total received), the delay was authorised by a legitimate extension of the 20-working day time limit, permitted under the Freedom of Information Act; the Department, therefore, answered 88 per cent. of requests for information 'in-time'. Of the total requests for information received, 2,639 were deemed 'resolvable', i.e. it was possible to make a substantive decision on the release of the information sought, as distinct from those cases where the Department does not hold the information requested, or where the request is withdrawn or altered by the applicant. 1,810 (69 per cent.) of these resolvable requests were answered in full with all the information requested, 354 (13 per cent.) requests were refused in full; while 224 (8 per cent.) requests were answered by partial disclosure of the information requested. The remaining 10 per cent. of requests had not received a response at the time these statistics were collected, which is done by quarterly report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Status |Number|Percentage| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Information released |11,810|69 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Refusal |354 |13 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Partial release |224 |8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Within 20 working days |2,571 |83 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |>20 working days |2532 |17 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |'In-time' |2,719 |88 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Of 2,639 resolvable requests. 2 148 permitted extension.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the office costs for his Department's special advisers for 2007-08 are expected to be, including costs of support staff; and how many full-time equivalent civil servants work in support of such special advisers. Derek Twigg One civil servant is employed at the Ministry of Defence to provide dedicated support of a non-political nature to the special advisers in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. The pay band for the post range between £24,700 and £33,250 per annum. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on special advisors in 2006-07; how much has been allocated for 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007, Official Report, columns 147-50WS. Departmental Pay David T.C. Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Departmental employees were paid (a) over £60,000 and (b) over £100,000 per annum, inclusive of bonuses, in the most recent financial year for which figures are available. Derek Twigg The numbers of civilian staff in the Ministry of Defence and its Agencies who received taxable pay (including salary, allowances and bonuses) of over £100,000 in financial year 2006-07 was some 70; the number who received over £60,000 was some 1,175. The nearest equivalent figures for members of the armed forces relates to salary levels including bonuses and specialist pay in the current year, where some 550 armed forces personnel receive salaries in excess of £100,000, and some 6,100 receive salaries in excess of £60,000. Departmental Public Expenditure Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total expenditure in near cash terms was in each financial year since 2000-01 as listed in his Department’s resource account code hierarchy. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. Ex-servicemen: Military Decorations Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in each London constituency have received the veterans’ badge in each of the last three years. Derek Twigg The information is not held in the format requested and can be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, we have identified from our records that a total number 3,612 badges have been issued to residents in the London area. Hazardous Substances: Fort Halstead Mr. Fallon To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for the removal and transport of hazardous materials from Fort Halstead in Kent; what such materials have been removed from the site in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Fort Halstead site is owned by QinetiQ but leased to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), who have a 90-year lease. The transportation of hazardous material from the site is managed by the Dstl Facilities Management Provider, Serco. Over the last five years the hazardous materials transported have included sealed radioactive materials, explosives and a variety of toxic or harmful chemicals. All of these materials have been transported following detailed risk assessments and in accordance with UK legislation, e.g. the use of controlled waste administrators and pre-qualified licensed carriers, and have been moved only to approved/licensed sites. In addition to this, as a duty of care, both Dstl and Serco have conducted sample audits of the process. Helicopters Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) planned and (b) actual average flying hours for each helicopter type in the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force was in each month of 2007. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Total planned and actual flying hours for each helicopter type in each of the three services from January to November 2007 are shown in the following tables: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Jan |Feb |Mar |Apr |May |Jun |Jul |Aug |Sep |Oct |Nov | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Apache AH1 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |801 |901 |901 |1,119|1,259|1,259|1,259|839 |1,398|1,259|1,119| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |1,165|948 |832 |839 |1,130|979 |1,202|838 |918 |1,020|1,132| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Agusta A109 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |80 |90 |90 |80 |90 |90 |90 |60 |100 |90 |80 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |41 |48 |97 |75 |109 |67 |95 |91 |108 |134 |82 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gazelle | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |898 |1,011|1,011|1,186|1,334|1,334|1,334|889 |1,482|1,334|1,186| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |749 |888 |1,291|935 |1,151|1,147|1,113|1,012|1,193|1,119|871 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lynx Mk 7 and 9| | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |1,480|1,666|1,666|1,152|1,296|1,296|1,296|864 |1,440|1,296|1,152| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |1,772|1,583|1,825|1,665|1,702|1,514|1,556|937 |1,555|1,674|1,522| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Jan |Feb |Mar |Apr|May |Jun |Jul |Aug|Sep |Oct |Nov | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lynx Mk3 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |590 |590 |590 |200|555 |555 |555 |200|560 |555 |555 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |732 |617 |463 |443|569 |568 |449 |318|707 |684 |599 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lynx Mk 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |590 |590 |590 |200|555 |555 |555 |200|560 |555 |555 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |571 |497 |564 |495|515 |542 |479 |245|446 |430 |489 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merlin Mk 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |880 |880 |1,076|590|804 |965 |859 |322|1,073|1,234|1,126| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |511 |522 |575 |632|691 |736 |624 |293|651 |704 |519 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sea King Mk 4 and 6| | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |1,114|1,003|781 |909|1,023|1,023|1,023|682|1,137|1,023|909 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |1,124|996 |1,033|839|1,044|1,031|896 |735|998 |992 |923 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sea King Mk 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |441 |441 |439 |294|441 |441 |441 |294|441 |441 |441 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |340 |342 |450 |351|325 |410 |409 |286|375 |458 |320 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sea King Mk 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |387 |387 |366 |258|387 |387 |387 |258|387 |387 |387 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |221 |217 |239 |447|577 |285 |283 |39 |262 |230 |259 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Jan |Feb |Mar |Apr |May |Jun |Jul |Aug |Sep |Oct |Nov | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chinook HC2/2a | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |1,000|1,125|1,125|1,000|1,125|1,125|1,125|750 |1,250|1,125|1,000| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |1,053|997 |1,140|961 |1,189|1,075|1,233|1,179|1,167|1,255|1,087| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merlin HC Mk 31 | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |403 |520 |578 |473 |414 |473 |503 |532 |503 |562 |590 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |445 |378 |505 |522 |525 |517 |387 |362 |477 |486 |503 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Puma HC Mk 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |963 |1,084|1,083|963 |1,084|1,084|1,084|722 |1,204|1,084|963 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |999 |837 |1,059|937 |835 |1,026|977 |759 |791 |782 |815 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sea King HAR 3/3a | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Planned hours |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 |900 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total flown |753 |757 |839 |915 |835 |802 |907 |843 |835 |742 |NYA | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NYA = not yet available.1 Includes the first of the newly procured Merlin Mk 3 from November 2007.| | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Planned hours show the funded annual flying task for each aircraft type as agreed in annually agreed customer supplier agreements (CSA) between the Front Line Commands and Defence Equipment and Support. Actual hours flown includes both those flown in the UK for training as well as those deployed on operations. Hours flown in excess of the CSA on operations are funded by the Conflict Prevention Fund. There is no requirement to hold data on average flying hours. CSA calculations are based on the total amount of flying hours that can be supported by the integrated project teams for a given aircraft type and are not broken down by individual airframe. Helicopters: Procurement Mr. Carswell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated average cost is of each of the Future Lynx helicopters to be delivered under the contract with the Finmeccanica group. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The value of the contract placed with Finmeccanica is approximately £l billion (excluding VAT). This cost is for the development and manufacture of 70 aircraft. Helicopters: Training Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training exercises were conducted by Apache and Chinook helicopter crews in each of the last five years; and what the (a) location and (b) type was of each. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The number of collective training exercises supported by both Apache and Chinook helicopter crews was seven in 2005, 13 in 2006 and 18 in 2007. Records are not held for collective training exercises conducted prior to 2005. The location and type of each exercise are shown in the following table. The number of collective training exercises supported by Chinook only and Apache only will take longer to collate. I will write to the hon. Member when this information is available. Aircrew training flights are too numerous to quantify. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Exercise details |Location | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |Exercise Iron Storm - 3 (UK) Division live firing Exercise. |UK wide. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |Qualified Helicopter Training Instructor Flying Phase - Air Crew Training Exercise. |Scotland. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 3 times|Exercise Bowman Vanguard - Fleet Collective Training Exercise |UK wide. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |Exercise Bowman Ord - Fleet Exercise part of HMS Ocean sea trials. |Sea trials. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |Exercise Argonaut - Fleet Collective training Exercise. |UK Wide. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |Exercise Herrick Eagle - 16 Brigade Herrick 4 Mission Rehearsal Exercise. |Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area.| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |Exercise Southern Raider - 3 Commando Brigade Mission Rehearsal Exercise |Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area.| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 5 times|OPTAG (Operational Training and Advisory Group) confirmation Exercises 3 Commando Brigade units Herrick 5 Pre Deployment Training . |Stanford Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |Exercise Iron Storm - 3 (UK) Division Capstone Combat Services Support Exercise for Engineer Regiments' Herrick 5 Pre Deployment Training.|UK Wide. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 5 times|OPTAG confirmation Exercises - 12 Division units Herrick 6 Pre Deployment Training. |Stanford Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 |Exercise Desert Dragon - 12 Division Herrick 6 Mission Rehearsal Exercise |Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area.| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 |Exercise Pashtun Ace - 12 Division Close Combat Attack concentration as part of Herrick 6 Pre Deployment Training. |Otterburn Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 4 times|Ex Druid's Dance - 52 Brigade Herrick 7 Pre Deployment Training. |Sennybridge Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 5 times|OPTAG Confirmation Exercises - 52 Brigade units Herrick 7 Pre Deployment Training. |Stanford Training Area | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 |Exercise Desert Dragon - 52 Brigade Herrick 7 Mission Rehearsal Exercise. |Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area.| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 |Exercise Eagle's Eye - 16 Brigade Airborne Task Force validation Exercise. |Salisbury Plain Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 5 times|OPTAG Confirmation Exercises - 16 Brigade units Herrick 8 Pre Deployment. |Training on Stanford Training Area. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Influenza: Disease Control Dr. Murrison To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents dealing with contingency arrangements for an influenza pandemic have been (a) prepared by and (b) commissioned by his Department since 1 March 2005; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg Since October 2005 the MOD has been developing a generic Pan Defence Pandemic Flu Planning Framework document. This brings together activities which, for the most part, will be undertaken by Departmental operational commands and business units. In June 2006 the Business Continuity Policy team developed a generic influenza exercise scenario with the aid of the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Additionally, the Defence Medical Services Department (DMSD) has issued periodic policy guidance to the Single Services, designed to inform defence medical professionals, beginning in October 2005 when “Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic in UK” was issued. In January 2006 DMSD produced “Use of Influenza Vaccines and Anti-virals in the event of an Influenza Pandemic”, and, in February 2007, “Pandemic Influenza—Infection Control Guidelines for Military Settings” was issued, produced by DMSD in collaboration with the HPA. No external flu pandemic studies or reports have been commissioned. Iran: Sequestration of Assets Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Government will take steps to sequester assets of the government of Iran in the UK to the value of the British military equipment which was seized in (a) 2004 and (b) 2007; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne We will continue to pursue diplomatic means for the return of the boats and equipment seized by Iran in 2004 and 2007. Iraq Conflict: Legal Opinion Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2007, Official Report, column 840W, on Iraq conflict: legal opinion, whether such advice was commissioned using resources from the public purse. Des Browne No private legal advice was sought prior to the invasion of Iraq by any of the then armed forces Chiefs of Staff. Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Moore To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 481W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, what the estimated cost of providing medical services to employees of private military and security companies under Government contract in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan was in each of the last five years; what estimate he has made of the cost of procuring such services from the private sector; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne [holding answer 28 November 2007]: In the last five years, the Ministry of Defence has contracted only two private military security companies both in 2007, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Available records do not show any routine or emergency treatment having been provided to employees of these companies. In order to confirm this categorically a trawl of all medical records would have to be undertaken, which would require a level of effort generating disproportionate cost to the benefit of the information provided. There has been no estimate done on the cost of procuring such services for PMSCs from the private sector. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many convoy escort missions were conducted by British forces along Military Supply Route Tampa in Britain’s area of operations in each month in 2007. Des Browne The Military Supply Route Tampa is one of numerous routes that British forces can use to conduct convoy missions. I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces. Legal Costs Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent, in near cash terms, on (a) legal fees, (b) legal fees incurred in relation to land acquisition/disposal and (c) legal fees incurred in relation to compensation payments, as listed in his Department’s resource account code hierarchy, in each financial year since 2000-01. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The total resource costs of the expenditure items are set out in the following table. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Financial year |Legal fees|Legal fees—land acquisition and disposal|Legal fees—compensation payments| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |38.7 |0.9 |28.9 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |1.4 |1.0 |0.4 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |2.0 |1.5 |1— | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |3.0 |0.4 |1— | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |5.2 |1.0 |1.6 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |21.1 |0.8 |3.9 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |7.7 |8.4 |7.6 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 While the overall Operating Cost Statement (OCS) was correct, the balance relating to this resource account code in 2002-03 and 2003-04 incorrectly excluded expenditure to be offset by the utilisation of provisions resulting in an erroneous credit balance. (An estimate of the expense for the legal fee obligation is taken through the OCS in the year the obligation arises and held as a provision. When the obligation becomes a liability and the provision is utilised, a charge is made to the OCS and the provision is used to offset the expense in the OCS). The detailed data required to restate the correct expenditure for this specific resource accounting code have been archived and the restatement can be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.| | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Near cash expenditure is not separately identified in the final resource accounts or the centrally held supporting records. Total resource costs have therefore been provided; however it is unlikely that there are any non cash costs attributed to the expenditure items which would result in the near cash expenditure being different from the resource expenditure. The creation of legal provisions is attributed to a different resource account code to those listed in the question. Members: Correspondence Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters his Department received from hon. Members and Peers in each session of Parliament since 1997. Derek Twigg The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2007 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2006 was published on 28 March 2007, Official Report, columns 101-04WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. Mercian Regiment Patrick Mercer To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the peace establishment was of the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment before its deployment to Afghanistan; what the strength was of the Battalion; how many reinforcements to the Battalion were received from (a) the regular Army, (b) the Territorial Army and (c) the regular Army Reserves; how many of all ranks were (i) left behind on recruitment duties, (ii) physically unfit to deploy and (iii) left behind in barracks to form a rear party; and what the Battalion's battle casualty replacement policy was. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 18 December 2007]: Prior to deploying to Afghanistan in March 2007, the peace time establishment of the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment was 559; the battalion’s strength was 466; it received additional reinforcements of 58 Regular Army and 17 Territorial Army Personnel; and no reinforcements from the Regular Army Reserves. Two individuals remained on recruitment duties and 75 soldiers remained in barracks to form the rear party, 37 of whom were unfit to deploy. The policy on battle casualty replacement was to utilise appropriately trained deployable personnel, who would be received into the unit’s rear party. In order to rectify a deficiency arising in a specific skill, replacements would be requested from other units in theatre or if necessary an individual would be deployed forward from the United Kingdom or British forces in Germany. Military Aircraft Mr. Ellwood To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution he expects the purchase of a sixth C-17 Globe Master to make to his Department’s heavy lift strategy. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 10 December 2007]: The sixth C-17 will deliver a significant increase in our ability to transport personnel and equipment, including large cargo, over strategic distances, particularly in support of our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military Aircraft: Helicopters Mr. Keetch To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents have taken place involving (a) Puma, (b) Merlin, (c) Chinook and (d) Sea King RAF helicopters since 2001; how many British service personnel were killed or wounded as a result in each case; and whether (i) equipment failure and (ii) pilot error were contributory factors in each case. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Accidents involving the requested types of helicopter, in which the aircraft suffered category 4 (major damage, repairable off-site) and category 5 (write-off) since 2001 are given in the following table: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Date |Aircraft |Location |Injured|Killed| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |9 April 2001 |Puma XW200 |Kosovo |1 |2 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |16 August 2001 |Sea King XZ599|RAF St. Mawgan |2 |— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |21 January 2002 |Puma XW214 |Ballykelly, NI |1 |— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |16 March 2002 |Puma2XW227 |Jonesborough, NI |13 |— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |19 July 2004 |Puma XW221 |Basra, Iraq |2 |1 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |10 April 2006 |Chinookl ZA654|Afghanistan |— |— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 April 2007 |(Puma1 XW211 |Iraq |— |— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 April 2007 |Puma1XW218 |Iraq |— |2 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |8 August 2007 |Puma2 ZA934 |Catterick, N. Yorkshire|9 |3 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |20 November 2007 |Puma2 ZA938 |Iraq |2 |2 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 These accidents are still under investigation.2 In addition, there was one civilian passenger injured in this incident.| | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There have been no accidents involving Merlin helicopters since 2001. Where the cause has been determined, none of the accidents has been attributed to major equipment failure. Military Bases: Carbon Emissions Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the total cost incurred by military bases in the UK in relation to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Derek Twigg On 12 July 2007, I placed in the Library of the House a table detailing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) costs for 2005 of participating in the first year of Phase 1 of the EU European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The table details MOD sites registered in the scheme, the number of free allowances, actual carbon dioxide emissions, scheme administration costs and additional allowance costs. Details of the cost to MOD of the second year of Phase 1 of the scheme, are currently being compiled and a table will be placed in the Library of the House when this is complete. Phase 2 of the EU ETS will commence on the 1 January 2008. As details have yet to be made available for the operation of the scheme it is not currently possible to compile a meaningful estimate of the likely cost to MOD of participating in Phase 2. Minimum Wage Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many London-based staff are employed by his Department on the national minimum wage. Derek Twigg None. Ministerial Duties Mr. Bone To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what average percentage of his working week has been taken up by his duties as Secretary of State for Defence. Des Browne [holding answer 3 December 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 3 December 2007, Official Report, columns 557-60. Ministerial Policy Advisers Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the job descriptions of his special advisers. Des Browne I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007, Official Report, columns 147-50WS. National Identity Register Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to make use of data on the national identity register when it is established; and what the estimated cost to his Department of that use is. Derek Twigg The MOD will be working with the Home Office prior to the introduction of the national identity scheme to establish how identity information held on the proposed national identity register might be used to provide easier access to MOD's services for our customers. It is too early in the process to establish the detailed costs and benefits. Nimrod Aircraft Mr. George Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the review into the Nimrod conducted by Mr. Charles Haddon-Cave QC to be published. Des Browne I have nothing to add to the written ministerial statement I made in the House on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 50WS. It is too early to speculate on a possible timescale for publication. Nuclear Submarines Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13th December 2007, Official Report, column 778W, on nuclear submarines, what safeguards are in place to prevent UK submarine commanders launching a nuclear attack on their own initiative; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne There are a number of technological and procedural safeguards built into the UK's nuclear deterrent to prevent an unauthorised launch of its Trident missiles. Any launch of a Trident missile would require a large proportion of the submarine's crew to act in concert. I am withholding further details as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. Nuclear Submarines: Decommissioning Mr. Salmond To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the decommissioning of the Vanguard Class submarines; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Nuclear decommissioning costs are the subject of current work within the Department. When this work is complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. Nuclear Weapons: Finance Mr. Jenkin To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he plans to spend on a replacement for the UK strategic nuclear deterrent in each year of procurement; and whether this spending is included in the overall allocation for his Department announced as part of the conclusions of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. Des Browne I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 October 2007, Official Report, columns 1357-58W, to the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) and chapter D8 of the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper (CM 7227). Spending plans for 2011-12 and beyond will be set as part of the Government’s spending review process. Official Engagements Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his official engagements were between 1 and 21 November 2007. Des Browne My official engagements as Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for Scotland, throughout the period 1 November to 21 November, included various meetings in London and Scotland, including with ministerial colleagues and officials from the MOD and Scotland Office. On Thursday 1 and Friday 2 November I was overseas visiting Service personnel serving in Iraq. On Monday 5 November I met with the HBOS in Scotland. On Tuesday 6 November I attended the State Opening of Parliament. On Wednesday 7 November I hosted the French Defence Minister for bilateral discussions in London. On Thursday 8 November I attended the British Torch of Remembrance ceremony at Westminster Abbey and met with National Grid. On Friday 9 November I visited Diageo with my hon. Friend the Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (Gordon Banks). On Saturday 10 November I attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2007 event and, on Sunday 11 November, I attended the Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph. On Monday 12 November I met EU ambassadors in London, hosted by the Portuguese ambassador, before attending the Defence debate in the House of Commons. On Tuesday 13 November I met separately with the National Farmers Union Scotland and Scottish Financial Enterprise. On Wednesday 14 November I attended a Sailor, Soldier, Airmen and Families Association reception. On Thursday 15 November I hosted the Romanian Defence Minister for bilateral discussions in London. On Friday 16 November I hosted a reception in Edinburgh for Polish National Day. On Sunday 18 and Monday 19 November I was in Brussels attending a meeting of EU Defence Ministers. On Tuesday 20 November I met with The Crown Prince of Bahrain. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his official engagements were from 22 to 28 November; (2) what his official engagements were from 22 November to 10 December. Des Browne Throughout the period 22 November to 10 December, I had various meetings in London and Scotland, including with ministerial colleagues and officials from the MOD and Scotland Office. On 22 November, I had a meeting with the Columbian Defence Minister and a meeting with the Turkish Chief of Defence Staff. On 23 November, I addressed the State of the City Economy Conference in Glasgow. On 28 November, I answered oral questions for the Scotland Office in the House of Commons. On 29 November, I attended a reception to mark the home coming of 12 Brigade from Iraq. On 1 December, I visited the Longannet Power Station in Alloa and participated in the Scottish Interfaith Week Come and Play the Diversity Game event in Edinburgh. On 3 December, I answered oral Defence questions in the House of Commons. On 4 December, I met with service families about the Board of Inquiry findings into the crash of the RAF Nimrod XV230 before attending the House to make a statement about the same. On 6 December, I gave oral evidence to the AFPRB and in the evening I attended a Sailor, Soldier, Airmen and Families Association carol service at the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks. On 8 December, I met with representatives from the services charity “Forward Edge Battle Area”. Between 7 and 10 December, I was overseas visiting service personnel in Afghanistan. Operating Costs Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s RfR 1 operating cost statement (level 4 view) for each financial year since 2001-02. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Departmental Operating Cost Statement (OCS) is a consolidation of OCSs by Top Level Budget (TLB) and includes Request for Resources (RfR) 1, 2 and 3. RfR l and 2 data are not held centrally at level 4 (Resource Account Code). Extraction of the RfR 2 data from the consolidated OCS, to produce an OCS for RfR l at level 4 could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost. An OCS in the summarised format produced for the Department Resource Accounts for RfR l can be produced for the period 2001-02 to 2006-07 and I shall place a copy in the Library of the House. Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's RfR 1 balance sheet (level 4 view) for each financial year since 2001-02. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The departmental balance sheet is a consolidation of balance sheets by top level budget and includes request for resources (RfR) 1, 2 and 3. Balances at the year end are not identified by individual RfR and construction of a balance sheet for RfRl from source data could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Operational Readiness Force Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units form the UK’s commitment to the Operational Readiness Force (ORF) for KFOR; whether they are fully equipped; whether the ORF is deployed; and when the next ORF will take over from the current ORF. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 4 December 2007]: The UK element of NATO’s Operational Reserve Force (ORF) is currently a battalion from the 2 Royal Ghurkhas Rifles. Subsequently the UK ORF will consist of a battalion from 1 Welsh Guards and then followed by a battalion from 2 Rifles. The UK ORF battalion is prepared and positioned in the UK and will take over as the highest ready (four days notice for the lead element) battalion in support of NATO responsibilities in the Balkans from 1 January 2008 until 30 June 2008. The battalion is fully equipped for the potential tasks required of it. Phantom Clocking Mr. Donohoe To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the costs to his Department of phantom-clocking in each year since 1997. Derek Twigg The term “phantom clocking” is taken to mean the abuse by employees, of time recording equipment at their place of work. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Princess Mary’s Hospital Philip Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many patients have been treated at the Princess Mary’s Hospital in RAF Akrotiri in the last 12 months; what the hospital's establishment is; how many staff are working at the hospital; and whether the hospital is fully equipped. Derek Twigg The number of patients treated at the Princess Mary’s Hospital at RAF Akrotiri from 1 December 2006-30 November 2007 was 12,848, including both in-patients and out-patients. The total staff establishment is for 161 personnel, made up of both military and civilians, and present manning stands at 147. The current staffing level has not prevented the hospital from carrying out its required tasks, and it is also equipped for the clinical services it is required to provide. Recruitment Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much in near cash terms was spent on civilian recruitment in each financial year since 2002-03. Des Browne The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Redundancy Pay Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much in near cash terms was paid out in severance payments in each financial year since 2002-03. Derek Twigg The amounts paid out in near cash terms for redundancy and severance payments in each financial year from 2002-03 are set out in the following table: -------------------------- |Financial year|£ million| -------------------------- |2002-03 |81 | -------------------------- |2003-04 |106 | -------------------------- |2004-05 |92 | -------------------------- |2005-06 |130 | -------------------------- |2006-07 |221 | -------------------------- Amounts paid are in respect of payments directly charged to the operating cost statement and the cash utilisation of provisions, for both military and civilian personnel. Reserve Forces: Wales Mrs. Gillan To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow recruitment to the Parachute Regiment Reserve in Wales. Derek Twigg The 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment constitutes the Parachute Regiment Reserve. The Battalion Headquarters is based in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, with sub-unit and detachment locations in Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Croydon and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There are no plans to create a detachment in Wales. Recruits to the regiment are welcome from any location, although anyone joining the regiment would need to travel to one of the unit locations in order to conduct administration and training. Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Contracts Norman Baker To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been entered into by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team since 2004; and what the value was of each contract. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Since 2004, numerous contracts have been entered into by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team and I will write to the hon. Member with details. Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Manpower Norman Baker To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team; and how many of them are (a) serving armed forces personnel, (b) civil servants, (c) external consultants and (d) others. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Support Integrated Project Team (IPT) currently employs 75 personnel. Of these, 32 are civilian RFA Officers, 38 are civil servants, one is an external consultant and there are four posts filled on a temporary basis by non-civil servants, for example, agency staff. There are no serving armed forces personnel employed within the IPT. Territorial Army: Military Decorations Bob Russell To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2007, Official Report, column 314W, on Territorial Army: military decorations, what guidance he has issued to regional commanders on exercising their discretion to allow members of the Territorial Army to wear medals on Combat Soldier 95 working dress at Remembrance Parades and on other ceremonial occasions. Derek Twigg Guidance on dress is given in Army Dress Regulations, which are widely available. These allow regional commanders to authorise the wear of medals for specific parades on combat dress. No additional guidance is necessary. It remains the Army's intention that parade uniform (number 1 or number 2 dress) be worn for most scheduled public events. Number 2 dress is available to the TA for specific parades, and remains the uniform for general wear on Remembrance day. Type 45 Destroyers: Procurement Dr. Julian Lewis To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has changed his plans in respect of the number of Type 45 destroyers to be ordered; and when a decision will be made about ships seven and eight. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 17 December 2007]: We currently have a contract for six Type 45 destroyers and a decision has yet to be made on a further order. The decision and its timing will be based on a range of factors including requirements, affordability, value for money and the wider context of the Defence Industrial Strategy. United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Nick Harvey To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why there was no call for evidence as part of the early stages of the departmental review of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. Derek Twigg The study was announced through the Defence website on 9 February 2007. The study team identified and consulted relevant authorities and bodies in assessing options. A number of industry bodies also provided input. Warships: Deployment Dr. Julian Lewis To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been undertaken of deployment schedules for (a) aircraft carriers, (b) assault vessels, (c) destroyers, (d) frigates and other (e) warships and (f) auxiliary vessels with a view to keeping them tied up in port. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 17 December 2007]: Deployment plans for all Royal Navy ships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are kept under continuous review in the light of operational demands and maintenance requirements. In addition, a range of options relating to ship readiness states and activity levels are considered in the Department’s annual planning rounds. No decisions have yet been taken in the current planning round concerning specific deployment schedules. Northern Ireland Aviation Chris Huhne To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many air miles were travelled by Ministers in his Department in each year since 2000; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced as a result. Mr. Woodward Since April 2006 emissions from central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to the fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries. The DEFRA website provides a comprehensive list of Government Carbon Offsetting Fund members, their emission figures and what activities they have offset through the fund, available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset/government.htm Figures for air miles and the resulting emissions from ministerial air travel are not collated separately from our overall figures and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Chris Huhne To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many miles he and other Ministers in his Department travelled on short haul flights in the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon emissions produced as a result of these flights. Mr. Woodward Ministers in the NIO make regular short haul flights between London and Belfast to enable them to take forward departmental business in both Northern Ireland and meet their commitments at Westminster. Since April 2006 emissions from central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to the fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries. The DEFRA website provides a comprehensive list of Government Carbon Offsetting Fund members, their emission figures and what activities they have offset through the fund, available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset/government.htm Figures for air miles and the resulting emissions from ministerial air travel are not collated separately from our overall figures and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Christmas Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his Department’s policy to use (a) incandescent light bulbs and (b) LED lights for festive decorations on departmental premises. Mr. Woodward A limited amount of Christmas decorations are put up each year by staff in departmental buildings. Where these decorations include festive lights these will generally have been bought in previous years and are re-used for the sake of economy. The Department does not have a policy on the type of light bulbs used in festive decorations. Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department’s policy is on the selection of (a) real and (b) artificial Christmas trees for his Department’s festive decorations; and how real trees are disposed of. Mr. Woodward A limited amount of Christmas decorations, including trees, are put up each year by staff in departmental buildings. For reasons of economy the trees are generally artificial and can be reused over a number of years. In two departmental buildings where real trees are used, the trees are sourced from sustainable tree farms, and are recycled after use. Civil Disorder: Belfast Mr. Dodds To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were (a) arrested for and (b) charged with riotous behaviour arising from civil disturbances in Belfast city centre on the evening of 20 November. Paul Goggins PSNI has advised that no persons were arrested or charged with riotous behaviour during the disorder in Belfast City Centre on 20 November 2007. However, three persons were arrested for other public order related offences arising from this incident. One person was released without charge and the two others were released pending report to the Public Prosecution Service. The incident involved crowds of youths, aged on average between 12 and 16 years, both male and female. The number of youths and children attending the event was significantly larger than in any previous year. This may have contributed to the cause of this incident, which was dealt with quickly and effectively by the police. Departmental Manpower Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of posts in his Department have been recategorised from back office to frontline posts as classified by the Gershon efficiency review in each year since 2004. Mr. Woodward The Northern Ireland Office is committed to achieving work force reductions of 1,446 posts by the end of 2007-08. This is a net target and no posts will be reallocated to the frontline as part of it. Departmental Procurement Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the standard terms and conditions of purchase used by his Department in the procurement of goods and services from the private sector prohibit the assignment of debt. Mr. Woodward NIO Procurement Unit standard terms and conditions do not contain an express provision prohibiting the assignment of debt. However, there is a provision which states that the contractor shall not transfer or assign the contract or part thereof and shall not sub-contract any part of the provision of the services without the prior written consent of the Department. Motor Vehicles: Theft Mr. Dodds To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vehicles were stolen in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; how many persons were (a) charged with and (b) convicted of vehicle theft in each year; and what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of car theft. Paul Goggins The Policing Board and the PSNI have made tackling vehicle crime a key priority, and have achieved a 65 per cent. reduction in the number of recorded incidents in the period covered by the following table. In 1998-99 the Home Office introduced revised counting rules for recording crime. As crime figures produced from 1998-99 onwards should be regarded as a new statistical series, figures for 1997-98 are not comparable and have therefore not been provided. Vehicle crime control strategies focus on the main areas of prevention, intelligence, enforcement and reassurance. This results in a variety of tactical responses including targeted high visibility patrolling, enforcement of bail conditions for known offenders, development of community watch programmes, pro-active operations and media awareness campaigns. This list is not exhaustive as strategies are applied in line with the needs and priorities of the local policing area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of recorded incidents of theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicles|Number cleared by means of charge or summons| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998-99 |9,715 |976 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999-2000 |10,196 |993 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000-01 |10,806 |907 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001-02 |11,635 |757 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002-031 |8,410 |711 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003-04 |5,369 |638 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004-05 |4,456 |618 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005-06 |3,721 |560 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006-07 |3,418 |595 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 From 1 April 2002 most attempted thefts/ unauthorised taking of motor vehicles are recorded as vehicle interference due to a change in the Home Office Counting Rules.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following table displays the number of convictions for theft of a vehicle by offence during the calendar years 1996-2005. 2005 is the last year for which data are available1. 1 Data are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Theft of vehicle|Taking a motor vehicle without owner’s consent|Aggravated vehicle taking1|Total| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1996 |11 |416 |0 |427 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |9 |453 |0 |462 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |18 |401 |0 |419 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |2 |294 |0 |296 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |8 |328 |0 |336 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |9 |348 |0 |357 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |3 |300 |0 |303 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |3 |351 |0 |354 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |5 |354 |0 |359 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |3 |303 |4 |310 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Data include the offences of ‘aggravated vehicle taking causing injury’, ‘aggravated vehicle taking in which vehicle is driven dangerously’ and ‘aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle’.| | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rape Lady Hermon To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) reports, (b) charges and (c) convictions for rape there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. Paul Goggins The following table shows the number of rape offences (including attempted rape) reported and cleared by the police by means of charge or summons from 2001-02 to 2006-07. ----------------------------------------------------------------- | |Reported|Number cleared by means of a charge or summons| ----------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03|357 |46 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04|395 |82 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05|380 |67 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06|391 |64 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07|457 |54 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- The following table shows the number of people convicted of rape in the calendar years 2001-05, the last year for which data are available. ------------------------------------------ | |Number of persons convicted of rape| ------------------------------------------ |2001|12 | ------------------------------------------ |2002|8 | ------------------------------------------ |2003|8 | ------------------------------------------ |2004|15 | ------------------------------------------ |2005|4 | ------------------------------------------ The Government are committed to improving the rates of successful prosecution in rape cases. Specialist police units, staffed by highly skilled personnel, are dedicated to enhancing the service to victims of rape and sexual assault. Both PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service are seeking to develop models of best investigative practice so that more cases can achieve the evidential threshold for prosecution. Government are also currently consulting on draft legislation which would provide enhanced levels of public protection, including the introduction of robust new sentences for dealing with dangerous sexual and violent offenders. The Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Health and Social and Personal Services have also jointly developed, and consulted on, a draft regional strategy for addressing sexual violence in Northern Ireland which will specifically examine the factors which contribute to the attrition rate in relation to sexual offences. The strategy is scheduled to be published in early 2008. As part of that process we have already made significant progress, in partnership with the medical profession and voluntary sector, in developing proposals for a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) in Northern Ireland. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Agriculture: Wastes Tim Farron To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect on farmers in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency of the costs associated with meeting the slurry storage requirements under the proposals for nitrate vulnerable zones. Mr. Woolas The regulatory impact assessment (RIA)1, which was circulated with the consultation document on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England, provides details of my Department’s assessment of the potential cost to farmers of the proposed measures under the revised Action Programme options. The RIA includes an assessment of costs associated with meeting the slurry storage requirements. I am currently considering the consultation responses received. 1 Available via http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterpollution-nitrates/partialria-nitrates.pdf Biodiversity Miss McIntosh To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of his Department's ability to meet its target under the EU commitment to halt biodiversity loss by 2010; and if he will make a statement. Joan Ruddock It is important to stress that this commitment is not for my Department to achieve alone. DEFRA continues to work in partnership with the devolved administrations, other Government Departments, country agencies and non-Government agencies to meet this important target. It is too early to say whether the target will be met, but some very significant progress has been made. For example, 77 per cent. of England's Sites of Special Scientific Interest are in favourable or recovering condition compared with 50 per cent. in 2000. In June this year, assessments against a suite of 18 indicators were published on behalf of the UK Biodiversity Partnership. The publication ‘Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket’ showed that in all 12 areas where data were available, the situation was either stable or improving. We have been active in shaping the European and global frameworks for assessing the 2010 targets, and have developed our own reporting framework to fit with these. Birds: Conservation Martin Horwood To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many convictions there were for offences involving illegal theft of protected bird species from the wild in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. Joan Ruddock The number of convictions for offences relating to the protection of bird species in each year since 1997 are shown in the following table: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Number| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |28 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |20 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |20 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |15 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |17 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |11 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |20 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |52 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |24 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |87 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 These data are on the principal offence basis.2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The figures include convictions for the illegal killing, taking and injuring of wild birds, disturbing the dependent young of birds listed in schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the possession of live and dead wild birds. It is not possible to identify separately convictions for illegal taking. Carbon Emissions: Heathrow Airport Ms Abbott To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the planned extension of Heathrow airport will contribute towards his Department’s emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Woolas Government emissions reduction targets currently exclude international aviation emissions as there is no agreed way of allocating responsibility for these to individual countries. However under the current proposal to include aviation in the EU ETS, emissions from the aviation sector would be capped at the level of average 2004-06 emissions, and carbon allowances would only be issued up to the level of this cap. Emissions over this cap will be covered either through mitigation within the sector or through the purchase of reductions that can be produced more cheaply and easily by other sectors. This would be the case regardless of whether this growth in emissions was from new airport capacity, the provision of new routes or extra services on existing routes. This approach means that growth in aviation (including Heathrow expansion) would be sustainable. Flood Control Miss McIntosh To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on the introduction of a flood risk management innovation fund. Mr. Woolas A £1.5 million fund has been set aside to support innovative flood risk management solutions. An open competition was launched in November 2005 and the six successful projects were announced in January 2007. These are being funded to: develop an educational tool to improve public understanding of the difficult decisions that are sometimes required in the management of our coasts thereby assisting implementation of more sustainable long term management policies; investigate the contribution of land management practices to flood management in the Staffordshire Washlands catchment of the Rivers Trent, Sow and Penk; work with the farming community to provide tools to landowners to assist with adaptation to change on the Essex coast; demonstrate and help communicate the benefits of floodplain woodland for flood management; develop an innovative and sustainable community-based adaptation programme for the coast at Slapton in South Devon; demonstrate the benefits of integrating flood mitigation and environmental approaches such as sustainability, zero carbon and zero waste within urban developments. The projects are being undertaken by a variety of public and private organisations and further details are on the DEFRA website. Floods: River Derwent Mr. Todd To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the fluvial study of the lower Derwent to be published. Mr. Woolas A public consultation is planned for the draft lower Derwent strategy during the summer of 2008. The final strategy is expected to be published in the spring or summer of 2009, depending on the issues raised during the consultation. However, more detailed hydraulic modelling for Derby is planned for the next financial year. If the preliminary results of this model are different from the information the Environment Agency currently has on the predicted flood risk, publication of the draft strategy will be delayed until the agency is confident that the results of the model accurately predict river levels. This could delay publication of the draft strategy by up to a year. Fly Tipping: North East Region Mr. Kemp To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to reduce incidents of fly-tipping in the North East; and if he will make a statement. Joan Ruddock Tackling fly-tipping and wider waste crime is a priority for the Government. Our Waste Strategy for England, published in May 2007, makes clear that initiatives to boost waste prevention and recycling should be supported by fly-tipping strategies aimed at tackling the illegal dumping of waste. The Strategy includes the Government’s Illegal Waste Activity Action Plan, which sets out what action is being taken and proposed in this area. This includes: (i) Reviewing the controls in place to deal with the management and carriage of waste. The review aims to reduce levels of fly-tipping by making it easier for businesses to understand and comply with the regulations and make them easier for local authorities to use. (ii) Developing legislation that will give local authorities and the Environment Agency the powers to stop, search and instantly seize vehicles being used to commit fly-tipping offences. (iii) Introducing mandatory Site Waste Management Plans for construction and demolition projects above a certain value. (iv) Funding the Environment Agency’s targeted campaigns to disseminate good practice to businesses and raise awareness of good waste management practices. (v) Delivering Flycapture Enforcement, a training programme aimed at local authority officers and their legal teams to increase knowledge of the relevant legislation and develop skills in effective enforcement and prosecution of fly-tippers. (vi) Work with stakeholders to consider how the Flycapture database can be enhanced or improved to help local authorities implement fly-tipping interventions. DEFRA has also funded Environmental Campaigns (Encams) to deliver a programme of work on local environmental quality and fly-tipping issues in partnership with Government Offices. This work will support the poorest performing local authorities in each region through a combination of data analysis, best practice sharing and targeted seminars. It will also promote the introduction of fly-tipping targets within local area agreements. In addition, DEFRA funded the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science to produce research on fly-tipping—“Fly-tipping: Causes, Incentives and Solutions”. This included good practice guidance on crime prevention techniques, including surveillance, and has been distributed to all local authorities in England. Inland Waterways: Freight Jo Swinson To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to incorporate provision for water-borne freight into his Department’s climate change agreements. Mr. Woolas It is very unlikely that climate change agreements (CCAs) would be relevant to the water-borne freight sector. CCAs provide for a reduction in the climate change levy (CCL) when operators meet challenging energy efficiency targets. However, CCL is not charged on every kind of fuel: it only applies to commodities specified in schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2000 as taxable commodities (including electricity, gas of a kind supplied by a gas utility, liquid petroleum gas and solid fuels). Furthermore, where a taxable commodity is used in a ship operating in international waters it may be eligible for exemption from CCL. Also, in order to qualify, the operator would have to engage in an eligible process, which is defined as either a process regulated under part A of the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 or meet specific energy intensity criteria. Water-borne freight is unlikely to meet either of these criteria. Nitrate Sensitive Areas Tim Farron To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect upon residents and visitors in nitrate vulnerable zones of the proposals to ban slurry-spreading over winter. Mr. Woolas The partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA), published in support of the consultation on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England, provides details of my Department’s assessment of the impact, in terms of costs and benefits, of all of the proposed amendments to Action Programme measures that apply in nitrate-vulnerable zones (NVZs) in England, and how this impact would vary depending on the extent of NVZ designation. Renewable Energy Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the contribution the UK will make by 2020 to the EU target of 20 per cent. of energy to be derived from renewable sources. [173744] Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 17 December 2007]: I have been asked to reply. On the basis of measures set out in the Energy White Paper, we expect approximately 5 per cent. of the UK's energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. Agreement has not yet been reached on the contribution that each member state will make toward the EU's 2020 target. Reptiles: Imports Mr. Morley To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will list imported reptiles by (a) wild caught, (b) captive bred and (c) ranched CITES listed categories imported into the EU in 2006. Joan Ruddock The number of: (a) wild caught CITES listed reptiles imported into the EU in 2006 was 57,194; (b) captive bred CITES listed reptiles imported into the EU in 2006 was 188,924; (c) ranched CITES listed reptiles imported into the EU in 2006 was 68,764. This leaves 95,059 reptiles from other sources of which by far the largest proportion was those where the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) database shows no source code. The UK does not hold records on imports of non-CITES species into the EU. Sustainable Development: Heathrow Airport Justine Greening To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) Ministers and (b) staff were invited to participate in the project for the sustainable development of Heathrow; whether they participated; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Woolas Both Ministers and officials in DEFRA engage regularly with colleagues at the Department for Transport on matters relating to Heathrow which affect DEFRA lead policy responsibilities: notably on air quality, noise and climate change impacts. Thames and Severn Canal Mr. Clifton-Brown To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to help residents whose property has been affected by the proposed Thames and Severn canal scheme. Mr. Woolas This is a matter for the local authority (LA). LA development plan policies for this canal seek to protect its line while allowing for piecemeal restoration. There are no specific proposals for full restoration at present. Once a planning application has been made, local authorities have set procedures for handling individuals or businesses affected by it. Waste Disposal: Finance Martin Horwood To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his latest estimate is of the funding for the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme in each of the next three financial years; what funding the BREW programme has had in 2007-08; and what funding was provided in each of the last two financial years. Joan Ruddock The Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme was set up to give £284 million additional landfill taxes back to business over three years (from April 2005 to March 2008) through funding for resource efficiency and waste projects. Funding allocated for each of the last three years is as follows: ------------------- | |£ million| ------------------- |2005-06|33 | ------------------- |2006-07|100.7 | ------------------- |2007-08|125 | ------------------- Subsequent funding of the BREW programme will be subject to future spending decisions, which will be carefully balanced with other departmental priorities in tackling waste and climate change. Waste Disposal: Greater London Martin Horwood To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme’s campaign on waste crime in London cost; how long the campaign lasted; how many incidents of fly-tipping there were in each London borough targeted by the campaign in each month since 12 months before the campaign began; what the total cost of clean-up of fly tipping was in that period in each borough; what assessment he has made of the campaign’s effectiveness; and whether he plans to extend the (a) duration and (b) geographic reach of the campaign. Joan Ruddock The campaign funded by the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme is targeting waste crime across 16 local authorities in the South and East of London and North Kent. The campaign began in August 2006 and is due to close in December 2007 at a cost of £265,000. The analysis of the campaign is currently taking place, including the impact on both the numbers of fly-tips recorded and the ongoing awareness of businesses to waste crime. The BREW programme was set up to give £284 million additional landfill taxes back to business over three years (from April 2005 to March 2008) through funding for resource efficiency and waste projects. Future funding of the BREW programme will be subject to future spending decisions, which will be carefully balanced in line with departmental priorities. I have arranged for the statistics requested to be placed in the Library of the House. The figures show the incident numbers and estimated clearance costs for each month from 12 months before the London and Kent BREW campaign started, until March 2007. Incident numbers and clearance costs have been obtained from local authority entries to Flycapture, the national fly-tipping database. Clearance costs are estimates based on a national average cost assigned to each size of fly-tip. Data for 2007-08 are not yet available. Waste Management: Regional Development Agencies Martin Horwood To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to bring forward proposals for regional development agency waste performance targets. Joan Ruddock The Government do not intend to set Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) detailed targets on waste performance. The Report of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration made clear that in future, RDAs will play a more strategic role within the regions. In meeting their overall objective of regional economic growth, they will be required to adhere to the cross-cutting principle of sustainable development, setting out in their Corporate Plans how they intend to apply this to all their business to achieve their growth objective. Waste Management: Standards Gregory Barker To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) targets for and (b) outputs of each organisation in the business resource efficiency and waste partnership were for (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. Joan Ruddock [holding answer 18 December 2007]: The Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme (BREW) was established in order to return £284 million of landfill tax back to business between 2005 and 2008. It provides this through a range of free advice and support aimed at increasing business resource efficiency and reducing the amounts of waste sent unnecessarily to landfill. While work is under way to plan for the goals in any future programme, there were no specific targets set for 2005-07. The aggregated 2005-06 short-term outputs for the delivery bodies are shown in the following table. These show the impact of £18.5 million of the total £33 million funding for that year. Some savings will result from these interventions in future years, which are not counted here. --------------------------------------------------------------- |Metric |In-year result | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Virgin raw material savings |682,000 tonnes | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Carbon savings |320,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide| --------------------------------------------------------------- |Water savings |5,630,000 cubic metres | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Waste diverted from landfill|675,000 tonnes | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Hazardous waste savings |120,000 tonnes | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Cost savings to business |£88 million | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Increased sales |£14.7 million | --------------------------------------------------------------- DEFRA has not yet released individual delivery body results for 2005-06. These include some selected long term results, which are not included in the table. Similarly, work is currently under way to verify BREW Programme results for 2006-07. I will deposit both sets of results in the House Library when they are available. Work and Pensions Occupational Pensions Ann Winterton 14. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to provide further assistance to people who have lost their occupational pensions. Mr. Mike O'Brien My announcement of 17 December extended the FAS to guarantee members of qualifying schemes 90 per cent. of their accrued pension at the date of commencement of wind-up, revalued to their retirement date, but subject to a cap of £26,000 a year. Lynda Waltho 22. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase access to occupational pensions for those on low incomes. Lyn Brown To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to assist low income employees to gain access to occupational pensions. Mr. Mike O'Brien The Pensions Bill, having its Second Reading today, would introduce a new simple, low cost personal accounts pension scheme to give those currently without access to a good quality pension scheme—in particular, low to moderate earners—the opportunity to save. Independent Living Tony Baldry 16. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to assist disabled people to live independently. Mrs. McGuire The Government will shortly be publishing a five year cross-Government strategy for independent living. The strategy will set out a five year plan for making progress on the Government's aim that all disabled people (including older disabled people) should be able to live autonomous lives, and to have the same choice, freedom, dignity and control over their lives as non-disabled people. Pensioners: East Anglia Mr. Bellingham 17. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he next plans to meet pensioner groups from East Anglia to discuss payments of pensions and related benefits. Mr. Mike O'Brien In advance of introduction of the Pensions Bill we have been engaging with stakeholders to discuss pensions reforms, and continue to do so. Currently there are no plans to meet pensioner groups from East Anglia. Financial Assistance Scheme Angela Watkinson 18. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Financial Assistance Scheme. Mr. Mike O'Brien A review was carried out this year by Mercers Human Resource Consulting which reported in August that the process of gathering data to operate the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is fit for purpose and is managed in a satisfactory manner. They also concluded that delays in obtaining high enough quality data are often caused by trustees’ administrators and insurance firms rather than FAS operational unit processes. Regulatory changes agreed on 11 December will mitigate these delays. Housing Benefit Mrs. Humble 19. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department plans to take to improve the administration of housing benefit by local authorities. Mr. Plaskitt Administration has improved significantly. The average processing time on a new claim has dropped from 56 days four years ago, to 33 in 2006-07. The improvement is even more marked in what were previously the worst performing authorities. We are continually taking steps to simplify the system to make it easier for local authorities to administer the scheme. Barriers to Employment Ms Buck 20. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the barriers to employment facing families in temporary accommodation. Mr. Plaskitt Working on reducing barriers to employment is central to the Department's programme of welfare reform. In relation to those in temporary accommodation we support the intentions of the Working Futures pilot being carried out by the Greater London Authority and the East Thames Group. We believe that the pilot will help inform future housing benefit policy, including our proposals for a new regime for temporary accommodation from April 2009. Incapacity Benefits Robert Neill 21. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of long-term claimants of incapacity benefit. Caroline Flint In May 2007 the number of working age people claiming incapacity benefit for more than five years was 1.5 million. Claimant numbers more than trebled between the late 1970s and mid 1990s but new claims to incapacity benefits have dropped by more than a third since the mid 1990s and the caseload is at its lowest for almost eight years. Child Support Agency Derek Wyatt 23. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in replacing the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Plaskitt The first concrete steps have been taken in creating the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission with the appointment of the chair designate, Janet Paraskeva, which was announced on 15 November. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Commission will become operational and take responsibility for the child maintenance system in 2008. Provision for Retirement Mr. MacNeil 24. To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people not saving for retirement; and what steps his Department is taking in response. Mr. Mike O'Brien DWP estimates suggest that approximately 7,000,000 people are currently not saving enough to meet their retirement aspirations. The Pensions Bill, having its Second Reading today, would introduce a requirement on all employers to automatically enrol workers who are eligible into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and to contribute to that scheme. Our estimates indicate this would result in between 6,000,000 and 9,000,000 people newly participating or saving more in workplace pensions. Lone Parents Chris Bryant To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to support lone parents in finding work; and what plans he has for further assistance. Caroline Flint The New Deal for lone parents has supported over half a million people into work. Our recent document “Ready for Work” sets out how we will expect more lone parents with school age children to actively find work along with a package of measures to provide lone parents with the skills, confidence and financial support to both find and stay in work. Voluntary Organisations Mr. Hollobone To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the role played by voluntary organisations in securing benefits for individuals. Caroline Flint Intermediaries play a valuable role in helping some of our customers to claim benefits, whether by providing them with advice or information, helping them complete claim forms, helping them communicate with us, or advocating on their behalf. Pensions: Financial Assistance Scheme Jenny Willott To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department plans to publish the final report on the Financial Assistance Scheme: Review of Assets; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Mike O'Brien I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 17 December 2007. Prime Minister Departmental Labour Turnover Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Prime Minister what the percentage turnover of staff was in his Office in (a) the last 12-month period and (b) the last 24-month period for which figures are available. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) on 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1343W. Departmental Manpower Mr. Harper To ask the Prime Minister how many staff work in his Office’s parliamentary branch; and what proportion of their time is spent on dealing with (a) Parliamentary Questions and (b) correspondence from hon. Members and Peers. The Prime Minister There are currently three people in my parliamentary team. They deal with all my parliamentary business, including correspondence and questions from hon. Members and peers. Departmental Procurement Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Prime Minister whether the standard terms and conditions of purchase used by his Office in the procurement of goods and services from the private sector prohibit the assignment of debt. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) today. Departmental Secondment Mrs. May To ask the Prime Minister how many secondments of staff were made (a) to and (b) from his Office in each year since 1997; which organisations’ staff were seconded (i) to and (ii) from; how many staff were seconded in each year; for how long each secondment lasted; and what the cost was of each secondment in each year. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) on 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1343W. Local Government Mr. Pickles To ask the Prime Minister whether he has had meetings in the last 30 days with (a) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and (b) the Boundary Committee to discuss local government restructuring in (i) Ipswich and (ii) across the rest of England. The Prime Minister I have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects. Ministers: National Lottery Mr. Hunt To ask the Prime Minister how many complaints there have been of breaches of section 4.8 of the Ministerial Code of Practice, on ministerial support for National Lottery bids, in the last 12 months. The Prime Minister A revised “Ministerial Code” was published on 3 July 2007, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. Guidance on ministerial support for individual applications for lottery funding is set out in section 6 of the Code. Section 1 sets out the process for handling alleged breaches of the “Ministerial Code”. Olympics Olympic Games 2012 Mr. Dodds To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the 2012 Olympic Games on UK economic growth over the next five years; and if she will make a statement. Tessa Jowell We expect that the 2012 games will have a positive impact on UK economic growth over the next five years. The 2012 games provide a wide range of opportunities for business growth across the UK, both in terms of direct games related contracts, but also in terms of delivering fitter more innovative businesses able to compete for wider procurement opportunities. Economic growth will also be boosted by the job creation arising from the games, strategies to drive up the skills base, not just in East London but across the UK, and a reduction in worklessness. The games also provide an opportunity to increase inward investment into the UK. Our aim is to ensure these benefits will be spread around the whole of the UK, not concentrated in London. The forthcoming Legacy Action Plan will set out the programmes that are being developed to boost the contribution of the games to the UK economic growth rate. Mr. Dodds To ask the Minister for the Olympics what levels of EU funding will be available in relation to the 2012 Olympics. Tessa Jowell The £9.325 million public sector funding provision for the Olympics announced on 15 March 2007, further details of which I gave in my statement on 10 December, does not include any funding from the EU. Olympic Games 2012: Finance Hugh Robertson To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the existing contingency fund within the Olympic budget; and if she will make a statement. Tessa Jowell [holding answer 13 December 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 9WS; and also to the response I provided to the hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford (Mr. Whittingdale) on 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 19. As I said in my written statement, “the programme-wide risks, and other risks outside the ODA’s control, have been assessed and quantified and the contingency available has been confirmed as sufficient to cover such risks.” Olympic Review Group Mr. Hoban To ask the Minister for the Olympics (1) what the date was of each meeting of the Cost Review Group at which updates to financial estimates were made after 25 April 2006; (2) what the date was of each meeting of the Cost Review Group at which updates to financial estimates were made before 26 January 2006. Tessa Jowell I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 14 June 2007, Official Report, column 1178W; which clarifies the dates of the meetings of the Cost Review Group, which were held between 26 January and 25 April 2006. Mr. Hoban To ask the Minister for the Olympics (1) in what form financial estimates were presented to the meeting of the Cost Review Group of (a) 26 January and (b) 25 April 2006; (2) what material was used at the meetings of the Cost Review Groups of 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006 to discuss financial estimates; (3) if she will place copies in the Library of the written financial estimates presented to the meetings of the Cost Review Group of 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006. Tessa Jowell Meetings of the Cost Review Group were held between 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006. Throughout this period, the group considered financial estimates in the form of oral presentations and updates. There were no formal papers tabled but oral presentations were delivered using written notes and material to support agenda discussions. The Cost Review Group presented the savings they identified in the form of oral presentations and updates to financial estimates. The savings identified were incorporated into the Olympic Park Masterplan announced on 7 June 2006, and continuing work on the development of the funding package which I announced to the House on 15 March. Mr. Hoban To ask the Minister for the Olympics what records have been retained of the meetings of the Cost Review Groups of 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006. Tessa Jowell Agendas for the Cost Review Group meetings of 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006 are available in the House Library. Minutes taken of the Cost Review Group meetings of 26 January 2006 and 25 April 2006 have been retained. These will not be placed in the House Library as they are being used to inform the development of our ongoing policy for managing the Olympic project. Innovation, Universities and Skills Apprentices: Construction Mr. Spellar To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprentices were registered in each construction trade in the last year for which figures are available. Mr. Lammy Apprentice numbers have been published today by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in the Statistical First Release Further Education, Work Based Learning, Train to Gain and Adult and Community Learning—Learner Numbers in England—2006/07. We will provide a response on the number of apprentices in each construction trade in the new year when data will be available for the further analysis required. Sign Language: Education Mr. Jenkin To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many (a) lip reading and (b) sign language courses are offered by each local authority in England; and what the average cost is for participants. Mr. Lammy The information requested is not readily available and can be provided only at a disproportionate cost. Students: Engineering Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of people who took up engineering courses were (a) male and (b) female in each of the last 10 years. Bill Rammell The latest available information is given in the table. Figures for 2006/07 will be available in January 2008. A new classification for recording subject of study was introduced in 2002/03 and so figures from 2002/03 onwards are not comparable to earlier years. Latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that the number of accepted applicants to undergraduate engineering courses in 2007/08 has risen by 4 per cent. following the fall in 2006/07, and is now near to the level of 2005/06. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Number|Of which:| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Academic year |Female|Male |Total|Female (%)|Male (%)| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1996/97 |4,565 |29,245 |33,810|13.5|86.5| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997/98 |4,525 |29,725 |34,250|13.2|86.8| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998/99 |4,330 |27,805 |32,135|13.5|86.5| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999/2000 |4,445 |26,070 |30,520|14.6|85.4| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000/01 |4,605 |25,345 |29,950|15.4|84.6| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001/02 |4,180 |25,605 |29,785|14.0|86.0| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002/032 |4,055 |23,870 |27,930|14.5|85.5| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003/04 |4,095 |22,615 |26,715|15.3|84.7| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004/05 |4,235 |24,400 |28,635|14.8|85.2| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005/06 |4,275 |24,435 |28,710|14.9|85.1| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Students from the Open university are excluded from the analysis. 2 In 2002/03 the methodology for recording subject of study was changed on the student record. Aside from the introduction of a new coding frame, JACS (previously a system called HESACODE was used), students were apportioned between their subjects of study rather than being assigned on a headcount basis to their major subject. As such, comparisons between figures for 2001/02 and earlier and for 2002/03 onwards cannot be made. Notes: 1. Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December excluding those writing up, on sabbatical or dormant. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record.| | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Students: Grants Mr. Allen To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) with reference to his written statement of 11 October 2007, Official Report, column 39WS, on higher education students' loans, grants and fees, if he will list the 100 constituencies which have the highest number of eligible students entitled to a (a) full maintenance grant and (b) partial maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement; (2) which 20 constituencies have the (a) largest proportion of families who qualify for a full university grant, (b) largest (i) proportion and (ii) number of families qualifying for a full or partial university grant and (c) lowest proportion of young people attending university. Bill Rammell Question 166624 refers to the higher education maintenance grant, which will be worth up to £2,835 in academic year 2008-09. Information on the numbers of students in each parliamentary constituency who will be eligible for a full or partial grant in 2008-09 is not available. However, information on grants in 2006-07 show which areas have higher proportions of students receiving full and partial grants. The available data on grants at local authority level are given in the following table; this information is not available at constituency level. The family income threshold for full maintenance grant of £2,700 in 2006-07 was £17,500, with a partial grant available to students with a family income of up to £37,425. In 2008-09 the thresholds will be raised to £25,000 for a full grant and £60,005 for a partial grant. This very large increase in the thresholds mean that 2006-07 figures can not be used as an indication of 2008-09 full and partial grant proportions. The main measure for tracking progress on increasing participation is currently the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR). This is the sum of the HE initial participation rates for individual ages between 17 and 30 inclusive. The latest available figure is 42.8 per cent. for 2005-06. The 2005-06 figure for the young 17-20 age group is 34.0 per cent. The HEIPR is not disaggregated below national level. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Students3|Percentage| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Local authority |Full |Part |Nil|Total|Full|Part|Nil| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tower Hamlets |1,270 |130 |240|1,640|78|8|15| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Newham |1,460 |300 |590|2,350|62|13|25| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Manchester |1,690 |420 |660|2,770|61|15|24| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Camden |700 |140 |350|1,180|59|12|29| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lambeth |1,130 |320 |490|1,940|59|16|25| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Islington |720 |160 |360|1,240|58|13|29| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Westminster |550 |100 |290|940|58|11|31| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barking and Dagenham |480 |150 |240|870|55|17|27| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kensington and Chelsea |390 |70 |260|710|54|10|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hammersmith and Fulham |480 |120 |340|940|51|12|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Birmingham |3,160 |1,300 |1,900|6,360|50|20|30| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blackpool |400 |210 |200|800|50|26|24| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bradford |1,520 |640 |890|3,060|50|21|29| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicester |1,140 |580 |570|2,290|50|25|25| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lewisham |990 |370 |610|1,980|50|19|31| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nottingham |670 |280 |390|1,340|50|21|29| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Haringey |910 |250 |690|1,840|49|13|37| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Greenwich |750 |280 |530|1,550|48|18|34| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Waltham forest |900 |340 |620|1,860|48|19|33| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oldham |650 |330 |400|1,370|47|24|29| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Torbay |330 |180 |200|710|47|25|28| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wandsworth |730 |270 |550|1,550|47|17|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kingston upon Hull |550 |290 |360|1,190|46|25|30| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Liverpool |1,240 |600 |850|2,690|46|22|32| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Luton |580 |250 |440|1,260|46|19|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derby |630 |310 |500|1,440|44|21|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Brighton and Hove |600 |310 |500|1,410|43|22|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bristol |830 |420 |690|1,940|43|22|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ealing |1,110 |490 |990|2,580|43|19|38| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Knowsley |350 |220 |250|820|43|26|31| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rochdale |550 |280 |440|1,260|43|22|34| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sandwell |590 |400 |370|1,360|43|29|27| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bournemouth |380 |200 |330|910|42|22|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sheffield |1,100 |630 |980|2,700|41|23|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wolverhampton |630 |450 |470|1,550|41|29|30| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bolton |720 |390 |680|1,790|40|22|38| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kirklees |1,010 |590 |910|2,510|40|23|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Salford |390 |210 |380|970|40|21|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tameside |420 |270 |360|1,050|40|26|34| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Enfield |890 |450 |930|2,280|39|20|41| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East Lincolnshire |340 |230 |290|860|39|27|34| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Southampton |400 |220 |390|1,010|39|22|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cornwall |1,190 |990 |940|3,130|38|32|30| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Middlesbrough |350 |200 |370|930|38|22|40| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Newcastle upon Tyne |600 |340 |630|1,570|38|22|40| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Plymouth |550 |350 |520|1,420|38|25|37| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Walsall |480 |330 |450|1,260|38|26|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Coventry |670 |480 |630|1,780|37|27|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Halton |270 |190 |260|710|37|26|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |SFD processing unit4 |5,450 |2,840 |6,350|14,640|37|19|43| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnet |1,010 |430 |1,360|2,800|36|15|49| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Calderdale |460 |300 |520|1,280|36|24|40| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Croydon |880 |530 |1,040|2,450|36|22|42| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancashire |3,110 |2,110 |3,420|8,650|36|24|40| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Redbridge |890 |460 |1,100|2,450|36|19|45| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sunderland |570 |420 |580|1,570|36|27|37| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon |1,360 |1,040 |1,500|3,910|35|27|38| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gateshead |350 |290 |350|990|35|30|35| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Slough |270 |180 |330|780|35|23|42| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bury |410 |310 |510|1,230|34|25|41| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hounslow |530 |320 |720|1,570|34|20|46| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merton |430 |250 |600|1,280|34|20|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Poole |230 |170 |270|670|34|25|41| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sefton |660 |500 |790|1,940|34|26|41| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Harrow |750 |470 |1,030|2,260|33|21|46| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leeds |1,280 |960 |1,610|3,860|33|25|42| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Trafford |560 |360 |770|1,680|33|21|46| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wirral |700 |500 |910|2,100|33|24|43| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnsley |300 |320 |310|930|32|34|34| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bath and North East Somerset |300 |230 |410|940|32|24|44| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Lincolnshire |280 |270 |310|860|32|31|36| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Reading |200 |170 |260|640|32|27|41| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Doncaster |400 |400 |470|1,280|31|32|37| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |St Helens |320 |330 |380|1,020|31|32|37| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Staffordshire |1,750 |1,710 |2,210|5,670|31|30|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire |1,090 |1,020 |1,560|3,670|30|28|42| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dudley |450 |490 |570|1,510|30|32|38| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham |810 |810 |1,050|2,670|30|30|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Sussex |770 |580 |1,230|2,580|30|22|48| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Isle of Wight |190 |190 |250|620|30|30|40| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Milton Keynes |390 |250 |670|1,310|30|19|51| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rotherham |340 |360 |450|1,150|30|31|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wigan |500 |500 |650|1,650|30|31|39| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bexley |360 |300 |590|1,260|29|24|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |760 |750 |1,130|2,640|29|28|43| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |1,030 |990 |1,500|3,510|29|28|43| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Medway |370 |360 |570|1,290|29|28|44| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Norfolk |1,000 |950 |1,550|3,500|29|27|44| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stockport |540 |430 |910|1,870|29|23|49| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |1,000 |920 |1,580|3,500|29|26|45| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swindon |270 |220 |420|900|29|24|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Thurrock |160 |120 |270|560|29|22|49| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Sussex |1,400 |1,140 |2,340|4,890|29|23|48| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hillingdon |470 |320 |870|1,660|28|19|52| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorset |530 |530 |890|1,950|27|27|46| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gloucestershire |830 |820 |1,470|3,120|27|26|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Tyneside |320 |290 |570|1,170|27|25|48| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Richmond upon Thames |320 |200 |680|1,200|27|17|57| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shropshire |670 |700 |1,070|2,450|27|29|44| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Worcestershire |1,180 |1,200 |1,940|4,320|27|28|45| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |980 |950 |1,800|3,720|26|25|48| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Riding of Yorkshire |540 |570 |970|2,080|26|28|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent |1,980 |1,760 |3,780|7,520|26|23|50| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kingston upon Thames |280 |230 |550|1,070|26|22|52| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Somerset |270 |250 |530|1,050|26|24|51| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nottinghamshire |1,040 |1,080 |1,850|3,970|26|27|47| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wakefield |370 |440 |600|1,410|26|31|42| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Havering |280 |250 |590|1,120|25|22|53| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |880 |820 |1,820|3,520|25|23|52| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Somerset |690 |780 |1,250|2,720|25|29|46| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warrington |310 |330 |590|1,230|25|27|48| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bromley |460 |330 |1,120|1,910|24|17|59| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cheshire |950 |1,000 |2,260|4,210|23|24|54| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Essex |1,440 |1,440 |3,350|6,230|23|23|54| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire |870 |1,060 |1,830|3,750|23|28|49| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumberland |400 |480 |860|1,740|23|28|49| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oxfordshire |820 |710 |2,050|3,580|23|20|57| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sutton |260 |240 |630|1,130|23|21|55| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |1,410 |1,360 |3,640|6,410|22|21|57| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Solihull |290 |360 |680|1,330|22|27|51| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Gloucestershire |270 |300 |640|1,200|22|25|53| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire |680 |800 |1,580|3,060|22|26|51| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire |530 |590 |1,230|2,350|22|25|53| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |480 |490 |1,300|2,270|21|21|57| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Buckinghamshire |690 |610 |1,940|3,250|21|19|60| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |1,380 |1,600 |3,870|6,840|20|23|56| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Windsor and Maidenhead |160 |150 |570|870|19|17|65| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bracknell Forest |100 |110 |350|560|18|20|62| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Surrey |1,140 |1,090 |3,970|6,200|18|18|64| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Berkshire |130 |160 |570|860|16|18|66| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wokingham |160 |200 |710|1,070|15|18|67| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | |||||| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |England |97,900 |67,820 |126,580|292,290|33|23|43| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 The table covers the Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant available to new students from 2006-07. 2 The table covers those who apply to the Student Loans Company for support. This includes awards to students who subsequently withdrew from their course or suspended study during the academic year. It excludes those who are not eligible for a grant because they are receiving an NHS bursary. 3 Student numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. 4 The Student Finance Direct processing unit covers applications from Brent, Darlington, Hackney, Hartlepool, North Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Southend-on-Sea, Southward Stockton-on-Tees, and York. Source: Student Loans Company| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the contracts relating to the sale of the British Library site on which it is proposed to establish the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation; (2) what the value is of the British Library site on which it is proposed to establish the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation. Ian Pearson The UKCMRI consortium have acquired Brill Place as the site for the proposed centre for £85 million through a competitive exercise run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The contracts for the sale of the land to the consortium are being finalised between the parties. I will not be able to place copies of the contracts in the Libraries as they will be commercial in confidence between parties. Vocational Training: Complaints Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many formal complaints have been received by his Department about skills brokers. Mr. Lammy No formal complaints have been received by this Department about skills brokers. Employer satisfaction with brokerage remains high with 86 per cent. of employers being very satisfied with the service they received. Duchy of Lancaster Catering Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the expenditure by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on food and drink was in 2006-07. Gillian Merron In financial year 2006-07 expenditure by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on food and drink was £6,984.94. All DPMO expenditure on official hospitality was made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in “Government Accounting” and the Treasury handbook on “Regularity and Propriety”. Communication: Finance Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the annual Number 10 digital communications budget is, broken down by main headings. Gillian Merron I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 17 October, 2007 Official Report, columns 1134-35W. Departmental Procurement Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the standard terms and conditions of purchase used by his Department in procurement of goods and services from the private sector prohibits the assignment of debt. Gillian Merron The Cabinet Office’s standard terms and conditions are based on the model terms and conditions issued by the Office of Government Commerce for contracting authorities in central civil Government. Although these do not specifically prohibit the assignment of debt, they do require the contractor to obtain Cabinet Office prior approval to assign debt. Departmental Public Expenditure Mr. Letwin To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Winter Supplementary Estimates (HC 29), if he will break down his Department's (a) main estimate and (b) winter supplementary estimate provision by subhead in (i) near cash and (ii) non-cash terms. Gillian Merron The Department's estimate provision in “Part II: Subhead detail” is broken down as follows: (a) Main estimate (i) Near cash £219.882 million near cash is included in Cabinet Office administration resource provision of £264.636 million at row A, column 1. £4.422 million near cash is included in Office of the Third Sector resource provision of £4.518 million at row B, column 1. £0.869 million near cash is included in Social Exclusion Task Force resource provision of £0.880 million at row C, column 1. Amounts in all other columns reported in “Part II: Sub head detail” are near cash. (ii) Non-Cash Total non-cash of £44.861 million is reported as follows: £44.754 million non-cash is included in Cabinet Office administration resource provision at row A, column 1. £0.096 million non-cash is included in Office of the Third Sector resource provision at row B, column 1. £0.011 million non-cash is included in Social Exclusion Task Force resource provision at row C, column 1. There are no non-cash amounts reported on all other rows and columns in “Part II-Subhead detail”. (b) Winter Supplementary Estimate (i) Near Cash £202.342 million near cash is included in Cabinet Office administration resource provision of £247.350 million at row A, column 1. £3.658 million near cash is included in Office of the Third Sector resource provision of £3.754 million at row B, column 1. £0.869 million near cash is included in Social Exclusion Task Force resource provision of £0.880 million at row C, column 1. Amounts in all other columns reported in “Part II: Subhead detail” are near cash. (ii) Non-Cash Total non-cash of £45.115 million is reported as follows: £45.008 million non-cash is included in Cabinet Office administration resource provision at row A, column 1. £0.096 million non-cash is included in Office of the Third Sector resource provision at row B, column 1. £0.011 million non-cash is included in Social Exclusion Task Force resource provision at row C, column 1. There are no non-cash amounts reported on all other rows and columns in “Part II: Subhead detail”. Departmental Publicity Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department and its agencies spent on managing their corporate identities in the last 12 month period for which figures are available. Gillian Merron In the period from 1 November 2006 to 31 October 2007 the Cabinet Office spent an estimated £52,000 on developing and implementing a more cohesive corporate identity, following changes to the Department’s remit and the findings of its capability review. This figure includes the cost of sub-brands for the Office of the Third Sector and the Social Exclusion Taskforce, both of which joined Cabinet Office during 2006. Departmental Recycling Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recycling scheme is in operation in each building operated by the Cabinet Office. Gillian Merron Recycling facilities are provided in our central London offices for the disposal of paper, cardboard, cans, tins, rigid plastic containers and batteries. An aerosol recycling bin is provided in the staff gym. Glass, CDs and DVDs, mobile phones, fluorescent tubes, toner cartridges and furniture are collected and held in secure locations before being sent for recycling. Waste cooking oil is supplied to the bio-diesel market or for technical use. We have installed wormeries in those buildings where we have restaurants to allow us to compost some food waste. Similar recycling schemes are in operation at our Basingstoke and York offices. Licensing Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which buildings for which his Department is responsible have premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. Gillian Merron The Cabinet Office has a premises licence for the Emergency Planning college. Minimum Wage Jon Trickett To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many London-based staff are employed by his Department on the national minimum wage. Gillian Merron As at 31 November 2007 the Cabinet Office had no London-based staff on the minimum wage. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Afghanistan Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what plans his Department has to recruit and deploy specialists who speak Afghan languages and understand tribal dynamics. Dr. Howells Officials are examining a variety of options for recruiting and deploying such specialists, particularly in support of the government of Afghanistan's work on reconciliation. Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, how many of his Department's personnel serve in the collocated headquarters. Mr. Jim Murphy The UK employs a broad range of staff in support of the government of Afghanistan to help develop a stable and secure Afghanistan. Over 100 civilian staff in Kabul and over 30 staff in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar are employed from across the Government, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development and the Afghanistan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit. Their roles include work in governance, reconstruction and development, and counter narcotics. The work of Task Force Helmand and of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah are co-ordinated through the combined civil-military Helmand Executive Group. Afghanistan: Frontiers Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom recognises the 1893 Durand Line as the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 January 2008]: We regard the treaties establishing the Durand Line as an international border as valid. However, it has a complicated history and there are sensitivities in the region surrounding its status. It is therefore for the sovereign parties concerned to determine their territorial border and any related disputes. Chernobyl: Children Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent (a) discussions he has held with and (b) representations he has received from (i) ministerial colleagues, (ii) the Belarus ambassador and (iii) charities on Chernobyl-affected children being able to enter the UK; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells We appreciate the important work being undertaken by United Kingdom charities to provide respite care and medical treatment for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. We have held no recent discussions with the Belarus ambassador to London in respect of Chernobyl children. We have, however, recently received correspondence from hon. Members and Peers, from the Belarus ambassador to London, and from charities concerning the visa processes for visits to the United Kingdom by Chernobyl-affected children. UKvisas continues to work with the Chernobyl charities with regard to the visa procedures and the collection of biometrics from visa applicants. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chernobyl-affected children received visas to visit the UK in 2007 (a) prior to 31 August and (b) since 1 September; what his assessment is of the reasons for any difference; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy 3,167 gratis visas were issued to Chernobyl-affected children prior to 31 August 2007, while 111 visas have been issued in the subsequent period to 13 December 2007. The autumn is, historically, a slow period for such applications, 292 such visas being issued in the final four months of 2006. The Chernobyl charities advise that the Christmas holiday period is a busy period and UKvisas anticipated an upsurge in applications at this time. Application rates during this period may have been further affected by the collection of biometric data in Minsk. Furthermore, one charity was, temporarily, asked not to submit applications while investigations concerning one of its former hosts were ongoing. This charity has now been advised that it may resume submission of such applications. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with (a) the Belarus ambassador to London and (b) directly with the Belarus Government on the establishment of a seasonal visa application centre in Gomel Oblast, Belarus. Dr. Howells We have held no recent discussions with the Belarus ambassador to London in respect of Chernobyl children. It was intended that a seasonal biometrics collection facility in Gomel Oblast specifically for children wishing to come to the UK for respite care would be offered. This would have been in addition to the service offered in our embassy in Minsk. However, the Government of Belarus would not allow the delivery of this visa service, including the collection of biometrics, through our commercial partnerships in the country and the embassy was compelled to adjust its plans. Correspondence with the Belarus embassy in London is ongoing. Given the lack of agreement with the Belarus authorities in respect to our commercial partnerships in Belarus, it has now been agreed that a seasonal mobile biometrics data collection service will operate on a pilot basis outside Minsk in the summer of 2008 for children in need of recuperative holidays. The pilot will involve the use of mobile biometric collection equipment in one or more regional locations between April and July. UKvisas are prepared to receive applications in Kiev, in Ukraine, where that proves to be more convenient. Mr. Goodwill To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from (a) charities and (b) others on the effects of changes to visa arrangements and charges on numbers of children able to visit the UK from the Chernobyl-affected parts of Belarus. Dr. Howells We appreciate the important work being undertaken by United Kingdom charities to provide respite care and medical treatment for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. We have recently received correspondence from hon. Members and Peers, from the Belarus ambassador to London, and from charities, concerning the visa processes for visits to the United Kingdom by Chernobyl-affected children. UKvisas continues to work with the Chernobyl charities with regard to the visa procedures and the collection of biometrics from visa applicants. Up to 4,000 visas a year are issued to children travelling to the United Kingdom from Belarus under the auspices of the Chernobyl charities and these visas are all issued gratis. There are no plans to change this arrangement. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 19 October 2007, Official Report, columns 1375-76W, on Chernobyl: children, at what level in Belarus the UK Government application was made; and how that refusal was conveyed. Dr. Howells The Deputy Head of Mission, Entry Clearance Officer and Regional Deputy Director of Visa Services at our embassy in Minsk held a meeting in June 2007 with the Deputy Head of the Consular Department and other officials of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The embassy asked whether they could open Visa Application Centres (VACs) operated by their commercial partner in Belarus. The MFA said that if the embassy did open such premises they would be subject to frequent searches and/or closures by the Belarus authorities. The embassy therefore considered that they would not be able to protect the data of visa customers satisfactorily and decided not to open VACs in Belarus. Given the lack of agreement with the Belarus authorities in respect of our commercial partner in Belarus, UKvisas and our embassy in Minsk have now agreed to invest additional resources in a seasonal mobile biometric pilot project in the summer of 2008 for Chernobyl children in need of recuperative holidays. The pilot will involve visits by embassy officials, with a mobile biometric kit, to the region where the largest number of such children live. UKvisas are also prepared to receive applications in Kiev, in Ukraine, where that proves to be more convenient. Cyprus: Diplomatic Relations Mr. Hands To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the duties and responsibilities are of the Government’s Special Representative to Cyprus, the hon. Member for Enfield North. Mr. Jim Murphy My right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Joan Ryan), the UK’s special representative to Cyprus, is responsible for developing and strengthening links between the Government and the British Cypriot community. Her role is to work with the Cypriot diaspora and explore how they can help to promote a settlement in Cyprus. She acts as an additional channel of communication between British Cypriots and Ministers, and maintains strong links with senior figures within Cyprus involved in issues such as the UN process and the UK/Cyprus bilateral relationship. In this capacity, and following her first official visit in October, she will visit Cyprus occasionally to reinforce these contacts and deepen further her knowledge of all relevant issues. Defence: Private Sector Mr. Moore To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the regulatory impact assessment carried out by his Department pursuant to the February 2002 Green Paper on Private Military Companies. David Miliband When the Government have reached a decision on the regulation of private military and security companies, the impact assessment will be published as part of any public consultation process. Copies will be made available in the Library of the House. Departmental Pay Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department and its agencies spent on end-of-year bonus payments in each of the last five years. Meg Munn The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid the following amounts in bonuses to staff in the last five years. ------------------------------- | |Total bonus payments (£)| ------------------------------- |2007|6,553,288 | ------------------------------- |2006|5,989,100 | ------------------------------- |2005|5,765,800 | ------------------------------- |2004|5,567,100 | ------------------------------- |2003|4,027,100 | ------------------------------- The FCO uses non-consolidated, non-pensionable, performance-related bonuses to encourage high performance. We pay annual bonuses to staff in the delegated grades (all except senior managers) based on appraisal evidence of annual performance. The highest individual bonus for these grades is £1,850 in 2007. Bonus arrangements for staff in the senior management structure (SMS/senior civil service equivalent) follow a framework set for Whitehall Departments by the Cabinet Office. We use SMS bonuses to reward excellent performance and achievement during the year. The bonuses are based on a judgment by pay committees of what an individual has achieved in comparison with peers. Those who have delivered the best results, and shown real leadership in doing so, receive the biggest bonuses. Those who have delivered least receive nothing. Whitehall Departments were authorised to spend a sum equivalent to 7.6 per cent. of their SMS pay budget on non-consolidated bonuses for senior staff in 2007. Diplomatic Service Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in the geographic distribution of British diplomatic posts overseas in the last 10 years; what policy objectives these changes reflect; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband The following changes have been made in the geographic distribution of British diplomatic posts, including embassies, high commissions, consulate-generals and consulates overseas in the last 10 years. Americas: a net reduction of 12 posts (includes two posts due to shut in 2007-08); Europe: a net reduction of three posts; Asia and Pacific: a net reduction of four posts; Africa: a net reduction of four posts; Middle East and North Africa (including Iraq): a net gain of two posts; Russia, South Caucasus and Central Asia: a net gain of two posts; and South Asia and Afghanistan: a net gain of one post. This answer does not include offices of lesser status such as trade offices, British commercial offices and business information centres. Embassies Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 159W, on embassies, which countries no longer have a resident British Ambassador, Consul General or High Commissioner. David Miliband There is no resident British diplomatic representation in American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Djibouti, Dominica, East Timor, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Suriname, Swaziland, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Posts in Côte d’Ivoire and Haiti are temporarily closed for security reasons. In countries where there is no British resident presence, an accredited ambassador resident in a neighbouring country represents the UK. EU-Africa Lisbon Summit Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what waiving of EU sanctions was required in order to permit the attendance of a Zimbabwean delegation, including President Mugabe, at the EU-AU Summit in Lisbon; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband Article 4(5) of the EU Common Position (2004/161/Common Foreign and Security Policy) stipulates that an exemption to the restrictions on any one of the 131 persons on the EU visa ban list preventing them from travelling to the EU can be made when the meeting they attend is intergovernmental and includes a political dialogue that directly promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. The EU Africa summit in Lisbon included such a discussion. Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal discussions of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe took place during the EU-AU summit in Lisbon; and what conclusions were reached. David Miliband Several discussions on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe were held during the EU/Africa summit. My noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Amos raised Zimbabwe and the appalling human rights situation caused by President Mugabe during her intervention on behalf of the UK. Other EU member states (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden) also raised the issue, specifically criticising the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. As high representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana delivered a statement on behalf of the EU underlining member states’ collective concern at the deteriorating human rights situation and condemning all acts of violent repression. European Gendarmerie Force Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to raise at the European Council with colleagues from member states contributing to the European Gendarmerie Force the prospects for its future deployment; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy The European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is not an EU proposal or agency. The primary purpose of the EGF is to assist in crisis management operations in post-conflict situations. The UK does not have a Gendarmerie style paramilitary police force and therefore does not participate in the EGF. Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with colleagues at the European Council the conditions that will be applied to any use of the European Gendarmerie Force if placed at the disposal of the European Union, in relation to its (a) uniforms and emblems, (b) recruitment, (c) training and (d) weaponry; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy The primary purpose of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is to assist in crisis management operations in post-conflict situations. The UK does not have a Gendarmerie style paramilitary police force and therefore does not participate in the EGF. The EGF is not an EU proposal or agency. While it may be put at the disposal of the EU, it has been established outside of EU structures,, and may equally be made available to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the UN, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and other international organisations or an ad hoc coalition. It would be for each respective organisation or coalition and the requesting state to determine which conditions, if any, they thought most appropriate for the requested mission. In addition, Article 16 of the Treaty Establishing the EGF states: 1. EUROGENDFOR Personnel shall wear their uniform in accordance with their respective national rules. The EGF Commander may establish specific procedures where appropriate. 2. EUROGENDFOR Personnel may possess, carry and transport arms, ammunitions, other weapon systems and explosives on the conditions that they are authorised to do so by their orders and that they do so in accordance with the laws of the Host State and the Receiving State. Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to those governments contributing to the European Gendarmerie Force that it should not be deployed on the territory of another member state of the European Union. Mr. Jim Murphy The European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is not an EU proposal or agency. The primary purpose of the EGF is to assist in crisis management operations in post-conflict situations and it is therefore extremely unlikely to deploy in an EU country. Deployment of the force is a matter between the governments contributing to the EGF and the requesting state in need of assistance. The UK does not have a Gendarmerie style paramilitary police force and therefore does not participate in the EGF. Iran: Nuclear Power Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next report of the Director-General on Iran's co-operation under the August 2007 Work Plan is due; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband We expect that the next report from the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Mohammed El Baradei, on Iran's co-operation with the agency under the Work Plan, will be released before the IAEA board in March 2008. If Iran implements the Work Plan in full, it will be a step towards restoring trust in Iran's nuclear intentions. But addressing the outstanding issues is only one of the steps the international community requires Iran to take in order to restore confidence in its intentions. Iran needs to suspend enrichment, enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, as requested by the IAEA Board of Governors and required by UN Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1737, and 1747. Iran also needs to implement fully the additional protocol and additional measures that the IAEA has requested. Until Iran meets these obligations we will continue to follow the dual track strategy agreed with our partners in the “E3+3” (China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States), and to discuss further measures aimed at persuading Iran to fulfil all its international obligations. Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the proliferation risk posed by Iran’s heavy water nuclear research reactor at Arak; and when the reactor is expected to be operational. David Miliband We are concerned about the proliferation risk that would be posed if Iran completes construction of a heavy water reactor. This type of reactor is particularly well suited for producing plutonium, which could be reprocessed and used in a nuclear weapon. This is reflected by the demands in UN Security Council resolutions 1737 and 1747, which require that Iran suspends work on heavy water-related projects, including the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly reported that construction of the reactor has nevertheless been continuing. The February 2006 IAEA Director-General’s report noted the Iranians saying that the commissioning date for the reactor was likely to be postponed until 2011. Iraq: Documents Mr. Baron To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the differences between the draft Iraq dossier written by Mr. John Williams dated 9 September 2002 and Mr. John Scarlett's draft of 10 September 2002. Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 January 2008]: As I told the House on 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 293WH, John Williams' draft was his personal attempt to explain the threat which Saddam Hussein and his regime posed. It was not specifically commissioned as part of the formal drafting process and was not used as the basis for the dossier the Government subsequently published. Mr. Baron To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2007, Official Report, columns 1470-1W, on Iraq: documents, whether the copy of the draft sent to Lord Hutton's inquiry was redacted. Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 January 2008]: The copy of the John Williams draft sent to the Hutton inquiry was not redacted. Mr. Baron To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2007, Official Report, columns 1470-1W, on Iraq: documents, whether the Government requested the Hutton inquiry not to publish (a) all or (b) part of the draft Iraq dossier. Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 January 2008]: As I told the House on 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 296WH, all decisions on which documents were published on the Hutton inquiry website were taken by Lord Hutton. Languages Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department received language training in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband At present the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has around 900 overseas jobs requiring specific levels of language skills, although this number will fluctuate to reflect business need. These posts will be filled by officers undergoing new training or using existing skills. The level of language training has remained broadly constant over the past 10 years, at between 250 and 400 officers per year. This reflects the needs of the business at any one time and the availability of staff who already speak the relevant languages (e.g. at recruitment level, or from previous postings). The numbers of staff receiving full-time language training in the last three years was: --------------- | |Staff| --------------- |2006-07|252 | --------------- |2005-06|386 | --------------- |2004-05|405 | --------------- To provide specific information on how many staff have been trained in previous years would incur disproportionate cost. Lisbon Treaty Mr. Jenkin To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to deposit the UK's instruments of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty with the relevant body. Mr. Jim Murphy [holding answer 7 January 2008]: The Government introduced a Bill to give effect to the EU Reform Treaty in UK law on 17 December. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his Post European Council statement of 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 598: “We will ensure that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House, so that the Bill can be examined in the fullest detail and all points of view can be heard”. The Government will ratify the Treaty after the Bill has been approved by Parliament and received Royal Assent. Middle East: Peace Negotiations Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism will be put in place to monitor the implementation of both sides of the performance-based road map to a permanent two-state solution, as set out in the Annapolis Joint Understanding of 27 November; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband At Annapolis the parties agreed to form a United States, Palestinian and Israeli mechanism led by the United States to follow up on the implementation of the Roadmap. We do not yet know what form the mechanism will take. The US, Israelis and Palestinians are still working out the details. The UK has consistently supported the principle of a mechanism as provided for in the Roadmap. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe: Finance Mr. Evans To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK contribution has been to the budget of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in every year since 1992; and what percentage of the OSCE's overall budget this has constituted. Mr. Jim Murphy [holding answer 7 January 2008]: The contribution of each participating state to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) unified budget is determined by a decision of the 56 participating states including the OSCE's Permanent Council. The United States of America makes the largest contribution, followed by Germany. The UK contribution to the unified budget is equal to that of France and Italy. In the years 1992-2006 it was as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Amount (€)|Percentage of overall OSCE unified budget for year| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1992|243,000 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1993|261,000 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1994|1,889,190 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1995|2,128,500 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1996|3,505,050 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997|4,281,120 |9.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998|14,441,965|10.1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999|14,590,100|10.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000|20,433,613|10.0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001|19,901,891|10.2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002|17,257,691|10.3 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003|16,933,565|10.2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004|17,266,417|10.2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005|16,474,408|10.6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006|17,137,827|10.8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Russia: British Council Mark Pritchard To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russian government against the closure of British Council offices in Russia. Mr. Jim Murphy I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 56WS, about Russia’s threat to close the British Council’s regional offices in Russia on 1 January 2008. The Government are urging the Russian authorities to reconsider their decision, which would be detrimental to the development of cultural links; severely affect the Russian population who benefit from the British Council’s presence; and damage the Russian Government’s reputation. This is not just a bilateral issue. It strikes at the heart of the EU-Russia relationship, given the prominence of culture, education and science in the EU-Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. As such, the Government have successfully engaged European partners to show support for the British Council. The president of the EU National Institutes for Culture wrote to the Minister of Culture for the Russian Federation on 12 December 2007, condemning Russia’s threats and voicing strong concern for all national institutes for culture from EU countries working in Russia. On behalf of EU member states, he described the threat as a continuation of a series of obstacles which some of these institutes have to face and urged Russia to reconsider its decision. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has committed to keeping the House fully informed of developments. Serbia: Disabled Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of levels of observance of human rights of disabled people in Serbia; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy The conditions described in the report of Mental Disability Rights International are disturbing. While the Serbian authorities questioned the legitimacy of some of the reports, they also expressed their concern and promised prompt action. The Minister for Labour Employment and Social Policy, Mr. Rasim Ljajic, responded quickly by launching an investigation and promising to immediately improve the situation of children in special institutions. We welcome this swift response. The Government are working on a number of projects in this area in Serbia, in conjunction with the Oxford Policy Management Team (a UK partner), to raise standards in the Serbian authorities. The projects aim to build the capacity of the Serbian authorities in a wide range of areas including; the co-ordination and implementation of social development strategy and social protection law; the supporting of standards, inspection and accreditation (including institutions); social innovation (including funding and long term planning); and dissemination of best practice throughout the system. In addition, our embassy in Belgrade is in touch with Save the Children in Serbia, who are also working alongside the Serbian authorities on alternatives to institutional care for children. Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Keith Simpson To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to co-ordinate communication between the UN-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and the UN-EU Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Jim Murphy The UK led on UN Security Council Resolution 1769 which mandated the UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and we co-sponsored Security Council Resolution 1778 establishing the UN-EU mission in Chad/Central African Republic (CAR). We ensured that Resolution 1778 called for the force in Chad/CAR to liaise closely with UNAMID to exchange information on potential threats to humanitarian activities. We continue to underline the importance of co-operation between the two missions in Security Council consultations and in our discussions with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Government of Sudan is co-operating fully with efforts to deploy the UNAMIS force to Darfur; and if he will make a statement. David Miliband We have had a close dialogue over several months, at ministerial and official level, with the UN and other partners on deployment of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). UN Under-Secretary-General Guehenno, Head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), told the UN Security Council on 27 November that the Government of Sudan was not co-operating on a range of issues over UNAMID deployment, including force composition, night flying rights, and the Status of Forces Agreement. Since then, representatives of the DPKO and the Government of Sudan have discussed these issues in Lisbon on 8 December, followed by further talks in Khartoum. We are awaiting further reports on progress that has come about as a result of those discussions. I spoke with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 7 December about the delays to UNAMID’s deployment. In our contacts with the Government of Sudan, we are pressing them to co-operate fully with the DPKO and the African Union. We also continue to lobby other governments to support the deployment of UNAMID. Mr. Sarwar To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made recent representations to the Sudanese government to expedite the deployment of a joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur. Dr. Howells We have pressed the Sudanese government to co-operate fully with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) over the deployment of the UN-African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur (UNAMID) in various contacts in the last two weeks. On 27 November 2007, the UN Under-Secretary-General Guehenno, head of the DPKO, told the UN Security Council that the government of Sudan was not co- operating on a range of issues over UNAMID deployment. Since then, representatives of the DPKO and the government of Sudan discussed these issues in Lisbon on 8 December, followed by further talks in Khartoum. We are awaiting a report on the outcome of these discussions. We have made clear that the Sudanese government should fulfil its commitments and reach agreement with the UN on the remaining issues. Turkey: Armenia Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on the closure of its border with Armenia. Mr. Jim Murphy The Government have raised this issue at various levels with members of the Turkish Government and we continue to call for steps to be taken towards the normalisation of Turkey's relations with Armenia. Furthermore, we continue to encourage both the Governments of Armenia and Turkey to look to the future and build a better relationship between their countries. In preparing for EU accession, Turkey must have demonstrated its commitment to good neighbourly relations and have undertaken to resolve outstanding border disputes. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the people of Armenia of the closure of its border with Turkey. Mr. Jim Murphy Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1992 as a consequence of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh. The closure of the border has inevitably inhibited the economic development of Armenia by limiting trade prospects. An open border between Turkey and Armenia is desirable and would bring benefits for both countries. We hope that the political situation in the region develops in such a way as to allow this. We encourage the Governments of Armenia and Turkey to look to the future and build a better relationship between their countries. In the meantime, we will continue to work for peace, security and mutual understanding in the region. International Development Afghanistan: Reconstruction Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 305, on Afghanistan, how much of the cost of the reconstruction programme announced for Musa Qala will be funded from the £450 million in development and stabilisation assistance to Afghanistan. Dr. Howells I have been asked to reply. The £450 million in development and stabilisation assistance outlined in the statement to the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 December 2007, Official Report, columns 303-07, is for the period 2009-12. The initial reconstruction programme for Musa Qala—estimated at £1.9 million—is being funded through Quick Impact Projects, which have a budget this financial year of £9 million. Overseas Aid Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the role of diaspora communities in the UK in helping to alleviate poverty in the developing world; and what steps his Department is taking to co-ordinate contributions from these communities. Mr. Malik DFID recognises the contribution that diaspora communities in the UK can make to poverty alleviation. This recognition is reflected in DFID’s first White Paper, and more recently in its migration and development policy paper, “Moving out of poverty: Making Migration work for poor people”. To enhance this contribution we have engaged with diaspora communities in several ways. For example, we have consulted diaspora communities when developing country assistance plans and relevant policies. We have also facilitated the transfer of formal remittances by supporting the creation of the “sendmoneyhome.org” website and the creation of the UK remittances taskforce. These seek to reduce remittance transfer costs and tackle barriers to remittance flows from diaspora communities to their countries of origin. Since 2003, DFID has sought to help diaspora organisations co-ordinate their contribution to international development by supporting the formation of the network organisation, Connections For Development (CfD) through a strategic grant agreement (SGA) - value approximately £980,000. CfD engages in the development of policy and country programmes, as well as building awareness and understanding of development in the UK. In 2006 DFID announced a new volunteering initiative designed to engage diaspora communities in development. DFID will launch a new £3 million diaspora volunteering scheme in early 2008. The objective of the programme is to give people from these communities the opportunity to make a personal contribution to development and pass on their learning through a range of development awareness activities on return to the UK. Health Ambulance Services: Hampshire Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 11 December 2007, Official Report, columns 493-94W, on ambulance services: Hampshire, how he monitors ambulance trusts' performance against response time targets; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw National health service ambulance trusts are required to meet the following response times: Category A (presenting conditions which may be immediately life threatening): calls should be responded to within eight minutes irrespective of location, in 75 per cent. of cases. A fully equipped ambulance should also attend incidents classified as category A within 19 minutes of a request being made for transport, 95 per cent. of the time. Category B (presenting conditions which though serious are not immediately life threatening): calls should be responded to within 19 minutes in 95 per cent. of cases. Response time data are collected by ambulance trusts and published annually. The latest statistical bulletin, Ambulance Services, England, 2006-07 was published in June 2007. A copy is available in the Library. Since 1 October 2004 local NHS organisations have had responsibility for managing and monitoring the ways in which local services respond to Category C (presenting conditions which are not immediately serious or life threatening) calls. Autism Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on the minimum level of care which should be available to people with autism; (2) what research his Department has (a) commissioned, and (b) evaluated on the level of NHS care available to people with autism in Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis We have not issued any guidance to national health service trusts nor have we commissioned or evaluated any research on the level of care which should be available to people with autism in Portsmouth. “Better Services for People with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Note Clarifying Current Government Policy and Describing Good Practice” (published on 16 November 2006) clarifies the nature and intent of existing Government policy as it relates to adults with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A copy is available in the Library. It is for NHS trusts to manage their priorities and decide how resources should be attributed, taking into consideration individual assessment of need. Broadmoor Hospital: Suicide Mr. Lidington To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths recorded as suicide there have been at Broadmoor Hospital in each year since 1997. Mr. Ivan Lewis This information is not held centrally. However, Broadmoor hospital has supplied the following data in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Number of suicides (suspected or with inquest verdict)|Other deaths (natural causes)|Total deaths| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |1 |5 |6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |2 |1 |3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |6 |6 |12 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |1 |3 |4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |0 |2 |2 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |2 |4 |6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |0 |1 |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |0 |14 |4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |3 |2 |3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |0 |3 |3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |20072 |3 |2 |5 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 This includes one homicide.2 To 30 November 2007.| | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cancer: Mortality Rate Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to the statement in paragraph 1.4 of his Department's Cancer Reform Strategy on the fall in cancer mortality in under 75s between 1996 and 2005, what the drop in cancer mortality in people under 75 years was in the equivalent period before 1996; and how many lives were saved by the reduction in cancer mortality over this period. Ann Keen [holding answer 17 December 2007]: “Lives saved” is an assessment of the cumulative effect of year on year reductions to the numbers of deaths in a specific age group and from a specific cause of death. In this case, it relates to deaths from cancer at ages under 75. It is calculated by subtracting from the number of deaths that occurred in the first year of the period, the number of deaths registered in each subsequent year, and then totalling the differences. The cancer mortality target rate is calculated using three-year moving averages. In order to make concise statements, the three-year periods are sometimes referred to by the middle year of the period. This convention has been used in the first bullet point in paragraph 1.4 of the Cancer Reform Strategy. From the baseline in 1995-96-97 to the most recent period, 2004-05-06, the cancer mortality rate in people aged under 75 in England has fallen by over 17 per cent. Lives saved are calculated using single year data. The middle year of the baseline period, 1996, is used as the baseline. Using single year data, to the most recent period, 2006, there were approximately 60,000 lives saved, compared to 1996. The equivalent period before 1996 is 1985 to 1995. From 1984-85-86 to 1993-94-95 cancer mortality in people under age 75 in England fell by almost 10 per cent. With 1985 as the baseline, this equates to approximately 35,000 lives saved between 1985 and 1995. Cancer: Health Services Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to monitor the proposed extension of the 31-day waiting time standard to cover all cancer treatments as described in his Department’s Cancer Reform Strategy. Ann Keen We will monitor national health service progress towards delivery of the extended cancer waiting times standards, and achievement of the standards by NHS organisations. The mechanism for monitoring progress is currently under consideration by a Department/NHS expert group. Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to establish the national audit in primary care of all patients diagnosed with cancer as described in paragraph 3.61 of his Department’s Cancer Reform Strategy. Ann Keen The national audit in primary care of patients newly diagnosed with cancer will be undertaken in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the National Patient Safety Agency. The National Cancer Director is working with those organisations to establish the details of the audit, and will then establish how soon the audit can begin. Care Homes: Fees and Charges Mr. Burstow To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the consultation on the level of personal expenses allowance contained within the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide consultation 2008 will follow Cabinet Office guidance regarding a minimum consultation period of 12 weeks; on what date the consultation period will commence; and if he will make a statement; (2) over what period the consultation on the level of personal expenses allowance contained within the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide consultation 2008 will occur; and on what date the consultation period will commence. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Department will undertake public consultation early in 2008 on the recommendations of a group of key stakeholders on changes to the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide. This will include consultation on the stakeholders' recommendations on the level of the personal expenses allowance. The consultation will be in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, allowing 12 weeks for comments to be submitted. Children: Greater London Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks to the health of children in London from the level of performance of the Child Health Interim Application system. Mr. Bradshaw BT’s provision of an interim child health system pending delivery of a long-term solution reduced the risks arising from the 10 primary care trusts (PCTs) concerned being left with no system following the decision by the previous commercial child health system supplier to withdraw its product from the market. In the period following implementation of the Child Health Interim Application (CHIA) system, figures generated for the Health Protection Agency’s Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly (COVER) reports indicated that the uptake of immunisations had dropped. However, there is no evidence of any causal relationship with the CHIA implementation. To mitigate any risks arising from this drop, an immunisation uptake audit was undertaken across the 10 PCTs who were using CHIA in London. The initial findings from the audit show that a significant number of children who appeared in the system as unimmunised had actually received their immunisations. There were also a number of children who had not been immunised, but the audit revealed a number of reasons, unconnected with the computer system changes, why this was the case. Each of the 10 PCTs is now undertaking an immunisation catch-up programme which aims to complete by March 2008. Chiropody: Elderly Mr. Randall To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of levels of provision of chiropody services for older people in (a) Uxbridge constituency and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw It is the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that the services they commission meet the needs of the populations that they serve, including chiropody services. Commission for Social Care Inspection: Surveys Mr. David Anderson To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the results of the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s 2007 employee survey; (2) what equality impact assessments have been carried out by the Commission for Social Care Inspection of (a) its estates strategy and (b) the restructuring and headcount reduction programme for 2007-08; what the main findings were of those assessments; and what steps have been taken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection management in response; (3) how much and what proportion of the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s payroll budget was spent on agency staff in the last 12 months; and what proportion of the Commission’s spending on agency staff was accounted for by agency fees. Mr. Ivan Lewis We have been informed that the chief inspector of the Commission for Social Care Inspection has replied in writing to my hon. Friend. A copy of the reply has been placed in the Library Departmental Christmas Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the selection of (a) real and (b) artificial Christmas trees for his Department's festive decorations; and how real trees are disposed of. Mr. Bradshaw The Department purchases two real Christmas trees for its festive decorations. The sustainable supplier removes the trees from site and the trees are chipped and used as mulch. Departmental Equality Philip Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by his Department (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. Mr. Bradshaw The Department has a continuing commitment to equality and diversity, which conforms to all statutory duties and supports the Cabinet Office Diversity 10 Point Plan. There is a small equality and diversity team, which is responsible for strategy and policy development. However, the delivery of the diversity agenda is mainstreamed across all functions and roles—both in the Human Resources Branch and the wider organisation. Because considerations of equality and diversity have become, over the years, integral components of the business and hence a very wide range of staff activities it is not possible to separately identify and report on costs for those components without incurring disproportionate costs. Departmental Land Mr. Drew To ask the Secretary of State for Health what land surplus to his Department's requirements it is (a) selling, (b) leasing and (c) intending to (i) sell and (ii) lease; and what the size and name of each relevant site is. Mr. Bradshaw The information in the following tables shows the detail of the more substantial properties in the ownership of the Secretary of State, that the Department is either selling or leasing or intending to sell or lease. The following table shows the sites the Department is selling: --------------------------------------------------------- |Property |Area (hectares)| --------------------------------------------------------- |Queen Elizabeth hospital, Hackney |0.63 | --------------------------------------------------------- |332 High Road, Tottenham |0.10 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Dog Kennel Wood, Maidstone |2.15 | --------------------------------------------------------- |10 Woodside, Plymouth |0.05 | --------------------------------------------------------- |22-38 Princes Road, Redhill |0.16 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Land at South Elmsall, Wakefield |1.38 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Land at Morton Banks, Keighley |2.33 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Part Little Plumstead hospital, Norwich|24.71 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Northern View, Bradford |2.89 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Land at Victoria hospital, Worksop |0.44 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Warwick Cottage, Melton Mowbray |0.1 | --------------------------------------------------------- |30 Paul Road, Bodmin |0.05 | --------------------------------------------------------- |35 Higher Kingston, Yeovil |0.05 | --------------------------------------------------------- |Houses in Surrey |1.00 | --------------------------------------------------------- |St James' Court, Balham |0.24 | --------------------------------------------------------- There are no sites which the Department is Leasing. The following are sites that the Department is intending to sell: ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Property |Area (hectares)| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Land at Napsbury, St Albans |8.49 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Part Park Prewett hospital, Basingstoke |1.66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Land at Woodside, Plymouth |0.11 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Lakeview Close, Walsall |1.40 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Part Royal Shrewsbury hospital, Shrewsbury |1— | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Part Harperbury hospital, Radlett |36.8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Land at Harwich hospital, Harwich |0.76 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Harp Close Meadow, Sudbury |1.31 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Primrose Lane, Huntington |0.72 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Horton House, Epsom |0.44 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |White Hart, Harrogate |0.33 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Hazel Court, Battersea |0.22 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Eagle Cottage, Jarrow |0.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |63/65 Bardsley Drive, Farnham |0.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Land at Crone Hills Health Centre, West Bromwich|0.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Land at Wellington hospital, Telford |0.10 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Garrett Lane, Wandsworth |0.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 To be determined | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ There are no sites which the Department intends to lease. Departmental Publicity Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines issued to staff maintaining his Department’s and its agencies’ corporate identity; and what the estimated annual cost is of (a) producing and (b) complying with such guidelines. Mr. Bradshaw A copy of the departmental and core NHS Identity Guidelines has been placed in the Library. The Department’s guidelines are also available via its website at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4108132 The full range of NHS Identity Guidelines is available via the NHS Identity website at: www.nhsidentity.nhs.uk/main.HTM Over the last five years, the Department has spent an average of £291,885 per year managing the NHS and the Department’s corporate identities. This figure includes developing and producing guidelines, providing logo artwork to NHS organisations, supporting the Department, NHS and third parties in correctly applying the Department and NHS brands and protecting the Department and NHS brands from misuse. NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency uses the Department and NHS Identity Guidelines so there are no additional guidelines to be placed in the Library and no annual costs involved in producing and developing guidelines. A copy of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s identity guidelines has been placed in the Library. These guidelines were produced several years ago and there is therefore no annual cost. We are unable to identify how much staff time is spent on complying with the corporate guidelines without incurring disproportionate costs. Drugs: Olympic Games 2012 Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that members of teams competing in the 2012 Olympics (a) do not bring proscribed drugs or medicines into the UK prior to competition, (b) do not dispose of unused drugs or medicines on the UK market during competition and (c) remove all unused imported drugs and medicines from the UK on departure; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The import and export of controlled drugs is prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, except under licence from the Home Office. Medicines for human use are controlled in the United Kingdom by the 1968 Medicines Act and supporting regulations. Under the provisions of the Medicines Act, prescription-only medicines may be imported or exported to or from the UK by an individual for their personal use. Any medicinal product which is brought into the UK by an individual for his or her own use or that of a member of his/her family is not ‘placed on the market’. Accordingly, it is not subject to the controls of medicines legislation. Any onward sale or supply by an individual however, would place the product on the market and bring it within the scope of regulatory control. The Medicines Act contains provisions to enforce the legislative requirements. Offences are criminal and prosecutions may be brought through the criminal courts. Health Services: Armed Forces Richard Younger-Ross To ask the Secretary of State for Health what continuing obligations his Department has for the medical care of servicemen and women injured in the course of service after they have been discharged; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw The national health service is responsible for the health care of service personnel on leaving the armed forces provided the individual is entitled to residency in the United Kingdom. The Department provides funding to primary care trusts to meet this responsibility. Health Services: Hertfordshire Mr. Walker To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much in financial savings made by Hertfordshire's acute trusts in (a) the 2007-08, (b) the 2005-06 and (c) the 2006-07 financial year; and what the savings were in each year in (i) monetary and (ii) percentage value of the budget. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested is not held centrally. Health Services: North West Region Mr. Hoyle To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on (a) the procurement process and (b) compensation payments for the nationally procured clinical assessment and treatment service in Cumbria and Lancashire to date; from which budget it was planned to meet further such expenditure; which budget will fund the locally procured service; and what further budget adjustments will be made as a consequence of the change from a nationally to a locally procured service. Mr. Bradshaw The total cost of the procurement of Phase 2 of the independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme at the end of October 2007 was approximately £84 million; this figure includes all assessment, scoping, procurement, and associated management, professional advisory and support costs. The ISTC programme comprises central resources which work across all schemes and the programme in general. These resources are not disaggregated by individual scheme. To date, no compensation payments have been made in relation to the proposed Phase 2 clinical assessment, treatment and support scheme in Cumbria and Lancashire. The Department will work with preferred bidders in a systematic way to consider any compensation claims that may be brought on a case-by-case basis, with regard to withdrawn schemes. No specific funds are allocated for this, however the overall budget does include general contingencies for unforeseen events. The local procurement of independent sector services is a matter for local national health service commissioners. Health Services: Standards Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which dates the monthly meetings held between the 13 trusts that will be early achievers of his Department’s 18-week target were held; and if he will place copies of the (a) agenda and (b) minutes of each meeting in the Library. Mr. Bradshaw Dates of the 18-week early achievers meetings are shown as follows. Copies of the agendas and meeting notes from these meetings have been placed in the Library. Some sections have been redacted as they either relate to the current formulation of Government policy or their disclosure would otherwise prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs. 22 February 2007 3 April 2007 1 May 2007 5 June 2007 17 July 2007 25 July 2007 7 August 2007 4 September 2007 2 October 2007 30 October 2007 Health: Children Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what manual systems are being used by primary care trusts (PCTs) to support the Child Health Interim Applications (CHIA) system; and whether PCTs using the CHIA system are able to issue COVER reports; (2) with reference to the answer of 8 January 2007, Official Report, column 24W, on the Child Health Interim Application, what software was provided to enable primary care trusts to generate COVER reports from the live system; and when it was provided; (3) with reference to the answer of 25 July 2006, Official Report, column 1202W, on child health interim application (CHIA), for what reasons Connecting for Health and the London Strategic Health Authority have not produced reports from the raw data within CHIA for the COVER quarterly and annual returns. Mr. Bradshaw Since May 2006 reports have been produced for the Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly (COVER) quarterly and annual returns from an extract of the raw data taken directly from the child health interim application (CHIA). The data required to submit COVER returns, which is a primary care trust (PCT) responsibility, are provided to the PCTs which use the CHIA system by BT, the system supplier. The data are taken from the live system and therefore reflect the information stored on CHIA at the point the data are extracted. Each PCT will use different manual systems dependent on their current business processes. While all parties recognise that this situation is not ideal, the PCTs have indicated that they are satisfied with this approach as an interim solution. On migration to the RiO system, PCTs will be able to generate reports themselves. All PCTs using CHIA are expected to migrate to RiO by the end of 2008. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts (PCTs) in London use the Child Health Interim Applications system; and what other systems are used for the same purpose in each other London PCT. Mr. Bradshaw 22 of London’s primary care trusts (PCTs) use a child health system delivered by the London programme for information technology (LPfIT). The following 10 PCTs use the child health interim application (CHIA) system: Barking and Dagenham, Camden, City and Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Islington, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forrest. The following PCTs use the child health functionality of CSE Servelec’s RiO system, also delivered by LPfIT: Barnet; Ealing; Enfield; Greenwich; Hammersmith and Fulham; Hounslow; Lambeth; Lewisham, Richmond; Westminster; Southwark; Sutton and Merton. Currently, the remaining PCTs in London use the following systems to support child health services: Bexley—McKesson; Brent—Continuum; Bromley—Totalcare; Croydon—EPEX (Ascribe); Harrow—Health Solutions Wales Community Child Health 2000 System; Hillingdon—Health Solutions Wales Community Child Health 2000 System; Kensington and Chelsea—Continuum; Kingston—McKesson child health; and Wandsworth—Comwise. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons the Richs system was replaced by the Child Health Interim Application (CHIA) system; what functionality the CHIA system has that the Richs system did not; and what additional functionality the RiO system will have in comparison with to (a) the CHIA system and (b) the Richs system; (2) for what reasons London primary care trusts were not able to move directly from the Richs system to the RiO system; (3) what the status is of the Child Health Interim Application; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw The child health interim application (CHIA) was introduced in response to a decision in early 2005 to withdraw support for the ageing Regional Interactive Child Health System (RICHS) from 10 primary care trusts (PCTs) in London taken by its commercial supplier. CHIA was delivered to these PCTs at short notice by BT, the London local service provider under the national programme for information technology, as an interim measure at the request of the local national health service. At the same time NHS Connecting for Health, PCTs and BT were working together on a longer-term solution. The PCTs chose CSE Servelec’s RiO system to be their strategic system, and all CHIA trusts will eventually migrate to RiO, which began roll-out in London in 2006. CHIA was always intended as a rapidly-produced like-for-like replacement for the RICHS system. There was no intention to provide an enhanced product. PCTs have been heavily involved in the development of the strategic system including the specification of criteria deemed essential by the PCTs using CHIA. They identified the automatic making of appointments and scheduling, and an electronic link with Great Ormond Street’s newborn blood spot screening programme, as vital components of the new system. These functions will be present when the first trusts migrate from CHIA to RiO early next year. Unlike CHIA and RICHS, RiO is an evolving product with capacity for continuing development over time. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts use manual processes alongside their child health applications; and what those processes are. Mr. Bradshaw The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Healthcare Commission: Complaints Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints the Healthcare Commission and its predecessor bodies received in each year since 1997. Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 18 December 2007]: The Healthcare Commission has had responsibility for the second, independent review, stage of the national health service complaints process since the end of July 2004. Information about the number of complaints the Commission has received is set out as follows: ----------------------------------------- | |Number| ----------------------------------------- |2004-05 |15,867| ----------------------------------------- |2005-06 |7,644 | ----------------------------------------- |2006-07 |7,696 | ----------------------------------------- |2007-08 |25,515| ----------------------------------------- |1 Part year only2 To 14 December| | ----------------------------------------- The following information refers to cases processed at second stage by the NHS prior to July 2004, on cases requesting independent review, and cases referred to independent review panels: ------------------------------------------- | |Requests|Referred to review panel| ------------------------------------------- |2002-03|3,600 |450 | ------------------------------------------- |2003-04|3,739 |416 | ------------------------------------------- Not all requests would have been referred to an independent panel, but they would all have undergone some degree of second stage process in order to determine whether consideration by an independent review panel would be appropriate. Information for earlier years is not available in the form requested. Henderson Hospital: Closures Lynne Jones To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) services funded by the Henderson hospital and (b) proposals to provide those services via alternate means. Mr. Ivan Lewis The provision of health services, including mental health services, is a matter for the local national health service. Home Care Services: Eastbourne Mr. Waterson To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many households received domiciliary care in Eastbourne in (a) 1987, (b) 1992, (c) 1997, (d) 2002 and (e) at the most recent date for which figures are available. Mr. Ivan Lewis The following table shows the number of households receiving home care during a sample week in September in East Sussex, which includes Eastbourne, for the years 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2006. Data for 1987 are not available. Separate data for Eastbourne are not collected centrally. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |19922,3|19973|2002 |2006 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Sussex4 |5,950 |6,300|2,490|2,560| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Brighton and Hove |n/a |2,160|3,050|2,140| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |5,950 |8,450|5,540|4,700| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |n/a = Data not available. 1 Households receiving home care purchased with a direct payment are excluded. 2 First year of collection was 1992; therefore data may not be as robust as following years. 3 Information on the number of households prior to 2000 included some double counting due to some households receiving home care from both the independent sector and from their local authority. From 2000 the collection was amended to remove the issue around double counting. 4 The regional boundary of East Sussex changed in 1996 to not include Brighton and Hove within its area in subsequent years. Data for Brighton and Hove have been provided for consistent time series. Source: HH1 return.| | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Incontinence: Medical Equipment Mr. Oaten To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether dispensing contractors will be allowed to contract out a full dispensing service of appliances to other organisations under proposed amendments to the Regulatory Terms of Service of Pharmacy and Appliance Contractors in relation to dispensing items listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff. Mr. Ivan Lewis Annex B of the consultation “Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances—and related services—to Primary Care. Revised Proposals” sets out a number of proposals relating to essential services provided by dispensing appliance contractors and pharmacy contractors. One of these proposals states that both dispensing appliance and pharmacy contractors should—if they cannot dispense the prescription item—be able to pass a prescription form to another dispensing contractor with the patient’s consent—provided that they do not receive either a gift or a reward from the other dispensing contractor. This does not preclude dispensing contractors working together in a commercial manner in order to provide a full dispensing service to patients in relation to Part IXA (catheter), Part IXB (incontinence related) or Part IXC (stoma) prescription items. Independent Sector Procurement Forum Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role is of the independent sector procurement forum; what funds were allocated to it for 2007-08; who is on the forum; and what remuneration each member receives. Mr. Bradshaw The Independent Sector Procurement Forum will advise the Department on policies and practice in local procurement of clinical services. The forum, the membership of which is still being finalised, will draw on a range of expertise and experience. Forum members will not be paid but will be entitled to claim expenses in line with departmental guidance. Secretariat and any other costs of the forum will be met from existing resources for 2007-08. Industrial Diseases John Mann To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of industrial disease prevalence in determining resource allocation in the NHS. Mr. Bradshaw There is no specific consideration made for industrial disease prevalence in determining resource allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) but industrial disease will be picked up in the models of utilisation of health care in the additional need element of the formula. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine PCTs' target shares of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need. The components of the formula are used to weight each PCT's ‘crude’ population according to their relative need (age, and additional need) for health care and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing health care (market forces factor). The additional need element of the formula is intended to reflect the relative need for health care over and above that accounted for by age. The need weighting takes the form of indices from two broad service areas: acute and maternity; mental health. The indices are based on models of utilisation of health care and comprise a number of socio-economic and health related variables. There are two different groups of variables included in these models: standard variables derived from small area statistical modelling of utilisation; and additional morbidity variables designed to capture some of the effect of unmet need where ethnic minority groups and low income groups do not receive healthcare services to the same level as that of others with similar health characteristics. For further information on the weighted-capitation formula, please refer to ‘Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formula (Fifth edition)’. A copy is available in the Library, and can also be accessed at: www.dh.gov.uk/allocations. Information Centre for Health and Social Care Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Information Centre for Health and Social Care to commence development of a dataset for urgent and emergency care, as described on page four of his Department’s document Urgent care update: Key areas highlighted by the Direction of Travel consultation and other work; and which (a) organisations and (b) individuals he expects the Information Centre to consult on the matter. Mr. Bradshaw The Information Centre for health and social care (IC) are working towards developing a dataset for urgent and emergency care. The IC will follow their usual processes of wide engagement with relevant professional bodies, and may also include an open consultation period. Living Wills David T.C. Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to members of the public on living wills; and what plans he has to revise such advice. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out the statutory rules governing advance decisions to refuse treatment, which were sometimes previously known as ‘living wills’. The Government issued the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice in April 2007, which includes guidance on advance decisions, and a range of information booklets for the public and professionals, which summarise the provisions that relate to advance decisions. The Department has issued information on the transitional provisions for advance decisions to refuse life-sustaining treatment made before the Act came into force. The Code of Practice and other information will be updated as necessary. Medical Records Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the full implementation of the Summary Care Record is expected to take place; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw There are no current plans to implement the summary care record (SCR) beyond the existing early adopter programme. The Department is working with both the Summary Care Record Advisory Group and the independent evaluators based at University College London to ensure that all significant learning from the early adopters is taken into account as soon as it is available. The evaluation will draw from extensive fieldwork done to capture the views and experiences of general practitioners, practice managers, nurses, other national health service clinical and management staff, and patients. The results of the evaluation will be incorporated into future deployment plans for the SCR. Medical Records: Databases Jeremy Wright To ask the Secretary of State for Health which categories of NHS staff working outside GP surgeries will have direct access to information in detailed care records created by clinicians working in a GP surgery; and which of those staff categories will be authorised to override patients' wishes expressed through sealed envelope software. Mr. Bradshaw Individuals from outside the general practitioner's practice will only be able to access a patient's detailed care record, where they are working within a local health community where patient records are managed through a shared detailed record system and where they have a smartcard and role profile that enables access to patient records and also have a legitimate relationship with the patient—for example, because they are providing healthcare or treatment in a different setting, or they have express consent from the patient for other reasons, such as clinical research, or there is a statutory basis or court order supporting disclosure. Patients may also request that a flag within the system be set to prevent information being accessed by anyone outside of the practice without their express consent other than where there is a legal requirement to do so, or an overriding public interest such as serious crime. A patient's wishes regarding a sealed envelope can only be overridden exceptionally by staff who have been specifically granted the ability to do so by their employing organisations as part of their assigned role profile. When they do override a seal they must record whether their action is justified by express patient consent, a legal requirement, or an overriding public interest, and this will subsequently be checked by the employing body. Mental Health Services: Greater London Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Health Commission star rating is for each London mental health trust; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The star rating system is no longer used by the Healthcare Commission. The rating system is now shown through scores of ‘weak’, ‘fair’, ‘good’ and ‘excellent’. The information requested can be found in the following table: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Name of Trust |Use of Resources|Quality of Services| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust |Fair |Good | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust |Good |Excellent | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Central and North West London Mental Health Trust |Good |Excellent | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East London and The City Mental Health Trust |Good |Excellent | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East London Mental Health Trust |Fair |Good | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |Excellent |Good | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South London and Maudesly NHS Foundation Trust |Excellent |Good | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South West London and St. George's Mental Health Trust|Fair |Fair | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |Good |Excellent | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |Good |Excellent | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been detained involuntarily for treatment under the Mental Health Act in each London mental health trust in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested has been placed in the Library. Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for talk therapies in each London mental health trust in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis Information relating to average waiting times for talking therapies is not held centrally. However, this can be obtained directly from the national health service trusts concerned. Currently, there are no national waiting times targets for access to psychological therapies in primary care. Waiting times standards are being developed which will be tested in the new Pathfinder Sites for improving access to psychological therapies in 2007-08. These sites will test out proposed standards including appropriate access times for different stages of treatment as detailed in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidelines. Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for a first appointment with a mental health professional following referral by a GP in the last five years, broken down by London mental health trust; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information is not available in the format requested. Waiting times can only be calculated back to 2005 as prior to this, data were only collected for waits over 13 weeks. The available information has been set out in the tables. Waiting time data are collected for consultant led out-patient appointments, but recently more work is being done by multi-disciplinary teams. Therefore waiting lists have fallen for mental health specialties. Furthermore, as numbers are small, data for average waits cannot be calculated for all trusts. Furthermore, in-patient psychiatric activity has fallen over time as we have established more than 700 new mental health teams providing community based care as an alternative to acute in-patient care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | |Not yet seen at the end of the month who are still waiting| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Time period—month ending|Name |Total over 13 week out-patient waiters not seen after 1st out-patient appointment for mental health specialties|Not seen 13<17 weeks |Not seen 17<21 weeks|Not seen 21+ weeks|Not seen 21<26 weeks|Not seen 26+ weeks| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust |8 |5 |3|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |15 |10 |5|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |9 |5 |4|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |3 |2 |1|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |10 |4 |5|1|1|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust |32 |17 |15|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust|2 |2 |0|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust |4 |4 |0|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust |81 |33 |47|1|0|1| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |18 |13 |5|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2003 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|5 |5 |0|0|0|0| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Time period—month ending |Name |Total over 13 week out-patient waiters not seen after 1st out-patient appointment for mental health specialties|Not seen 13<17 weeks|Not seen 17<21 weeks|Not seen 21 +weeks|Not seen 21<26weeks|Not seen 26+weeks| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |9 |9 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |2 |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |43 |43 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |9 |9 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2004 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Note:Previous to June 2004, the out-patients not seen were only collected for patients not seen who were waiting 13 weeks and above. Therefore no average could be calculated.Source:QM08NS| | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Time period—month ending |Name |Median waiting time of patients still waiting for a 1st out-patient appointment for mental health specialties (in weeks)| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Bromley PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Hillingdon PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |5.6 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |4.7 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |3.7 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |5.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |4.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust|n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust |3.8 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |4.7 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|7.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Bromley PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Barnet PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Hillingdon PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Brent PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |4.4 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |3.4 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |4.0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |3.4 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust|n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust |3.3 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |North West London Hospitals NHS Trust |3.8 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |4.2 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Bromley PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |3.1 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust |3.3 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |6.6 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |3.6 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |University College London NHS Foundation Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |3.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |4.3 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |Bromley PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |Croydon PCT |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |2.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |South West London and St. George’s NHS Trust |2.5 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |University College London NHS Foundation Trust |n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |2.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust |6.9 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust|n/a | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |n/a = not applicable.Notes:1. Median waiting times are calculated from aggregate data, rather than patient level data, and therefore are only estimates of the position on average waits. In particular, specialties with low numbers waiting are prone to fluctuations in the median. This should be taken into account when interpreting the data.2. Medians are provided for out-patients not seen with total of less than 50 because this population is too small for a statistically meaningful median to be calculated so a n/a shown in that case.Source:QM08NS| | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mental Health Services: Standards Mr. Jim Cunningham To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government have taken to improve the quality of services for mental health patients since 1997. Mr. Ivan Lewis Mental health was identified as a key clinical priority in “Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation”, in 1998, which set out a target to reduce suicides by one fifth by 2010. This target is included in the Department’s public service agreement. We published the first ever National Service Framework (NSF) in England for adult mental health services in 1999. It laid down models of treatment and care which people would be entitled to expect in every part of the country and was a deliberate move to raise the profile of mental health. Since then, mental health services have been working to implement a radical programme of modernisation to improve access to effective treatment and care, raise standards and provide quicker and more convenient services. The “NHS Plan” 2000, aimed to strengthen community care and in doing so, take pressure off acute beds. It provided an extra annual investment of over £300 million by 2003-04 to fast forward the NSF. From 2001-02 to 2006-07, real terms investment in adult mental health services increased by 31 per cent. (or £1.2 billion)—that is £1.9 billion in cash terms. The national health service spent over £5.1 billion on adult mental health services in 2006-07 compared to £3.9 billion in 2001-02. Key targets were set for service delivery on early intervention, crisis resolution and assertive outreach services and, due to the NSF and increased funding, we now have over 700 new mental health teams working in the community. During 2006-07, crisis and home treatment teams provided 95,000 episodes of home treatment against 84,000 in 2005-06 for people who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital. The Government have allocated an extra £130 million in 2006-07 to provide more appropriate ‘places of safety’ for people detained under the Mental Health Act by the police. We now have 55 per cent. more consultant psychiatrists, almost 70 per cent. more clinical psychologists and at least 20 per cent. more mental health nurses than we had in 1997. Because of the NSF and increased funding, we now have over 700 new mental health teams working in the community (that includes assertive outreach, early intervention, crisis resolution teams). A five-year action plan is in place to address inequalities in the experience Black and minority ethnic people have in accessing services. We are also committed to expanding access to psychological therapies as a positive alternative to medication. By 2010-11, the NHS will spend £170 million per year on psychological therapies, with £33 million in 2008-09, £103 million in 2009-10 and £173 million in 2010-11. This investment will mean: 900,000 more people will be treated for depression and anxiety, many of whom will be completely cured; 450,000 achieving measurable recovery; all GP practices will have access to psychological therapies as the programme rolls out; and the average waiting time for psychological treatments will reduce from the current 18 months to a few weeks. Mental Health Services: Suffolk Mr. Spring To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dedicated beds were available for mental health patients in Suffolk in each year since 1997. Mr. Ivan Lewis Information is not available prior to 2005-06. Due to trust mergers and demergers, data are not comparable. The number of beds available at Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust in 2005-06 was 205 and in 2006-07 it was 258. The reduction in mental health bed numbers reflects the increasing provision by the national health service in England of treatment for patients with mental health conditions in primary care and community settings, without the need for hospital admissions. Mental Health Services: Young People John Battle To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many under 18-year-olds were admitted to adult mental health wards in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis Information is not available in either the format or time frame requested. However, the number of bed days on adult psychiatric wards of patients aged 16 or 17 and those children under 16 is in the following table for the two years for which figures are available. ---------------------------------------- | |2005-06|2006-07| ---------------------------------------- |Patients aged under 16|353 |201 | ---------------------------------------- |Patients age 16 or 17 |29,306 |19,988 | ---------------------------------------- Due to the statistical basis for collecting this information changing between the two years, the figures are not directly comparable. The Mental Health Act 2007 contains a provision (section 31) that ensures that patients aged under 18 are treated in an environment in hospital, which is suitable having regard to their age (subject to their needs). The NHS operating framework which was published recently also reinforces this commitment. The Government have made a commitment to commence this provision in England by April 2010. Capital funding of £31 million has been provided in 2007-08 for 17 projects specifically designed to help eliminate the inappropriate use of adult psychiatric wards for children and young people. Midwives: Higher Education Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwifery academics there were in each year since 1997. Ann Keen Information on the number of midwifery academics in each year since 1997 is not held by this Department. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills holds data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency on the number of academic staff. NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs); what mechanisms are in place to monitor the undertaking of operations paid for by primary care trusts; how many complaints he has received of ISTCs not carrying out paid for operations; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw Around 839,000 national health service patients have been treated through the various independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programmes to date. The utilisation of ISTC contracts (the levels of update of services provided) is monitored by the Central Contracts Monitoring Unit of the Department’s Commercial Directorate. The Department works with sponsors and providers to ensure optimum utilisation of the contracts through the total contract period. This includes changing the case-mix to respond to local needs, and working with providers and primary care trusts to recover previous under-utilised activity where possible. The Department does not routinely collect information on the number of complaints made in respect of ISTCs. However, the Department, the NHS and providers meet quarterly for a Joint Service Review to discuss a range of operational issues and to ensure that the services offered deliver a high-quality effective service to the NHS patients that they serve. NHS: EU Emissions Trading Scheme Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost incurred by hospital trusts in relation to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested is not collected centrally. NHS: ICT Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data are being recorded under the RiO patient care records system. Mr. Bradshaw RiO is an information system designed for use across the community health sector. Data are recorded to support the key functions of providing secure access to patients' care records, to allocate, share and reassign cases, to record treatments, and to book appointments. As well as recording clinical information it provides clinical and administrative functionality to support care professionals, working in teams, with features such as diary, referral and caseload management, progress notes and care plans. Child health functionality includes the scheduling, recording and outcome of immunisations, health reviews and development checks, registration of birth details, screening tests and special needs. RiO is the strategic community health information solution for London. Its features and functionality will continue to be developed with the input of national health service staff in London. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) capital and (b) revenue expenditure there has been on the National Programme for IT and Connecting for Health in each year since the programme began; and how much (i) capital and (ii) revenue spending has been budgeted for each remaining year of the programme. Mr. Bradshaw The Department's NHS Connecting for Health Agency is responsible both for ensuring delivery of the information technology (IT) systems under the national programme for IT (NPfIT), and for maintaining the critical business systems previously provided to the national health service by the former NHS Information Authority. Information covering all the agency's responsibilities is in the tables. --------------------------------------------- | |Actual expenditure|Forecast outturn| --------------------------------------------- | |2004-05 |2005-06 |2006-07|2007-08| --------------------------------------------- |Capital|360.0 |429.0 |589.0|826.0| --------------------------------------------- |Revenue|260.0 |539.0 |528.0|500.0| --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Planned expenditure| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2008-09 |2009-10|2010-11| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Capital |826.0 |1,049.7|835.8| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Revenue |703.5 |786.9|785.9| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. All sums exclude capital charges.2. The amounts include the original costs of NPfIT contracts, which have not changed, but also include new and additional requirements that have been added, supported by separate business cases and funding, as reported by the National Audit Office.3. With the exception of planned revenue expenditure in 2008-09, figures for 2008-09 to 2010-11 are those used to inform the comprehensive spending review and are subject to revision in light of the evolving IT needs of the NHS.4. Budgets for years beyond 2010-11 are dependent on the outcome of future spending reviews.| | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Bottomley To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts have installed Cerner's Millennium system; on what date it was installed; which hospital trusts are expected to install the system and when; what the name is of the senior clinician on each hospital IT board; which Minister is responsible for the system roll out; what representations he has received from clinicians in hospitals using the system on their experience of using it; if he will ask a chief medical officer to consult clinicians using the system in (a) Kent, (b) Sussex, (c) Cheshire and (d) Buckinghamshire; and if he will update the figures provided previously in the answer of 23 July 2007, Official Report, columns 823-4W. Mr. Bradshaw Cerner is the chosen subcontractor of two of the local service providers (LSPs) under the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) for the provision of health care IT systems, Fujitsu in the south of England and BT in London. Nine health communities have to date gone live with the Cerner Millennium system provided through the national programme. Each health community typically comprises an acute national health service trust and the associated primary care trust sites in its area. Details are provided in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Trust |Total users|Peak users|Average users|Go live date | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust |880 |700 |450 |25 September 2006| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust |2,000 |980 |420 |24 February 2007 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust |900 |170 |130 |22 December 2005 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust |2,875 |620 |400 |20 April 2007 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Weston Area Health NHS Trust |1,700 |1,400 |450 |29 July 2006 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust|1,820 |980 |360 |10 February 2007 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Worthing and Southlands Hospitals |3,750 |300 |180 |29 September 2007| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust |4,580 |410 |110 |24 July 2007 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust |2,050 |170 |50 |29 October 2007 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |20,555 |5,730 |2,550 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In addition two London NHS hospital trusts, the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Newham University Hospital Trust, had initiated procurements of the Millennium system before the national programme. To date, some 2.7 million patient records have been entered in the systems currently in use. Four further trusts are currently expected to go live with the existing release (release 0) of the Millennium system by the early part of 2008. These are Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust in 2007, and the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, the Royal West Sussex Hospital Trust, and Barts and the London NHS Trust in 2008. Thereafter, release 1 of the system will form the basis for other implementations across both LSP areas in 2008-09 and beyond. Specific go-live dates in each strategic health authority area will be determined by local agreement with the NHS bodies concerned. All matters to do with the national programme fall within my portfolio of departmental responsibilities as the Minister of State. Details of clinical representation on bodies responsible for overseeing local implementation of NPfIT systems are not held centrally. While Ministers have not received any direct representations, we are aware that users in the early deployments expressed some concerns about the system's management and statutory reporting functionality, and some of its usability features, for example the number of key strokes required for certain functions. Action has been taken to address these concerns and to enhance these areas. This is making a positive impact. Many users who have become familiar with Millennium over time have expressed satisfaction with the system. From the inception of the IT programme relevant and experienced clinicians have contributed to the effective identification of requirements, design and testing of all systems wherever across the NHS these are being delivered. This continues to be the case. NHS Connecting for Health has appointed a chief clinical officer to lead the clinical engagement and clinical contribution to the programme. NHS: Inflation Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of (a) inflation and (b) wage inflation was in the NHS in each year since 1995. Mr. Bradshaw The following table reports, from 1995-96 to 2005-06, Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) wage inflation and total national health service inflation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |HCHS Pay Inflation|Total NHS Inflation| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1995-96 |4.4 |3.7 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1996-97 |3.3 |2.9 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |2.5 |2.1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |4.9 |3.9 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |6.9 |4.6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |7.2 |4.2 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |8.3 |4.8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |5.0 |3.5 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |7.3 |4.9 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |4.5 |n/a | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |4.7 |n/a | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes: 1. Wage inflation is measured using the HCHS pay cost index, which is a measure of the average paybill per head of those employed within the HCHS. 2. The total NHS inflation index is no longer available from 2004-05 as it relies on the General Medical Service (GMS)/Personal Medical Service data series, which has discontinued since the introduction of the new GMS contract in 2004-05.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHS: Pay Mr. Spring To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals in senior administrative roles in all NHS bodies in the East of England were paid (a) over £100,000 and (b) over £150,000 in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Department does not collect details on the pay of individuals across the whole national health service. Very senior managers (chief executives and board level directors) in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts are paid under the “Pay Framework for very senior managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts”, published in July 2006, a copy of which is available in the Library. This does not apply to other NHS trusts (acute, mental health, care and foundation trusts), but they are free to adopt the principles of the arrangements. Under the Framework, senior executives are paid a spot rate salary (£55,838 to £196,704), with the provision of payments of recruitment and retention premia (of up to 30 per cent. of the spot rate salary) and additional duties (up to 10 per cent. of the spot rate salary) where appropriate. NHS organisations are public bodies and as such, the pay of their senior executive teams is a matter of public record, published in their annual accounts. NHS: Procurement Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the terms of reference are of the joint Office of Government Commerce and NHS Purchasing Supply Review; when the review will be completed; and whether the results of the review will be published. Mr. Bradshaw The Office of Government Commerce's programme of Procurement Capability Reviews was announced for all Government Departments in January 2007 as a key enabler of the Transforming Government Procurement report. The review of the Department is being coordinated for the Department by the commercial directorate and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. The terms of reference will be agreed in early 2008. The intensive interview stage of the review is scheduled to begin in March 2008 and last three-four weeks. The review team's report on the Department will be published in the autumn. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the result of the Strategic Review of Collaborative Procurement in the NHS was; and if he will publish the report of the review. Mr. Bradshaw The Strategic Review of Collaborative Procurement in the national health service is not yet complete. The Department will consult on its findings before making them available to interested parties shortly. Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expected NHS expenditure on medical supplies and equipment is for 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bradshaw The information is not available centrally in the exact format requested. Expenditure on clinical supplies and services is collected on an historical basis from strategic health authorities (SHAs), primary care trusts (PCTs) and national health service trusts. The latest year for which information is available is 2006-07 when the total expenditure on clinical supplies and services was £5,043,371,000. This figure contains the purchase of low value medical and surgical equipment but not items over £5,000. Information on the expenditure on medical equipment costing more than £5,000 is not available. Information for 2007-08 will be available next autumn. The information is from the annual financial returns of SHAs, PCTs and NHS trusts. No information is available for NHS foundation trusts. Primary Care Trusts Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the support and development framework for primary care trusts, supporting his Department’s proposals for world class commissioning, to be made available. Mr. Bradshaw It is planned that the support and development framework will begin to be made available from spring 2008. The support and development framework will be built upon and iterated during the year to reflect the changing needs of primary care trusts. Private Finance Unit Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which projects under the private finance initiative his Department’s Private Finance Unit has categorised as having not established clear requirements before getting under way; (2) which NHS buildings constructed under the private finance initiative his Department’s Private Finance Unit assessed as not fitting (a) the departmental vision, (b) the needs of the NHS and (c) the needs of patients and the public. Mr. Bradshaw At all stages of the approval process for a private finance initiative (PFI) scheme, the business case must include clear evidence that the scheme supports all local and national service and clinical targets. Output specifications supplied to bidders by the trust explicitly state the scope of clinical services and functional content that they require from their new facility. Clinicians and local commissioners must be represented on a trust’s PFI project board and provide written endorsement of the level and type of services being provided in the final PFI proposals. This must be evidenced in the final full business case as a condition of formal approval by the relevant strategic health authority, the Department and for larger cases HM Treasury. Guidance also requires local people, staff and their representatives to be consulted on the proposals and to be able to respond. Prosthetics: Ex-servicemen Dr. Murrison To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provision is made for the continuing care of armed forces veterans with C-leg limb prostheses; (2) what assessment he has made of the consistency of ongoing limb prosthetic services available to veterans on the NHS. Mr. Ivan Lewis No assessment of ongoing prosthetic services has been carried out centrally. It is for primary care trusts in partnership with local stakeholders to assess the needs of their local population and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of prosthetic services for veterans. Continuing national health service health care is provided over an extended period of time to meet physical or mental health needs that have arisen as a result of disability, an accident or illness. It is available to anyone who has been assessed as having a high level of need for ongoing health care. Psychiatry Andrew Selous To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of Human Givens as a form of psychotherapy; whether Human Givens treatment may be provided by the NHS; and what clinical trials of the effectiveness of Human Givens his Department plans to consider. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Department has not assessed Human Givens as a form of psychotherapy and has no plans to do so at this time. Psychiatry: Greater London Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatrists were employed by each London mental health trust in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested can be found in the following table. In-patient psychiatric activity has fallen over time as we have established more than 700 new mental health teams providing community based care as an alternative to acute in-patient care. ------------------------------------------------------------ |Numbers (headcount) and full-time equivalent | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ||2002|2003|2004| ------------------------------------------------------------ | |||Of which||Of which||Of which| ------------------------------------------------------------ | ||All staff1|Consultant|All staff1|Consultant|All staff1|Consultant| ------------------------------------------------------------ |London SHA Area ||1,870|736|1,970|800|2,203|896| ------------------------------------------------------------ |of which |||||||| ------------------------------------------------------------ |Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust |RRP|166|60|180|64|214|80| ------------------------------------------------------------ |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust |TAF|103|30|138|50|146|46| ------------------------------------------------------------ |Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RV3|204|76|217|82|232|96| ------------------------------------------------------------ |East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust |RWK|155|61|174|70|214|77| ------------------------------------------------------------ |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |RAT|96|49|71|34|122|50| ------------------------------------------------------------ |Oxleas NHS Trust |RPG|102|39|94|43|105|43| ------------------------------------------------------------ |South London and Maudsley NHS Trust |RV5|464|193|502|208|510|226| ------------------------------------------------------------ |South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust|RQY|249|94|261|102|273|108| ------------------------------------------------------------ |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RKL|201|78|208|85|236|96| ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | |Of which | |Of which | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | |All staff1|Consultant|All staff1|Consultant| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |London SHA Area | |2,306 |931 |2,388 |947 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |of which | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust |RRP|241 |87 |240 |98 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust |TAF|156 |50 |156 |57 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RV3|257 |100 |293 |110 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust |RWK|176 |83 |233 |90 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |RAT|140 |51 |140 |48 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Oxleas NHS Trust |RPG|102 |47 |129 |56 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |South London and Maudsley NHS Trust |RV5|542 |227 |533 |213 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust |RQY|274 |105 |262 |106 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RKL|242 |96 |252 |104 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 All staff denotes qualified medical staff who work in the psychiatry group of specialties within the specified organisations.Source:The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census.| | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatrist nurses were employed by each London mental health trust in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested can be found in the following table. In-patient psychiatric activity has fallen over time as we have established more than 700 new mental health teams providing community based care as an alternative to acute in-patient care. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Headcount | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||2002|2003|2004|2005|2006| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |London SHA area ||8,501|9,902|10,266|10,264|10,251| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |of which ||||||| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust |RRP|863|788|974|1,070|1,029| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust |TAF|434|615|679|691|748| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RV3|1,161|1,062|1,140|1,237|1,456| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust |RWK|781|950|980|913|902| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |RAT|522|846|804|538|692| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oxleas NHS Trust |RPG|649|719|622|637|635| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South London and Maudsley NHS Trust |RV5|1,808|2,246|2,572|2,635|2,488| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South West London & St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust |RQY|697|828|825|838|812| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RKL|1,336|1,316|1,423|1,422|1,446| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. Psychiatric nurses includes community psychiatric nurses.2. More accurate validation processes in 2006 have resulted in the identification and removal of 9,858 duplicate non-medical staff records out of the total workforce figure of 1.3 million in 2006. Earlier years' figures could not be accurately validated in this way and so will be slightly inflated. The level of inflation in earlier years' figures is estimated to be less than 1 per cent. of total across all non-medical staff groups for headcount figures (and negligible for full-time equivalents). This should be taken into consideration when analysing trends over time.Source:The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce census.| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant psychiatric posts there are in each London mental health trust; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested can be found in the following table. In-patient psychiatric activity has fallen over time as we have established more than 700 new mental health teams providing community based care as an alternative to acute in-patient care. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Three month vacancy numbers | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||Qualified nurses|Doctors (excluding doctors in training)| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |London Strategic Health Authority Area |—|1|9| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |of which |||| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnet, Enfield And Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust |RRP|0|6| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Camden and Islington Mental Health And Social Care Trust |TAF|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Central And North West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RV3|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East London And The City Mental Health NHS Trust |RWK|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East London Mental Health NHS Trust |RAT|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oxleas NHS Trust |RPG|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South London and Maudsley NHS Trust |RV5|1|1| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust |RQY|0|3| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West London Mental Health NHS Trust |RKL|0|0| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes: 1. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents). 2. Vacancy numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 3. Psychiatric nurses are Community Psychiatric nurses and Other Psychiatric nurses. 4. Vacancy numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 5. Strategic health authority figures are based on trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care. Source: The Information Centre Medical and Dental and Non-Medical Workforce Census, Vacancies Survey.| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Granger Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what effect the resignation of Mr. Richard Granger had on the renegotiation of the Department's Connecting for Health contract with BT. Mr. Bradshaw The decision of the Director General of NHS Connecting for Health to step down from his role in the Department was unrelated to, and had no impact on, the recent resetting of contracts let under the national programme for information technology, including that with BT. Sheep: Disease Control Mr. Goodwill To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last reviewed scientific advice on the removal of specified risk material from sheep over 12 months old or with permanent incisors erupted; and what plans he has to change his policy on this matter. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Food Standards Agency keeps the possible human health risks from Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) in sheep and the specified risk material (SRM) controls under continual review. The Agency has advised that on the basis of the current scientific evidence they have no immediate plans to put forward to the European Commission any proposals to change the policy on the removal of SRM from sheep over 12 months of age. Controls on the removal of SRM are set out in Community regulations which are applicable in all member states. The European Commission published its TSE Road Map on the future of TSE controls in July 2005. This indicated that SRM controls, including in sheep, would be reviewed in the short-medium term (2005-09) in the light of scientific opinion. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mr. Donohoe To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that electrically powered indoor and outdoor wheelchairs are made available to children with spinal muscular atrophy on the basis of clinical need. Mr. Ivan Lewis All national health service wheelchair services are funded out of general allocation funding to primary care trusts (PCTs). It is up to individual PCTs to set their own eligibility criteria for their service. Decisions about the type of wheelchair provided to an individual will be based on an individual assessment of their needs and the PCTs eligibility criteria. This includes wheelchairs for children with spinal muscular atrophy. Vaccination: Children Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are used by GPs to identify children who are due for immunisation and who have not received it. Mr. Bradshaw There is a requirement under the new General Medical Services contract and the Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2006, that the general practitioner: develops and maintains a register (its “Childhood Immunisation Scheme Register”, which may comprise electronically tagged entries in a wider computer database) of all the children for whom the contractor has a contractual duty to provide childhood immunisation and pre-school booster services (who may already have been immunised, by the contractor or otherwise, or to whom the contractor has offered or needs to offer immunisations). Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility general practitioners have to inform parents and guardians that children are due for vaccination. Mr. Bradshaw There is a requirement under the new General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services contract and Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2006 that the general practitioner: (i) develops a strategy for liaising with and informing parents or guardians of children on its Childhood Immunisation Scheme Register about its immunisation programme with the aim of improving uptake; and (ii) provides information on request to those parents or guardians about immunisation. Waiting Lists Mr. Horam To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets he has set for reducing waiting times between a patient being placed on a consultant’s list and the operation taking place; and what his policy is on these matters. Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 18 December 2007]: The operational standard in place for the national health service is a maximum wait of 26 weeks for an operation from the time the decision to admit was made. By December 2008, patients can expect to wait a maximum of 18 weeks from the time they are referred to a consultant to the start of their treatment, unless it is clinically appropriate for them to wait longer or they choose to do so. This includes time spent waiting for out-patient appointments and diagnostic tests as well as for any operation or other treatment if appropriate. Walnuttree Hospital: Hospital Wards Mr. Yeo To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wards at the Walnuttree hospital, Sudbury are not in use. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for the national health service locally. However, hospital wards are regularly opened and closed to meet fluctuating demands. West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust: Heart Disease Nurses Mike Penning To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart failure nurses are (a) employed and (b) on maternity leave in West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ivan Lewis The information requested is not held centrally. Justice Association of Electoral Administrators Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the recent meeting between his Department’s officials and the Association of Electoral Administrators at which holding a general election in the autumn was discussed. Bridget Prentice My officials hold regular meetings on an ongoing basis with the Association of Electoral Administrators at which a range of electoral issues are discussed. Such a meeting, which was pre-planned, took place in September. Issues surrounding the administration of elections were discussed at the meeting along with a variety of other issues. These meetings are informal in nature and minutes are not taken. Chelmsford Crown Court: Facilities Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what facilities are available at Chelmsford Crown court for (a) defendants, (b) families of defendants and (c) victims of crime; what such facilities were available in (i) 1996, (ii) 1998, (iii) 2001, (iv) 2005 and (v) 2006; what plans he has to improve facilities; what recent representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle Facilities available at Chelmsford Crown court are as follows: (a) Since March 2006, there has been a dedicated suite available for defendants on bail. (b) Rooms are not normally provided for families of defendants. However, where there are special circumstances, a lockable interview room is available and can be allocated for use by the families of defendants. (c) Since 1996, there have been three rooms available for victims of crime; the normal witness assembly room plus two other dedicated rooms for vulnerable witnesses or families of murder victims. Separately, during 2007, there have been representations on proposed new magistrates court buildings in Chelmsford both from a local Councillor and an MP. There are currently no plans to improve facilities at the Crown court. Chelmsford Prison Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) adults and (b) young offenders there are in Chelmsford Prison. Mr. Hanson At the end of October 2007, there were an estimated 370 adult offenders (aged 21 and over) and 180 young adult offenders (aged 18 to 20) detained in Chelmsford prison. These figures exclude individuals on remand awaiting trial. Information on the total number of prisoners in all prison establishments in England and Wales can be found at the website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/population-in-custody-oct07.pdf These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Christmas Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether it is his Department's policy to use (a) incandescent light bulbs and (b) LED lights for festive decorations on departmental premises. Maria Eagle The information is as follows: Ministry of Justice Headquarters Estate: The Corporate HQ Facilities M&E Contractor (ASEL) purchases lights for festive decoration across the CHQ Estate. The only festive lights ASEL have purchased are lights for the Christmas tree and there is currently no policy in place with regards to light bulb type. The overriding decision making process is governed by Health and Safety policy. In respect of the delivery Agencies of the Ministry of Justice (including NOMS, HMPS, HMCS and tribunals), these are matters that are left to local management, who are best placed to judge what is most appropriate for local circumstances. Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's policy is on the selection of (a) real and (b) artificial Christmas trees for his Department's festive decorations; and how real trees are disposed of. Maria Eagle There is currently no written policy in place for the selection of Christmas trees for the Corporate HQ Estate. However, the Corporate HQ Estate Christmas trees are sustainably sourced and recycled after use. The Corporate HQ Facilities Team organise for MJ Ferguson to purchase the trees from www.pinesandneedles.com. The trees are recycled at Cringle Dock Waste Management, which comes under Western Riverside Waste Authority (www.wrwa.gov.uk). Cringle Dock Waste Management has a special section for Christmas tree recycling. In respect of the delivery agencies of MoJ (including NOMS, HMPS, HMCS and tribunals), these are matters that are left to local management, who are best placed to judge what is most appropriate for local circumstances. They are, however, being advised to take advantage of the Woodland Trust's scheme for the sustainable disposal of Christmas trees. Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas cards and (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007. Maria Eagle This is the first year that an MoJ Christmas card has been produced by our print room. To date, 6,000 have been ordered at a cost of 34 pence each, totalling £2,040. These cards are not centrally funded, and each business area will cover the costs of the cards they have ordered from their stationery budgets. It is not possible to ascertain the specific postage costs relating to these Christmas cards, as all postage is accounted for as a whole, rather than broken down into separate components. The Department has a general policy where all post is sent out second class unless it is stated otherwise. Constituencies Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the timetable is for (a) interim reviews of parliamentary boundaries in particular parts of England and Wales and (b) the ratification of parliamentary boundaries for Northern Ireland constituencies. Bridget Prentice The decision to hold interim reviews of parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales, and the timing of such reviews, rests with the Boundary Commissions for England and Wales respectively, which are independent of Government. The Boundary Commissions for England and Wales will give notice of any interim reviews that they intend to carry out. The Boundary Commission for England is currently conducting an interim review of certain constituencies in Northamptonshire and Somerset. Local inquiries have recently been held in relation to the constituencies that are the subject of the review, and the Assistant Commissioners who conducted the inquiries will now prepare their reports for consideration by the Boundary Commission. I understand that the Boundary Commission has decided to suspend the interim review it had previously announced in Northumberland and Wiltshire. The Boundary Commission for Wales is currently carrying out an interim review of the parliamentary constituencies of Neath and Brecon and Radnorshire and I understand that it is expected to be completed shortly. The Boundary Commissions, once they have completed an interim review, will submit a report of their recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who will lay the report before Parliament together with a draft Order to give effect to the new boundaries, having allowed a reasonable period for consideration of the report, and, in particular, any representations that may be made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor in respect of specific recommendations. If agreed by Parliament, the report’s recommendations will come into force at the next general election. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to lay the recent report of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland before Parliament at the earliest opportunity with a draft of an Order in Council giving effect without modifications to the recommendations contained in the report. Again, if agreed by Parliament, the report’s recommendations will come into force at the next general election. Courts: Buildings Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to provide new court buildings in London; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle There are plans to provide new and renovated court buildings at four sites in the London region. Of these, the new Rolls Building in Fetter Lane, which will provide new court facilities for High Court work, the Supreme Court in Parliament Square and an extension to the Crown Court at Isleworth are in construction. A project to provide a new 10-courtroom magistrates court for the City of Westminster in Marylebone Road is in procurement. Courts: Colchester Bob Russell To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent progress has been made on the private finance initiative project for a new courthouse in Colchester; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle Work to finalise the outline business case for the Essex magistrates courts scheme, of which Colchester is a part, is being progressed as one of the priorities within the court building programme. This involves the evaluation of procurement routes, including private finance initiative, to ensure the selected route represents best value for money for the taxpayer. The outline business case is due to be completed early in 2008 and submitted for approval to proceed by the end of the financial year. Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Mr. Frank Field To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of successful claims from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme have been awarded to (a) private and (b) public sector workers in each of the last 10 years. Mr. Straw The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) records the occupation of claimants, when provided, under 18 broad categories of occupational type e.g. professional/managerial, clerical, skilled worker, student, unemployed, miscellaneous etc. But it does not ask or record whether they work in the private or public sector, since this information is not necessary for the purposes of determining claims. It is not possible therefore for CICA to provide the information requested. Crown Courts: Milton Keynes Mr. Lancaster To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to establish a Crown court in Milton Keynes. Maria Eagle There are currently no plans to establish a Crown court in Milton Keynes. However, in June 2007, the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, announced a major investment in building six new courts, of which a Crown court at Aylesbury was one. Data Protection Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the terms of reference are of the review into the way that personal information is shared between and protected by the public and private sector. Mr. Wills The terms of reference for the independent data sharing review being led by Richard Thomas and Dr. Mark Walport are: The review will consider whether there should be any changes to the way the Data Protection Act 1998 operates in the UK and the options for implementing any such changes. It will include recommendations on the powers and sanctions available to the regulator and courts in the legislation governing data sharing and data protection. It will also make recommendations on how data sharing policy should be developed in a way that ensures proper transparency, scrutiny and accountability. To inform its recommendations, the review panel will consult with: (a) the devolved Administrations (b) the European Commission (c) the academic and legal community and the media (d) representatives of the IT community and the private sector (e) a representative sample of Government departments and agencies with an interest in data sharing and privacy (f) other parties identified by the review team The recommendations will seek to take account of technological advances and strike a balance that ensures appropriate privacy and other safeguards for individuals and society, while enabling sharing information to protect the public, increasing transparency, enhancing public service delivery as well as taking into account the need to minimise the burden on business. Departmental Data Protection Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what reviews have been undertaken of his Department's rules on data protection in the last two years; if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the last review of his Department's compliance with data protection laws; and if (a) his Department and (b) his Department's agencies will undertake a review of their compliance with data protection laws. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS. My Department is reviewing the way it handles data alongside the work being carried out by the Cabinet Secretary which will be published in due course. Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies confidential data have been downloaded on to compact discs (i) without and (ii) with encryption in the last 12 month period for which figures are available; how many of those discs have been posted without using recorded or registered delivery; what procedures his Department has in place for the (A) transport, (B) exchange and (C) delivery of confidential or sensitive data; what records are kept of information held by his Department being sent outside the Department; what changes have been made to his Department's rules and procedures on data protection in the last two years; on how many occasions his Department's procedures and rules on data protection have been breached in the last five years; what those breaches were; what procedures his Department has in place on downloading confidential data on to computer discs before its transfer; what technical protections there are in his Department's computer systems to prevent access to information held on those systems which is not in accordance with departmental procedures; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each of his Department's rules and procedures on the protection of confidential data on individuals, businesses and other organisations. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS. No information is available on the number of times that confidential data has been downloaded onto compact discs. Downloading, transport, exchange and delivery of sensitive data, and the recording of these actions, is governed by agreed procedures in line with HM Government standards. My Department's main information systems have been designed to operate at a level of security that covers the requirements for handling personal information. There is no standard set of rules and procedures required for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. What is appropriate will depend on the circumstances and the nature of the personal data itself. Accordingly, data protection measures are specific to location, type and sensitivity of the data in question. There is no overarching set of rules and the Department follows HM Government procedures for assessing risks and establishing controls. Therefore the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The definition of ‘breach' in data protection rules and procedures can be broad. Depending on their nature, breaches by Government Departments of the Data Protection Act can be dealt with by the information commissioner, the courts or by Departments at an informal local level. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many employees of each grade in his Department (a) have access to confidential or sensitive data and (b) are authorised to download such data to disk; how many of his Department's employees have undergone data protection training in the last 12 months; what the average length of time is that each employee of (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies has spent on data protection training; how many investigations of employees of his Department for improperly accessing confidential information have taken place in the last 12 months; how many such investigations resulted in cases of disciplinary action; and what the circumstances of each of those cases were. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS. Like all Government Departments, mine provides training to members of staff. It is included in induction for new staff and ad hoc training events where a specific need exists. The information requested on data protection training at (i) and (ii), and for parts (a) and (b) of this question is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are no recorded instances of employees in my Department being investigated for improperly accessing confidential information in the last 12 months. Keith Vaz To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what procedures are in place in his Department to ensure that personal information relating to members of the public is (a) stored and (b) transported securely. Mr. Wills I refer my right hon. Friend to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. Our new DISC contract, which covers the main HQ, court and tribunal systems, covers security requirements, referring to HMG standards and ISO 17799 (and updates to both) and includes operating procedures covering the carriage of bulky protectively marked assets. Paper records, when no longer current, are stored in a secure archive. After no later than 30 years, they are reviewed and either transferred under controlled transport arrangements to the National Archive or destroyed. Mr. Walker To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department's information technology and data management systems are BS7799 compliant. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. All Government Departments are required to ensure that their information technology and data management systems meet the Government standard (known as HMG Infosec Standard 2) which is aligned to BS7799. All MoJ systems comply with the government standard, and are therefore BS7799 compliant. Mr. Vara To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions the Information Commissioner was contacted by his Department to report breaches of data protection security in each of the last five years. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments’ procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. My Department does not maintain a central record of breaches of data protection security reported to the Information Commissioner. However, in the last year, I can say that my Department has reported three potential breaches to his office. The Information Commissioner’s office does not keep records of referrals referenced by Department. The information requested about the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Vara To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many breaches of data protection security there were in (a) his Department and (b) his Department’s agencies in each of the last five years; and if he will provide details of each breach. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments’ procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. Depending on their nature, breaches by my Department of the Data Protection Act 1998 can be dealt with by the Information Commissioner, the courts or by my Department at an informal local level. The information requested about the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in the last year, I can say that my Department has reported three potential breaches to the Information Commissioner’s office. Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he proposes to review how his Department transports data; and whether his Department uses TNT to transport data. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. The review will include data transport arrangements. We use TNT as the provider of an archive service for paper records. This is an MoD contract that provides a secure storage facility and is used by MoJ Headquarters, the courts, some tribunals and the prison service. After no later than 30 years, records are reviewed and either transferred under controlled arrangements to the National Archive or destroyed. Business units select a delivery firm to take records to the Archive and there is a tight security control to ensure all records are accounted for. TNT are only involved in transport if business units have requested old records back or when they are being returned to our Records Management Service for review. Jo Swinson To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many confirmed security breaches of databases controlled by his Department occurred in each of the last five years; whether the breach resulted from internal or external action in each case; how many records were compromised on each occasion; and what estimate was made of the total number of records accessible to the individuals concerned. Mr. Wills A small number of incidents have been investigated and no security breach involving loss of information from the Department was found to have occurred. Departmental Employment Agencies Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff aged between 16 and 18 were employed by his Department and its predecessor (a) directly and (b) through an employment agency in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of these were given time off work to undertake some form of training; and what proportion were provided with some form of training (i) wholly and (ii) partially funded by his Department. Maria Eagle There are no central figures available based on the age of staff undertaking training and figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Justice promotes a range of further education and skills development for all our staff, irrespective of age, and is committed to equality of opportunity for all. Departmental Parliamentary Questions Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff work in his Department's parliamentary branch; and what proportion of their time is spent on dealing with (a) parliamentary questions and (b) correspondence from hon. Members and peers. Maria Eagle Within the Ministry of Justice there are eight members of staff in the parliamentary branch of which four work solely on parliamentary questions. The correspondence from hon. Members and peers is dealt with by the Ministerial Correspondence Unit of which five work solely on their correspondence. Departmental Postal Services Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many items of post sent by his Department and its predecessor were reported missing by the intended recipient in each year since 1997. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS. The Ministry of Justice and its predecessor have no record of any items of post having been reported missing since 1997. Departmental Telephone Services Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which telephone contact centres are the responsibility of his Department; what mechanisms are in place to monitor their effectiveness; and how many people have been employed in each of those centres in each year since they were established. Maria Eagle The Ministry of Justice funds the following helpline and telephone contact centres, listed in the table, with staffing figures for the last two years: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Last year (full-time equivalent)|This year (full-time equivalent)| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Community Legal Advice (CLA) |100.5 |179.4 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Debtline |62 |88 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Duty Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) (headcount) |79 |162 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Criminal Defence Service Direct (CDS) (headcount) |40 |46 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Mediation Helpline |5 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Prisoners Abroad |4 |4 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NACRO Resettlement Helpline (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) |5 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) |3.95 |4.25 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The National Archives |n/a |4.6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sentence Calculation |2 |2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Home Detention and Curfew and Release on Temporary Licence |2.25 |2.25 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Family Mediation Helpline |2 |2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Victims Helpline |0.2 |0.2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The Information Commissioners Office Helplines (ICO)1 |222 |222 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |n/a - not available at this time.1 The Ministry of Justice provides a grant in aid for the ICO’s Freedom of Information (FOI) responsibilities. The ICO maintains two helplines (which cover their data protection and FOI responsibilities), of which they are responsible for monitoring the performance and effectiveness. Performance figures are passed on to the Ministry of Justice for information. It was not possible to accurately separate staff figures specifically for the helplines.2 approx.Note:Information that is not available at this time will be provided in due course.| | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to these, the Department will be funding the Prisoners’ Families Helpline for 2008-09 and also plans to launch the Mubarak Trust Helpline as a pilot scheme in Feltham next year. There are a variety of mechanisms in place across the Department with which Ministers monitor the telephone contact centres’ effectiveness. For example, CLA is operated by the Legal Services Commission which is established by the Access to Justice Act 1999. Others are operated by their policy teams under service level agreements. We are currently surveying high level information on helplines funded by all Government Departments (as a distinct subset of contact centres), for the purpose of exploring the scope for greater co-ordination. We intend to publish aggregate information on the data collated and analysed in spring 2008. Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department collects and monitors in relation to the telephone contact centres for which his Department is responsible. Maria Eagle At present, my Department collects a wide variety of information on the telephone contact centres it funds for the purpose of monitoring performance. Further information is given in answer to another question from the hon. Member. The Ministry of Justice has recently launched an online survey for all publicly funded helplines across Government. This collects high level information such as annual cost, funding, staff numbers and pay, opening hours and co-ordination with other helplines. All helplines funded by the Department have completed the survey. The Contact Council is also collecting more detailed information from all contact centres, measuring their performance and effectiveness against 26 set indicators. These initiatives will result in increased standardisation in the information collected to monitor performance of telephone contact centres. Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much each telephone contact centre for which his Department is responsible has (a) cost and (b) generated in income in each financial year since their establishment. Maria Eagle The following table shows the cost of each helpline and telephone contact centre that the Ministry of Justice funds for the latest available years in each case: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2005-06 |2006-07 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Community Legal Advice (CLA) |5,439,163 |9,562,564 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Debtline |3,539,432 |3,972,448 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Duty Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) |2,818,000 |3,096,136 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Criminal Defence Service Direct (CDS) |534,000 |1,369,943 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Mediation Helpline |75,998 |43,147 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Prisoners Abroad |1,009,000 |1,009,000 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NACRO Resettlement Helpline (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders') |277,842 |284,788 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority |180,000 |188,000 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The National Archives |Not available at this time. |140,388 (approx based on one quarter)| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sentence Calculation |190,100 |190,100 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Home Detention and Curfew and Release on Temporary Licence |176,375 |176,375 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Family Mediation Helpline |Not available at this time. |57,428 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Victims Helpline |13,325 |13,325 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The Information Commissioners Office Helplines |2No direct information available|2No direct information available | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 These costs relate to in-house telephone helplines and are therefore an estimate of staff costs.2 The Ministry of Justice provides a grant in aid for the ICO's Freedom of Information (FOI) responsibilities. The ICO maintains two helplines which cover the ICO's data protection and FOI responsibilities. It was not possible to separate cost figures specifically for the helplines.| | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The National Debtline and NACRO are the only telephone contact centres that have a generated income. The following table shows these figures: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2005-06|2006-07| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Debtline |323,548|592,432| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NACRO Resettlement Helpline (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders)|23,727 |5,724 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detention Centres: Children Mr. Kidney To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the longest period is for which a child under 16 has been detained in (a) prison awaiting trial and (b) an immigration detention centre awaiting a decision on their asylum status in the last 10 years. Mr. Hanson The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only by examining the time each child under 16 has spent on remand and in an immigration centre awaiting a decision on their asylum status at a disproportionate cost. Domestic Violence Mr. Jim Cunningham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government has taken to increase conviction rates for domestic violence. Mr. Coaker [holding answer 13 December 2007]: I have been asked to reply. The National Delivery Plan for Domestic Violence has an objective to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence. This objective includes actions to increase reporting, arrests and conviction rates for domestic violence. Specific actions undertaken to increase the conviction rates for domestic violence include: The continued expansion of the Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) Programme. From April this year, 64 SDVCs are operational, with more planned which will bring the total to over 100. Guidance and training is being rolled out to all police officers and Crown prosecutors to improve investigations and increase successful prosecutions for domestic violence. Domestic Violence Co-ordinators have been identified in all police force and Crown Prosecution Service areas to co-ordinate individual agencies’ responses to domestic violence. Funding has been made available for Independent Domestic Violence Advisers, whose involvement with victims of domestic violence has been shown to reduce the number of victims unwilling to support a prosecution. These steps are having a positive effect: successful prosecutions for domestic violence cases rose from 46 per cent. in a December 2003 ‘snapshot’ to 65 per cent. during the whole of 2006-07, exceeding the target of 64 per cent. By September 2007, successful prosecutions had reached 68 per cent. Driving Under the Influence Mr. Jamie Reed To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many road accidents in Copeland resulted in prosecutions for driving under the influence of alcohol in each year since 1997. Maria Eagle Information on road accidents is a matter for the Department for Transport. The information on prosecutions held centrally by my Department does not identify the circumstances of cases and therefore, in the case of drink driving offences, whether an accident was involved. The only case information captured for such prosecutions, apart from the court results for individual offences, is the age and gender of the defendant. Elections Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to undertake further electoral innovation pilot schemes in the 2008 (a) local and (b) Greater London Authority elections. Mr. Wills It is not intended to undertake electoral innovation pilot schemes in the 2008 (a) local and (b) Greater London Authority elections. However, the Government remain committed to exploring the use of technology to modernise aspects of the electoral process, including to make it more accessible. Elections: Supermarkets Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment has been made of the consequences for retail competition policy of voting pilots in supermarkets. Mr. Wills Advance voting in retail venues was piloted in Swindon borough council at the May 2007 local elections. They were also used by three local authorities at the May 2006 local elections. These were in the London borough of Lewisham, Rushmoor borough council and Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council. Voting however has not taken place inside supermarkets although mobile polling stations for advance voting were located in two supermarket car parks in the 2006 Lewisham pilot. No assessment will be made of the consequences for retail competition policy of voting pilots in supermarkets until there is an intention to extend such pilots more widely. Electoral Systems Mr. Laws To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to publish the review of electoral systems; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Wills The Government have completed a review of the experience of the voting systems introduced in the United Kingdom since 1997 and are making the review ready for publication as soon as possible. European Convention on Access to Official Documents Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what differences there are between the requirements of the Council of Europe's draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to public authorities in the UK. Mr. Wills The Government welcome the work that has been carried out by the Group of Specialists on Access to Official Documents in drawing up a draft convention. The Government are keen that there should be a robust convention along the lines of the Freedom of Information Act. The draft convention lays down principles relating to access, whereas the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sets out the detailed provisions of the access regime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In relation to coverage of public authorities the scope of the convention is broadly the same as the Freedom of Information Act, where it will be open to parties to the convention to broaden the definition of “public authorities” beyond an obligatory minimum standard. The Government are currently seeking views on whether to use the powers under section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act and extend the coverage of the Act and if so, which organisations it should consider. The Group of Specialists will meet again in February 2008 to develop a draft Explanatory Memorandum. Fixed Penalties Shona McIsaac To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many fixed penalty notices for disorder were issued by Humberside police in each year since their introduction, broken down by category. Maria Eagle Information on the number of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) issued in Humberside, by offence, from 2004 to 2006 is provided in the following table. The PND scheme was extended to all 43 police forces in England and Wales in 2004. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Offence description |2004 |2005 |2006 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Higher tier offences | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Wasting police time |12 |32 |76 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Misuse of public telecommunications system |5 |2 |22 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority |1 |— |2 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Causing harassment, alarm or distress |928 |1,957|2,306| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Throwing fireworks |2 |5 |14 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Drunk and disorderly |604 |679 |1,003| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Sale of alcohol to under 182 |2 |45 |48 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Purchasing alcohol for under 182 |— |2 |13 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Purchasing alcohol for under 18 for consumption on premises |— |1 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Delivery of alcohol to under 182 |— |1 |4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Criminal Damage (under £500)2 |16 |182 |719 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Theft (retail under 200)2 |14 |329 |1,221| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Breach of fireworks curfew3 |— |1 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Possession of category 4 firework3 |— |1 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework3 |— |3 |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Sale of alcohol to drunken person4 |n/a |— |. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Supply of alcohol to person under 18 |n/a |— |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Lower tier offences | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Trespass on a railway |— |1 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Throwing stones at a train/railway |2 |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Drunk in a highway |1 |5 |13 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Consumption of alcohol in public place |7 |8 |30 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Depositing and leaving litter |2 |6 |15 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on licensed premises2 |— |4 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Allowing consumption of alcohol for under 182 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Buying alcohol by under 184 |n/a |1 |2 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |1,596|3,265|5,490| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |n/a= Not applicable. 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 the 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 added with effect from 1 November 2004. 3 Offence added with effect from 11 October 2004. 4 Offence added with effect from 4 April 2005.| | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fraud: Elections Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the timetable is for the full implementation of provisions on requiring signatures in polling stations. Bridget Prentice The Government have previously explained that they intend to bring forward primary legislation to provide a clear requirement for electors in polling stations to sign for their ballot paper, and for the ballot paper to be withheld should an elector refuse to sign. We will bring forward such legislation when parliamentary time allows. Freedom of Information Act 2000 Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department, or the former Department for Constitutional Affairs, provided on the maximum amount of time a public authority can take to assess the public interest when responding to a validly constituted Freedom of Information request. Mr. Wills Guidance provided by my Department for Freedom of Information practitioners states that any additional time taken in responding to a request to assess the public interest must be “realistic and reasonable in the circumstances of the particular case”. The guidance can be found in full in the Procedural guidance on our website: http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/proguide/chap06.htm Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will use his powers to designate regional chambers as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Mr. Wills The Government are currently consulting on extending the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act to those bodies that carry out the function of a public nature and to contractors who provide services which are a function of that public authority. This consultation paper can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp2707.htm This consultation will conclude on 1 February 2008. Following analysis of the responses, the Government will decide whether to make a section 5 order and, if so which bodies to consult about whether they, or organisations they represent, should be brought within the ambit of the Act. My Department will consider the case for regional chambers as part of the consultation process. High Court: Birmingham Mr. Grieve To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to reply to the letter of 3 November from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield on a permanent high court in Birmingham. Mr. Straw I replied to the hon. Member on 10 December. Hollesley Bay Prison: Prisoners Escape Mr. Gummer To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how long on average prisoners who have absconded from HM Prison Hollesley Bay in the last six years have been at large. Maria Eagle Statistics are not available for the year 2002-03. The figures in the following table relate to the average number of days from abscond to recapture of those determinate sentence prisoners who absconded from Hollesley Bay in each of the past five years up to the end of September 2007. Averages such as these can be heavily skewed by one or two prisoners remaining at large for long periods. For example in 2003-04, four absconds were caught the day they absconded, and in total 28 were recaptured within a month. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Average time at large| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |43 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |50 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |78 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |67 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007-08 (end September)1 |18 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Figures recorded for 2007-08 are provisional and subject to change.| | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Housing: Carbon Emissions Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what records the Land Registry keeps of the number and location of zero carbon homes. Mr. Wills Her Majesty’s Land Registry does not hold any records relating to zero carbon rating homes. The strategy to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016 comes under the jurisdiction of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs may collate statistics relating to homes qualifying for zero carbon tax relief through the monitoring of stamp duty land tax, following the introduction of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) Regulations on 7 December 2007. Immigration Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding has been allocated to Lord Goldsmith’s citizenship review. Mr. Wills The allocated funding for Lord Goldsmith’s citizenship review is £200,000 excluding staff costs. Lord Goldsmith is not receiving any remuneration for undertaking this review. Land Registry Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons the Land Registry is introducing new triggers to require compulsory land registration. Mr. Wills Section 5 of the Land Registration Act 2002 confers power on the Lord Chancellor, exercisable by statutory instrument, to prescribe additional events that trigger compulsory first registration of title to land. Land Registry has recently issued a consultation paper, on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, seeking views on the introduction of two new trigger events, aimed at making further progress towards a comprehensive land register. The events proposed are the appointment of a new trustee and the partition of land among trust beneficiaries. The consultation period runs from 19 November 2007 to 29 February 2008. No decision will be made about the introduction of new triggers until all responses to the consultation have been evaluated. Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Land Registry is taking to prevent the online register from being (a) abused and (b) accessed illegally. Mr. Wills Land Registry constantly keeps such matters under review and is continuously reviewing the security control and access restrictions in place for its internal and external online systems. Land Registry withdrew access to documents available electronically via Land Registry Online on 5 November 2007 and believes this to be a positive step that will help to alleviate the risk of misuse. It would be inappropriate to give details of the specific measures Land Registry has in place to combat abuse and illegal access or those it is considering introducing. Land Registry does have in place a robust anti-fraud strategy and all measures in place are regularly reviewed and revised, with a view to strengthening the protection they provide. Land Registry is working with the police and other organisations to refine its strategy and to develop its expertise in this area. Land Registry Direct Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether (a) HM Revenue and Customs, (b) the Valuation Office Agency and (c) the Valuation and Lands Agency are business users of the Land Registry Direct service. Mr. Wills Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Valuation Office Agency have business user accounts with Land Registry Direct. The Valuation and Lands Agency does not. Legal Advice Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to increase funding allocated to legal advice for travellers on planning issues. Maria Eagle The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has no plans to do so. Legal Aid Scheme: ICT Mr. Dunne To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the value is of the IT contract for a new online reporting system for legal aid claims by solicitors; (2) which company was awarded the contract to supply a new online reporting system for legal aid claims by solicitors; (3) whether the online reporting system for legal aid claims by solicitors is operational. Maria Eagle I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) on 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1260W. Legal Aid: Hercules Aircraft Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) who informed the press that the Australian Government would be paying the legal expenses of Kellie Merritt at the forthcoming inquest into deaths of service personnel on the Hercules aircraft shot down in Iraq; (2) if he will make it his policy to provide legal aid and assistance to the British families at the forthcoming inquest into the deaths of personnel on the Hercules aircraft shot down in Iraq. Maria Eagle Representation at inquests is outside of the usual scope of the legal aid scheme as set out in the Access to Justice Act 1999 and other documents laid before Parliament. However, it can be made available in exceptional circumstances. There are published criteria that help determine whether a case is exceptional. Applications for exceptional funding must first be made to the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The Ministry understands that applications, in relation to the inquests into the deaths of personnel on the Hercules XV179 shot down in Iraq in January 2005, are currently being considered by the LSC. Only where the LSC considers that the exceptional criteria are met will the applications be passed to the Ministry of Justice for final determination. The Government have not advised the press about any representation of other parties at those inquests. Legal Services Commission Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what payments have been made by (a) his Department and its predecessor and (b) the Legal Services Commission to the Community Legal Partnership in each of the last four years. Maria Eagle The following table gives the payments made by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to the Community Law Partnership. The LSC has no dealings with the Community Legal Partnership. ------------------- | |£ | ------------------- |2003-04|855,972 | ------------------- |2004-05|786,335 | ------------------- |2005-06|803,878 | ------------------- |2006-07|1,049,085| ------------------- Members' Correspondence Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many letters his Department and its predecessors received from hon. Members and Peers in each session of Parliament since 1997. Bridget Prentice The information, which is also available in the Library of the House, is listed as follows. --------------------------------------------------------- |Calendar year|Number of letters received from MPs/Peers| --------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |2,458 | --------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |2,672 | --------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |2,038 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |1,844 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |1,737 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |2,577 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |2,746 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |3,516 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |3,179 | --------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |3,524 | --------------------------------------------------------- The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’ and Peers’ correspondence. Information relating to 2007 will be published as soon as it has been collated. Minimum Wage Jon Trickett To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many London-based staff are employed by his Department on the national minimum wage. Mr. Wills No member of staff employed by the Ministry of Justice in London is paid on (or below) the national minimum wage. Ministerial Duties: Public Sector Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which Minister has responsibility for public sector information. Mr. Wills I am the Minister responsible for the Office of Public Sector Information. The Department for Constitutional Affairs, the predecessor to the Ministry of Justice, took over responsibility for public sector information from the Cabinet Office on 31 October 2006. New Hall Young Offenders Institution: Injuries Dr. Vis To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what injuries were incurred by girls held in New Hall Young Offenders Institution during control and restraint in each month in (a) 2006 and (b) 2007. Maria Eagle There were two control and restraint incidents at New Hall that led to injuries, as follows: January 2006—sore right wrist; and February 2007—mark on left hand side of face. Offenders: Crimes of Violence Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners are serving indeterminate sentences for public protection for (a) sexual assault, (b) sexual assault against a child, (c) sexual activity with a child and (d) arson. Mr. Hanson A research study into prisoners received into prisons in England and Wales under Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPP) between April 2005 and March 2006, showed that (a) 13 offenders were given an IPP for sexual assault, (b) 14 offenders were given an IPP for sexual assault of a child under 13, (c) 14 offenders were given an IPP for sexual activity with a child and (d) 44 offenders were given an IPP for arson. These figures were published in chapter 11 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2005, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems and data returns from prison establishments which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Personal Records: Data Protection Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken to protect the personal data on members of the public which it holds. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published on 17 December by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement, column 98WS. The Ministry of Justice has procedures and guidance covering security, information security and data protection designed to identify and control the risk of the unauthorised release of personal data taking place. They include: Ensuring our sites are physically secure and protected from unauthorised access; Ensuring our employees are reliable through checks on background; Providing guidance to staff on general security with separate guidance on IT security and data protection issues; Procedures for assessing IT systems; We also have systems for monitoring and checking compliance. These policies and procedures extend to our contracted IT suppliers. Political Parties: Finance Mr. Tyrie To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings he has held on party funding with Mr. Peter Watt in the last 12 months. Mr. Straw In my capacity as Secretary of State for Justice I have not held any meetings in the last 12 months with Mr. Peter Watt on party funding. I have furthermore met with Mr. Peter Watt several times in my capacity as one of my party's representatives at the cross party talks. Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answers of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 515W, on political parties: finance, if he will place in the Library copies of the Inter-Party Talks’ minutes and background papers which are classed as held by his Department for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act. Mr. Straw Some information, consisting of papers for the parties to the talks and minutes of the talks, was shared with the Ministry of Justice and is for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act held by my Department. I am not releasing this information at this time because it was provided in confidence. Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 524W, on trade unions, whether the funding of political parties was discussed on any of the six occasions. Mr. Straw In my capacity as Secretary of State, I have not held any meetings with trade unions specifically to discuss the funding of political parties. I have furthermore had such meetings as one of my party’s representatives on the cross party talks. At the meetings referred to in my answer of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 524W, a variety of topics were discussed. Party funding was not on the agenda for any of these meetings but my recollection is that I did touch on the issue informally with representatives of trade unions affiliated to the Labour party at one or other of these meetings, as they were breaking up, and without officials. Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings and discussions he has had with Sir Hayden Phillips and his representatives on electoral law on donations to political parties. Mr. Straw I have met with Sir Hayden Phillips several times in my capacity as one of my party’s representatives at the cross party talks led by Sir Hayden and spoken to him on the telephone from time to time though the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that as Sir Hayden’s review was established by Her Majesty’s Government, it is not possible to wholly separate its role from that of the Secretary of State. I have not however had any meetings with Sir Hayden in either capacity since June 2007 other than at the cross party talks. Prison Service Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many temporary promotions have been authorised by the Deputy Director General of HM Prison Service in each of the years since he took the appointment as (a) Deputy Director General and (b) Director of Operations; what the reasons for approving each were; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Hanson The Director of Operations authorised the following temporary promotions as set out in the table. He has not authorised any temporary promotions as Deputy Director General. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Date |Number of temporary promotions|Reason | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |November 2003|One |New post pending permanent recruitment| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |January 2006 |Two |To cover maternity leave | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |October 2006 |One |New post pending permanent recruitment| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will reinstate purposeful activity as a key performance indicator in the Prison Service. Maria Eagle There are no current plans to reinstate purposeful activity as a key performance indicator (KPI). Purposeful activity ceased to be a KPI in 2004-05 because Ministers agreed that KPIs introduced in respect of education, rehabilitation and resettlement, provide a much better demonstration of the efforts to equip prisoners to be less likely to offend on release. Purposeful activity remains an establishment key performance target and performance is regularly monitored by operational managers. Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many investigations by the prisons and probation ombudsman have been assisted by the lead investigator for the Tasker inquiry; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle The lead investigator for the Tasker inquiry has assisted in a total of 13 investigations by the prisons and probation ombudsman which were carried out during 2005 and 2006. Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inquiries into deaths in custody by the prisons and probation ombudsman have been (a) led and (b) assisted by the lead investigator for the Tasker inquiry since the inquiry was established; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle Since the Tasker inquiry was established, its lead investigator has been employed to complete an investigation into one death in custody on behalf of the prisons and probation ombudsman. The investigation had been started by one of the ombudsman's investigative staff who had subsequently had to take long-term sick leave. Additionally, the lead investigator to the Tasker inquiry has been involved in follow up work to some other investigations which took place prior to the Tasker inquiry being established. Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether those conducting investigations for the prisons and probation ombudsman may also conduct investigations on behalf of HM Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle Staff who are in the direct employment of the office of the prisons and probation ombudsman do not conduct investigations on behalf of HM Prison Service. A number of self-employed investigators are retained by the office and are occasionally called upon to carry out investigations in periods when staff resources are stretched. They are free to enter into other employment when they are not doing work for the office of the prisons and probation ombudsman. Prison Service: Sick Leave Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 16 May 2007, Official Report, column 787W, on prison service: sick leave, how many staff are currently off work sick in HM Prison Service with stress; how many staff were off work sick with stress for a period of (a) less than one week, (b) between one and two weeks, (c) between two weeks and a month, (d) between one and two months, (e) between two and three months, (f) between three and four months, (g) between four and five months, (h) between five and six months and (i) more than six months in the last two years; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle The information requested is as follows: Public Sector Prison Service At the latest date that figures are available (30 November 2007) there were 465 staff absent from the public sector Prison Service for reasons classified as ‘Mental and Behavioural Disorders’ - predominately stress related. Information on the number of cases of ‘Mental and Behavioural’ absences by length of absence over the last two complete years is shown in the following table. The information refers to all stress related absences, whether they were work-related or not. The average total workforce during this period was 48,817 and therefore the current number absent due to ‘Mental and Behavioural Disorders’ is less than 1 per cent. of total workforce. -------------------------- |Length of absence |Cases| -------------------------- |< 1 week |1,243| -------------------------- |1 to 2 weeks |732 | -------------------------- |2 weeks to 1 month|1,532| -------------------------- |1 to 2 months |1,238| -------------------------- |2 to 3 months |707 | -------------------------- |3 to 4 months |433 | -------------------------- |4 to 5 months |320 | -------------------------- |5 to 6 months |243 | -------------------------- |More than 6 months|551 | -------------------------- Contracted Prisons HMP and YOI Parc has reported that no staff are currently absent due to stress. No other contracted establishments have reported information on the number of current absentees. Information from the contracted estate is contained in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Length of Absence |Cases1| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |< 1 week |9 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 to 2 weeks |8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2 weeks to 1 month |15 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 to 2 months |11 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2 to 3 months |10 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |3 to 4 months |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |4 to 5 months |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |5 to 6 months |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |More than 6 months |8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Information has been provided for four contracted prisons: Parc, Altcourse, Rye Hill and Wolds. No information has been supplied for: Ashfield, Bronzefield, Dovegate, Doncaster, Forest Bank, Lowdham Grange and Peterborough.| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prisoner Escapes Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners absconded from each (a) prison and (b) young offender institution in London in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Hanson The number of incidents of prisoners absconding from prisons in the London area in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table. This information is also available for all prisons at the Prison Service website www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Establishment |1997-98|1998-99|1999-2000|2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07|Total| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Belmarsh |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Brixton |0 |1 |1 |1 |0 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |5 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Bronzefield |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMYOI Feltham |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Holloway |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Latchmere House|2 |0 |0 |1 |2 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Pentonville |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Wandsworth |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |2 |3 |0 |0 |0 |6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HMP Wormwood Scrubs|0 |1 |0 |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |3 |2 |1 |4 |3 |4 |5 |1 |0 |0 |23 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prisoners Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of all released prisoners were reconvicted for further offences committed in the first 18 days after release in the last year for which data are available. Mr. Hanson Reoffending rates for 18 days following release from prison are not routinely calculated. Reoffending rates have historically been calculated over a two year period and the most recent figures for adults released from prison in England and Wales are shown in the table. Two year reoffending rates of adults released from prison, based on the first quarter of each year ------------------------------------ | |Reoffending rate (percentage)| ------------------------------------ |2000|64.8 | ------------------------------------ |2002|67.4 | ------------------------------------ |2003|65.8 | ------------------------------------ |2004|64.7 | ------------------------------------ Reoffending rates by month of re-offence are illustrated in figure 3 of “Re-offending of Adults: results from the 2004 cohort” publication. This information is currently not available for prison discharges only. This publication be can be found online at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0607.pdf Prisoners Transfers Lady Hermon To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2007, Official Report, columns 1259-60W, for what offences the 11 prisoners transferred to prisons in England and Wales from prisons in Northern Ireland since 2000 were serving sentences; and what the grounds for transfer were. Mr. Hanson The transfer of prisoners between UK jurisdictions is governed by schedule 1 to the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Each application is assessed on its individual merits, taking into consideration: (i) the purpose for which the transfer is requested; (ii) whether the prisoner was ordinarily resident in the jurisdiction to which transfer is sought prior to the imposition of the current sentence; or whether members of the prisoner's close family are resident in that jurisdiction and there are reasonable grounds for believing that the prisoner will receive regular visits from them; or whether the prisoner has demonstrated through preparations that he has made for his life following release from prison that he intends to reside in the receiving jurisdiction upon release and he is in the later stages of his sentence; (iii) whether there are grounds for believing that the prisoner may disrupt or attempt to disrupt any prison establishment, or pose an unacceptable risk to security; and (iv) any compelling or compassionate circumstances. The application of each prisoner transferred from Northern Ireland since 2000 met one of the conditions for transfer set out. Information on the offences committed by each of the prisoners is not centrally held. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available. Prisoners: Deportation Damian Green To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment his Department has made of the number of foreign national prisoners who will qualify under the exemptions contained in the UK Borders Act 2007 from automatic deportation expressed as a percentage of foreign national prisoners in the prison and immigration removal estate. Mr. Byrne I have been asked to reply. I am advised that based on our experience of deportations appeals and immigration cases currently subject to the non-suspensive appeals process, we are confident that most individuals subject to the new legislation will not fall within one of the exemptions. Prisoners: Diets Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will eliminate fast and convenience foods from the diets of those in custody in (a) prisons and (b) young offenders' institutions; and if he will provide supplements aimed at improving behaviour, concentration and health into such diets. Maria Eagle The 2006 National Audit Office report HM Prison Service Serving Time: Prisoner Diet and Exercise noted that on the whole food offered to prisoners is in line with the Government's recommendations on healthy eating. Research into the effect on behaviour of nutritional supplements is planned to take place in two young offender institutions. Prisoners: Drugs Nia Griffith To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people who have served jail sentences for drug related offences later re-offended in the latest period for which figures are available. Mr. Hanson Information is not available on re-offending by offenders released from prison having been convicted of drug offences. The most recently published adult re-offending figures ("Re-offending of Adults: Results from the 2004 Cohort") cover offenders released from prison and offenders commencing community sentences in England and Wales in the first quarter of 2004. Of those who were convicted of offences relating to the import, export, production or supply of drugs, 31.4 per cent. re-offended within two years. For drug possession and small scale supply offences this figure was 48.2 per cent. These numbers relate to specific drugs offences only (including the possession and supply of drugs) and not to other offences (such as those involving acquisitive crime) which may be related to drugs issues of the offender. Nia Griffith To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what proportion of those persons serving community service sentences are doing so for drug-related offences; (2) how many people are serving community service sentences for drug-related offences. Mr. Hanson On 30 June 2007, there were 5,470 persons (rounded to nearest 10) being supervised by the probation service under community sentences given for drugs offences. This represents some 5 per cent. of all persons being supervised under community sentences on that date. These numbers relate to specific drugs offences only (including the possession and supply of drugs) and not to other offences (such as those involving acquisitive crime) which may be related to drugs issues of the offender. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Nia Griffith To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what proportion of those persons on remand are on remand for drug-related offences; (2) how many people are on remand for drug-related offences; (3) what proportion of those persons serving jail sentences are doing so for drug-related offences; (4) how many people are serving jail sentences for drug-related offences. Mr. Hanson At the end of October 2007 there were 12,996 prisoners being held on remand in all prison establishments in England and Wales, of which 1,874 were for drug offences, or 14 per cent. At the end of October 2007 there were 66,477 prisoners serving sentences in all prison establishments in England and Wales of which 10,526 were for drug offences, or 16 per cent.. This information is obtainable from the Population in Custody Monthly Tables at the website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/population-in-custody-oct07.pdf These numbers relate to specific drugs offences only (including the possession and supply of drugs) and not to other offences (such as those involving acquisitive crime) which may be related to drugs issues of the offender. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to combat the circulation and possession of illegal drugs in Chelmsford prison; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle HMP/YOI Chelmsford is taking many steps to tackle the supply of drugs including searching, perimeter security and close liaison with other agencies. It would not be appropriate for operational reasons to give details of the strategies currently in place. Prisoners: Employment Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will introduce a key performance indicator target for prison establishments to provide a full working day for prisoners. Maria Eagle There are no plans to introduce a KPI to measure a full working day for prisoners. Currently, the Prison Service has KPIs for offending behaviour, drug treatment and employment and accommodation on release. These measures reflect the key work of the Prison Service in making prisoners less likely to reoffend. Prisoners: Foreigners Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection for an offence of rape or attempted rape have a tariff of (a) under two years, (b) two years or more but less than four years and (c) four years or more. Mr. Hanson A research study into prisoners received into prisons in England and Wales under Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPP) between April 2005 and March 2006 found that 46 IPPs had been given for rape or attempted rape. Of these 46, two had a tariff of under two years; 21 had a tariff of two years to less than four years; and 20 had a four year plus tariff (tariff details were not provided for the remaining three). These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems and data returns from prison establishments which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Prisoners: Mentoring Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans the Government have to expand the role of mentoring in helping prisoners develop employable skills. Mr. Hanson In December 2006, the Government set out in the document ‘Reducing Re-offending through Skills and Employment: Next Steps’ their plans for improving the skills and employment outcomes for all offenders in custody and in the community. A key element of this plan involves engaging employers to work with offenders and ex-offenders. Many employers offer training programmes which not only teach vocational skills but also involve mentoring in order to develop softer skills and improve employability. These softer skills include job searching, CV preparation, interview techniques and customer service. Mentoring is also a vital service offered by voluntary and community sector organisations. There are several projects running across the country where these organisations work in partnership with Probation Boards, the Prison Service and the regional government offices to remove barriers to employment for offenders, including via mentoring on release from custody. The Government's aim is to facilitate the sharing of good practice and lessons learnt from all the above examples of mentoring to encourage further and wider use of the methods which are proven to work best in improving skills and employability of offenders. Prisoners: Police Custody Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were held in police cells in each police force area in each of the last five years; and at what estimated cost in each year. [Official Report, 20 February 2008, Vol. 472, c. 8MC.] Mr. Hanson Prisoners are either held in police cells under Operation Safeguard or as ad-hoc "lockouts". Operation Safeguard was used in 2006 and 2007. Table 1 shows the number of occasions on which prisoners have been held in police cells under Operation Safeguard in each police force area in England and Wales in 2006 and 2007. (One occasion is defined as one prisoner night spent in a police cell.) -------------------------------- |Police force area |2006 |2007 | -------------------------------- |Avon and Somerset |0 |132 | -------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |0 |389 | -------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |212 |1,157| -------------------------------- |Cheshire |103 |4,038| -------------------------------- |Cleveland |0 |4 | -------------------------------- |Cumbria |0 |318 | -------------------------------- |Derbyshire |113 |439 | -------------------------------- |Devon and Cornwall|38 |1,803| -------------------------------- |Dorset |71 |355 | -------------------------------- |Durham |42 |1,090| -------------------------------- |Dyfed Powys |1 |615 | -------------------------------- |Essex |1,009|3,963| -------------------------------- |Gloucestershire |0 |17 | -------------------------------- |Greater Manchester|15 |2,800| -------------------------------- |Gwent |0 |839 | -------------------------------- |Hampshire |65 |1,384| -------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |40 |1,170| -------------------------------- |Humberside |0 |84 | -------------------------------- |Kent |335 |3,292| -------------------------------- |Lancashire |0 |1,636| -------------------------------- |Leicestershire |0 |2,689| -------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |168 |1,446| -------------------------------- |Merseyside |196 |165 | -------------------------------- |Metropolitan |333 |9,799| -------------------------------- |Norfolk |0 |20 | -------------------------------- |North Wales |14 |1,619| -------------------------------- |North Yorkshire |0 |39 | -------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |219 |1,187| -------------------------------- |Northumbria |0 |1,113| -------------------------------- |Nottinghamshire |0 |184 | -------------------------------- |South Wales |81 |1,254| -------------------------------- |South Yorkshire |0 |935 | -------------------------------- |Staffordshire |0 |2 | -------------------------------- |Suffolk |83 |1,085| -------------------------------- |Surrey |0 |107 | -------------------------------- |Sussex |338 |258 | -------------------------------- |Thames Valley |433 |2,627| -------------------------------- |Warwickshire |93 |1,086| -------------------------------- |West Mercia |0 |55 | -------------------------------- |West Midlands |570 |6,237| -------------------------------- |West Yorkshire |45 |3,432| -------------------------------- |Wiltshire |0 |89 | -------------------------------- The police forces involved in Operation Safeguard charge NOMS for the cost of making cells available to accommodate prisoners. As invoices are received in arrears and may be subject to variable costs dependent upon individual prisoner and other circumstances, cost per year by force cannot be accurately calculated. However, the average estimated cost of holding a prisoner in a police cell under Operation Safeguard is currently in the region of £385 per night. Table 2 shows the total numbers of prisoners accommodated overnight in police cells as ad-hoc lockouts. Ad-hoc lockout data are not available for individual police forces and are approximate due to diverse recording methods. ------------- | |Number| ------------- |2003|1,037 | ------------- |2004|682 | ------------- |2005|918 | ------------- |2006|1,062 | ------------- |2007|126 | ------------- The agreed basic charge for ad-hoc lockouts is £55 per prisoner per night. Police forces may invoice additional charges to cover weekend and bank holidays, medical charges and the need for additional staff. The average cost is therefore estimated to be £120 per prisoner per night. Prisoners: Release Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in how many cases the current residential address of a (a) former convicted prisoner and (b) foreign national former prisoner subject to supervision following release is not known. Mr. Hanson The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost as the data are retained in probation office files, and would have to be collated manually as there is no appropriate search function within the databases. Prisons Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many existing prison places he plans to withdraw in each year until 2014. Mr. Hanson My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor announced on 5 December 2007 in response to the review on prisons by Lord Carter an additional 10,500 prison places by 2014 including up to three large ‘Titan’ prisons, housing around 2,500 prisoners each. The Carter Review proposed that this increase in capacity will allow the Government to close around 5,000 places in old, inefficient prisons by 2014. Decisions on and the timetable for which prisons should be closed or places removed from use will be made as the programme for these new prison places is developed. In addition, there is a planned rolling programme of refurbishment of accommodation across the prison estate, which requires the temporary closure of prison places. This allows the critical maintenance of the estate to be undertaken whilst having no significant net change on the number of places in use. Prisons: Education Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made in expanding the programme of business-led training of prisoners provided by National Grid Transco. Mr. Hanson I welcome the work that National Grid is doing to train prisoners and get them into work on release and would support any moves by them to expand their Offender Employment Programme. In December 2006, the Government set out in the document “Reducing Re-offending through Skills and Employment: Next Steps” their plans for increasing employer involvement in the delivery of skills and employment programmes for all offenders in custody and in the community. I am encouraged by the ever increasing number of employers engaging with offenders and ex-offenders to improve their skills and employment outcomes. Many of these employers, from the public, private and voluntary sectors, are members of our Employer Reference Group which was established in January 2006 to work with the Government and help shape policy on this important area. National Grid is a member of the Group and contributes to the development of employer engagement activities for improving the employment of offenders. Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have been released to take part in educational programmes in the community in 2007; and what plans he has to increase that number in future years. Mr. Hanson The latest available data on the numbers of releases on temporary licence for training and education relate to 2006, and are published in Offender Management Caseload Statistics (Tables 10.6 and 10.6a), a copy of which is available from the Library of the House and from the following website http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm Prisoners will only be released on temporary licence if they meet the eligibility criteria and pass a risk assessment. Governors have an overriding duty, when considering any release, to ensure that both public safety and public confidence in the system are maintained. Data show that numbers of offenders released to take part in educational programmes continues to increase and we will support the Prison Service in maintaining this, subject to the abovementioned concerns being satisfied. It is one of the Government’s key objectives to improve the skills and employment outcomes of (ex) offenders as set out in our “Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment: Next Steps” action plan. Prisons: Exercise Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will increase the prison rules targets of one hour minimum exercise per week for adult prisoners and two hours minimum for young offenders. Maria Eagle There are no current plans to change the minimum exercise requirements contained within Prison and Young Offender Institution Rules. The minimum requirement is, on average, exceeded by both adult prisoners who accept the opportunity for exercise and young offenders (i.e. those in the 15 to 17 and 18 to 20 age groups). Prisons: Food Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost is of the daily food allowance for prisoners in (a) prison cells and (b) police station cells; and when they were last changed. Maria Eagle The public sector Prison Service does not set a daily food allowance. Each governor sets a food budget based on the establishment's requirements. The average daily food cost per prisoner in public sector prisons for 2006-07 was £1.97. In establishments operated by the contracted sector this figure ranged from £2.10 to £3.07 Under the terms of Operation Safeguard, police forces may be reimbursed for the costs of food, at around £12 for each prisoner over a 24 hour period. Prisoners are also held as ad-hoc lockouts (i.e. when the designated prison's reception will be closed before their arrival time). Basic charges for holding a prisoner per night includes an element for providing meals. Prisons: Therapeutic Residential Units Dr. Vis To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been spent on prison-based therapeutic residential units in each of the last five years; and how many beds are in each prison-based unit. Maria Eagle The number of therapeutic community places in prisons is as follows: -------------------- |Prison |Number| -------------------- |Grendon |235 | -------------------- |Dovegate |200 | -------------------- |Blunderston|40 | -------------------- |Gartree |23 | -------------------- |Send1 |40 | -------------------- |1 Women. | | -------------------- It is not possible to separate out the costs of the therapy units at these prisons without incurring considerable and disproportionate cost. Probation Service Mr. Jim Cunningham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for future levels of funding of the Probation Service. Maria Eagle Probation funding for the next three years, 2008-09 to 2010-11, is not yet confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. Provisional budget planning figures have recently been issued for probation boards' main grant only for 2008-09 which show an increase of over 2 per cent. for probation boards. Mr. Gerrard To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what was spent on central IT for the Probation Service in England and Wales for each financial year since 1997-98. Maria Eagle Expenditure on IT services managed centrally by the National Probation Directorate (NPD) and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is: -------------------------- | |Resource|Capital| -------------------------- |2006-07|37 |0.8 | -------------------------- |2005-06|33 |0.7 | -------------------------- |2004-05|46 |0.5 | -------------------------- |2003-04|50 |3.8 | -------------------------- |2002-03|30 |9.5 | -------------------------- The costs include the two centrally managed contracts to provide an IT infrastructure for the Probation Service. STEPS1 ran from 1 January 2002 until 31 December 2005; this was replaced by the OMNI contract which commenced on 1 January 2006 and associated replacement hardware and software. In addition other central IT costs are included1. The resource costs are mainly recharged to Probation boards. For the period up to 31 December 2001 the National Probation Service Information System Strategy (NPSISS) framework enabling agreement (let in 1994) provided the core infrastructure and case management application; by the end of March 2001 49 of the then 54 probation areas were connected to the NPSISS network with the remaining areas existing via local arrangements. The full cost of the NPSISS programme over seven years to the end of 2001 was £118.038 million2. 1 Support and development of NFS legacy case management applications, GSI accreditation and half of the OASys and ViSOR costs (these jointly apply to the Prison Service) are included. NOMIS development costs are not included as NOMIS is not primarily a probation system. 2 NAO report on NPSISS April 2001. Probation Service: Expenditure Mr. Drew To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the expenditure of the Probation Service in England and Wales was in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06 and (d) 2006-07 on (i) drug treatment and testing orders, (ii) work on multi-agency public protection arrangements, (iii) basic skills and (iv) victims. Maria Eagle Expenditure is not reported according to the categories requested. Probation boards meet the cost of managing and enforcing Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO) and Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRR) through their grant as they see fit to meet their statutory duties. The following table shows the total budget allocation to probation areas in England and Wales over the period in question: ------------------- | |£ million| ------------------- |2003-04|24 | ------------------- |2004-05|34 | ------------------- |2005-06|39 | ------------------- |2006-07|39 | ------------------- These figures include DTTO/DRR funding in Wales for the commissioning of drug treatment and testing directly from the treatment providers. In England, the treatment and testing components of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) and Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR) are currently funded by a central contribution to the Department of Health Pooled Treatment Budget (PTB). The total contribution in 2003-04 was £29.7 million, rising to £42 million in each of the subsequent years, including 2006-07 as described in the following table below: ------------------- | |£ million| ------------------- |2003-04|29.7 | ------------------- |2004-05|42 | ------------------- |2005-06|42 | ------------------- |2006-07|42 | ------------------- The costs relating to basic skills and victims were not separately identified by probation boards before 2005-06 except in trial costing exercises in 2002-03 and 2003-04 when the data were not complete. In both 2005-06 and 2006-07 probation boards spent £12.2 million on victims. In 2005-06, the only year in which data were available for basic skills, expenditure was £9.4 million. Expenditure on MAPPA is not identified separately. Mrs. Gillan To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on accredited programmes for the Probation Service in England and Wales in each financial year since 2003-04. Maria Eagle Probation boards meet the cost of delivering accredited programmes through their grant as they see fit to meet their statutory duties. Probation boards' spend on accredited programmes is as follows: ------------------- | |£ million| ------------------- |2005-06|77 | ------------------- |2006-07|85 | ------------------- |2007-08|86.5 | ------------------- There is no information relating to expenditure for years leading up to 2005. Mrs. Gillan To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on central infrastructure, including IT, estates and approved premises, for the Probation Service in England and Wales in each year since 1997-98. Mr. Gerrard To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what was spent on local infrastructure, including IT and estates, for the Probation Service in England and Wales for each financial year since 1997-98. Maria Eagle The 42 local probation boards are supported by a range of services provided at the centre of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and to varying extent recharged to the probation boards. The main items of infrastructure are Estate Management and Facilities Management for probation properties (including Approved Premises) and IT services. The gross cost of these services is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Resource|Capital| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |148 |11 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |174 |3 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |130 |27 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |133 |19 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. Figures are not provided before 2003-04 as not all these services were managed centrally; expenditure was mainly met directly by local probation boards and figures are not held centrally.2. There may be further related expenditure met locally by probation boards which is not separately identifiable. Other costs met centrally are not considered to be “infrastructure”.3. From 2005-06 due to a classification of expenditure change, certain property expenditure previously treated as Capital is now treated as Resource.4. IT expenditure may vary year-on-year according to the amount of one-off costs such as hardware upgrade.| | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Procurement Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many plastic bags his Department has procured, and at what cost, since it was created. Mr. Wills Information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only by contacting each division of my Department at a disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Justice encourage recycling initiatives of which there are many and an increasing number across the estate, to minimise the impact of plastic bags in waste. Our procurement policy is also to ensure that purchasing is environmentally focussed and that our suppliers have their own sustainable strategies. Key elements of our own policy are to keep consumption to a minimum, to use only recycled and recyclable products and materials wherever possible, and to encourage local management and facilities managers to operate effective recycling schemes. Prosecutions: Easington John Cummings To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) convictions for and (b) prosecutions of drug-related offences took place in Easington constituency in each year since 2000. Maria Eagle The number of defendants found guilty at all courts and proceeded against for drug-related offences at Easington magistrates court and North Durham magistrates court for the years 2000 to 2006 can be found in the following table. In 2002, Easington magistrates court was amalgamated with Chester-le-street, Derwentside and Durham magistrates courts to make up North Durham magistrates court. It is not possible to identify those offenders in the Easington constituency, as the data is not collected at this level of detail. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Easington magistrates court|North Durham magistrates court| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Proceeded against |Found guilty |Proceeded against|Found guilty| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |122 |80 |5—|5—| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |151 |147 |5—|5—| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |0 |6 |335|279| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |5— |5— |314|288| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |5— |5— |206|195| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |5— |5— |242|221| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |5— |5— |187|184| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 These data are provided on the principal offence basis. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. 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 It is not possible to identify those prosecutions or convictions for other offences, e.g. murder, or manslaughter, which were due to drug-related offences as the circumstances surrounding offences are not held centrally. 4 The found guilty column may exceed those proceeded against, as it may be the case that the proceedings in the magistrates court took place in the preceding year and they were found guilty at the Crown court in the following year, or the defendants was found guilty for a different offence to the original offence proceeded against. It is also possible that some of those proceeded against were transferred to North Durham upon amalgamation of the four magistrates courts per caveat.5 In 2002 Easington magistrates court was amalgamated with the following three other magistrates courts to make up North Durham magistrates court: Chester le Street, Derwentside, and Durham. Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Ministry of Justice.| | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment (a) officials in his Department and (b) the Hayden Phillips review have made of trends in the average level of spending in real terms at a local level by parliamentary candidates during the general election periods regulated by the Representation of the People Act. Mr. Straw No such assessment has been made by officials in my Department. Sir Hayden Phillips’ Review of the Funding of Political Parties considered spending levels by parties and candidates. His publications can be found at: http://www.partyfundingreview.gov.uk/ Schools Andrew Stunell To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of school buildings approved by his Department were built to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (a) very good and (b) excellent standard in each of the last five years; and what the construction cost of those buildings was. Maria Eagle The Ministry of Justice has built or approved no schools. However, the Department has completed 38 projects within the last five years or are in the final stages of completion. 26 have been assessed under the BREEAM assessment model. (a) 15 have been assessed as “Excellent” (58 per cent.) 2004—3 projects (12 per cent.) 2007—12 projects (46 per cent.) (b) 11 have been assessed as “Very Good” (42 per cent.) 2003—1 project (4 per cent.) 2004—1 project (4 per cent.) 2005—1 project (4 per cent.) 2006—2 projects (7 per cent.) 2007—6 projects (23 per cent.) (c) 12 projects have still to be assessed. The capital costs of the work are not known for projects where it was the Landlord who met the Capital cost of the works or the project was procured by the Lead local authority prior to the Courts Act 2005 or the project was a PFI scheme. The capital cost of the 14 projects where costs are known amounts to £190.2 million. Security Breaches Mr. Evans To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many confirmed data security breaches there have been in his Department in the last 36 months; and what action was taken after each occurrence. Mr. Wills I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007, Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments’ procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS. A small number of incidents involving breach of our data security controls have been reported and investigated. Three of these have been reported to the Information Commissioner as potential breaches. Except in exceptional cases, when it is in the public interest, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on particular breaches of security. Sentencing Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young offenders have been given a custodial sentence in West Chelmsford constituency in each of the last five years. Mr. Hanson Numbers given immediate custody by criminal justice area are published in the Ministry of Justice statistical bulletin, ‘Sentencing Statistics 2006’. The total number sentenced and the percentage given immediate custody for Essex can be found in Table 5.1. http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/sentencing-stats2006.pdf Please note that these figures are for all ages and are not limited to young offenders. The information is also in the table as follows. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Defendants | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Court |2002|2003|2004|2005|2006| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aged 10-17 |||||| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chelmsford magistrates court |26|23|41|28|21| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chelmsford Crown court |12|7|12|14|9| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aged 18-20 |||||| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chelmsford magistrates court |61|52|70|53|57| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chelmsford Crown court |75|81|76|97|98| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total for Chelmsford |174|163|199|192|185| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Young offenders are aged 18-20.2 Magistrates courts in Chelmsford and the Crown court if committed by magistrates in Chelmsford.Note:These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.Source:RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the timetable is for consultation on and implementation of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 in relation to the role of enforcement agents to secure payment of council tax. Bridget Prentice The enforcement law reforms contained within Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 require underpinning rules and regulations. A scoping exercise has now commenced to determine the development of these. It is anticipated that this will be completed by May 2008 and the results will inform the timetable for consultation and implementation. Voting Rights Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what pilots have taken place in relation to the use of personal identifiers for absent voting. Mr. Wills Two pilots have taken place in relation to the use of personal identifiers for absent voting in respect of postal voting. These were in the London borough of Newham and Stevenage borough council at the May 2006 local elections. Personal identifiers in the form of codes allocated to electors have been used in all electronic voting pilots since 2002. In 2007, electronic voting pilots also required identifiers to be provided by electors to administrators to further enhance security. Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to consult on weekend voting in elections. Mr. Wills In July 2007 we published "The Governance of Britain'' Green Paper which sets out our commitment to consult on the merits of moving the voting day for general and/or local elections from Thursday to the weekend. Work is currently being undertaken to finalise the consultation process for weekend voting. Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to extend the use of (a) e-counting and (b) remote electronic voting to future (i) local, (ii) European Parliament and (iii) general elections. Mr. Wills In the Governance of Britain Green Paper the Government sets out a long-term aim to investigate the potential benefits of remote electronic voting and to take advantage of emerging communication technologies to provide increased flexibility and choice in the way people vote. In the immediate term we are reviewing the lessons learnt from previous e-voting and e-counting pilots. This will help to advise our future programme of work for electoral modernisation. There are no plans in the short term to extend the use of e-voting and e-counting to (i) local, (ii) European Parliament and (iii) general elections. Young Offenders David Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many disposals were reported by youth offending teams in 2006-07, broken down by (a) pre-court, (b) first tier, (c) community and (d) custodial disposals. Mr. Hanson The YJB collates data from YOTs broken down by disposals. The data for 2006 will be published in the new year in the YJB’s 2006-07 Annual Statistics document. Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children aged (a) 10, (b) 11, (c) 12 and (d) 13 were brought before the juvenile courts in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006 and (A) were convicted, (B) were not convicted, (C) received an absolute discharge and (D) received a conditional discharge. Maria Eagle The information requested on the number of children brought before the juvenile courts, and the outcomes of these hearings are provided in the following table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Age |Proceeded against|Found guilty|Not guilty|Absolute discharge|Conditional discharge| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |10 |259 |168 |91 |18 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |11 |934 |638 |296 |36 |42 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |12 |2,776 |1,925 |851 |88 |132 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |13 |6,876 |4,857 |2,019 |268 |384 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |10,845 |7,588 |3,257 |410 |563 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |10 |223 |144 |79 |13 |9 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |11 |957 |682 |275 |45 |39 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |12 |2,673 |1,954 |719 |102 |124 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |13 |6,828 |5,074 |1,754 |213 |375 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |10,681 |7,854 |2,827 |373 |547 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |10 |181 |117 |64 |9 |4 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |11 |780 |556 |224 |36 |29 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |12