Written Answers Written Answers to Questions Wednesday 23 January 2008 Innovation, Universities and Skills Christmas Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether it is his Department’s policy to use (a) incandescent light bulbs and (b) LED lights for festive decorations on departmental premises. Mr. Lammy The Department uses incandescent lights for its festive decorations. However, we shall be reviewing our policy for next year. Malcolm Bruce To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 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. Lammy The Department is split across sites and has four Christmas Trees on its Estate. Two of these trees are real and are recycled by our foliage company. One of the artificial trees is reused each year. The other artificial tree is hired from our foliage company and returned to them at the end of the hire period. Climate Change Rob Marris To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) intends to take by (i) 2012 and (ii) 2020 in relation to adaptation to the effects of climate change as they affect his departmental responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Lammy [holding answer 6 December 2007]: The steps the Department has taken and intends to take are set out in the Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP), ‘Learning for the Future’, covering 2006-08. We recently submitted a progress report on this to the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), the Government’s independent watch dog on sustainable development. SDC will shortly be publishing their analysis of the progress of Government Departments. We are currently working on the content of a new SDAP that will cover 2008-10. This will incorporate the Government’s overall intentions as laid out in the recent Climate Change Bill and the cross-Government Adaptation Policy Framework to be published in the spring. Subsequent SDAPs are likely to continue to reflect the work of the Department in addressing the effects of climate change on children, schools and families. Departmental Coordination Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people in his Department are responsible for liaising with the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Mr. Lammy Following the machinery of government changes last year, three separate Departments were established with clear demarcation of responsibility. However, we have sought to maintain effective communication links across the three new Departments to minimise disruption to our customers. A range of officials in DIUS are in regular discussion with the Department for Children, Schools and Families across a number of issues, covering both policy and the provision of corporate services. The issues being discussed and number of people involved varies. Members: Correspondence Mr. Harper To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many letters his Department and its predecessors received from hon. Members and Peers in each session of Parliament since 1997. Kevin Brennan I have been asked to reply. 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 House Library. Overseas Students: Employment Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department takes to check the employment status of foreign nationals in the United Kingdom to study. Mr. Byrne I have been asked to reply. Foreign nationals with permission to study in the United Kingdom may work up to 20 hours per week during term time or full-time during vacations without the need to seek permission from their local Jobcentre Plus office or to obtain a work permit. It is the responsibility of an employer to establish that a foreign national is entitled to take employment in the UK. The Border and Immigration Agency has provided a helpline for employers to check the status of foreign nationals who seek to work in the United Kingdom. Union Learning Fund Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of the evaluation of the Union Learning Fund, 2001 to 2005, undertaken on behalf of the former Department for Education and Skills by York Consulting Ltd. Mr. Lammy The main recommendations of the evaluation of the Union Learning Fund (2001-05) concern improving the level of management information provided by participating trade unions, particularly on learner referrals and outcomes; improving the level of support provided to help Union Learning Representatives (ULRs); and engaging strategically with employers to help ensure the long term sustainability of union learning activity initiated by the Union Learning Fund (ULF). Officials from my Department have been working with unionlearn the TUC’s new learning organisation to address these issues. Work has been done to improve the management information systems of ULF projects which will capture more information on the numbers taking Skills for Life, Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Additional support systems have been put in place at national, regional and local level to help Union Learning Representatives to carry out their duties more effectively. A new electronic tool, the “Climbing Frame” has been developed which is designed to help ULRs support learners to progress through different levels of study and a new “Quality Award” for learning providers that helps ULRs to identify accessible high quality provision for learners. These strengthened support systems for ULRs will help to secure the future sustainability of union learning initiatives and underpin the work that unionlearn is doing to help those trade unions involved in ULF to develop effective strategic partnership working with employers. Over 200 learning agreements were established last year between unions and employers involved in ULF, helping to embed successful projects into long-term planning. Children, Schools and Families Education Maintenance Allowance: Barnet Mr. Dismore To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in Barnet have (a) applied for, (b) enrolled for and (c) received an education maintenance allowance during the 2007-08 academic year; what assessment he has made of the effect of education maintenance allowances on staying-on rates in education in Barnet; and if he will make a statement. Jim Knight The LSC operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold the information about take-up and payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC’s chief executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library. We do not collect information on the impact of EMA specific to Barnet, however EMA was subject to a thorough evaluation during its pilot stage. The results indicated an increase in participation by 16-year-olds of 3.8 per cent. points nationally and 4.1 per cent. points nationally for 17-year-olds. In addition a further analysis of the impact of EMA on participation and attainment was commissioned by the LSC and a copy of the results, with a summary of the key findings, was placed in the House Library on 3 December 2007. Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 23 January 2008: I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked; "How many students in Barnet have (a) applied for, (b) enrolled on a course to be supported by and (c) received an education maintenance allowance during the current academic year; what assessment he has made of the effect of education maintenance allowances on staying on rates in education in Barnet." EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year. The following table shows EMA applicants, enrolments and take-up for Barnet Local Authority Area: ------------------------------ | |Number| ------------------------------ |Applications received|3,172 | ------------------------------ |Enrolled applicants |2,719 | ------------------------------ |Scheme take-up |2,628 | ------------------------------ EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and to date in 2007/08 is now also available on the LSC website, at the following address: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take_up.htm Sure Start Programme Mrs. Maria Miller To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many and what proportion of (a) children and (b) families (i) who are black and minority ethnic, (ii) with English as an additional language, (iii) with special needs and disabilities and (iv) with a lone parent (A) have been provided with information on and (B) are accessing Sure Start programmes and services; what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of those programmes and services; and if he will make a statement; (2) what the capacity of provision for child care through Sure Start programmes was in each of the last five years; how many and what proportion of (a) families and (b) children (i) received information on and (ii) accessed this provision over this period; what average proportion of capacity was used over that period; and if he will make a statement. Beverley Hughes All Sure Start Children’s Centres provide information and advice to parents and carers on a range of subjects including local child care and education services for three and four-year-olds. Centres serving the most disadvantaged communities in England must provide integrated early learning and full daycare as part of their core services while centres serving less disadvantaged communities may provide integrated early learning and daycare places where local demand is not being met by existing, good quality providers. The information requested about different groups of families receiving information and taking up services, including integrated early learning and daycare, is not collected centrally by my Department. Data on the capacity of provision for child care through Sure Start programmes in the last five years are not collected centrally. The ongoing National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS) produced initial findings on the impact of the early Sure Start Local Programmes in November 2005. These gave a very early indication that Sure Start is succeeding in making a difference to a large number of parents and children and is doing particularly well in affecting parenting practices. Because we know that some Sure Start Children’s Centres have more work to do to reach the most disadvantaged families from April this year we have committed additional resources which will enable local authorities to fund two more outreach workers in centres serving the most disadvantaged communities. Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Aerials Mrs. Moon To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate has been made of the additional number of mobile phone masts required to meet future demand of further generations of mobile telecommunications equipment. Mr. Iain Wright I have been asked to reply. The Government encourage mast and site sharing wherever possible, and network operators have an obligation under current planning procedures to demonstrate that they have considered all mast and site sharing options. Future sharing of network infrastructure would reduce the rate of growth of base station sites. There is no current estimate of the number of additional mobile phone masts required to meet future demand of further generations of mobile telecommunications equipment. This is due to the fast moving nature of the telecommunications industry. The actual number of base stations required in the future will depend on growth of demand and the availability of spectrum as well as the choice of technology available to meet that demand. Business: Regulation Gordon Banks To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his most recent estimate is of the cost of regulation to UK industry. Mr. McFadden In 2005 Government undertook an exercise to measure, for the first time in the UK, the administrative burdens of regulations on businesses and the third sector. The administrative burden as of May 2005 was £13.4 billion. More information can be found at: http://bre.berr.gov.uk/regulation/reform/simplifying/plans.asp Information on the total costs of regulations (not just administrative burdens) to UK industry is not currently held centrally and there is no established methodology for measuring these on a consistent basis. Business: Wiltshire Robert Key To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what (a) public and (b) private/public sector partnership support is available to small and medium-sized enterprises in South Wiltshire. Mr. Timms The publicly funded Business Link service provides information and advice to small and medium enterprises, and where appropriate brokers clients on to public and private sector providers of business support. Northern Arc Ltd. is contracted by the South West Regional Development Agency to provide the Business Link service in South Wiltshire. Northern Arc Ltd. maintains a local presence in the area by running business start-up clinics from their office in Salisbury College. Further information on the Business Link service can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest or by telephoning 0845 600 9966. In addition to this, the South Wiltshire Economic Partnership (SWEP), is a partnership between the district and county councils, local businesses and business organisations. It works in partnership with others to drive forward the growth of the south Wiltshire economy by supporting existing businesses and other organisations and by attracting inward investment. By providing the local business community with a single voice on economic development issues, SWEP also works to influence all levels of government and to provide a focus for the delivery of strategic change. SWEP is administered by Salisbury district council economic development team. More information on the partnership and its activities can be found at: www.salisbury.gov.uk/swep Businesses can sign up to receive news on the partnership, strategic projects in the district and events by e-mailing: swep@salisbury gov.uk Post Offices Mr. Alan Reid To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what Government support and advice is available to community groups who wish to operate their local post office as a community business. Mr. McFadden [holding answer 17 January 2008]: Information and support on operating a local post office is available on the Post Office Ltd. website at www.ukpo.com/subpostmaster. In addition, sub-postmasters and community groups are free to seek advice from their local Business Link or RDA about any ongoing retail operations. This would be a matter for the individual retail outlet. Retailers can contact their local Business Link via the national helpline on: 0845 600 9006 or visit their website at: www.businesslink.gov.uk. Post Offices: Closures Mr. Drew To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research he has undertaken into the likely effects of the proposed post office closures on rural and semi-rural areas. Mr. McFadden [holding answer 21 January 2008]: It is Government policy, announced in May 2007 in response to the national public consultation on the post office network, to ensure national coverage and reasonable access to post office services with particular regard to vulnerable consumers and to rural and remote areas. Access criteria have been introduced to achieve this and in developing its closure proposals Post Office Ltd. has also to take into account a range of factors relating to accessibility of service provision and the local impact of changes to it. Under area plan proposals published so far, on average 90.7 per cent. of the population covered will see no change in the branch they currently use and 99.3 per cent. will see either no change or still be within one mile of their nearest post office. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many post offices have closed under the Network Change Programme. Mr. McFadden The Government strategy for the post office network includes provision for 2,500 compensated closures and 500 new outreach services. Post Office Ltd. is responsible for implementing the network change programme at a local level. It is developing a rolling programme of some 50 local consultations on detailed area plans, based on groups of parliamentary constituencies. Following final decisions on the proposals for the first area plans after local consultations, individual post office closures are now taking place. Area plan consultations are ongoing and will continue well into 2008. Post Offices: Reorganisation Miss McIntosh To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on his proposals to restructure the post office network; and if he will make a statement. Mr. McFadden The Department has received a range of representations for Members of Parliament, local authorities and other correspondents about the restructuring of the post office network, both in general terms and in the context of specific proposals included in Post Office Ltd.’s area plans. To 18 January, 14 area plans have been published and put to local consultation, consultations on 11 plans have closed and final decisions announced on six plans. In response to comments received during the public consultation period, closure proposals for 15 individual offices have so far been withdrawn. Public Holidays Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent consideration his Department has given to the introduction of new bank holidays. Mr. McFadden The Department receives representations on this issue from time to time. However the present pattern of bank holidays in the UK is well established and accepted, and the Government have no current plans to change the arrangements. Union Modernisation Fund: Audit Mr. Stewart Jackson To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what procedures are in place to monitor and audit the public monies remitted to trades unions under the auspices of the Union Modernisation Fund; and if he will make a statement. Mr. McFadden [holding answer 22 January 2008]: In line with normal arrangements for Government funding, all UMF projects are regularly monitored for progress and expenditure to ensure accountability and the protection of public funds. All projects are required to allow site visits by BERR officials. Failure to comply with such monitoring activity may result in sanctions, including withholding or reclaiming of funds. On completion, each project is required to produce an independent accountant’s report. The report accompanies the final claim and confirms that the union has expended the sums in respect of which all claims have been made. In addition, BERR is working with Leeds University Business School to conduct a phased evaluation of the fund. Phase one evaluated the operational effectiveness of the first round of bidding. Phase two will evaluate the success of supported projects and the impact of monies via a series of case studies. An interim phase two evaluation report was published in December 2007. Culture, Media and Sport Arts Council of England: Finance Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many regularly-funded organisations will be supported by Arts Council England in 2008-09. James Purnell [holding answer 17 January 2008]: I announced in October last year that grant in aid for Arts Council England would rise to £467 million by 2010-11—an increase of £50 million over current levels. The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. Arts Council England will make a full announcement at the beginning of February when final decisions have been taken. Arts Council of England: Grants Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what changes Arts Council England plans to make to funding criteria and allocation mechanisms; what changes it has made in the last 24 months; and what (a) internal guidance and (b) external guidance has been amended accordingly. James Purnell [holding answer 16 January 2008]: The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. Their fundamental criteria are set out in their Royal Charter “to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts [and] to increase accessibility of the arts to the public in England.” Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which local organisations in each region received funding from Arts Council England in each of the last three years; how much funding was received in each case; and how much each such organisation is expected to receive from Arts Council England in 2008-09. James Purnell [holding answer 16 January 2008]: I announced in October last year that grant in aid for Arts Council England would rise to £467 million by 2010-11—an increase of £50 million over current levels. A list of organisations which received Arts Council funding between 2005-06 to 2007-08 will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. They have said the following in response to requests to see the detail of the organisations listed in their proposals for 2008-09: “Our proposals for non-renewal of funding cannot be made available until our National and Regional Councils make final decisions. This information is considered confidential and commercially sensitive during the response period. This is especially so in the case of a recommendation that might be overturned by the National Council or a Regional Council. Regularly funded organisations who have a right to respond to our recommendation, should be able to do so freely without fear that our intention to reduce or stop their funding is potentially unnecessarily, and without their consent, released into the public domain. A full announcement will be made at the beginning of February”. Departmental Land Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what stage has been reached in his Department’s plans to sell the area of land located to the north of the British Library; what recent estimate of the value of the site has been made; and whether the Department will receive a proportion of the proceeds of any such sale. James Purnell [holding answer 22 January 2008]: The sale of the land is proceeding: each party has now agreed the ‘heads of terms’ and the contract should be finalised by the end of February. The department’s agents valued the site prior to the sale at £45 million but with an expectation of higher bids following the marketing campaign and the completion of St. Pancras station. In line with Treasury budgeting guidance, DCMS may indeed retain a proportion of the proceeds. The sale also enables the Department to meet almost the entire sum represented by its target for asset sales over 2008-11. Internet: Children Mr. Jim Cunningham To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government has taken to make the internet safer for child users. Margaret Hodge [holding answer 15 January 2008]: The Government take internet safety extremely seriously, particularly in relation to children. In September 2007, the Prime Minister announced a review into the risk to children of exposure to harmful or inappropriate content in video games and online. The review will also assess the effectiveness and adequacy of existing measures to help prevent children from being exposed to such material and help parents understand and manage the risks of access to inappropriate content. Dr. Tanya Byron is conducting this review and will report to Ministers in March 2008. Other activity in this area includes the following: (a) The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which operates an internet hotline for people to notify them of child abuse images online. Internet service providers are liable to prosecution if they do not remove sites notified to them by the IWF. (b) The Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet, which was set up in 2001 and has published: Good Practice Guidance for Search Providers and Advice to the Public on How to Search Safely. Good Practice Models and Guidance for the Internet Industry on—Chat Services, Instant Messaging and Web Based Services. Good Practice Guidance for the Providers of Social Networking and Other User Interactive Services. (c) Cyberbullying guidance, which was launched in September 2007 by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, provides practical help and guidance for parents and pupils on how to deal with any cyberbullying incidents. (d) The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) which was set up in 2006, combines its enforcement powers with the business sector, Government and other interested organisations all focused on tackling child sex abuse policy. CEOP had some notable successes last year in bringing prosecutions. (e) The EU Safer Internet Plus Programme promotes a safer use of online technologies particularly by children, and supports those fighting illegal and harmful content ranging from child abuse images to racism. IWF and CEOP receive funding from this programme. (f) Many internet service providers and mobile companies work in partnership with Government in providing parents and children with practical help and advice on their websites. Theatre: Grants Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many regularly-funded theatre-based producing companies in the regions will be supported by Arts Council England in 2008-09. James Purnell [holding answer 17 January 2008]: The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. Arts Council England will make a full announcement at the beginning of February when final decisions have been taken. Tourism: Greater London Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the average expenditure per head by overseas tourists visiting London in the last five years. Margaret Hodge The table shows the average expenditure per visit by overseas tourists to London for the latest years for which data are available. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |London (£, current prices)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |499 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |502 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |481 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |494 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |502 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Source:International Passenger Survey (ONS).| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The figures exclude expenditure relating to fares for travel to and from the UK, and include expenditure by same day transit visitors. Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of (a) overseas and (b) UK tourists who visited London in the last five years. Margaret Hodge The tables show (i) the number of overseas visits and (ii) the number of overnight trips by UK residents to London for the latest years for which data are available. --------------------------------------------------------------- | |London (million)| --------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |11.6 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |11.7 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |13.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |13.9 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |15.6 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Source:International Passenger Survey (ONS).| | --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |London (million)| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |16.1 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |14.3 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |12.8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |10.7 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |11.0 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 The methodology for the UKTS changed in 2005 meaning that comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution. This change occurred as a result of concerns with the quality of 2004 data, which are thought to be an under-representation of the true position.Source:UK Tourism Survey (National Tourist Boards).| | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is not possible to provide a time series for the number of day visits by UK residents to London as the survey is run intermittently. Transport Bicycles: Accidents Robert Key To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) cyclists and (b) motorcyclists have suffered (i) non-fatal casualties and (ii) death on (A) urban and (B) rural roads in Great Britain in each year since 1997. Jim Fitzpatrick The information requested is given in the table: ---------------------- |Number of casualties| ---------------------- | |Urban|Rural| ---------------------- | |Pedal cyclist|Motorcyclists|Pedal cyclist|Motorcyclists| ---------------------- | |Fatal|Non fatal|Fatal|Non fatal|Fatal|Non fatal|Fatal|Non fatal| ---------------------- |1997 |95|20,206|164|15,814|88|4,222|344|8,129| ---------------------- |1998 |81|18,854|151|16,058|77|3,862|345|8,004| ---------------------- |1999 |83|18,722|178|17,039|88|3,811|360|8,492| ---------------------- |2000 |67|17,071|177|18,822|59|3,318|421|8,649| ---------------------- |2001 |69|15,737|186|19,481|67|3,149|394|8,606| ---------------------- |2002 |63|14,110|222|18,893|64|2,824|387|8,802| ---------------------- |2003 |60|14,091|213|18,502|54|2,810|480|9,194| ---------------------- |2004 |73|13,821|185|17,037|61|2,676|399|7,999| ---------------------- |2005 |73|13,751|179|16,284|75|2,657|390|7,961| ---------------------- |2006 |87|13,424|176|15,240|59|2,626|423|7,485| ---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |All1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Pedal Cyclist|Motorcyclists| -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Fatal |Non fatal|Fatal|Non fatal| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |183 |24,453|509|23,983| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |158 |22,765|498|24,112| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |172 |22,668|547|25,645| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |127 |20,485|605|27,607| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |138 |18,976|583|28,227| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |130 |16,977|609|27,744| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |114 |16,919|693|27,718| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |134 |16,514|585|25,056| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |148 |16,413|569|24,255| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |146 |16,050|599|22,727| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Includes roads with unallocated urban/rural marker| | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bull Bars: Regulation Dr. Tony Wright To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will seek to amend EU regulations on the fixing of metal bull bars to new vehicles to cover vehicles which had such bars fitted when the present regulations entered into force. Jim Fitzpatrick The Government have no plan for retrospective regulation in this area. Departmental Pay Stephen Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in her Department and its agencies received bonuses in each year since 2002. Jim Fitzpatrick All civil service Departments are encouraged to develop non-consolidated bonus payments to recognise performance, in accordance with the civil service reward principles agreed by the Cabinet Office. The information requested for the years prior to 2005-06 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Detailed records for the number of civil servants who received staff bonuses during the period stated only exist for the following years: ---------------- | |Number| ---------------- |2005-06|12,622| ---------------- |2006-07|12,241| ---------------- The 2006-07 figures do not include figures from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) as they have yet to complete payments to staff. Departmental Recycling Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her Department’s policy is on recycling. Jim Fitzpatrick Due to the dispersed nature of the Department for Transport estate an overarching recycling policy approach has not been adopted. Instead, the Department looks to utilise the available schemes in each of the areas in which it has sites. The Department, including its agencies, has embedded recycling and waste reduction into sustainable development action plans and environmental management systems, where applicable, with the aim of achieving the recognised sustainability on the government estate waste targets. For the scale of the recycling schemes currently utilised by the Department for Transport I refer the hon. Member to my response on 15 January 2008, Official Report, columns 1086-88W. Additionally, I refer the hon. Member to my earlier answer given on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 1172W, which showed the volumes and percentage of recycling undertaken by the Department for Transport. Driving Standards Agency: Rural Areas Lembit Öpik To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department carried out impact assessments before the introduction of multi-purpose test centres in rural areas; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick A draft Regulatory Impact Assessment was published as part of the consultation entitled “Delivering the new motorcycle test” in December 2002. This was revised in the light of responses to that consultation. The amended Impact Assessment was published in the Response to Consultation report in March 2004. Driving Standards Agency: Training Lembit Öpik To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the Driving Standards Agency’s professional development training will be outsourced; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick The Driving Standards Agency is currently working with representative bodies and other stakeholders on the development of a Continuing Professional Development initiative for approved driving instructors which would inform a future consultation paper. No decisions have been made as to the development of the delivery. Driving: Age Mr. Roger Williams To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment she has made of whether to change the age at which an individual can start driving. Jim Fitzpatrick I refer to the answer given on 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1088W to the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Knight). Government Mail Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deliveries were lost by Government mail in the last year for which figures are available. Jim Fitzpatrick I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 460W given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban). Roads: Death Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at which times of day incidents causing the deaths of drivers aged between 17 and 25 years occurred in each of the last 10 years, broken down by hourly interval. Jim Fitzpatrick The number of reported personal injury road accidents resulting in 17 to 25-year-old car driver fatalities by hour of accident for Great Britain from 1997 to 2006 are shown in the table. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hour of accident|1997|1998|1999|2000|2001|2002|2003|2004|2005|2006| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |00:00 |24 |18 |17 |15 |20 |25 |26 |24 |24 |21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |01:00 |10 |24 |24 |19 |13 |17 |12 |24 |22 |24 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |02:00 |23 |10 |11 |11 |21 |13 |17 |19 |14 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |03:00 |12 |12 |10 |11 |15 |11 |23 |12 |10 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |04:00 |10 |2 |9 |9 |7 |9 |8 |13 |9 |12 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |05:00 |9 |5 |2 |13 |6 |9 |6 |15 |8 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |06:00 |12 |10 |4 |9 |6 |10 |16 |9 |14 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |07:00 |18 |11 |11 |13 |16 |17 |7 |12 |15 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |08:00 |17 |19 |12 |12 |14 |18 |15 |18 |17 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |09:00 |9 |12 |6 |7 |7 |7 |9 |8 |3 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |10:00 |10 |13 |10 |10 |5 |9 |12 |4 |6 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |11:00 |11 |5 |3 |9 |5 |9 |5 |9 |4 |9 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |12:00 |11 |9 |5 |7 |9 |9 |13 |8 |15 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |13:00 |16 |12 |11 |13 |7 |13 |7 |9 |7 |6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |14:00 |4 |9 |14 |7 |9 |10 |16 |3 |10 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |15:00 |14 |10 |7 |6 |8 |10 |15 |5 |8 |13 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |16:00 |10 |12 |14 |10 |13 |8 |15 |10 |15 |18 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |17:00 |16 |14 |11 |12 |13 |18 |16 |17 |11 |21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |18:00 |22 |28 |13 |13 |16 |13 |25 |20 |22 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |19:00 |15 |15 |14 |11 |26 |15 |18 |16 |22 |19 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |20:00 |22 |22 |20 |23 |23 |18 |13 |23 |26 |22 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |21:00 |26 |14 |19 |26 |18 |29 |19 |22 |25 |23 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |22:00 |25 |26 |21 |17 |31 |26 |26 |26 |32 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |23:00 |28 |18 |22 |29 |24 |23 |20 |32 |21 |31 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |374 |330 |290 |312 |332 |346 |359 |358 |360 |388 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris Ruane To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many road traffic accidents in which a driver aged between 17 and 25-years-old died there were (a) no passengers, (b) passengers aged between 17 and 25 and (c) passengers aged over 25 in the vehicle in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick The numbers of reported personal injury road accidents involving 17 to 25-year-old car driver fatalities with (a) no passenger casualties, (b) at least one 17 to 25-year-old passenger casualty and (c) at least one passenger casualty aged over 25 are given in the table. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |No passenger casualties|At least one 17 to 25-year-old passenger casualty|At least one passenger casualty aged over 25| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997|227 |120 |23 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998|198 |109 |18 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999|172 |89 |20 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000|193 |96 |23 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001|200 |108 |14 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002|209 |120 |16 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003|220 |108 |21 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004|232 |97 |18 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005|218 |114 |16 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006|223 |135 |21 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Data are shown for passenger casualties as information on uninjured passengers is not collected. Accidents may be included in both columns (b) and (c) as a vehicle may have a 17 to 25-year-old passenger casualty as well as a passenger casualty aged over 25. Safety Belts Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what files are held by her Department on (a) the Road Traffic (Seat Belts) Bill of Sessions (i) 1978-79 and (ii) 1979-80 and (b) the Safety of Children in Cars Bill of sessions (A) 1978-79, (B) 1979-80 and (C) 1980-81; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick The Department’s records for the periods in question do not show files specifically relating to these Bills. Many files from that period have now been destroyed or transferred to The National Archive. Speed Limits: Driving Offences Mr. Hoyle To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to ensure that every person referred to a speed awareness course in Lancashire undertakes the course. Jim Fitzpatrick The Department is not responsible for ensuring the attendance of offenders at speed awareness courses. Courses are offered at the discretion of the Police, as an alternative to prosecution, to speeding offenders for whom they feel it is the most productive option. Should an offender agree to attend a course but fail to do so, the offer of a course is withdrawn and the offence reverts to a prosecution. Vehicle Registration: Fines Mr. Laurence Robertson To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fines the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has issued relating to the lack of notification of change of vehicle ownership in the last two years. Jim Fitzpatrick The number of penalties issued by the Agency in respect of a failure to notify a change of vehicle ownership is as follows: ----------------------- |Financial year|Number| ----------------------- |2005-06 |52,640| ----------------------- |2006-07 |42,078| ----------------------- Mr. Laurence Robertson To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many appeals against fines imposed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for non-notification of change of vehicle ownership have been made in the last two years; how many of these were successful; on what grounds such cases were successful; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick The Agency does not hold statistics to advise the total number of appeals received in cases which involve non-notification of change of vehicle ownership. These details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of non-notification of change cases closed following further investigation is as follows: --------------------------------------- |Financial year |2005-06|2006-07| --------------------------------------- |Compassionate grounds|388 |423 | --------------------------------------- |Data discrepancy |3,062 |2,603 | --------------------------------------- |No offence |11,467 |8,652 | --------------------------------------- Communities and Local Government Coastal Areas Mr. Cox To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made in establishing a cross-departmental working group to examine coastal towns. John Healey The inaugural meeting of the cross-departmental working group on coastal towns, convened by officials from this Department, will be held on 6 February 2008. Departmental Freedom of Information Norman Baker To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of freedom of information requests received by her Department have given rise to responses that have been published by her Department. Mr. Dhanda Communities and Local Government has adopted a selective disclosure policy whereby only the most high profile pieces of information and those of wider public interest are published as a matter of course on the disclosure log on its website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/coporate/about/freedom-of-information/disclosure-log/ To date, 5 per cent. of responses to requests made to Communities and Local Government and its predecessor Department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 since 1 January 2005 have been published. Fire Services: injuries Mr. Evans To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firefighters, following injury (a) retired and took their pensions due to injury, (b) were re-employed within the Fire Service in other roles and (c) left the Fire Service without their pension, in each of the last five years. Mr. Dhanda Available information, for ill-health retirements due to injury, which relate to all Fire and Rescue Staff (uniformed and non-uniformed) is set out as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001-02 |168 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002-03 |184 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003-04 |115 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004-05 |382 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005-06 |244 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Source:Annual returns to Communities and Local Government| | ------------------------------------------------------------------ Information on re-employments and leavers without pensions is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Flood Control: Essex Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the Scot Wilson Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for Mid Essex and Colchester will be published; and what the reasons are for the time taken to publish it. Mr. Iain Wright The strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA) work undertaken by Scott Wilson was split into two phases. Phase 1 successfully completed in November 2006, with Phase 2 involving the delivery of the individual SFRA chapters to suit local development framework (LDF) timetables. This is a joint piece of work commissioned by Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon and Braintree local planning authorities to help inform their emerging LDFs. A number of factors led to the delay in publication of this study. In August 2007, the Environment Agency requested that the scope of the study be changed to take into account new guidance in planning policy statement 25 ‘Development and Flood Risk’ and the accompanying practice manual to take account of the possible impacts of climate change for river systems, such as the incidence of higher density rainfall. This required the engagement of additional consultants to undertake reruns of the fluvial models, which took further time. However, undertaking this further work means that the final SFRA aims to comply with most recent Government guidance and provide the most up to date information in relation to flooding that also includes consideration of the potential impacts of climate change. Greater London Authority: Standards Stephen Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if her Department will initiate a review into (a) the governance of the London Development Agency and (b) the operation of arrangements for the scrutiny of the Mayor of London’s advisers. John Healey [holding answer 14 January 2008]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 January 2008, Official Report, columns 773-74. Green Belt Grant Shapps To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007, Official Report, columns 131-39W, on green belt, how many hectares were designated green belt in (a) Durham district and (b) Easington district in 1997. Mr. Iain Wright There was no designated green belt land in Durham district or Easington district in 1997. Heating: Standards Mr. Jeremy Browne To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will introduce legislation to require the retrospective implementation in council housing of the 2004 British Standard for water system thermostats. Mr. Iain Wright Last summer we began a wide ranging review of the Building Regulations to see whether any changes to the legal requirements might be made that would further improve the robustness and safety of hot water systems in all new homes and homes undergoing alteration and major building works. We do not want to pre-judge the outcome of this review. In parallel we are working with our colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and in industry to see whether additional guidance and a more robust approach to ensuring the proper implementation of legal provisions relating to safety in existing housing is needed. This review and our joint work with HSE and the industry will, of course, take account of the findings of the coroner, following the tragic death of Rhianna Hardie. Housing Alistair Burt To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what criteria the decision made to grant the housing market renewal scheme £1 billion of Government funding on 11 October 2007 was based. Mr. Iain Wright Decisions to grant the housing market renewal programme additional funding of around £1 billion for 2008 to 2011 were taken as part of allocations within the Department for Communities and Local Government following the comprehensive spending review 2007. The new funding reflects in part the initial success of the programme in narrowing the gaps in house prices and vacancies between pathfinders and their regions, as recognised in the National Audit Office’s recent report on the programme. It also recognises that more remains to be done—in some cases, to continue to tackle problems of deep-seated structural need, where markets are reviving more slowly; and in others to ensure that the housing market renewal and growth programmes can be taken forward together where appropriate, responding to emerging issues including the need for more affordable housing. Decisions on allocations to individual areas will be taken shortly. Housing: Empty Property Grant Shapps To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many domestic dwellings in England are classified as empty. Mr. Iain Wright I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) on 9 January 2008, Official Report, columns 547-48W. Housing: Low Incomes Tim Farron To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will allow the redesignation of disused or underused farm buildings for the purposes of developing affordable housing. Mr. Iain Wright Planning Policy Statement 7: “Sustainable Development in Rural Areas” (PPS7) sets out a supportive approach to the re-use of buildings in the countryside where this would meet sustainable development objectives. Conversion for economic development uses is preferred but residential conversions may also be acceptable. Isolated new houses in the countryside will require special justification for planning permission to be granted but this may be provided if accommodation is needed, for example, to enable agricultural, forestry or other workers to live at or in the vicinity of their place of work. Any dwellings will count as new housing for the purposes of Planning Policy Statement 3 “Housing” (PPS3). PPS3 highlights the need for local authorities to plan for the provision of market and affordable housing in rural areas that contributes to the creation and maintenance of sustainable rural communities in market towns and villages. It also sets out how local authorities in rural areas should consider allocating and releasing sites solely for affordable housing, including using a rural exception site policy. It is for local planning authorities to determine planning applications, such as those for the development of disused or underused farm buildings for housing, in accordance with the statutory development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Housing: Vista Panels Grant Shapps To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what contracts have been provided to Vista Panels by the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder schemes. Mr. Iain Wright None of the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders is known to my Department to have had a direct contract with Vista Panels. Local Government Business Growth Initiative Mr. Kidney To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the local government business growth initiative (LEGI); and how much additional funding has been provided under the LEGI to local authorities. John Healey I understand my hon. Friend means this question to relate to Local Authority Business Growth Incentives Scheme (LABGI) rather than Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). At the end of the first year of LABGI, we revisited the methodology used to calculate the level of funding given to local authorities to ensure that the scheme continued to deliver an incentive for local authorities to maximise local economic growth. As a result, the scheme was simplified by removing the ceiling on payments made to local authorities. On 7 January 2007, the Government announced that, following further consideration of new legal challenges that have been made against the current scheme and the inherent uncertainty that this caused to the remaining LABGI pot, it intended to re-consider all aspects of the approach used to distribute the remaining resources available for Year 3 of the LABGI scheme. The full statement can be found at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/labgi/statementyr3pay.pdf In October 2006, the Government published an issues paper, which sought views on reform of LABGI. This set out the Government’s intention to develop an incentive as a full and permanent part of the local government finance system and to phase this in from 2009-10, with funding of £50 million doubling to £100 million in its second year. We are now considering the responses that have been received. Members: Correspondence Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Harborough of 20 December 2007 on the eco-town proposal in Harborough. Mr. Iain Wright [holding answer 22 January 2008]: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) replied to the hon. Member on 17 January. Muslims: Females Mr. Paul Goodman To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to her answer of 18 December 2007, Official Report, columns 1338-9W, on Muslims: females, which academics, theologians and leading Muslim women attended the two roundtable meetings in which women’s access to mosque life was discussed; and who attended the two wider stakeholders meetings. Mr. Dhanda [holding answer 22 January 2008]: In my right hon. Friend’s answer of 18 December, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government identified two roundtable meetings at which the issue of women’s access to mosque life was discussed. The following academics and theologians attended the first of these meetings: ---------------------------------------------------- |Name | | ---------------------------------------------------- |Prof. Tariq Ramadan |University of Oxford | ---------------------------------------------------- |Prof. Tim Winters |University of Cambridge | ---------------------------------------------------- |Dr. Anas Sheikh-Ali |AMSS UK | ---------------------------------------------------- |Prof. Ron Geaves |Liverpool Hope University | ---------------------------------------------------- |Sheikh Gamal Manna |Muslim College | ---------------------------------------------------- |Dr. Usama Hasan |Middlesex University | ---------------------------------------------------- |Mehri Niknam |Joseph Interfaith Foundation| ---------------------------------------------------- |Dr. Shahid Raza |British Muslim Forum | ---------------------------------------------------- |Dilwar Hussein |Islamic Foundation | ---------------------------------------------------- |Dr. Musharraf Hussain|Karimia Institute | ---------------------------------------------------- |Prof. Haleh Afshar |University of York | ---------------------------------------------------- |Maleiha Malik |Kings College London | ---------------------------------------------------- The following stakeholders attended the second meeting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Name | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Batool Al Toma |Islamic Foundation | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Parvin Ali QBE |FATMA Women’s Network | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Naheed Arshad-Mather|Chair, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Panel | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Zuleka Dala |Mental Health Development Team, Yorkshire Primary Care Trust | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Reedah El-Saie |Barrister | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shahda Khan |Principal Community Cohesion Officer, Middlesbrough Council | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sabira Murtaza Lakha|World Federation of Khoja Shi’a Ithna Asheri | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Adeeba Malik |QED-UK | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sabin Malik |Principal Community Cohesion Officer, London borough of Hounslow| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Andleen Razaq |Diversity Awareness Trainer, Metropolitan Police Force | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shahien Taj |Henna Foundation | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government also identified two stakeholder roundtable meetings. The following persons attended one or both of these meetings: ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Name | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Yousif al-Khoei |Al-Koei Foundation | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Khurshid Ahmed |British Muslim Forum | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Irfan Chishti |Sufi Muslim Council | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Yasmin Alibhai-Brown|British Muslims for Secular Democracy | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Parvin Ali |FATIMA Women's Network | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shahien Taj |Henna Foundation | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dr. Abdul Bari |Muslim Council of Britain | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Abdulkarim Kubica |Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shaista Gohir |Muslim Women’s Network | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Mohammed Imran |Muslim Youth Helpline | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hashim Duale |Somali Community, Leicester | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Yahya Birt |City Circle | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sabira Lakha |World Federation of Khoja Shi’a Ithna Asheri| ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aneela Majid |British Muslims for Secular Democracy | ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Paul Goodman To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department has published good practice guidance on initiatives to support the role of Muslim women in the community since the report on preventing violent extremism was published. Mr. Dhanda [holding answer 22 January 2008]: The good practice guide on effective initiatives to strengthen the role that Muslim women play in their communities was published on 23 January. Property Mr. Slaughter To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when a consultation paper will be published on proposed reforms to the property search market. Mr. Iain Wright The consultation paper was published on 18 January. Regeneration: Coventry Mr. Greg Knight To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what grants her Department has provided for the re-development of Coventry in the last 12 months; and what (a) grants and (b) loans for that purpose are planned for the future. Mr. Dhanda There have been no specific Communities and Local Government grants or loans provided for the re-development of Coventry in the last 12 months apart from a contribution to Coventry’s New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative based in three deprived outer estates in the north east of the city. Religious Buildings: Planning Sarah Teather To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in respect of how many sites applications for planning permission for change of use from a place of worship to (a) private housing, (b) commercial usage, (c) community functions and (d) other usage have been granted in each of the last 10 years. Mr. Iain Wright The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Communities and Local Government collects quarterly aggregate statistics on development control from all local planning authorities in England. However, we do not collect information on individual planning applications. Repossession Orders: Housing Benefit Margaret Moran To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many possession orders were (a) suspended and (b) dismissed relating to properties owned by (i) registered social landlords and (ii) local authority housing departments because of non-payment of housing benefit by local authorities in the latest period for which figures are available. Maria Eagle I have been asked to reply. Data are not available relating to the number of possession actions initiated by social landlords or local authority housing departments which were suspended or dismissed on the grounds of non-payment of housing benefit by local authorities. This information could be compiled centrally only at disproportionate cost. However, the Ministry of Justice publishes general quarterly statistics on mortgage and landlord possession actions. This publication includes court-level data on the number of suspended orders, and is available from the statistics pages of the Ministry of Justice website. Rural Areas: Business Mr. McLoughlin To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to promote rural towns as desirable places to set up and expand businesses. Mr. Dhanda The Government’s review of sub-national economic development and regeneration (known as the SNR), published in July 2007, set out policies designed to enable all places, including rural towns, to reach their economic potential. Regional development agencies lead work to drive economic development in the regions. However, under the proposals set out in the SNR, local authorities will play an increasingly important role in driving forward economic development and will develop and deliver the regional strategy alongside the RDAs. The SNR also proposed a new economic appraisal duty for local authorities, which would require each upper tier local authority to assess the economic circumstances and challenges in its area. The Government will be consulting on these proposals shortly. Rural Areas: Renewable Energy Mr. Paice To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to assist rural households on planning issues in relation to alternative sources of energy and microgeneration. Mr. Iain Wright The Planning Policy Statement on climate change we published at the end of 2007 sets out new planning rules to boost the use of local renewable and low carbon energy. These expect local planners, whether in rural or urban locations, to promote and encourage alternative sources of energy and microgeneration when they help cut carbon emissions. We are also going to make it easier for householders including those in rural areas to install microgeneration equipment without the need to apply for planning permission, subject to certain safeguards to minimise the impact on others. Our aim is to amend the relevant legislation in the spring. Where the proposal would still require a planning application, and it is in line with our new policy rules for cutting carbon emissions, we expect it to be handled expeditiously and sympathetically. Home Department Arrests Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prosecutions have been made and (b) fixed penalty notices have been issued by (i) police and (ii) local authorities for (A) fly tipping, (B) graffiti, (C) dog fouling, (D) the dropping of litter and (E) parking offences in each year since 1997. Jonathan Shaw I have been asked to reply. Information on prosecutions at magistrates courts is held by the Ministry of Justice for (A) fly tipping offences, (B) ‘other’ criminal damage, (C) dog fouling, (D) littering and (E) parking offences since 1997; these are provided in the following tables. The offence class of ‘other’ criminal damage includes, but cannot separately identify, offences of graffiti. Data on fly posting offences cannot be separately identified from the data held by the Ministry of Justice. ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates court| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|1,791 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|1,550 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|1,317 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|985 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|922 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|732 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000|648 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999|564 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998|516 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997|393 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates court| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|13,478 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|12,368 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|13,359 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|13,852 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|14,152 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|13,820 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000|12,802 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999|13,932 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998|14,148 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997|13,734 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates court| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|404 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|473 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|461 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|454 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|355 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|366 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000|341 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999|294 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998|184 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997|45 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates court| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|2,031 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|1,447 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|909 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|552 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|333 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|457 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000|466 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999|506 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998|496 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997|506 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates court| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|9,059 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|10,972 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|14,710 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|17,729 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|17,554 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|18,966 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000|19,624 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999|22,869 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998|23,572 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997|21,051 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ Data are collected by DEFRA on the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by local authorities, and how many had subsequently been taken to prosecution due to non-payment. Police Community Support Officers can issue FPNs if they have the relevant approval; such FPNs are issued on behalf of the local authority and are included in the aggregated figure provided by each local authority to DEFRA each year. FPNs cannot be issued for fly tipping offences. The numbers of FPNs issued for each offence each year are included in the following tables. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Reporting year (April to March)|Number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued|Number of cases taken to court following non-payment| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |42 |2 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |47 |3 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |19 |2 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the power to issue FPNs for graffiti offences was introduced in 2003, statistics do not exist prior to this date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Reporting year (April to March)|Number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued|Number of cases taken to court following non-payment| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |3,675 |205 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |4,066 |303 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |3,557 |330 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |2,742 |193 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |2,036 |127 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |2,311 |190 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |1,817 |91 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |1,545 |111 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |1,321 |90 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |292 |11 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Reporting Year|Number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued|Number of cases taken to court following non-payment| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006-07 |43,624 |2,144 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005-06 |33,033 |1,002 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004-05 |25,216 |1,100 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003-04 |7,565 |266 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002-03 |12,820 |169 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001-02 |11,615 |175 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000-01 |2,247 |66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999-2000 |2,970 |30 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998-99 |4,777 |13 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997-98 |727 |74 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The parking offences for which a FPN can be issued are nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles, as defined in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The first year of available data is for the period April 2006 to March 2007. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Reporting yearApril 2006 to March 2007|Number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued|Number of cases taken to court following non-payment| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |(E(i)) Nuisance parking |1,657 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |(E(ii)) Abandoned vehicles |469 |16 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The police can issue penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) which can include offences such as littering. The littering offence was added to the PND scheme in 2004 when it was rolled out nationally. Data on the number of PNDs issued for littering broken down by police force area are published as a part of the publication ‘Penalty Notices for Disorder’ for 2004 data and as a part of ‘Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 2006’ (for 2005 and 2006 data). These are available on the Ministry of Justice website. Asylum Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will give a breakdown by (a) sex and (b) age group of asylum applicants granted leave to remain in the UK via (i) asylum status, (ii) exceptional leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain or humanitarian protection, (iii) the 1998 backlog exercise and (iv) the 2000 family ILR exercise in each year since 1997. Mr. Byrne Information on initial decisions by sex for years 2001 to 2006 are available from the annual Statistical Bulletins Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Information on initial decisions by age of applicants for years 1997 to 2000 are available from the annual Statistical Bulletins Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, information for 2001 to 2006 will be placed in the House Libraries. Categories and the presentation of data changed in 2001 and this is reflected in the tables provided. Information on the 1998 backlog exercise and the 2000 family ILR exercise is not available broken down by age and sex and could be obtained by examination of individual case records only at disproportionate cost. Jenny Willott To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of the people whose asylum cases (a) were considered under the Legacy Casework Programme were unsuccessful have been removed and (b) are awaiting removal; and if she will make a statement. Mr. Byrne In her update to the Home Affairs Select Committee of 17 December 2007, Lin Homer (the chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency) stated that 52,000 cases have been concluded by the Case Resolution Directorate, of which about 16,000 have led to removals. We do not hold information on how many cases have been considered and are awaiting removal. Lin Homer gave an undertaking to update the Home Affairs Select Committee every six months. Jim Cousins To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seeker legacy cases have been recognised in (a) Newcastle and (b) the North East; and how many such cases have been determined. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 15 January 2008]: The information requested cannot be provided except by examining individual case records at disproportionate cost. Asylum: Applications Andrew Stunell To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are issued to case decision-makers in the Borders and Immigration Agency on the economic and social consequences for applicants for indefinite leave to remain of the time taken to make decisions on individual applications. Mr. Byrne There is no specific guidance issued to caseworkers on the economic and social consequences of time taken to process a decision on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications. The Border and Immigration Agency have time based targets for dealing with such applications, the majority of which are met. Targets that are 70 per cent. of all decisions on in time applications requesting indefinite leave to remain are made within 20 days of receipt and that 90 per cent. are decided within 70 days. Asylum: Dublin II Agreement Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers her Department has requested the return of under the Dublin II Agreement in each year since it came into force. Mr. Byrne Approximately 7,920 requests have been made by the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Dublin II regulation since its introduction on 1 September 2003. Statistics on the number of requests between September and December 2003 is unavailable. The yearly breakdown is as follows: ------------- | |Number| ------------- |2004|2,320 | ------------- |2005|1,840 | ------------- |2006|1,960 | ------------- |2007|1,800 | ------------- These figures are based on management information. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, is subject to change and should be treated as provisional. These figures have been rounded to the nearest five. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been returned to the UK under the Dublin II Agreement in each year since it came into force. Mr. Byrne A total of approximately 1,165 asylum seekers have been returned to the UK from other EU countries under Dublin provisions since 2004. The Dublin II regulation was introduced on 1 September 2003 and replaced the Dublin convention. The statistics, as follows, include returns under both the Dublin convention and regulation as we are unable to provide figures on the Dublin regulation alone. Returns information from September to December 2003 is unavailable. A yearly breakdown is as follows: ------------- | |Number| ------------- |2004|90 | ------------- |2005|265 | ------------- |2006|440 | ------------- |2007|370 | ------------- These figures are based on management information. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, is subject to change and should be treated as provisional. These figures have been rounded to the nearest five. Asylum: Social Security Benefits Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were in receipt of asylum support in each year since 1 January 2004, broken down by nationality; and how many in receipt of such support had been refused asylum. Mr. Byrne The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support broken down by nationality are published annually in the Asylum Statistics United Kingdom bulletins. The latest bulletin for 2006 and historic publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html Information on decision outcomes relating specifically to supported asylum seekers is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Campsfield House Detention Centre: Costs Mr. Andrew Smith To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was to public funds of responding to the break-out from Campfield House Detention Centre in August 2007. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 22 January 2008]: Any costs incurred by the Border and Immigration Agency as a result of the disturbance in Campsfield House in August 2007 are reclaimed from the contractors through a joint insurance arrangement. Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking Mr. MacShane To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to complete the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking. Mr. Coaker [holding answer 17 January 2008]: The Government are determined to prioritise the effort to tackle the misery of human trafficking. That is why we intend to ratify the Convention before the end of this year, subject to achieving necessary changes to domestic legislation in all parts of the UK. Crime: Romania Mr. Mark Field To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Romanian and (b) Bulgarian nationals have been arrested by Metropolitan Police officers since January 2007. Mr. McNulty The arrests collection undertaken by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform provides data only on persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) broken down by age group, gender, ethnicity, police force area and main offence group. The nationality of the arrestee does not form part of this collection. Crimes of Violence Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of actual bodily harm police cautions were used in each of the last five years; and what proportion of such cases were first offences. Mr. McNulty Data showing the number of offenders cautioned, proceeded against and found guilty of actual bodily harm offences in England and Wales from 2002 to 2006 have been provided by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform and are given in the following table. Information is not available on the number of these cases which were first offences. Number of offenders cautioned, and defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for actual bodily harm offences1, in England and Wales, 2002 to 20062, 320022003200420052006Proceeded against 34,78535,95530,10928,09126,231Found guilty15,02615,08714,66316,07116,663Cautioned15,77320,39725,70738,09442,171 1 Includes the following offences:Assaults occasioning actual bodily harm (malicious wounding), Offences against the Person Act 1861 section 47 (in part).Racially aggravated assaults occasioning actual bodily harm (malicious wounding), Offences Against the Person Act 1861 section 47 (in part) as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 section 29(1)(b) & (2).Religiously aggravated ABH, Offences Against the Person Act 1861 section 47 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 section 29(1)(b) & (2).Racially or religiously aggravated ABH, Offences Against the Person Act 1861 section 47 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 section 29(1)(b) & (2).2 These data are on the principal offence basis.3 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. Departmental Pay Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department and its agencies spent on end-of-year bonus payments in each of the last five years. Mr. Byrne End of year bonus payments for staff in Home Office headquarters, the Border and Immigration Agency, and for senior civil servants across the Home Office are linked to performance appraisals. The following table provides the amount paid in end of year bonuses to these staff in the last four years: ------------------------- | |Amount paid (£)| ------------------------- |2002-03|2,067,878 | ------------------------- |2003-04|3,361,516 | ------------------------- |2004-05|4,287,676 | ------------------------- |2005-06|4,449,667 | ------------------------- Figures for 2006-07 are subject to some change as data are not yet complete. Staff in the Identity and Passport Service receive end of year corporate bonuses, and change agent bonuses. As the corporate bonuses were only introduced in 2003-04 the following table provides information for the last four years only: ------------------------- | |Amount paid (£)| ------------------------- |2003-04|388,874 | ------------------------- |2004-05|731,484 | ------------------------- |2005-06|1,068,482 | ------------------------- |2006-07|1,253,045 | ------------------------- Staff in the Criminal Records Bureau do not receive end of year bonuses. Data are not available from the Prison Service, who were formally an agency of the Home Office prior to transferring to the Ministry of Justice, as obtaining these data is possible only at disproportionate cost. Entry Clearances Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many dependants have entered the UK with foreign nationals obtaining a grant of an after-entry application to (a) vary leave, (b) vary leave for permit-free employment and (c) vary leave for business in each year since 1997; (2) how many holders of student visas of each nationality have been granted an extension of their entry visa on (a) two occasions and (b) three or more occasions in each year since 2001; (3) how many foreign nationals granted an after entry application (a) to vary leave, (b) to vary leave for permit-free employment and (c) to vary leave for business had obtained (i) a previous extension of leave and (ii) two or more previous extensions of leave in the last year for which figures are available; (4) how many (a) applications and (b) refusals there were of applications for after entry variation of leave for (i) permit-free employment and (ii) business in each year since 1997; (5) how many grants of after entry applications to vary leave for business were made in (a) each year since 1997 and (b) each quarter since 1 January 2004; what the percentage change in grants made was between each such period; and how many foreign nationals of each nationality obtained such a grant in each year since January 2004; (6) how many grants of after entry applications to vary leave for permit-free employment were made in (a) each year since 1997 and (b) each quarter since 1 January 2004; what the percentage change in grants made was between each such period; and how many such grants were made (i) in each category and (ii) for foreign nationals of each nationality in each of the last three years for which such figures are available. Mr. Byrne The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost. Entry Clearances: Health Professions Peter Bottomley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether overseas doctors and international medical graduates are eligible for highly skilled migrant status; and whether there is any restriction on numbers by category of medical specialty; (2) what joint Home Office and Department of Health groups have responsibility for planning highly skilled migrant programme numbers in relation to service and training needs. Mr. Byrne Migrants may come to the UK or extend their leave here under the highly skilled migrant programme, subject to gaining sufficient points against four objective criteria (qualifications, previous earnings, age and UK experience) and meeting any other requirements for that category in the immigration rules. There is no restriction on numbers by category of medical speciality. National health service workforce planning is a matter for the Department of Health. Entry Clearances: Pakistan Mr. Gordon Prentice To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many spouses from Pakistan left the marital home before being granted indefinite leave to remain and were allowed to stay in the UK as a result of an administrative decision by her Department in each year since 2000. Mr. Byrne The requested information is not readily available and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at a disproportionate cost. The number of Pakistani spouses who left the marital home and were subsequently recorded as being granted indefinite leave to remain on the basis of domestic violence since 2003 is shown in the table. This information has not been quality assured and is not a national statistic. It should be treated as provisional management information and may be subject to change. Data have been rounded to the nearest five. ---------------------- | |Number of cases| ---------------------- |2003|15 | ---------------------- |2004|70 | ---------------------- |2005|40 | ---------------------- |2006|65 | ---------------------- |2007|70 | ---------------------- Entry Clearances: Students Mr. Lilley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether those applying to extend their student visa are asked whether they have previously had their visa extended. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 21 January 2008]: When a student applies for an extension to their student visa the application form requires the student to provide details of their previous studies if the student has previously been granted permission to study in the United Kingdom. Their application is supported by their passport or travel document which will include their previous visa extension. Mr. Lilley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks are made on whether students whose visas are extended for further academic study attend their new courses. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 21 January 2008]: One of the provisions of the student rules is that a student needs to provide evidence of enrolment from an institution on the Register of Education and Training Providers before an extension may be granted. If a student fails to attend, the institution must provide details to the Border and Immigration Agency on demand. When a student applies for an extension to their leave, the application form requires the institution to provide written confirmation of the student’s attendance. Under the proposed new Points Based System, there will be a mandatory requirement on institutions to report non-attendance of their students. This will be supported by sanctions on the institutions and may include removal from the sponsorship register for failure to meet this requirement. Mr. Lilley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visa extensions were granted for students (a) to pursue a full-time recognised degree course, (b) to pursue a weekday daytime course involving a minimum of 15 hours per week, (c) to attend a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school, (d) to re-sit an examination, (e) to write up a thesis, (f) to follow a nursing training course at a recognised nursing educational establishment, (g) as a sabbatical officer and (h) for another purpose in 2006. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 21 January 2008]: The information in the form requested could be obtained by the detailed examination of individual case records only at disproportionate cost. However, statistics on decisions on applications for an extension of leave to remain are published in chapter 4 of the Command Paper ‘Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2006’. This publication may be obtained from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html Genetics: Database Jenny Willott To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research projects have been undertaken using data from the National DNA Database; and if she will make a statement. Meg Hillier [holding answer 15 January 2008]: Data from the National DNA Database (NDNAD) have been provided to the following organisations for research purposes. Forensic Science Service: 10 projects relating to assistance to forensic providers for R and D papers, not specific investigations. one project relating to police operations, requiring anonymised NDNAD profiles. one project relating to database improvements. Home Office: two Research Development and Statistics projects relating to match reporting. one project relating to police operations on behalf of Interpol (this was reported as G8 rather than Interpol in response to an earlier Freedom of Information Act query). one project relating to database improvements (these data are now provided as routine management information and no longer classified as research). one project to identify new leads on undetected prolific offenders involved in at least one serious crime offence. Greater Manchester Police: one project relating to police operations, checking against the NDNAD for named individuals. Merseyside Police: one project using exhibits from solved cases. LGC (forensic services provider): one project relating to assistance to forensic providers for R and D papers, not specific investigations. one project on the further development of familial searching software. one project on the confirmation of rarely found types of DNA. Cellmark Forensic Services: one project on the further development of familial searching software. Immigrants: Carers Mr. Swayne To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to change the minimum salary regime for senior carer work permit renewals; and if she will make a statement. Mr. Byrne Work permit salary guidance for all occupations is kept continuously under review, and is updated in line with the latest and most robust salary data available from industry. Salary guidance for senior care workers is no exception. The current rate is derived from Skills for Care’s National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC), which is the most comprehensive salary data we have identified for this sector. Work permit applications, including extensions, are assessed against the going rate at the time that the application is made. It has always been a requirement, for any job, that work permit holders must be paid at least equal to the going rate that would normally attract a suitably skilled resident worker. It is essential that we prevent skilled migrants from being exploited as a source of cheap labour, and salaries for skilled resident workers from being undercut. As part of the transitional measures we are putting in place for existing work permit holders, an exceptional in-country extension may be granted for a maximum of 12 months for those senior care workers who have had work permits approved prior to 31 December 2003. The requirement for employers to pay the current going rate will be exceptionally waived, providing the salary is at least equal to that on the previous work permit approval. This is part of a package of transitional measures we have introduced to assist the sector in maintaining continuity of care whilst it adapts its staff recruitment and retention practices to more effectively target the resident work force. Immigration Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the cases in which leave to remain in the UK was granted under the legacy exercise related to (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) asylum seekers whose cases had yet to be considered. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 10 January 2008]: We do not hold this information in the format requested and to obtain it would involve disproportionate cost. Immigration Controls Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effects of reducing the coverage of the resident labour market test; (2) what estimate she has made of the proportion of jobs covered by the requirements of the resident labour market list; (3) pursuant to her answer of 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 86W, on immigration controls, what decisions she has made on the future operation of the resident labour market test; and what estimate she has made of the number and proportion of jobs which would no longer be subject to the labour market test if the test threshold was set at a salary of (a) £30,000, (b) £40,000 and (c) £50,000 a year. Mr. Byrne We will ensure that under the PBS we continue to protect the privileged position held by British workers in the job market. Immigration Controls: Expenditure Mr. Malins To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the juxtaposed UK immigration controls at Paris, Lille and Brussels cost in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07. Mr. Byrne [holding answer 21 January 2008]: The information is as follows: (a) The juxtaposed UK immigration controls at Paris, Lille and Brussels cost £7,102,500 in 2005-06. (b) The juxtaposed UK immigration controls at Paris, Lille and Brussels cost £8,492,000 in 2006-07. Migrant Workers Jon Cruddas To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publications the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) provide for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania explaining the procedures for confirming their status as self-employed persons to the relevant United Kingdom authorities; what evidence is required by the BIA to establish that such nationals are self-employed; and what penalties have been imposed on such nationals who have not satisfied the BIA that they are self-employed. Mr. Byrne The Home Office has produced a booklet for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals entitled ‘Living and Working in the UK’, detailing the rights and responsibilities of ‘A2’ nationals from 1 January 2007. Further information on what documentation to apply for, relevant criteria and application forms can be found on the BIA website. A ‘self-employed person’ is someone who has established themselves in the UK in order to pursue activity as a self-employed person. Examples of evidence to prove such status includes: Invoices showing payment for services or contracts to provide services Evidence from HMRC of national insurance special reference number Evidence from HMRC of registration for tax Evidence from HMRC of national insurance contributions This list is not exhaustive. More information can be found on the HMRC website here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/ If a Bulgarian or Romanian national falsely claims to be a self-employed person, they are not residing in the UK in accordance with the Accession Regulations and may be subject to prosecution and/or a Fixed Penalty of £1,000 may be issued. We do not routinely record this information. Organised Crime: Romania Mr. Mark Field To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken in co-operation with the Romanian police to tackle criminal Romanian gangs operating in London. Mr. Coaker Tackling the menace of organised crime is a top priority for the Government. The establishment of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in 2006 signalled the Government’s determination to make the UK one of the toughest places in the world to operate, irrespective of nationality. We have been working for some time and continue to do so, with Romanian authorities and crime agencies to identify, and close the door to organised crime groups. The close working relationship has resulted in two Romanian police officers being placed with the Metropolitan police ‘Operation Golf’ to help identify children who they believe were trafficked out of Romania by an organised crime network for the purpose of criminal exploitation. Police: Pay Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the average pay is for all grades of police officer in England; (2) what the average pay for a police constable in England including all allowances is in 2007-08. Mr. McNulty Information on average salary by rank is not held centrally. Information on pay scales for all police ranks was taken from the Police Negotiating Board Circulars available at the Office of Manpower Services website: www.ome.uk.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Pay scale | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Constable |£21,009-£32,985 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sergeant |£32,985-£37,071 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Inspector |£42,264-£45,843 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Inspector (London) |£44,118-£47,709 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chief Inspector |£46,779-£48,705 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chief Inspector (London) |£48,645-£50,568 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Superintendent |£56,274-£65,565 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chief Superintendent |£67,200-£71,031 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Assistant Chief Constable |£81,954-£95,613 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Deputy Chief Constable (including Deputy Metropolitan Commissioner)|£98,346-£193,959 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chief Constable (including Metropolitan Commissioner) |£117,468-£234,939| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Police officers are entitled to a range of allowances as set out in the Police Regulations 2003 and the Secretary of State’s determinations under the regulations. Some of the principle allowances are: Officers serving in the Metropolitan or City of London forces are eligible for: ------------------------ | |£ | ------------------------ |London Allowance|4,338| ------------------------ |London Weighting|2,055| ------------------------ A South East England Allowance is payable to members of the forces listed as follows at the rates given: ------------------------------------------------- | |£ | ------------------------------------------------- |Essex, Herts, Kent, Surrey, Thames Valley|2,000| ------------------------------------------------- |Beds, Hants, Sussex |1,000| ------------------------------------------------- As set out in the Police Negotiating Board Circular 03/16 some posts (determined by the chief office and police authority) are eligible for a special priority payment. The payments can be between £500 and £3,000 and exceptionally up to £5,000. Stop and Search Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stops and searches were conducted (a) in total and (b) per 1,000 population in each police force area, in each year since 1997; and what percentage of (i) the total and (ii) the number in each area resulted in an arrest in each year. Mr. McNulty The available information by financial year is given in the tables placed in the House Library. Health Abortion Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2008, Official Report, column 574W, on abortion, what the (a) prefix and (b) title is of each file held by his Department on (i) the Abortion (Amendment) Bill of Session 1987-88, (ii) the Unborn Children (Protection) Bills of Sessions (A) 1984-85, (B) 1985-86 and (C) 1987-98 and (c) the Abortion Act 1967; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The information requested has been placed in the Library. Autism: Elderly Mike Gapes To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to assist elderly people who are on the autism spectrum. Mr. Ivan Lewis The provision of services for people with autism is a matter for the appropriate local authority and national health service bodies who are required to prioritise and allocate funding for services based on their assessment of the needs of their local populations. The “Putting People First” Concordat sets out a shared vision for the transformation of social care. It articulates the common aims and values that will guide all the participants in modernising adult social care. Ensuring individualised responses for older people including people with autistic spectrum conditions, will be part of this transformation. This may be through provision of direct payments or individual budgets should current pilots prove successful. These provide greater choice and control for people needing support, and place the person who is supported at the centre of the process. Cancer: Prescriptions Mrs. Gillan To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued in relation to cancer in the latest year for which figures are available; and what proportion of these were (a) exempt from charges and (b) paid for by pre-payment certificate. Dawn Primarolo The information is not available in the format requested. Departmental Equality Mr. Lansley To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to paragraph 29, page 35 of his Department’s resource accounts for 2006-07, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s Commission for Racial Equality Action Plan. Mr. Ivan Lewis As noted in the resource accounts, the action plan was incorporated into the Department’s single equality scheme (where it is included in chapter 14). The scheme was published in June 2007 and is available at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Equalityandhumanrights/SingleEqualityScheme/index.htm A copy of the scheme has been placed in the Library. The Department is working to produce a revised single equality scheme by 29 February 2008. Drugs: Rehabilitation Andrew Rosindell To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug rehabilitation clinics there were in (a) Romford, (b) Essex and (c) Greater London in the most recent period for which figures are available. Dawn Primarolo The specific information requested is not collected centrally. Food: Cloning Animals Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department’s policy is on the cloning of animals for food production; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The sale of foods and food ingredients derived from cloned animals falls within the scope of the Novel Foods Regulation (EC) 258/97. The authorisation and labelling of novel foods is decided on a case-by-case basis and no applications have been received to date for the authorisation of products derived from cloned animals. Any application would be evaluated on the basis of the information provided. In the meantime, foods obtained from cloned animals cannot be sold for human consumption. Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the European Food Standards Agency’s draft scientific opinions relating to the (a) food safety, (b) animal health and welfare and (c) environmental impact of cloned animals, their offspring and the products obtained from these animals; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued its draft opinion for consultation on 11 January 2008. The Food Standards Agency is examining the food safety aspects of the draft opinion and will provide its comments to EFSA before the end of the consultation period, which runs until 25 February 2008. Animal health and welfare and the environmental impact of farming practices are the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Health Education: Religious Practice Mr. Randall To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health advice his Department provides related to religious observance; and what (a) advice and (b) funding was received from relevant faith organisations in each case. Mr. Ivan Lewis The Department recognises that we all now live in a multicultural, multi-faith society. The Department is committed to recognising the needs of patients and staff of diverse religious groups, and to responding sensitively and appropriately to these needs. In November 2003 the Department published “NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the Religious and Spiritual needs of Patients and Staff”, which aims to ensure that national health service chaplaincy services reflect the religious diversity of the communities the NHS serves. This guidance was developed with advice from the Multi-Faith Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy, an independent group, which includes representatives from nine faith communities. In September 2007 the Department funded an independent organisation called Communities in Action to produce a “Ramadan Health Guide” providing information and advice on maximising health gain during the Muslim fast, which was developed in consultation with a number of Muslim community organisations and clinicians. In December 2007 the Department published a leaflet entitled “Going to Hajj or Umrah?” This leaflet explains and offers advice on some of the risks concerning meningitis for travellers to the Muslim pilgrimage. Following the introduction of the Equality Act (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2006, the Department has commissioned independent consultants to develop a practical guide to these regulations, which prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in the provision of goods, facilities and services. In each case, no funding was received from faith organisations in the development of this advice. Hepatitis B Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group had hepatitis B in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex and (iii) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. Dawn Primarolo Surveillance of hepatitis B is based upon reports of confirmed acute hepatitis B diagnoses from laboratories in England and Wales. The information available, which is from 1998 to 2003 and down to regional level, is shown in the following tables. ---------------------------------------- | |1998 |1999 |2000 | ---------------------------------------- |Age group |Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male|Female|Not known|Total|Male|Female|Not known|Total| ---------------------------------------- |<1 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| ---------------------------------------- |years 1-4 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| ---------------------------------------- |years 5-9 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|5| ---------------------------------------- |years 10-14 |<5|<5 |<5 |6|<5|<5|<5|6|<5|<5|<5|<5| ---------------------------------------- |years 15-24 |124 |99 |<5 |225|107|92|6|205|98|80|6|184| ---------------------------------------- |years 25-34 |212 |79 |5 |296|164|72|<5|240|192|56|10|258| ---------------------------------------- |years 35-44 |106 |35 |<5 |145|109|27|<5|138|99|31|<5|131| ---------------------------------------- |years 45-54 |66 |20 |<5 |86|63|11|<5|74|61|14|<5|75| ---------------------------------------- |years 55-64 |26 |<5 |<5 |29|28|5|<5|34|25|8|<5|35| ---------------------------------------- |years >=65 |16 |9 |<5 |26|18|7|<5|28|14|6|<5|20| ---------------------------------------- |Years Not known|19 |8 |<5 |28|17|<5|<5|21|9|4|<5|14| ---------------------------------------- |Total |574 |256 |13 |843|512|223|17|752|503|204|20|727| ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Age group |Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male |Female|Not known|Total| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |<1 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 1-4 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 5-9 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 10-14 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |5 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 15-24 |71 |73 |<5 |147 |112 |92 |<5 |208 |67 |52 |5 |124 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 25-34 |140 |51 |<5 |195 |208 |77 |<5 |289 |156 |70 |5 |231 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 35-44 |96 |31 |<5 |130 |158 |46 |<5 |206 |137 |35 |<5 |172 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 45-54 |52 |7 |<5 |62 |69 |16 |<5 |86 |67 |19 |<5 |87 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years 55-64 |23 |<5 |<5 |26 |42 |7 |<5 |51 |37 |9 |<5 |47 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |years >=65 |15 |5 |<5 |20 |17 |7 |<5 |24 |20 |10 |<5 |30 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Years Not known|11 |<5 |<5 |15 |12 |5 |<5 |21 |<5|<5 |<5 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |411 |173 |15 |599 |622 |256 |17 |895 |494 |200 |15 |709 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- | |1998 |1999 |2000 | -------------------------------------- |Age group |Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male|Female|Not known|Total|Male|Female|Not known|Total| -------------------------------------- |<1 year |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |1-4 year |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |5-9 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |10-14 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |15-24 years |<5|6 |<5 |6|5|7|<5|12|5|12|<5|17| -------------------------------------- |25-34 years |11 |<5 |<5 |13|16|4|<5|20|15|6|<5|21| -------------------------------------- |35-44 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|5|<5|<5|6|6|<5|<5|8| -------------------------------------- |45-54 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |55-64 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |>=65 years|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |Not known |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5|<5| -------------------------------------- |Total |22 |10 |<5 |32|31|12|<5|43|33|23|<5|56| -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Age group |Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male |Female|Not known|Total|Male |Female|Not known|Total| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |<1 year |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1-4 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |5-9 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |10-14 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |15-24 years |6 |5 |<5 |11 |10 |5 |<5 |15 |<5|<5 |<5 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |25-34 years |11 |<5 |<5 |15 |16 |7 |<5 |23 |<5|7 |<5 |9 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |35-44 years |5 |5 |<5 |10 |12 |<5 |<5 |14 |8 |<5 |<5 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |45-54 years |6 |<5 |<5 |8 |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|5 |<5 |<5 |9 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |55-64 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |>=65 years |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Not known |<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5|<5|<5 |<5 |<5| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |29 |15 |<5 |45 |43 |18 |<5 |61 |23 |20 |<5 |43 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. Since 2003, the completeness of data on whether hepatitis B infections are acute or chronic infection has decreased and therefore figures for 2004 onwards are not reliable. The HPA is working to improve the quality of information on acute hepatitis B reporting and provisional data for 2007 should be available later this year.2. Data are reported by laboratory rather than by the patient’s place of residence. Therefore, any breakdown of data below regional level is not considered reliable.3. Where fewer than five cases were reported for an area, the table indicates the number of cases reported as <5 rather than the actual number in order to reduce the risk of deductive disclosure of an individual’s identity.Source:Health Protection Agency (HPA).| | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Human Embryo Experiments Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2008, Official Report, column 591W, on human embryo experiments, what the (a) prefix and (b) title is of each file held by his Department on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill of Session 1989-90; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The prefixes and titles of the files held by the Department, concerning the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill of session 1989-90, and related papers are shown in the following table: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |File prefix |File title | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/VO5 |HF&E Bill 1990 Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/VO6 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/VO7 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/VO8 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/VO9 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/01/V10 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/02/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Post Warnock Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/02/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Post Warnock Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/VO3 |HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/VO4 |HF&E Bill 1990 Post Warnock | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0001/VO5 |HF&E Bill 1990 Post Warnock | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0002/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 H of L Committee Stage Amendments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0002/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 H of L Committee Stage Amendments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0002/VO3 |HF&E Bill 1990 H of L Committee Stage Amendments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0003/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Lords Report Stage | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0003/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Report Stage | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0003/VO3 |HF&E Bill 1990 Report Stage | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0004/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 H of L 2nd and 3rd Reading | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0005/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Commons 2nd Reading | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0006/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Commons Committee | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0007/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Standing Committee | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0008/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Lords Consideration of Common's Amendments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0009/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Notes on Clauses | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0010/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Various Papers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0011/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Interim Licensing Authority | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0011/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Confidentiality Provisions | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0012/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Confidentiality Provisions | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0012/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Hansard | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0012 |HF&E Bill 1990 Hansard | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0013/VO1 to VO7|HF&E Bill 1990 Disclosure of Information | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0014/VO1 to VO3|HF&E Bill 1990 Surrogate Arrangement Bill | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0015/VO1 to VO2|HF&E Bill 1990 Policy on Legislation | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0016/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Code of Practice | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0017/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Appointments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0018/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 DTI: Restrictive Trade Practices | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0019/VO1 |HF&E Bill 1990 Post Warnock | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0019/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Consultation Documents Responses Legal Nursing Post Warnock| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0019/VO3 |HF&E Bill 1990 Consultation Documents Responses Post Warnock | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/0136/VO2 |HF&E Bill 1990 Disclosure of Information | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0014/0030/VOO24 |HF&E Bill 1990 H of L Committee Stage Amendments | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |INW0030/0001/0001/VO1 to VO4|HF&E Bill 1990 Warnock Report Consultations | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meat Hygiene Service Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Meat Hygiene Service has to alter its method of charging from headage to hourly rates. Dawn Primarolo We understand from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) currently charges industry for a proportion of the costs it incurs in carrying out meat hygiene and animal welfare official controls at approved meat premises. Businesses are charged the lower of the hourly MHS staff costs of delivering the official controls or a charge calculated from specified rates per animal or tonne of meat that is processed. The FSA Board decided last July that the MHS should seek to progressively recover an increasing proportion of the cost of the meat hygiene and animal welfare controls that it provides and should seek to introduce charges for specified risk material official controls. At the same time, the MHS was required to improve efficiency. The MHS is making significant changes to its operation that will reduce total costs in real terms from £91.3 million in 2006-07 to £75.0 million in 2011-12. In transforming, the MHS will continue to provide assurance that the meat industry produces safe meat for consumers. The MHS is working with the FSA and with industry stakeholders to develop a charging system that will encourage the efficient use of MHS staff. Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the (a) operation and (b) cost efficiency of the Meat Hygiene Service; (2) what plans he has to reform the operation of the Meat Hygiene Service; and if he will make a statement; (3) if he will make it his policy to replace the Meat Hygiene Service with private commercial inspection organisations. Dawn Primarolo The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reviewed the delivery of official controls currently undertaken by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) in approved meat premises and a range of possible alternatives. This led the FSA board to set the MHS challenging targets to reduce the total and net costs of its operations over the next three financial years; to improve its productivity; to make full and cost effective use of its independent contractors; and to develop new charging arrangements. The board also decided that work should continue on preparations to pilot an alternative delivery model for its further consideration later this year. Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will contribute to the Meat Hygiene Service’s current consultation on charges; and if he will publish the results of the consultation. Dawn Primarolo We understand from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the responses to the consultation are being considered and that a summary of them will be submitted to Ministers in the normal way when the regulations to which they relate are submitted for approval. We understand that the responses summary, with joint FSA/Meat Hygiene Service comments, will be published on the FSA’s website. Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the operation of the Meat Hygiene Service. Dawn Primarolo We have received four letters, including three from hon. Members. Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the operating cost of the Meat Hygiene Service was in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. Dawn Primarolo The operating costs (including inflation) of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for the last 10 years are: --------------------- | |£ million| --------------------- |1997-98 |55.0 | --------------------- |1998-99 |63.1 | --------------------- |1999-2000|66.9 | --------------------- |2000-01 |64.6 | --------------------- |2001-02 |77.7 | --------------------- |2002-03 |81.2 | --------------------- |2003-04 |82.1 | --------------------- |2004-05 |83.0 | --------------------- |2005-06 |88.2 | --------------------- |2006-07 |91.3 | --------------------- During this period MHS activity has increased and includes: the introduction of specified risk material controls; an increase in the attendance level of official veterinarians as required by European Union legislation; additional activity required during the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak; and additional work involved in the introduction of the system to allow over-30-month beef to enter the human food chain. In real terms, MHS costs have remained relatively flat since 2001 and are forecast to fall in 2007-08. The MHS transformation plans will see a reduction in total costs in real terms from £91.3 million in 2006-07 to £75.0 million in 2011-12, carrying out its role efficiently. NHS: Costs Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the direct health care costs, in current prices, of obesity (a) in the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) in 2050 or the latest year for which an estimate is available. Dawn Primarolo In 2005 the Government asked the Government Office for Science’s Foresight programme to examine the scale of the obesity problem. They estimated that in 2007, the total cost to the national health service of diseases in which body mass index is a risk factor was £17.4 billion, of which obesity is estimated to account for £1 billion. The Foresight report anticipates that, at today’s prices, the NHS cost of overweight and obesity could rise to £6.5 billion by 2050. Pregnant Women: Streptococcus Mrs. May To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the introduction of routine screening of pregnant women for Group B Strep; (2) what steps the Government have taken to educate (a) relevant health professionals and (b) pregnant women about the symptoms and prevention of Group B Strep infections in babies; (3) what representations he has received from the Health Protection Agency on the use of the enriched culture medium (ECM) testing method for detecting Group B Strep in late pregnancy; and if he will bring forward proposals for the ECM test to be available on the NHS. Dawn Primarolo Current policy, on advice from the United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not to offer routine screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage to all pregnant women, because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that this would be beneficial. A cost benefit analysis would usually be commissioned only when the evidence supported screening. A health technology assessment (HTA) cost effectiveness modelling study, commissioned by the UK NSC, which compared different management strategies for GBS in pregnancy has reported. The HTA report recommends that the current screening policy should not be changed without further research and that research to evaluate the efficacy of a vaccine for GBS should be prioritised. The researchers also recommend a revision of existing guidelines on current best practice; the RCOG is in the process of initiating a guideline review project which will consider the evidence generated since the first publication in 2003. A GBS online learning package was produced in collaboration with the user group—Group B Strep Support (GBSS)—and others, which was launched in 2006. The learning package is based on RCOG guidelines and provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary interactive teaching resource which is freely available to all health care professionals at: www.whsl.org.uk/gbs Healthcare professionals are encouraged to follow the RCOG’s risk factor based guideline to reduce the incidence of GBS infection in the first week of life. Patient information on GBS is available from NHS Direct Online and in the NHS Pregnancy Book (updated in 2006) which is distributed free to all pregnant women. The RCOG has also produced patient information. We are not aware of any representations being received from the Health Protection Agency on the use of the enriched culture medium testing method for detecting Group B Strep in late pregnancy. Screening: East of England Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much additional funding he plans to provide to Eastern Area to fund preventative screening in each of the next three years. Dawn Primarolo Sufficient funding will be made available at the national level to deliver our policy commitments on screening. Detailed analytical work is currently under way to develop the plans, including costs. Funding available for different parts of the country will depend on local decisions about the use of primary care trust (PCT) allocations, and national decisions on the use of central budgets. The Department has yet to take decisions on PCT allocations and central budgets for 2009-10 and 2010-11, and these decisions will reflect the developing plans on preventative screening. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Abu Dhabi: Overseas Companies Mr. Walker To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has had with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi on behalf of UK registered companies on disputes over monies owed since 2004. Dr. Howells Our embassy in Abu Dhabi has had no discussions with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi on behalf of UK registered companies on money disputes since 2004. Colombia: Overseas Aid Mike Wood To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid was provided by the UK to Colombia in each of the last five years; and what proportion of that aid was classed as military assistance in each of the last five years. Dr. Howells As the information requested by my hon. Friend will take time to collate, I will write to him once I have the details and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House. Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Meg Munn Information on the gender of those issued with personal digital assistants is not held centrally and could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost. Detainees: Human Rights Mr. Tyrie To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will discuss with Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Council of Europe, the Secretary-General’s proposal on secret detention and detainee transfers, when he meets him on February. Dr. Howells The Human Rights Commissioner will meet my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, who leads on Human Rights issues. We considered carefully the recommendations made by the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe when they were issued in June 2006. However, as stated in my written reply to the hon. Member on 23 November 2006, Official Report, column 245W, the Government believe that domestic legislation and international legal instruments already exist to deal satisfactorily with the concerns he has raised. We stand by this statement and believe that there is no need to create new mechanisms such as the Secretary-General proposes. I wrote to the Secretary-General on 23 January 2007 outlining the Government’s position in detail. The Government believe that the best long-term protection against terrorism lies in the defence of our freedoms and values. We remain fully committed to our obligations under international human rights law. We do not render people in breach of our legal obligations and we do not agree with secret detention. The Government oppose any form of deprivation of liberty that amounts to placing a detained person outside the protection of the law. India: Christianity Mr. Drew To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the European Commission to raise the issue of recent violence against Christians in Orissa state at the next round of the EU-India human rights dialogue. Dr. Howells Discussions are underway to confirm the date for the next round of the ad hoc EU-India human rights dialogue, following the EU-India summit on 30 November 2007. The UK and EU colleagues will continue to use this and other opportunities to raise human rights concerns with the appropriate Indian authorities. Natural Resources: Armed Conflict Mr. Moore To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent progress has been made in multilateral efforts to agree a common and legal definition of conflict resources; what role the Government are playing in this process; and if he will make a statement; (2) whether the Government's policy is to support the Commission for Africa Report recommendations to agree a United Nations endorsed definition of conflict resources; and what progress has been made on the creation of a permanent expert panel within the UN to monitor the links between natural resource extraction and violent conflict and the implementation of sanctions. Dr. Howells While we recognise the strong arguments for an agreed definition of “conflict resources”, we assess that a definition would not substantially help to address the links between conflict and natural resources. A UN Security Council debate on conflict and natural resources in June 2007 demonstrated the issue's sensitivity for many countries: seeking agreement on a definition in the UN would, in our judgment, prove extremely slow and without guarantee of success. We are working with other like-minded Governments to develop a more comprehensive strategy to tackle links between natural resources and conflict. This could involve the inclusion of natural resource issues in the mandates of peacekeeping missions; the creation of a permanent centre of expertise within the UN system; and strengthening the role of the Peacebuilding Commission. We will seek a UN Secretary-General's report to assess these options and raise the profile of the issue, and we continue to work cross-Whitehall and with external stakeholders on this matter. Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict Mr. Keith Simpson To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sri Lanka on its decision to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells The Government's position on the abrogation of the 2002 ceasefire agreement by the Sri Lankan Government is clear. Most recently, during a debate in the House on Sri Lanka on 17 January, I called on the Sri Lankan Government to deliver on their commitment to urgently produce a just political solution which satisfies the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans (Official Report, columns 1183-88). In his statement of 4 January, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, expressed the Government's view that there can be no military solution to the Sri Lankan conflict and called on the political parties in Sri Lanka to work together for peace. Duchy of Lancaster Civil Service: Standards Ben Chapman To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to put the core principles of the civil service in statute. Gillian Merron As set out in the Governance of Britain Green Paper, the Government are committed to taking forward legislation to enshrine the core principles and values of the civil service in law. The legislation will form part of the Constitutional Renewal Bill and will be published in draft for consultation soon. Women and Equality Equal Pay: Women's National Commission Jo Swinson To ask the Minister for Women and Equality whether an equal pay audit has been conducted by the Women’s National Commission. Barbara Follett No equal pay audit for the Women’s National Commission as a separate entity has been conducted, but its staff would be included in any assessment of the commission’s funding sponsor, the Government Equalities Office, previously known as the Women and Equality Unit. I refer the hon. Lady to my answer to PQ 170572 regarding whether an equal pay audit has been conducted for the Women and Equality Unit, and to my answer to PQ 171377 regarding what assessment has been made of the pay gap between male and female staff in the Government Equalities Office. Publishing separate figures relating to the Women’s National Commission, which is a small body, may risk identifying individuals. Rape Crisis Centres Mrs. May To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many rape crisis centres there were in each year since 1980. Barbara Follett No published data have been identified which would permit a year on year account of the number of rape crisis centres in England and Wales since 1980. According to the website of Rape Crisis England and Wales, there are currently 38 affiliated members in England and Wales. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations reports that in 1985 there were 84 rape crisis centres in England and Wales, and that this number reduced to 50 in 1990. Independent research by the End Violence Against Women coalition, and reported in Map of Gaps, found that there are 42 groups associated with Rape Crisis England and Wales, 18 less than there were in 1996. Mrs. May To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much the Government spent on support for rape crisis centres in each year since 1980. Barbara Follett Total grants from the Victims Fund, administered by the Ministry of Justice, to rape crisis centres, in 2007-08 came to £484,562. In addition, Rape Crisis England and Wales received £75,000 in Home Office funding. For 2006-07 total grants from the Victims Fund to rape crisis centres, including Rape Crisis England and Wales (also referred to as Rape Crisis Co-ordination Group) were £313,538; for 2005-06 £473,717 and for 2004-05 £199,270. In both 2007-08 and 2006-07 the Home Office provided £360,000 in funding for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors based in rape crisis centres. The Rape Crisis Federation, the then umbrella body for rape crisis centres, received central government funding in 2002-03 of £432,000 and in 2001-02 of £406,000. Approximately £500,000 in funding was provided to two rape crisis centres, Southampton and South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre, over the period 2000-02. There is no record of funding prior to this. The Government are committed to supporting voluntary and community sector organisations. Over 80 per cent. of voluntary and community organisations that receive funding are supported by local funders and the Victims Fund was not established to substitute for this. International Development Departmental Consultants Mr. Walker To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contracts his Department has with external consultants; what the total value, including all VAT and disbursements, of these contracts is for the current financial year; how long each contract lasts; and what the forecast total value is of each contract. Mr. Douglas Alexander The information requested could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. DFID contracts external consultants with technical expertise to deliver development projects and programmes around the world. Consultants undertake humanitarian relief operations, respond to requests from partner governments for advice on complex economic and administrative reforms, and help improve health and education services, all with the objective of reducing poverty and improving the lives of people in developing countries. Departmental Marketing Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years. Mr. Malik Information on products procured with departmental or Government branding is not held centrally. Publications and other branded products are produced as an integral part of ongoing policy and research, development programme implementation, training, internal communication and work to raise public awareness of international development. It is not possible to answer this question without incurring disproportionate costs. DFID has no agencies. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years. Mr. Malik In the UK offices of DFID there is one display of named photographs of former Secretaries of State for International Development in the Palace street offices. This has cost £992 in the last five years. There is no equivalent display in our other UK office, Abercrombie House. There have been no posters produced for use in offices with ministerial names and photographs during this period. DFID currently has staff in 68 overseas offices. It would incur disproportionate costs to ascertain whether any expense had been incurred during the last five years in producing displays or posters with named photographs of Ministers. DFID has no agencies. Developing Countries: Health Lynne Featherstone To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evaluation the Government have commissioned of the potential contribution of health links to the development of best practice. Mr. Malik No evaluation has yet been commissioned by the Department for International Development or the Department of Health on this topic. We anticipate carrying out an evaluation within the next three months. There are many positives to be taken from links and twinning, but also concerns about overall effectiveness in some countries. The Crisp report has helpfully identified some areas for the UK to support developing countries in capacity strengthening. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Global Health will shortly issue the Government’s response to Lord Crisp’s report which will outline how the recommendations will be taken forward. Export Credits Guarantee Department: Finance Willie Rennie To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department contributed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department in 2005-06 to compensate it for claims abandoned in 2005-06. Mr. Thomas [holding answer 21 January 2008]: DFID paid £643,000 to the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) in 2005-06. These payments represent amounts due from countries receiving debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Countries qualify for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative in two stages: first, they qualify for interim relief from debt service payments due. Later, when countries complete the Initiative, they receive irrevocable debt cancellation. Debts owed to official creditors, such as ECGD, are dealt with by the Paris Club. ECGD implements decisions taken at the Paris Club, providing debt relief at the levels agreed. In 2005-06, ECGD provided over £1.5 billion of debt relief. DFID meets the costs of additional relief over and above what has been agreed by the Paris Club so that HIPCs receive 100 per cent. debt relief. It is UK policy to provide 100 per cent. debt relief to HIPCs, from the time countries first qualify for the Initiative. Kenya: Elections Mr. Andrew Mitchell To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the £600,000 spending allocated to the monitoring of the recent election in Kenya. Mr. Douglas Alexander [holding answer 22 January 2008]: DFID contributed £600,000 to a pooled fund to support the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Elections Assistance programme. The total budget was $12 million. Many other donors supported this programme, including the USA who led the donor group. DFID’s judgment is that some of the assistance, such as support to the media centre and to domestic observers, has enabled greater transparency around the flawed tallying processes than might otherwise have been the case. The voting process itself was also supported by voter education; work with the media, hate-speech monitoring and flexible technical assistance. However, subsequent irregularities have highlighted institutional weaknesses that were tested by such a close contest. With international partners we will look at lessons that have emerged, in particular how we can further strengthen the institutions that can underpin stable democracy in Kenya. Kenya: Financial Institutions Annette Brooke To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2008, Official Report, column 1079W, on Kenya: financial institutions, what direct assistance his Department is giving to assist existing microfinance businesses in Kenya where the owners need immediate help. Mr. Thomas [holding answer 21 January 2008]: DFID is providing direct assistance to the multi-donor Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Trust, which is working in partnership with the Kenya Association of Microfinance Institutions (AMFI) on assisting existing microfinance businesses in Kenya which need urgent help. FSD is providing technical assistance to AMFI, to assess and design emergency programmes and to secure financial resources for these. DFID has allocated £11.3 million to the FSD Trust, with other donors making up the total budget of £19 million. AMFI is leading the industry response to the crisis, looking at three areas of potential support: (i) micro-finance institutions (MFIs) using their strong grassroots involvement in affected communities to build peace and reconciliation between people and mitigate ethnic tensions, (ii) an emergency liquidity facility to support MFIs facing liquidity constraints as a result of the crisis, and (iii) cash transfer schemes targeting people with micro-enterprises who have suffered catastrophic losses, to provide a base from which to rebuild their livelihoods. Work and Pensions Capita Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials have held with (i) directors and (ii) senior executives of (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2001; what the (1) location and (2) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; and if he will make a statement. Mrs. McGuire Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings. Child Support Agency Mrs. Curtis-Thomas To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many active cases the Child Support Agency has. Mr. Plaskitt The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 23 January 2008: In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many active cases the Child Support Agency has. The information requested can be obtained from Table 1 of the September 2007 Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary Statistics which is available in the House of Commons library or via the internet at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/child_ support/csa_quarterly_sep07.asp I hope you find this answer helpful. Children: Maintenance Chris Grayling To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of (a) the number of unrecovered child maintenance payments in each constituency in the UK, (b) the value of those payments and (c) the value of payments expected to be unrecovered. Mr. Plaskitt The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member. The table has been placed in the Library. Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 23 January 2008: In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of (a) the number of unrecovered child maintenance payments in each constituency in the UK (b) the value of those payments and (c) how much is expected to be unrecovered in each case. [175647] The Agency does not hold information in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the attached table which sets out the total amount of debt owed by non-resident parents in cases processed on the new system (CS2). The Agency is not able to estimate debt on old rules cases processed on the old system (CSCS) at Parliamentary Constituency level. Although the Agency does estimate the collectability of debt, this estimate is based on past performance and on an Agency wide sample exercise which does not take account of geographic or regional variation. Therefore the Agency is not able to provide a geographic analysis of the collectability of debt. This debt is owed by non-resident parents as a result of their failure to meet their responsibilities to their children. Debt recovery is very much dependent on the willingness of non-resident parents to co-operate with the Agency. Some non-resident parents do their utmost to avoid their responsibilities, for example by moving house or changing jobs whenever the Agency tries to collect maintenance. The Agency is working hard to collect more maintenance arrears and benefit more children. Measures introduced under the Agency’s Operational Improvement Plan, such as enabling credit and debit card payments and employing the services of external debt collection agencies are helping the Agency in this aim. I hope you find this answer helpful. Christmas Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas cards and (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007. Mrs. McGuire I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 933W. Departmental E-mail Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of e-mails printed by officials in his Department. Mrs. McGuire The Department takes the volume of its printing seriously and is introducing plans in 2008 to reduce the cost and environmental impact of printing within the Department. Additionally, an awareness campaign will remind staff of their responsibilities and to only print documents, including hardcopies of e-mails, if absolutely necessary. Departmental Marketing Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many branded plastic bags his Department has purchased in the last 24 months for which figures are available; and at what cost. Mrs. McGuire Information that is recorded shows that in the last 12 months, the Department purchased some 632,490 branded plastic bags at a cost of £22,667.62. The vast majority of these were purchased by the Health and Safety Executive for use in national campaigns. To comply with DWP’s Sustainable Development policy and cross government targets to reduce waste and make procurement more sustainable, all orders placed since September 2007 have been for biodegradable plastic bags. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years. Mrs. McGuire The Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies procure products featuring relevant branding when communicating with its customers and stakeholders. The information requested can only be gathered at a disproportionate cost. Departmental Procurement Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 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. Mrs. McGuire The standard terms and conditions of purchase used by my Department in the procurement of goods and services from the private sector do not prohibit the assignment of debt. DWP standard terms and conditions state: “The Contractor shall not assign, sub-contract, or in any other way dispose of the Contract or any part of it without prior Approval” “Approval” and “Approved”—refer to the written consent of the Authority’s Representative. This is in line with the standard terms and conditions issued by Office of Government Commerce for use across the public sector. Performance Appraisal Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at what intervals staff in his Department are subject to appraisals; how long his Department’s probationary period for new staff is; and what percentage of staff did not have their employment continued at the end of their probationary period in the last 12 months. Mrs. McGuire Staff in DWP are subject to formal appraisal at six and 12 monthly intervals. They receive ongoing feedback on their performance throughout the year. The probationary period for new employees is normally six months. Exceptionally the probationary period can be extended by up to three months. In the last 12 months the percentage of newly recruited staff who did not have their employment continued at the end of their probation was 2.31 per cent. Personal Accounts Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the return an individual saving in a personal account would receive with (a) a full saving record, (b) 10 years saving, (c) 20 years saving, (d) 30 years saving and (e) 40 years saving as (i) a percentage of salary and (ii) weekly cash value in retirement if they had an average salary over the period of (A) £10,000, (B) £11,000, (C) £12,000, (D) £13,000, (E) £14,000, (F) £15,000, (G) £16,000, (H) £17,000, (I) £18,000, (J) £19,000, (K) £20,000, (L) £21,000, (M) £22,000, (N) £23,000, (O) £24,000, (P) £25,000, (Q) £26,000, (R) £27,000, (S) £28,000, (T) £29,000, (U) £30,000, (V) £31,000, (W) £32,000 and (X) £33,000. Mr. Mike O'Brien As part of its research and analysis programme over the last few years, the Department has published several analyses regarding the impacts of saving under the reformed pension system. This includes Financial incentives to save for retirement, the Pensions Bill—Impact Assessment, and the Gender Impact Assessment of Pension Reform. Personal Accounts: Information Services Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the funding that will be made available for advice and information on personal accounts in each year from now until 2050. Mr. Mike O'Brien We envisage that scheme information costs will be borne by membership charges and will be a matter for the trustees. The question of what additional information will be given to all those auto-enrolled, whether into personal accounts or another pension scheme, is one which we will address in the years leading up to the reforms. We will do this in partnership with organisations which already provide information on pensions, bodies such as The Pensions Advisory Service, and pension providers, as well as organisations representing consumers. We will be building on the considerable provision that already exists, and the funding implications will emerge from those discussions. The Thoresen Review, and the Government action plan on financial capability will also assess the need to add to the services on offer. Poverty Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what baseline data his Department uses to measure material deprivation; (2) what proportion of children in (a) workless households, (b) households where one parent is working, (c) households where both parents are working and (d) each region were living in material poverty in each quarter in the last 10 years for which records are held. Caroline Flint Material deprivation is one of the three indicators for measuring child poverty. The other two measures are absolute low income, which includes households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the median income held constant in real terms from a 1998-99 baseline, and relative low income, which includes households with incomes below 60 per cent. contemporary median income. The material deprivation indicator includes households with incomes below 70 per cent. of the median and a material deprivation score of 25 or more. Information on the base lining of material deprivation can be found in ‘PSA Delivery Agreement 9: Halve the number of children in poverty by 2010-11, on the way to eradicating child poverty by 2020’; Page 24, available on the HM Treasury website. Data on material deprivation are collated annually by the Family Resources Survey and are only available from 2004-05 onwards. Our most recent data are for 2005-06. In 2004-05, 2.2 million children in the UK were defined as poor using this combined indicator, while in 2005-06, the figure was 2.1 million children. The proportion of children in material deprivation by economic status of household is shown in the following table. A breakdown by region is not currently available because this requires three years’ Family Resources Survey data for robust statistics. Proportion of children in material deprivation, by economic status of household2004-052005-06All adults in work54At least one adult in work, but not all1618Workless households6057All households1716 Notes:1. Some households in the Family Resources Survey may contain more than two adults, for example a couple with children may also live with one or more of the children’s grandparents.2. Within households, pensioners are excluded from the classifications if they are not working, and are included if they are working. For those households where children live only with pensioners, the status of all adults is included in the analysis.3. The analysis includes households where someone other than the parent may be in work.4. Data for the Family Resources Survey are only collated annually and therefore a quarterly breakdown is not available.Source: Family Resources Survey The available material deprivation figures and details of the methodology can be found in ‘PSA Delivery Agreement 9: Halve the number of children in poverty by 2010-11, on the way to eradicating child poverty by 2020’, available on the HM Treasury website. Social Security Benefits Mr. Byers To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged (a) 25 to 34 and (b) under 25 were in receipt of (i) incapacity benefit, (ii) jobseekers allowance, (iii) lone parent benefit, (iv) carers’ allowance and (v) any other out of work benefit in (A) each English region, (B) Wales, (C) Scotland and (D) Northern Ireland in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what percentage this represented of the population of each area. Mrs. McGuire [holding answer 15 January 2008]: The available information is in the following tables. Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |All cases|Jobseekers|Incapacity benefits|Lone parent|Carer |Others| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |All GB | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |627,070 |243,700 |165,740 |166,050 |16,000|35,590| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|9.0 |3.5 |2.4 |2.4 |0.2 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |38,860 |15,780 |10,260 |10,220 |910 |1,700 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|12.1 |4.9 |3.2 |3.2 |0.3 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North West | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |88,670 |34,530 |23,720 |23,370 |2,590 |4,470 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|10.4 |4.1 |2.8 |2.8 |0.3 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Yorkshire and Humberside| | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |61,960 |25,380 |14,720 |16,630 |1,820 |3,420 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|9.2 |3.8 |2.2 |2.5 |0.3 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Midlands | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |43,200 |17,750 |10,680 |11,390 |1,080 |2,300 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|8.1 |3.3 |2.0 |2.1 |0.2 |0.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Caseload |68,020 |29,960 |15,630 |17,650 |1,740 |3,050 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|10.5 |4.6 |2.4 |2.7 |0.3 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East of England | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |44,160 |16,980 |11,890 |11,720 |940 |2,620 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|7.2 |2.8 |1.9 |1.9 |0.2 |0.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |London | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |87,460 |35,540 |17,900 |24,160 |2,090 |7,770 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|9.8 |4.0 |2.0 |2.7 |0.2 |0.9 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South East | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |57,250 |19,050 |16,870 |16,730 |1,230 |3,380 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|6.2 |2.1 |1.8 |1.8 |0.1 |0.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South West | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |39,440 |11,910 |13,930 |10,190n |870 |2,550 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|6.8 |2.1 |2.4 |1.8 |0.1 |0.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wales | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |38,060 |13,750 |11,620 |9,810 |1,100 |1,780 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|10.6 |3.8 |3.2 |2.7 |0.3 |0.5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Scotland | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |59,450 |23,060 |18,440 |14,140 |1,560 |2,240 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|9.9 |3.8 |3.1 |2.3 |0.3 |0.4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Living abroad or unknown| | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |540 |20 |90 |30 |80 |330 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population|n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |All cases|Jobseekers|Incapacity benefits|Lone parent|Carer |Others| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |All | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |881,450 |199,290 |338,720 |282,770 |49,750|10,920| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population |11.5 |2.6 |4.4 |3.7 |0.6 |0.1 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North East | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |47,730 |11,400 |19,270 |13,870 |2,620 |570 | 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|Percentage of population |16.0 |3.8 |6.5 |4.7 |0.9 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | 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|North West | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |120,950 |26,620 |49,430 |36,490 |6,960 |1,460 | 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|Percentage of population |14.5 |3.2 |5.9 |4.4 |0.8 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | 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|Yorkshire and Humberside | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |80,670 |20,410 |29,730 |24,060 |5,490 |980 | 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|Percentage of population |12.7 |3.2 |4.7 |3.8 |0.9 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | 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|East Midlands | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |57,470 |13,520 |22,040 |17,490 |3,890 |530 | 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|Percentage of population |11.0 |2.6 |4.2 |3.3 |0.7 |0.1 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |90,000 |24,780 |30,620 |27,850 |5,770 |980 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population |13.8 |3.8 |4.7 |4.3 |0.9 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | 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|East of England | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |63,200 |13,430 |23,500 |21 ,460 |4,100 |720 | 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|Percentage of population |9.1 |1.9 |3.4 |3.1 |0.6 |0.1 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |London | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |144,010 |35,830 |42,630 |57,610 |5,400 |2,540 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population |9.8 |2.4 |2.9 |3.9 |0.4 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South East | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |82,680 |15,750 |32,290 |28,810 |4,970 |860 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population |8.1 |1.5 |3.2 |2.8 |0.5 |0.1 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South West | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |57,500 |9,460 |27,320 |16,930 |3,280 |520 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of population |10.0 |1.6 |4.7 |2.9 |0.6 |0.1 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wales | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |50,560 |9,420 |23,040 |14,360 |3,150 |590 | 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|Percentage of population |15.2 |2.8 |6.9 |4.3 |0.9 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Scotland | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |86,140 |18,630 |38,450 |23,840 |4,070 |1,150 | 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|Percentage of population |13.7 |3.0 |6.1 |3.8 |0.6 |0.2 | 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| | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Living abroad or unknown | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Case load |540 |30 |400 |30 |60 |10 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of Population |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |n/a = Not available.Notes:1. Case loads are rounded to the nearest 10 and shown in thousands; percentages to one decimal place. Totals may not sum due to rounding.2. The total number of people aged 16 to 24, and 25 to 34 in each region have been used to calculate percentages of the population.3. Statistical groups are hierarchical as follows:‘Jobseekers’ are recipients of jobseeker’s allowance.‘Incapacity benefits’ refer to recipients of incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance.‘Lone parents’ are single recipients of income support with a child under 16.‘Carers’ are recipients of carer’s allowance (see note 4).‘Others on income related benefit’ are other recipients of income support (including income support disability premium) or pension credit.4. Figures for carers allowance include those cases with entitlement but where payment is currently suspended (for example, because of an extended stay in hospital or an overlapping benefit).5. The key out-of-work benefits are jobseeker’s allowance, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, and income support for lone parents. They do not include carers allowance or income support paid to carers.6. Jobseekers figures are from benefit records and may differ from those published by ONS.Source:Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data; population figures are mid-year estimates for 2006 as supplied by ONS| | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Social Security Benefits: Employment Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Government has spent on developing the Better Off Calculation system; and if he will make a statement. Caroline Flint The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested. Letter from Leslie Strathie, dated 23 January 2008: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how much the Government has spent developing the Better Off Calculation system. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. The Better Off Calculator system was developed from an existing stand alone system. The initial software development costs were £1.77 million. Several developments have taken place since. Over the last two financial years we have spent £590,000 (2006-07) and £813,000 (2007-08) in maintaining and enhancing the system. I hope this is helpful. Social Security Benefits: Forms Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the maximum number of forms an applicant for each benefit administered by his Department must complete is (a) between initially applying and receipt of benefit and (b) each year thereafter. Mr. Plaskitt For most people claiming most benefits, only one form is required. If, however, they claim more than one benefit or their circumstances change then an individual will need to fill more forms. In such cases there is no absolute maximum. The number of forms will depend on a claimant’s circumstances. The Department and its Agencies administer more than 20 different benefits and local authorities administer other benefits on the Department’s behalf. All these benefits are designed to meet the needs of a particular section of the population, so different amounts of information are needed in order for decisions on entitlement to be made. For all our benefits, we try and keep the amount of information required to the minimum that allows for the proper administration of the benefit and ensures benefit is paid to those who are entitled to it. We continue to reduce complexity wherever possible. For example, since 2005, those applying for pension credit by telephone have been able to get council tax benefit and housing benefit, using a shortened claim form completed by the Pension Service, and sent to the claimant to sign and return to their local authority. We have already announced plans to streamline this service even further, removing the need for the pensioner to take any further action. This will allow pensioners to access up to four benefits with one phone call. Written Questions Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer Question 162142, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November 2007, on national insurance numbers. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 804W. Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer Question 162140, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November 2007, on Bulgarian and Romanian citizens. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 805W. Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer Question 162361, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November 2007, on jobseeker’s allowance claimants. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 6 December 2007, Official Report, column 1506W. Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer Question 162689, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November 2007, on EU A8 nationals and national insurance numbers. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 936W. Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer (1) question 162687, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November, on national insurance numbers; (2) question 162686, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November, on national insurance numbers; (3) question 162688, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November, on national insurance numbers. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s questions on 9 January 2008, Official Report, column 573W. Mr. Clappison To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer question 162347, tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 6 November, on A8 nationals. Mr. Plaskitt I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 6 December 2007, Official Report, column 1505W. Treasury Capita Mr. Amess To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid by his Department to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement. Angela Eagle The total amount paid to Capita Group plc each year from 2002-03 is as follows: -------------------- | |Amount (£)| -------------------- |2002-03|356,658 | -------------------- |2003-04|190,499 | -------------------- |2004-05|183,425 | -------------------- |2005-06|176,773 | -------------------- |2006-07|284,418 | -------------------- The Treasury has no recorded spend with any subsidiaries of Capita Group plc between 2002-03—2006-07. Details of spend before 2002-03 and details of the contracts awarded; the cost of each contract; penalties for default; the length of each contract; if the contract was advertised; the number of companies that applied for the contract; the number of companies short listed; the selection and evaluation criteria; and provisions for renewal can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Census Tony Baldry To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) out of which departmental budget the cost of the 2011 census will be met; (2) what work the Office of National Statistics has done on assessing the likelihood of people completing a (a) four page and (b) three page census form; (3) whether a question on carers will be included in the 2011 census; (4) what estimate he has made of the cost of adding an extra page to the 2011 census form. Angela Eagle The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 January 2008: As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking a) out of which Departmental budget the cost of the 2011 Census will be met, b) what estimate has been made of the cost of adding an extra page to the 2011 Census form, c) whether a question on carers will be included in the 2011 Census, and d) what work the Office for National Statistics has done on assessing whether or not people will be less inclined to complete a four page Census rather than a three page Census form. (180520, 180522, 180521, 180523). I will take this opportunity to answer all the questions together. Funding for the 2011 Census is provided to ONS by Parliament through the Treasury under the terms of the Comprehensive Spending Review. Our current funding for the 2011 Census allows for 3 pages of questions per person. We are at present investigating the potential for a fourth page which would allow for the inclusion of more questions. The cost of an adding a fourth page of questions per person has been estimated at £25m. The value of the information on carers provided by the 2001 Census is well recognised. However, such a question is competing for space on the questionnaire with a number of other questions such as second residence, citizenship, year of entry to the UK, qualifications, industry, end language. Currently ONS is only proposing to include a question on carers if there are 4 pages of questions. ONS has extensively reviewed and considered the potential impact on response rates of a four page per person census questionnaire for 2011. The 2011 Census Questionnaire Design Team carried out a postal test in April 2007 covering 10,400 households with half of the sample receiving a questionnaire with 3 pages of questions per person and the other half receiving a questionnaire with 4 pages of questions per person. There was no evidence that-the length of a self-completion questionnaire had a significant effect on response rates. However, it should be noted that the postal test was voluntary. Research into international census experiences was inconclusive on the effect of length of questionnaire but has shown that other factors, including ineffective design and layout, question clarity, and controversial topics have more of an impact on response rates. Child Benefit: Personal Records Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of maintaining the child benefit database in each of the last five years for which figures are available. Jane Kennedy The costs of running and maintaining the child benefit IT system, including charges for system infrastructure, over the last five years have been: ------------------------------------------------------ | |£ million| ------------------------------------------------------ |2003-04 |6.5 | ------------------------------------------------------ |2004-05 |5.1 | ------------------------------------------------------ |2005-06 |3.7 | ------------------------------------------------------ |2006-07 |6.2 | ------------------------------------------------------ |2007-08 (up to and including October 2007)|5.1 | ------------------------------------------------------ Diabetes: Death Mr. Sanders To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths there were which mentioned diabetes on the death certificate in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age cohort and (b) primary care trust area; and if he will make a statement. Angela Eagle The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 23 January 2008: The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths there were which mentioned diabetes on the death certificate in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age cohort and (b) primary care trust area. I am replying in her absence. (180519) The tables, which have been placed in the House of Commons Library, provide the number of deaths where diabetes was mentioned on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributing factor, in (a) England by five-year age group, and (b) each primary care organisation in England, from 1997 to 2006 (the latest year available). Energy: Conservation Mr. Morley To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of including double-glazed units meeting new part L building standards in the list of energy-saving products that qualify for reduced VAT; and if he will make a statement. Jane Kennedy The availability of VAT reduced rates is governed by the European VAT agreements signed by successive governments. We are making the case at EU level for more widespread application of reduced VAT rates to energy-saving materials and energy efficient products. Energy: Prices Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of Ofgem to discuss energy prices. Angela Eagle The Chancellor met with representatives of Ofgem on 15 January. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings. Financial Markets Mr. Dodds To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect of developments in US financial markets on the economy of the United Kingdom over the next 12 months. Jane Kennedy The Government’s latest assessment of UK economic prospects over the next 12 months, including the impact of the disruption in global financial markets, was set out in Annex A of the 2007 pre-Budget report and comprehensive spending review (Cm 7227). The Government will update their forecasts, as normal, in the Budget. Members: Correspondence Sir Gerald Kaufman To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 4 December 2007 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Rodney Perrin. Jane Kennedy I replied to my right hon. Friend on 17 January. Non-Domestic Rates: Agriculture Sir Nicholas Winterton To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make it his policy to (a) reinstate and (b) extend the scope of the agricultural buildings allowance; (2) if he will make it his policy to introduce tax relief for agricultural infrastructure required to comply with the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones regulations. Jane Kennedy Agricultural buildings allowances (ABAs) were introduced in 1945 to encourage post-war reconstruction. They are now a poorly focused subsidy, selectively available on a disparate range of assets, including some that typically appreciate in value. ABAs have long been recognised as a significant distortion in commercial property investment. These issues are compounded by the compliance burden imposed by their complicated rules. The phased withdrawal of ABAs is part of a package of measures which also saw the reduction of the main rate of corporation tax and the basic rate of income tax and the introduction of a £50,000 annual investment allowance (AIA), allowing 95 per cent. of businesses to write off all their expenditure on plant and machinery in the year in which it is made. Slurry tanks used for temporary storage in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are eligible for capital allowances and businesses will therefore be able to benefit from the AIA when investing in this infrastructure. Pay Mr. Clappison To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of employees in the UK with a salary of more than £40,000. Angela Eagle The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 January 2008: As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of employees in the UK with a salary of more that £40,000. (180980) Annual levels of earnings can be estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates who have been in the job for more than one year. I attach a table showing an estimate for 2007 of the percentage of UK employees with a salary of more than £40,000 per year. ASHE is carried out in April each year and is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. However, ASHE methodology cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees whose salary is more than a specific amount, but can be used to provide estimates of proportions of employees in that category. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Percentage| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |All employees |12 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Employees on adult rates who have been in the same job for more than one year.Source:Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pregnant Women: Nutrition Mr. Stephen O'Brien To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his predecessor’s statement on 6 December 2006, Official Report, column 308, if he will place in the Library evidence that nutrition for pregnant mothers is most important in the last months of pregnancy. Jane Kennedy [holding answer 18 December 2007]: There is a wide range of evidence that nutrition for pregnant mothers is important throughout pregnancy. The importance of maternal health during pregnancy was recognised by the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing, in HM Treasury’s 14 November 2007 Press Notice on the Health in Pregnancy Grant, on the HM Treasury website. Revenue and Customs: Data Protection Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recruitment process was used to select Kieran Poynter to head the review of security processes and procedures for data handling in HM Revenue and Customs announced on 20 November 2007. Jane Kennedy Kieran Poynter was appointed by the Chancellor to carry out the investigation into data handling in HM Revenue and Customs. Taxation: Domicil Harry Cohen To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days in each year people of non-domiciled tax status may spend in the UK without altering their status; and what arrangements his Department has to monitor the time such individuals spend in the UK. Jane Kennedy Domicile status is a general law concept which is distinct from nationality or residence. It is unaffected by the number of days an individual spends in the UK in a year. Taxation: Energy Adam Price To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on a proposed windfall tax on energy suppliers. Angela Eagle The Treasury receives numerous representations on a range of tax issues. TNT Mr. Amess To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent by (a) his Department and (b) HM Revenue and Customs on services provided by TNT in each month since January 2005. Jane Kennedy The amounts spent on services provided by TNT by HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs for each month since January 2005 are set out as follows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |HM Treasury|HMRC1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |January 2005 |666.73 |591,400.82 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |February 2005 |570.45 |296,006.31 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2005 |803.92 |1,103,930.22| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |April 2005 |190.82 |869,534.32 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |May 2005 |158.93 |470,445.18 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |June 2005 |156.02 |698,606.48 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |July 2005 |193.01 |561,082.66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |August 2005 |318.33 |618,001.24 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2005 |218.17 |608,344.21 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |October 2005 |225.54 |790,589.23 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |November 2005 |149.84 |571,399.99 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |December 2005 |22,399.09 |578,974.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |January 2006 |2,277.00 |609,924.68 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |February 2006 |2,262.94 |726,353.04 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2006 |3,925.79 |615,744.63 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |April 2006 |1,923.28 |462,620.91 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |May 2006 |154.15 |4,190.90 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |June 2006 |4,228.04 |797,133.16 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |July 2006 |2,550.94 |709,484.21 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |August 2006 |2,096.60 |918,641.07 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2006 |199.55 |470,307.42 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |October 2006 |2,268.33 |956,435.64 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |November 2006 |16,344.87 |786,950.62 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |December 2006 |9,594.54 |836,653.91 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |January 2007 |4,128.98 |1,323,749.60| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |February 2007 |3,282.35 |357,960.92 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |8,451.15 |1,187,424.02| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |April 2007 |26.14 |316,320.48 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |May 2007 |1,980.85 |970,778.96 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |June 2007 |2,192.56 |846,952.19 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |July 2007 |3,264.01 |1,125,477.02| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |August 2007 |1,791.37 |362,214.19 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |September 2007 |2,394.28 |617,046.45 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |October 2007 |1,954.50 |974,780.24 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |November 2007 |5,069.47 |954,067.67 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Figures given for HMRC between January 2005 and April 2006 are a combination of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise accountancy systems.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Valuation Office: Data Protection Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what physical or electronic mechanisms the Valuation Office Agency uses to transfer data between (a) its regional offices and (b) government departments and agencies. Jane Kennedy The VGA uses a variety of mechanisms and channels to transfer data within the organisation and to its clients, including paper, VOA network applications, VOA intranet, internet file transfer sites, e-mail, fax, and CD/DVD dependent on the protective classification required. Valuation Office: Digital Technology Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency’s guidance note Best Practice in the Use of Digital Photography. Jane Kennedy The Agency’s best practice guide in the use of digital photography is internal technical instructions on use of the Agency’s digital photography application and how, when and where to store digital photographs on the Agency's central database to ensure overall system performance is not affected. It is not appropriate to place these documents in the Library. Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many photographs of non-domestic properties are stored in the Valuation Office Agency’s digital photography application. Jane Kennedy As at 9 January 2008, the Valuation Office Agency held 1,096,931 digital photographs relating to non-domestic properties in the 2005 Valuation List. This figure includes photographs that show more than one property, or a locality rather than a particular building. Valuation Office: Information Officers Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the number of communications staff included as working for the Valuation Office Agency in the Central Office of Information’s White Book differs from the answer of 8 October 2007, Official Report, column 241W, on Valuation Office Agency. Jane Kennedy The question asked by the hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire (Mr. Gauke) referred to number of press officers employed by the Valuation Office Agency rather than number of communications staff. Staff listed in the White Book are those involved in the full range of communications activities, both internal and external. Nine of those listed are involved in press office work, (averaging around 10 per cent. of their time) which together with a media relations manager, amounts to two full-time equivalent people with press officer responsibilities. VAT: Fixed Penalties Mr. Letwin To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) people and (b) businesses had to pay penalties as a result of filing VAT returns one day late after the bank holiday Monday on 7 May 2007. Angela Eagle HM Revenue and Customs do not issue penalties for the late filing of VAT returns. A penalty is issued only where a return is not paid in full by the due date. A total of 27,067 penalties were issued in May 2007 for late payment of VAT. Information on the penalties issued for payments received on a particular day in May 2007 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Welfare Tax Credits Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2007, Official Report, column 409W, on welfare tax credits, for what reason some tax credit overpayments resulting from official error have not been remitted. Jane Kennedy I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 25 October 2007, Official Report, column 585W. Welfare Tax Credits: Appeals Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) total and (b) average value is of consolatory payments made since April 2003 to tax credits claimants who have appealed against a decision of the HM Revenue and Customs. Jane Kennedy The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department’s fact sheet, ‘Complaints and Putting Things Right’, which is available at: www.hmrc.gov.uk For the number and value of compensation payments made in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 January 2007, Official Report, column 427W to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Anne Main). The number and value of compensation payments made in 2006-07 and from April to December 2007 is shown in the following table. ------------------------------------------------ | |Value (£ million)|Number| ------------------------------------------------ |2006-07 |0.658 |7,893 | ------------------------------------------------ |2007-08 (to December)|0.324 |7,456 | ------------------------------------------------ The average payment made over the period April 2003 to the end of December 2007 was around £60.00. Separate details of consolatory payments made to customers who have appealed against a decision of the Department are not available. Welfare Tax Credits: Complaints Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets have been set for the time taken to respond to complaints about tax credits sent to (a) the Tax Credit Office and (b) Treasury Ministers. Jane Kennedy It is HM Revenue and Customs’ aim to reply to the majority of letters within three weeks. Welfare Tax Credits: Hampshire Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the take-up rate for tax credits was in each constituency in (a) Hampshire, (b) Southampton and (c) Portsmouth in each of the last three years. Jane Kennedy Take-up rate estimates are not available at constituency level. However, estimates of child and working tax credit take-up rates for 2003-04 and 2004-05, which are the latest available estimates, are published on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-take-up.htm Take-up rates for working families with children at country and regional level are shown in table 9. Justice Capita Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was paid by his Department and its predecessor to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle In the financial years from 2000-01 to 2006-07, the last full year for when figures are available, the Ministry of Justice and its predecessor Department and agencies’ expenditure with the Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries was as follows: ------------------- | |£ | ------------------- |2000-01|0 | ------------------- |2001-02|3,800 | ------------------- |2002-03|17,165 | ------------------- |2003-04|12,250 | ------------------- |2004-05|498,678 | ------------------- |2005-06|1,267,379| ------------------- |2006-07|643,418 | ------------------- The other information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Departmental Consultants Mr. Gauke To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what payments his Department has made to PricewaterhouseCoopers in the last 12 months; (2) how much was spent by his Department on consultants in the last 12 months, broken down by consultancy; (3) what the value of contracts between his Department and PricewaterhouseCoopers on private finance initiative projects was in the last 12 months. Maria Eagle The Ministry of Justice was established on 9 May 2007. Information for the last 12 months is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure figures are available for the six-month period from April 2007 until September 2007, covering the former Department for Constitutional Affairs and those bodies that were formerly part of the Home Office and which are now part of the Ministry of Justice. In that period, approximately £7 million was spent with external consultants, as detailed in the following table. Expenditure with PricewaterhouseCoopers on consultancy in that period was £202,675.00 Expenditure with PricewaterhouseCoopers on private finance initiative projects in that period was £80,537.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Service provider |Actual expenditure April to September 2007-08 (£)| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2020 Delivery |83,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Adam Spriggs |2,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Alexander and Partners |18,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Alexander Cameron |7,100 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Amtec |2,159 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aon |1,300 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ase Consulting |2,954 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Atkins Asset Management (Manchester) |54,544 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Atkins Ltd. |97,758 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Atlan Resourcing Solutions Ltd. |3,098 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Badenoch and Clark Ltd. |722,036 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ben Crowe |8,400 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bird and Bird |66,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |BIT Critical |35,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |BMG Research |3,055 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |BNB Recruitment Consultancy Ltd. |6,320 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bovis Lend Lease |4,700 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bridley Consulting |7,943 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Capita Resourcing Ltd. |2,069 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cardiff University |133 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Centre for Public Innovation |12,750 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |CESG |6,816 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |CMAS, June Shurmer |300 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |CMG Logica |110,948 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |COI Communications |52,146 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Collinson Grant Ltd., part of the Walker Cox consortium|189,050 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |David Nooney |4,800 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DBI Consulting |3,094 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Delia Coonan |1,174 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Development Planning Partnership |65,329 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Digits Industries Ltd. |2,174 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Drivers Jonas |27,759 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dun and Bradstreet Ltd. |8,106 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Eclipse |10,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Education Training and Counselling Ltd. |3,337 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Effortmark |2,820 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Enterprise plc. |3,337 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ernst and Young |360,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Exeter University |60,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |First Assist |2,322 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Fujitsu Services Ltd. |14,525 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gapgemini |177,300 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gartner UK Ltd. |2,500 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Generic Software Consultants Ltd. |212 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |GVA Grimleys |47,496 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Harrop Associates Ltd. |7,938 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hartley |12,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hazel Genn |3,600 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Heath Lambert |4,020 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hedra |40,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Helen Arnold |51,197 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hensby Communications |1,125 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hewitt Bacon and Woodrow Ltd. |3,506 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Higham Dunnett Shaw |3,525 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hudson Global Resources Ltd. |802,504 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Huntress Search Ltd. |95,411 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hurst Associates Ltd. |13,990 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Impact Plus |20,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |IPSOS MORI |20,293 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |JCT Communications Ltd. |7,011 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Jo O’Driscoll |4,209 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |John Garnett |24,415 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |June Shurmer |375 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |KM Research and Consultancy Ltd. |8,343 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |KPMG |189,671 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Law Absolute |11,135 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lawson Bishop |10,585 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |LEAPFROG PUBLIC RELATIONS |13,860 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |London Economics |7,459 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |M. Boleat Consulting |10,800 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Matrix |66,729 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |MBSM |15,073 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Melva Burton |15,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Mentis Management Consultants Ltd. |3,032 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Methods Consulting Ltd. |23,691 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Mitchelmores Solicitors |659,525 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Modis International Ltd. |49,078 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Morgan Hunt |148,827 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Mott MacDonald with support from PwC |153,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nicholson McBride |18,345 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nick Sanderson |9,555 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Office of Government Commerce |54,797 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oliver Wyman |225,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. |1,214 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |PA Consulting |198,897 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Pakes |3,500 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Parity Resources Ltd. |61,853 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Partnerships UK |158,850 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Pat Johnstone |6,400 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Penna Interim Executive |9,957 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Portchester Micro Tools Ltd. |28,200 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |PRAESTA |5,640 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |PricewaterhouseCoopers |202,675 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Professor Richard Lamming |5,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ql Consulting |184,137 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Richard Bailey, Esq. |9,700 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |RM and BR Merkin |500 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Robert Walters |11,797 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Roy Walmsley |6,315 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rullion Computer Personnel Ltd. |117,858 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Russell Reynolds Associates |52,485 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Samantha Jones |1,750 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sarah Cooke Ltd. |11,500 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Scott-Grant Ltd. |106,297 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Security and Standard Consultancy |109,366 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Siemens Enterprise Commun. |1,100 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |SJT Associates |20,608 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sopra Group Ltd. |5,256 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |STC Energy Management |20,328 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stephanie Grundy |12,373 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stopgap |48,840 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Summerhill Consulting |583 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Technology Project Services |3,349 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The Rial To Consultancy Ltd. |9,915 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |The Whitehall and Industry Group |13,750 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tower Perrin |143,280 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tribal Consortium |75,734 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Turner and Townsend |35,052 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |University of Portsmouth |100,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Vice Versa Projects |25,000 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ville and Co. |1,144 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wheelers (Southampton) |86,278 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Willis Ltd. |8,402 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Winstone |2,500 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wrigglesworth Consultancy Ltd. |3,187 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Grand total |7,015,057 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Firearms Act 1968: Convictions Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) cases have been brought and (b) convictions there have been in each police area for offences under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 in each of the last 12 months. Maria Eagle Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against and found guilty of offences under Section 5 of the 1968 Firearms Act broken down by police force area in 2006 are in the following table. Data for 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Police force area |Proceeded against|Found guilty| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Avon and Somerset |24 |21 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |6 |4 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |11 |8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cheshire |20 |16 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |City of London |6 |1 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cleveland |8 |8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |7 |3 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire |11 |13 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon and Cornwall |12 |11 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorset |8 |8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham |7 |6 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Essex |34 |26 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gloucestershire |4 |5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Greater Manchester |108 |94 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |27 |24 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |24 |23 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Humberside |13 |11 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent |27 |28 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancashire |24 |18 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire |18 |16 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |8 |6 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merseyside |54 |56 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Metropolitan police |385 |317 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Norfolk |12 |9 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Yorkshire |6 |5 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |2 |2 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumbria |43 |34 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nottinghamshire |28 |30 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Yorkshire |40 |35 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Staffordshire |10 |9 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |8 |8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Surrey |7 |7 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sussex |20 |15 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Thames Valley |27 |20 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire |8 |6 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Mercia |13 |11 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands |84 |78 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Yorkshire |45 |47 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire |14 |7 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dyfed-Powys |2 |1 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gwent |11 |7 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Wales |16 |8 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Wales |16 |15 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |England and Wales |1,258 |1,077 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 These data are on the principal offence basis.2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.3 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 defendant was found guilty for a different offence to the original offence proceeded against.| | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homicide: Bail Mr. Duncan Smith To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people charged with (a) murder and (b) crimes of violence were granted bail in the last five years. Maria Eagle An estimated 64,800 people were granted bail by the courts for offences included in the ‘violence against the person’ group in England and Wales in 2006 (latest available). This includes those held in custody at some stage during proceedings. Data on bail is not sufficiently robust to permit a more detailed breakdown of the offences involved. Legal Aid Scheme Dr. Kumar To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make a statement on the availability of high quality legal aid to the poorest members of society. Maria Eagle The legal aid system focuses resources on areas of greatest need—particularly the socially excluded and the types of problems they may face. Most civil legal aid is means tested, and those in receipt of certain passporting benefits are provided with legal aid without having to make any financial contribution. Under criminal legal aid, free advice and assistance is available to suspects at the police station. Whilst legal representation for defendants at the Crown court is not means tested, defendants at the magistrates court must be financially eligible, although a range of passporting provisions exempt certain vulnerable groups from this test. Since the introduction of the Access to Justice Act 1999, all legal aid providers have to meet strict quality standards. The current programme of legal aid reform is designed to maximise value for money from legal aid spending, so that the Legal Services Commission can fund assistance to as many people as possible within the available resources. At the same time reform is designed to maintain, and where possible improve, the quality of advice provided. Magistrates Jim Cousins To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions since the implementation of the Licensing Act magistrates have awarded costs against objectors; and what written guidance he has given to magistrates on the exercise of their discretion to award such costs. Maria Eagle The Ministry of Justice does not collect information on the award of costs against objectors in licensing cases. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to issue guidance to magistrates on the award of costs since this is a matter of judicial discretion. The Justices' Clerks Society and the Magistrates Association, in conjunction with the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), published an article in “The Magistrate” magazine setting out as a principle that the award of costs against an unsuccessful individual, including objectors, should be exceptional. Offenders: Offensive Weapons Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people received (a) custodial and (b) non-custodial sentences on conviction for offences which included the carrying or use of a knife in Essex in each of the last three years. Mr. Hanson The following table gives the number of people sentenced for offences of carrying a knife from 2004 to 2006. These offences are having an article with a blade or point in a public place, having an article with a blade or point on school premises, possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse and possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse on school premises. Figures for 2007 will be available from autumn 2008. In such instances as a robbery or violent assault where an individual has used a knife or other offensive weapon then they will be sentenced for the more serious transgression, and the figures do not isolate the specific use of a knife in such circumstances. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Offence |Statute |Year|Total persons sentenced|Non-custodial sentence|Custodial sentence| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Having an article with a blade or point in a public place |Criminal Justice Act 1988 sec 139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 sec 3 |2004|179 |132 |47 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2005|150 |93 |57 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2006|149 |108 |41 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Having an article with a blade or point on school premises |Criminal Justice Act 1988 sec 139A(1) and (5)(1) as added by the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 sec 4(1)|2004|1 |1 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2005|2 |2 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2006|2 |1 |1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Possession of offensive weapons3 without lawful authority or reasonable excuse |Prevention of Crime Act 1953 sec 1 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 sec 2(1) |2004|123 |94 |29 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2005|97 |77 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2006|105 |86 |19 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Possession of offensive weapons3 without lawful authority or reasonable excuse on school premises |Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec 139A(2) and (5)(b) as added by the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 sec 4(1)|2004|2 |2 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2005|1 |1 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |2006|1 |1 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Principal offence basis.2 Magistrates courts in Essex and the Crown court if committed by magistrates in Essex.3 Will include knives, but information collected centrally does not provide a distinction between them and other offensive weapons.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| | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operation Safeguard Jenny Willott To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has been invoiced for costs incurred under Operation Safeguard in each month since it came into force, broken down by police force; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Hanson Police forces involved in Operation Safeguard charge NOMS in arrears for the cost of making police cells available to accommodate prisoners. Safeguard use began again in October 2006 but no invoices were paid between October and December 2006. We cannot provide accurate figures for the cost of Operation Safeguard per police force per month because invoices usually only provide the overall period covered, which may be several months. However, the following tables show the amounts paid in each month in 2007, broken down by police force, and the value of currently outstanding invoices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Police force |January |February |March |April |May |June |July | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |ACPO |— |— |— |56,239.81 |— |— |57,898.09 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |374,788.74 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cheshire |— |— |— |— |701,875.38 |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |— |— |— |— |— |— |28,558.28 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire |— |— |— |151,809.50 |— |163,653.68|— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon and Cornwall|— |— |— |70,486.36 |— |— |221,132.80 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorset |— |— |— |— |— |101,211.01|— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham |— |— |— |143,397.37 |52,271.08 |128,655.09|177,277.66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dyfed-Powys |48,107.05 |28,858.96 |38,547.56 |— |53,562.21 |— |151,040.56 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Essex |— |158,322.86|— |— |496,417.95 |179,637.95|387,088.75 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Greater Manchester|— |— |— |85,367.87 |— |— |665,178.66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gwent |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |543,460.70 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent |— |109,933.41|469.31 |195,887.94 |— |88,112.96 |279,960.86 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancashire |— |— |— |— |— |— |172,651.00 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |81,571.06 |— |— |132,847.87 |112,837.86 |95,047.14 |87,928.96 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merseyside |— |— |— |— |418,089.45 |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Metropolitan |— |— |— |— |741,392.96 |— |1,274,957.99| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Wales |— |— |— |— |186,284.18 |52,202.23 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |— |— |214,667.02|— |— |— |215,202.38 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumbria |— |— |— |100,682.00 |— |— |152,778.00 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Wales |— |— |— |— |— |— |734,764.65 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Yorkshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |66,549.07 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |— |— |— |124,681.07 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sussex |— |— |— |— |— |— |133,925.42 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Thames Valley |— |187,736.42|201,926.74|130,181.32 |-270.00 |— |324,730.41 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands |— |— |— |— |393,469.77 |— |334,387.20 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire |— |— |— |99,488.63 |— |— |192,315.36 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Yorkshire |— |— |— |73,729.71 |152,420.21 |95,346.77 |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |55,379.17 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |129,678.11|484,851.65|455,610.63|1,364,799.45|3,308,351.05|903,866.83|6,631,954.71| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Police force |August |September |October |November |December |Invoices to be processed and paid|Total invoiced| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |ACPO |— |145,465.03 |— |53,827.94 |— |— |313,430.87 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |59,433.20 |— |— |193,388.59 |— |82,436.42 |335,258.21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |374,788.74 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cheshire |— |798,886.66 |244,163.85 |— |— |1,195,540.62 |2,940,466.51 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |— |— |92,997.58 |— |— |— |121,555.86 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire |139,243.15 |— |— |119,902.03 |— |— |574,608.36 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon and Cornwall|225,716.94 |— |90,097.12 |102,522.14 |— |134,872.41 |844,827.77 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorset |99,929.69 |122,670.96 |— |— |— |— |323,811.66 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham |— |86,599.80 |— |— |— |— |588,201.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dyfed-Powys |207,208.34 |50,047.61 |— |2,799.54 |— |— |580,171.83 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Essex |— |403,838.17 |— |179,921.85 |192,177.83 |— |1,997,405.36 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Greater Manchester|— |244,504.12 |— |— |— |— |995,050.65 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gwent |— |11,905.91 |— |— |— |4,361.55 |16,267.46 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |286,621.81 |— |— |— |— |311,102.78 |597,724.59 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |124,347.56 |92,396.33 |103,312.82 |112,402.90 |— |103,692.63 |1,079,612.94 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent |— |128,087.77 |138,931.35 |260,616.66 |— |— |1,202,000.26 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancashire |— |— |— |— |722,871.00 |— |895,522.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire |— |250,451.26 |— |— |— |— |250,451.26 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |110,610.13 |— |165,973.65 |— |— |108,986.38 |895,803.05 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merseyside |— |— |— |— |— |— |418,089.45 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Metropolitan |— |— |1,447,146.96|— |1,127,760.01|— |4,591,257.92 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Wales |— |— |— |629,533.63 |— |1,679.39 |869,699.43 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |— |— |— |498,848.38 |— |— |928,717.78 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumbria |64,294.00 |— |68,813.00 |29,017.00 |— |— |415,584.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Wales |— |— |— |— |— |— |734,764.65 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Yorkshire |72,615.09 |78,630.99 |48,598.65 |— |— |98,122.82 |364,516.62 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |— |— |242,282.74 |— |— |— |366,963.81 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sussex |— |— |— |— |— |— |133,925.42 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Thames Valley |126,191.57 |142,061.61 |119,304.76 |— |— |256,657.38 |1,488,520.21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands |163,304.63 |— |— |— |601,143.05 |— |1,492,304.65 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire |— |— |— |— |— |— |291,803.99 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Yorkshire |376,338.30 |110,348.82 |126,286.64 |— |— |— |934,470.45 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire |— |-9,691.35 |— |— |— |— |45,687.82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |2,055,854.41|2,656,203.69|2,887,909.12|2,182,780.66|2,643,951.89|2,297,452.38 |28,003,264.58 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prisoners Dr. Vis To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners under 21-years-old there were in each week since 26 January 2007. Maria Eagle Data on the prison population, including a breakdown by age, are published monthly on the Ministry of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm The following table shows the number of young people held in prison establishments as at the end of each month since January 2007: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |15 to 17-year-olds|Young adults1| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |January |2,385 |9,276 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |February |2,418 |9,286 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |March |2,413 |9,311 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |April |2,402 |9,425 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |May |2,450 |9,364 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |June |2,428 |9,455 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |July |2,472 |9,418 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |August |2,473 |9,545 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |September |2,485 |9,533 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |October |2,441 |9,544 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |November |2,357 |9,542 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |December |not yet available | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Young adults are those aged 18 to 20 and those 21-year-olds who were aged 20 or under at conviction who have not yet been reclassified as part of the adult population.| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. Prisoners: Education Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on providing educational courses to offenders serving custodial sentences in the latest period for which figures are available. Mr. Lammy I have been asked to reply. In the financial year 2006-07, the overall spend by the Learning and Skills Council on the delivery of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service in custodial establishments to adult offenders was £115 million. Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what language courses are offered to offenders serving custodial sentences. Mr. Lammy I have been asked to reply. The majority of language courses offered to offenders held in English public sector prisons are English language courses—to incorporate literacy skills and key skills in communication, which is a vital aspect in improving the employability prospects of offenders. English is also offered to speakers of other languages. A small number of European languages including German, Spanish, French and Welsh is offered to a minority of offenders in English public sector prisons based on an assessment of need. Prisoners: Rehabilitation Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offender behaviour programmes are accredited for use in prisons; and what the title is of each programme. Maria Eagle There are 17 offending behaviour programmes that have been accredited/provisionally accredited for use in prisons in England and Wales. They are as follows: Chromis—a programme for violent offenders with high levels of psychopathy Cognitive Self Change Programme (CSCP) Cognitive Skills Booster programme (CSB) (still provisionally accredited) Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it (CALM) Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) FOR—a resettlement programme Healthy Relationships Programme (HRP) JETS—a cognitive skills course for juveniles Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R and R) Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) core extended rolling adapted booster adapted booster healthy sexual functioning Think First Prisons: Education Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 16 October 2007, Official Report, column 954W, on prisons: education, when the randomised control trial of enhanced thinking skills will be published. Mr. Hanson The evaluation of HM Prison Service accredited Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) programme (The Treatment Chance Project—TCP) aims to examine the impact of ETS courses on impulsivity in adult male offenders over the age of 18, and to investigate whether changes in levels of impulsivity were reflected in changes in prison behaviour. The TCP was conducted as a Randomised Control Trial (RCT), and as such is the first large-scale RCT evaluating the impact of ETS in prisons. The draft report is at the peer review stage, with publication scheduled for April 2008. Prisons: Employment Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prisoners were employed on average in each prison workshop in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; (2) how many prisoners were (a) employed in workshops, (b) employed outside workshops and (c) without work in each adult male training prison in England and Wales on the most recent date for which figures are available. Maria Eagle The Prison Service does not keep central records of the number of prisoners employed in each prison workshop or those without work but instead records the average weekly number of prisoners involved in workshops at each prison. The table shows, for the last 10 full years for which the information is available, the average weekly numbers of prisoners involved in workshops by prison. There are no reliable records available on non-workshop employment, and this data have not therefore been included. Such records cannot now be recreated due to the absence of historical data at establishments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Establishment |Function |1997-98|1998-99|1999-2000|2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Acklington |Category C |152 |159 |190 |199 |180 |186 |192 |185 |159 |145 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Albany |Category B |113 |129 |127 |119 |106 |87 |0 |100 |120 |110 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aldington |Category C |38 |40 |24 |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Altcourse |Male Local |0 |72 |146 |170 |182 |192 |188 |186 |173 |230 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ashfield |Male Juvenile |n/a |n/a |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ashwell |Category C |127 |135 |146 |150 |128 |156 |154 |143 |150 |168 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Askham Grange |Female Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Aylesbury |Male Closed YOI|7 |11 |22 |24 |28 |25 |25 |30 |33 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedford |Male Local |67 |62 |83 |77 |61 |50 |50 |51 |51 |40 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Belmarsh |Male Local |42 |56 |101 |96 |88 |87 |87 |72 |84 |69 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Birmingham |Male Local |83 |100 |111 |109 |108 |96 |87 |144 |185 |204 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blakenhurst |Male Local |0 |116 |119 |130 |96 |78 |83 |74 |89 |111 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blantyre House |Semi Open |0 |0 |7 |4 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |3 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blundeston |Category C |64 |69 |65 |75 |77 |82 |79 |75 |93 |88 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Brinsford |Male Closed YOI|0 |0 |15 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bristol |Male Local |47 |45 |99 |84 |92 |96 |72 |66 |59 |51 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Brixton |Male Local |21 |0 |0 |7 |1 |0 |0 |0 |28 |18 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Brockhill |Category C |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bronzefield |Female Local |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |1 |40 |49 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Buckley Hall |Category C |0 |84 |98 |122 |94 |64 |80 |111 |71 |83 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bullingdon |Male Local |46 |70 |86 |68 |92 |84 |93 |102 |111 |131 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bullwood Hall |Category C |12 |11 |6 |17 |17 |15 |13 |11 |15 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Camp Hill |Category C |78 |70 |66 |83 |83 |80 |69 |76 |66 |65 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Canterbury |Category C |18 |28 |54 |57 |58 |52 |45 |50 |55 |58 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cardiff |Male Local |119 |125 |109 |136 |116 |126 |129 |105 |108 |110 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Castington |Male Closed YOI|33 |30 |16 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Channings Wood |Category C |127 |142 |143 |138 |140 |131 |124 |138 |118 |103 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Chelmsford |Male Local |58 |57 |62 |55 |57 |61 |55 |76 |58 |122 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Colchester |Male Open YOI |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Coldingley |Category C |127 |115 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |142 |138 |136 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cookham Wood |Male Juvenile |70 |52 |46 |54 |48 |40 |41 |68 |84 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dartmoor |Category C |112 |133 |151 |137 |155 |148 |136 |115 |111 |103 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Deerbolt |Male Closed YOI|15 |14 |17 |15 |14 |16 |16 |15 |14 |19 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Doncaster |Male Local |0 |0 |16 |29 |37 |36 |13 |39 |45 |32 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorchester |Male Local |20 |20 |20 |17 |19 |18 |8 |12 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dovegate |Category B |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |148 |172 |154 |112 |113 |112 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dover |Semi Open |17 |23 |29 |24 |16 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Downview |Female Closed |39 |37 |36 |14 |22 |37 |21 |38 |47 |47 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Drake Hall |Semi Open |74 |69 |63 |50 |61 |59 |68 |84 |82 |75 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham |Male Local |125 |184 |208 |176 |141 |119 |109 |99 |84 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Sutton Park|Female Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Eastwood Park |Female Local |0 |0 |23 |17 |17 |13 |7 |10 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Edmunds Hill |Category C |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |16 |11 |17 |28 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Elmley |Male Local |20 |22 |76 |120 |107 |106 |110 |110 |92 |580 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Erlestoke |Category C |16 |16 |26 |31 |51 |62 |51 |60 |55 |53 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Everthorpe |Category C |106 |136 |183 |129 |128 |100 |88 |93 |100 |210 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Exeter |Male Local |3 |1 |34 |54 |74 |64 |54 |42 |45 |48 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Featherstone |Category C |209 |237 |254 |223 |232 |241 |234 |223 |229 |254 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Feltham |Male Closed YOI|8 |9 |9 |8 |7 |0 |0 |4 |2 |2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ford |Male Open |51 |51 |60 |47 |65 |61 |59 |64 |106 |109 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Forest Bank |Male Local |n/a |n/a |31 |108 |140 |151 |167 |153 |117 |114 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Foston Hall |Female Closed |8 |10 |17 |18 |11 |17 |15 |14 |15 |13 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Frankland |Dispersal |84 |84 |94 |91 |145 |125 |125 |134 |99 |141 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Full Sutton |Dispersal |112 |164 |166 |141 |132 |114 |127 |94 |104 |71 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Garth |Category B |139 |165 |173 |164 |141 |142 |143 |103 |94 |96 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gartree |Category B |91 |99 |122 |107 |89 |99 |106 |119 |102 |95 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Glen Parva |Male Closed YOI|50 |49 |43 |0 |64 |65 |57 |40 |46 |54 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gloucester |Male Local |13 |10 |12 |24 |20 |11 |14 |20 |12 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Grendon |Category B |5 |0 |11 |11 |10 |10 |12 |9 |4 |1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Guys Marsh |Category C |26 |61 |74 |91 |114 |118 |119 |127 |124 |125 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Haslar |Semi Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hatfield |Male Open YOI |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Haverigg |Category C |271 |251 |202 |192 |274 |281 |266 |209 |156 |157 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hewell Grange |Male Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Highdown |Male Local |30 |36 |34 |43 |59 |49 |52 |54 |58 |43 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Highpoint |Category C |53 |52 |102 |115 |133 |115 |105 |126 |123 |124 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hindley |Male Closed YOI|22 |65 |44 |48 |74 |98 |67 |46 |45 |6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hollesley Bay |Male Open |21 |22 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Holloway |Female Local |9 |5 |42 |142 |0 |0 |7 |3 |10 |6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Holme House |Male Local |64 |99 |95 |88 |99 |77 |105 |93 |104 |83 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hull |Male Local |78 |108 |95 |91 |100 |91 |129 |110 |157 |155 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Huntercombe |Male Juvenile |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kennet |Category C |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kingston |Category B |36 |37 |43 |38 |44 |59 |34 |26 |48 |53 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kirkham |Male Open |222 |212 |163 |157 |127 |109 |129 |142 |119 |111 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kirklevington |Semi Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |3 |5 |5 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancaster |Category C |26 |19 |15 |10 |15 |9 |8 |2 |3 |1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancaster Farms |Male Closed YOI|20 |20 |16 |10 |15 |11 |3 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Latchmere House |Semi Open |7 |8 |13 |19 |19 |29 |10 |11 |11 |11 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leeds |Male Local |140 |129 |454 |191 |192 |173 |132 |138 |235 |128 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicester |Male Local |55 |53 |46 |44 |46 |116 |50 |30 |10 |1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lewes |Male Local |65 |78 |82 |84 |68 |103 |85 |81 |73 |40 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leyhill |Male Open |59 |75 |83 |82 |81 |64 |68 |66 |62 |59 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincoln |Male Local |183 |175 |171 |166 |165 |135 |115 |107 |114 |108 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lindholme |Category C |38 |43 |55 |62 |57 |56 |47 |46 |39 |33 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Littlehey |Category C |211 |194 |199 |185 |180 |194 |189 |183 |171 |151 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Liverpool |Male Local |319 |328 |326 |286 |222 |115 |233 |251 |245 |221 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Long Lartin |Dispersal |71 |62 |96 |90 |103 |132 |118 |111 |114 |108 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Low Newton |Female Local |11 |16 |27 |28 |33 |33 |53 |25 |21 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lowdham Grange |Category B |0 |0 |176 |157 |196 |199 |196 |166 |168 |120 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Maidstone |Category C |209 |187 |175 |169 |120 |138 |138 |158 |129 |149 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Manchester |Male Local |196 |226 |217 |218 |214 |200 |177 |147 |172 |169 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Moorland |Category C |64 |85 |91 |85 |88 |114 |88 |106 |135 |137 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Morton Hall |Semi Open |8 |16 |20 |12 |33 |91 |160 |160 |127 |149 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Mount |Category C |74 |113 |113 |117 |130 |139 |127 |109 |147 |171 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |New Hall |Female Local |32 |92 |78 |77 |66 |63 |65 |69 |67 |62 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Sea Camp |Male Open |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |9 |13 |8 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northallerton |Male Closed YOI|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Norwich |Male Local |68 |67 |50 |50 |61 |57 |57 |61 |73 |62 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nottingham |Male Local |26 |47 |95 |93 |104 |116 |105 |86 |76 |70 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Onley |Category C |37 |40 |83 |78 |71 |72 |79 |90 |104 |115 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Parc |Male Local |0 |149 |1245 |115 |136 |123 |127 |195 |180 |190 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Parkhurst |Category B |104 |113 |111 |115 |109 |84 |96 |86 |120 |123 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Pentonville |Male Local |115 |164 |206 |211 |210 |122 |137 |134 |108 |32 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Portland |Male Closed YOI|31 |33 |32 |26 |24 |24 |18 |13 |15 |15 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Preston |Male Local |54 |56 |149 |56 |70 |54 |60 |48 |39 |28 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ranby |Category C |133 |186 |259 |211 |189 |1102 |218 |217 |245 |264 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Reading |Male Closed YO1|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Risley |Category C |110 |114 |103 |115 |145 |144 |193 |181 |161 |170 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rochester |Male Closed YO1|27 |12 |12 |36 |43 |59 |0 |41 |156 |67 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rye Hill |Category B |n/a |n/a |0 |109 |188 |243 |175 |154 |145 |211 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Send |Female Closed |19 |19 |21 |60 |20 |32 |22 |21 |23 |21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shepton Mallet |Category C |20 |19 |25 |22 |20 |32 |38 |41 |47 |40 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shrewsbury |Male Local |84 |109 |137 |112 |114 |204 |73 |68 |65 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stafford |Category C |187 |190 |204 |213 |243 |228 |245 |224 |218 |254 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Standford Hill |Male Open |30 |29 |17 |35 |39 |80 |63 |64 |82 |57 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stocken |Category C |53 |63 |159 |123 |118 |121 |114 |96 |89 |90 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stoke Heath |Male Closed YOI|82 |114 |106 |102 |107 |109 |93 |95 |107 |108 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Styal |Female Local |34 |37 |56 |52 |50 |36 |27 |26 |17 |23 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sudbury |Male Open |93 |93 |91 |88 |89 |82 |117 |82 |83 |72 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swaleside |Category B |38 |50 |38 |40 |133 |199 |188 |194 |90 |95 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swansea |Male Local |49 |68 |66 |60 |46 |58 |54 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swinfen Hall |Male Closed YOI|5 |15 |31 |32 |31 |24 |31 |25 |21 |27 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Thorn Cross |Male Open YOI |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Usk |Category C |11 |0 |35 |35 |38 |38 |33 |26 |27 |22 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Verne |Category C |104 |108 |134 |112 |120 |124 |112 |115 |118 |105 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wakefield |Dispersal |207 |202^ |185 |187 |310 |183 |105 |56 |61 |58 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wandsworth |Male Local |165 |176 |186 |153 |130 |129 |169 |204 |115 |29 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warren Hill |Male Juvenile |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wayland |Category C |101 |92 |88 |93 |81 |57 |33 |33 |36 |34 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wealstun |Category C |87 |189 |176 |197 |212 |209 |201 |209 |268 |246 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Weare |Category C |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wellingborough |Category C |0 |0 |32 |38 |83 |67 |52 |16 |60 |84 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Werrington |Male Juvenile |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wetherby |Male Juvenile |0 |0 |35 |29 |25 |10 |4 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Whatton |Category C |27 |25 |58 |53 |50 |61 |50 |46 |50 |92 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Whitemoor |Dispersal |99 |114 |89 |93 |150 |105 |95 |100 |76 |92 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Winchester |Male Local |93 |86 |93 |91 |108 |73 |65 |62 |59 |56 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wolds |Category C |43 |88 |82 |72 |72 |72 |38 |41 |40 |39 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Woodhill |Male Local |0 |0 |8 |7 |4 |5 |8 |0 |0 |0 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wormwood Scrubs |Male Local |94 |96 |110 |92 |108 |105 |81 |50 |124 |177 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wymott |Category C |482 |340 |345 |341 |301 |291 |282 |282 |282 |329 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Grand total |— |8,306 |9,480 |12,109 |10,576 |11,120 |11,824 |10,320 |10,228 |10,403 |10,834 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prisons: Food Adam Price To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of food procured by the Prison Service was of UK origin in the latest period for which figures are available. Mr. Hanson I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) on 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1150W. Reoffenders Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the re-conviction rate was for prisoners who had completed offender behaviour programmes in the latest period for which figures are available. Mr. Hanson The proven re-offending rate for offenders discharged from prison was 64.7 per cent. in 2004. When controlling for offender characteristics, there has been a 4.6 per cent. reduction since 2000. We do not have data on re-offending rates for offenders discharged from prison who had completed offender behaviour programmes. Sentencing: Young People Mr. Evans To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young people received custodial sentences in relation to driving offences in each of the last five years; and how many young people committed driving offences in that period. Mr. Hanson The following table shows the number of young people, aged 10-17 and 18-20, who were given a custodial sentence, and the total number sentenced, in each of the last five years for motoring offences. ------------------------------------------------- | |2002 |2003 |2004 |2005 |2006 | ------------------------------------------------- |10-17 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------- |Total sentenced |1,277|1,370|1,184|905 |750 | ------------------------------------------------- |Immediate custody|707 |800 |656 |489 |360 | ------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------- |18-20 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------- |Total sentenced |3,920|4,015|3,313|2,734|2,164| ------------------------------------------------- |Immediate custody|3,042|3,089|2,448|1,996|1,467| ------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------- |All youngpeople | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------- |Total sentenced |5,197|5,385|4,497|3,639|2,914| ------------------------------------------------- |Immediate custody|3,749|3,889|3,104|2,485|1,827| ------------------------------------------------- Written Answers to Questions Thursday 24 January 2008 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Animals: Disease Control Anne Milton To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 696W, on animals: disease control, how much was allocated to each local authority for animal health and welfare work in each of the last three financial years. Jonathan Shaw The sums made available to each authority in each of the last three financial years are set out in the following table. Many authorities underspent significantly against these allocations in either or both of the earlier two years for which outturn figures are available. The cumulative effect of these underspends is shown in the totals given at the foot of the table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2007-08 |2006-07 |2005-06 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Barnsley MBC |23,274 |23,065 |20,510 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bath and NE Somerset |60,017 |66,885 |72,000 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire CC |48,345 |53,716 |46,283 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Birmingham CC |27,315 |31,755 |24,252 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blackburn w Darwen BC |6,052 |5,904 |8,975 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blackpool |385 |385 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blaenau Gwent CBC |16,841 |17,818 |17,344 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bolton Metro |12,208 |13,289 |14,576 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bradford MBC |39,080 |42,161 |46,789 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bridgend CBC |35,462 |35,780 |75,732 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Buckinghamshire CC |88,924 |96,900 |102,657 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Bury MBC |2,901 |3,159 |4,420 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Caerphilly CBC |22,521 |27,418 |27,175 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Calderdale MBC |56,904 |49,976 |50,692 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire CC |72,975 |79,983 |80,143 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cardiff CC |7,103 |5,474 |6,695 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Carmarthenshire CC |192,297 |192,732 |171,162 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ceredigion CC |195,113 |218,186 |207,801 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cheshire CC |90,640 |92,900 |69,600 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |City of London (Chelmsford) |10,180 |9,710 |10,194 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |City of London (Reigate) |12,673 |11,918 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |City of London (Wokingham and Reading)|10,852 |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |City of York |11,570 |13,524 |15,258 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Conwy CBC |146,084 |161,170 |70,414 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cornwall CC |140,406 |159,756 |127,891 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Coventry |8,020 |8,480 |8,370 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria CC |295,443 |346,291 |317,460 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Darlington BC |36,649 |39,536 |27,696 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Denbighshire CC |136,373 |148,495 |200,852 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derby City |10,952 |12,040 |6,660 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire CC |199,112 |219,264 |215,223 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon CC |500,733 |542,203 |522,642 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Doncaster MBC |46,456 |44,392 |45,080 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dorset CC |116,435 |136,557 |128,533 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dudley |17,874 |19,285 |17,221 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Durham CC |81,567 |88,180 |73,174 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Riding of Yorkshire |209,558 |224,750 |173,452 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |East Sussex CC |53,730 |52,500 |54,182 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Essex CC |151,834 |158,895 |158,451 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Flintshire CC |73,991 |78,825 |79,126 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gateshead |5,748 |5,695 |5,888 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gloucestershire CC |192,720 |219,000 |222,456 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Gwynedd |130,937 |148,802 |150,147 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |38,108 |2,657 |36,095 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Halton |2,657 |40,869 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hartlepool |4,550 |5,400 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Herefordshire CC |119,768 |128,320 |133,320 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire CC |26,285 |30,120 |30,928 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Isle of Anglesey CC |96,043 |105,718 |102,646 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Isle of Wight |32,449 |33,570 |33,490 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent CC |206,990 |226,855 |254,832 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kirkless MC |29,657 |32,004 |26,373 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lancashire CC |340,212 |320,736 |298,860 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leeds CC |29,049 |31,740 |33,544 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire CC |62,932 |73,064 |72,132 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire CC |173,691 |178,812 |166,129 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Medway CC |9,159 |8,904 |10,680 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Merthyr Tydfil CBC |66,856 |73,936 |60,879 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Middlesbrough |936 |670 |832 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Milton Keynes |47,032 |49,460 |47,706 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Monmouthshire CC incl. |128,705 |111,862 |144,910 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Torfean in 2007-08 | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Neath Port Talbot |n/a |46,612 |45,096 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Newcastle CC |35,208 |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Newport CC |70,412 |77,385 |78,578 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Norfolk CC |129,284 |148,796 |54,589 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Lincolnshire |23,522 |24,816 |28,716 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Somerset C |30,158 |33,509 |32,980 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Tyneside |12,431 |13,512 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Yorkshire CC |414,691 |440,210 |431,270 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire CC |85,188 |103,032 |92,37.6 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumberland CC |178,377 |205,133 |181,116 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Nottinghamshire CC |89,521 |104,772 |113,435 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oldham MBC |58,098 |62,979 |44,409 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oxfordshire CC |111,629 |120,347 |134,374 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Pembrokeshire CC |133,658 |138,948 |135,684 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Peterborough |12,668 |12,369 |12,369 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Powys CC |253,260 |287,641 |279,818 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Redcar and Cleveland |9,157 |8,405 |8,160 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rhondda Cynon Taf |50,659 |55,230 |54,845 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rochdale |5,357 |4,860 |6,307 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rotherham MBC |33,188 |34,489 |32,196 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Rutland CC |10,839 |11,780 |11,550 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sandwell MBC |6,357 |6,200 |5,925 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sefton CC |4,994 |5,690 |4,167 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sheffield CC |36,169 |39,923 |33,620 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shropshire CC |127,332 |140,000 |134,004 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Solihull MBC |18,113 |18,960 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Somerset CC |224,469 |247,769 |225,613 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Gloucester C |66,309 |77,924 |88,476 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Tyneside |6,662 |6,662 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Staffordshire CC |268,767 |307,796 |325,296 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stockton |13,727 |13,641 |5,640 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stoke on Trent |8,570 |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |120,884 |140,968 |135,480 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sunderland |765 |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Surrey CC |132,841 |147,547 |145,460 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swansea |n/a |46,512 |29,860 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Swindon BC |5,242 |5,579 |6,373 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tameside MBC |630 |1,060 |5,900 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Telford and Wrekin borough |30,618 |2,700 |31,063 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Torfaen |n/a |28,273 |27,433 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Vale of Glamorgan |23,350 |46,512 |45,000 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wakefield MBC |29,310 |n/a |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Walsall MBC |4,424 |4,311 |3,714 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warrington BC |9,491 |11,518 |12,647 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire CC |131,630 |145,487 |145,008 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Berkshire CC |27,061 |28,454 |28,375 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Glamorgan |66,416 |73,796 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Sussex CC |44,743 |46,597 |44,821 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wigan council |9,039 |19,260 |18,732 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire CC |60,966 |86,724 |105,756 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Windsor and Maidenhead |34,542 |38,352 |32,041 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wirral |n/a |1,296 |n/a | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wolverhampton CC |3,959 |5,256 |5,087 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Worcestershire CC |227,709 |230,914 |227,412 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Wrexham CBC |57,237 |61,745 |59,947 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total allocation |8,564,971|9,335,708 |8,843,255 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Outturn figure | |8.7 million|8.2 million| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Departmental Marketing Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years. Jonathan Shaw My Department currently has six displays located in its main buildings. DEFRA agencies have no ministerial displays or posters. Over the last five years the cost of updating the displays has been £11,000. We have recently begun to replace printed posters and displays with electronic alternatives. These are cheaper to update and have less environmental impact than printed material. Fisheries Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which measures which he has (a) introduced and (b) proposed to the European Commission under (i) Article 8, (ii) Article 9 and (iii) Article 10 of Council Regulation 2371/2002 have been approved; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw In January 2005, the UK invoked Article 9 of Council Regulation 2371/2002. In its proposals, the UK sought a ban on pelagic pair trawling by all member states within 12 nautical miles of the English coast within The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Area VIIE. The European Commission rejected the proposal and the ban on pelagic pair trawling remains applicable to UK vessels only under the South-West Territorial Waters (prohibition of Pair Trawling) Order 2004. Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures which EU Member States have (a) introduced and (b) proposed to the European Commission under (i) Article 8, (ii) Article 9 and (iii) Article 10 of Council Regulation 2371/2002 have been approved; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw To the best of my knowledge, none of our neighbouring member states have invoked, or had approved, measures that have a significant effect on the UK fishing industry under Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation 2371/2002 . A more complete answer to this question can be obtained from the European Commission as the Article 8 and 9 measures are only notified to the Commission, concerned member states, and the relevant regional advisory council. Article 10 measures are applicable solely to fishing vessels flying the flag of the member state invoking the article and are therefore not notifiable to other member states. Fisheries: Finance Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to allocate funds to UK fishermen until the UK is able to access the European Fisheries Fund; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw The previous fisheries grants scheme, the Fisheries Instrument for Financial Guidance (FIFG) is closed to new applications. However, existing projects continue to be funded and I estimate that around £10 million will be paid in 2008. Fisheries: Public Appointments Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the Government appointed to each sea fisheries committee in each year since 1997; between which dates each held their position; what the reasons were for each appointment; what (a) interests and (b) organisations and groups each appointee represented; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Section 2 of the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 sets out that persons appointed by the Minister to Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) shall be: “persons acquainted with the needs and opinions of the fishing interests of that district or as being persons having knowledge of, or expertise in, marine environmental matters.” All appointments to SFCs made by the Secretary of State last for a four year period. Once appointed, these members are required to represent, in a balanced way, all local fishing and marine environmental interests in the SFC district. Appointees are reminded that they should not regard themselves as representing any one particular interest. Flood Control: Greater London Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been taken to prevent flooding in London since Summer 2007; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Woolas There have been various measures taken throughout London since the summer to reduce the risk of flooding. The Environment Agency led a series of meetings with local London boroughs. It also conducted a series of meetings with the affected local authorities. In addition, the Government Office for London (GOL) led a post-20 July 2007 lessons learned meeting, the outcomes of which will be incorporated into a fundamental check review of the existing London Strategic Flood Response Plan. The Environment Agency is also leading an integrated urban drainage pilot in Kingston, funded by DEFRA. This has been developed over the past few months with local authorities and Thames Water and has recommended several ways to address surface water flooding. The Environment Agency and DEFRA will also be feeding into a new Forum ‘Drain London’ to assess the location and causes of surface water flooding across London and identify solutions. Thames Estuary 2100 is an Environment Agency project developing a tidal flood risk management plan for London and the Thames Estuary until the end of the century. The plan will take into account increasing flood risk due to climate change, rising sea-levels, ageing of the existing flood management infrastructure and new development in the defended tidal floodplain. Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Finance Mr. Paice To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average amount was that a household in England paid to top up a Warm Front grant for energy efficiency measures in 2006; and how many households in England paid to top-up their Warm Front grant in 2006. Mr. Woolas The average amount that householders paid to top up Warm Front grants in 2006 was £422.08. 20,143 households in England paid to top up a Warm Front grant during this period. Productivity: Rural Areas Tim Farron To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the difference in productivity was between the least well performing quartile of rural areas and the English median in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw The indicator used to support the public service agreement on productivity (PSA4) monitoring shows that productivity in the least well performing quartile of rural areas was 16.07 per cent. lower than the English median in 2004-05. Sea Fisheries Committees Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1108W, on sea fisheries committees, how many appointees there are on each sea fisheries committee; what the percentage and number appointed to each Sea Fisheries Committee by (a) the Government, (b) local authorities and (c) other organisations is; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw Orders that establish each Sea Fisheries Committee (SFC) district prescribe the total number and breakdown of members on each Committee. Members appointed to each SFC by Ministers, local authorities and other organisations, by number and percentage, are as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |SFC |Number|Percentage|Number|Percentage|Number|Percentage|Number| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cornwall |13 |50 |12 |46.15 |1 |3.84 |26 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |7 |50 |6 |42.86 |1 |7.14 |14 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Devon |10 |50 |9 |45 |1 |5 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Eastern |10 |50 |9 |45 |1 |5 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Isles of Scilly |4 |50 |4 |50 |0 |0 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kent and Essex |12 |54.54 |9 |40.9 |1 |4.55 |22 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northumberland |10 |50 |9 |45 |1 |5 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Eastern |18 |50 |17 |47.22 |1 |2.77 |36 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Western and North Wales|20 |52.63 |9 |23.68 |9 |23.68 |38 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Southern |10 |50 |9 |45 |1 |5 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sussex |10 |50 |9 |45 |1 |5 |20 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Environment Agency appoints one member to each SFC, with the exception of the Isles of Scilly. Ministerial appointees to North Western and North Wales SFC are the joint responsibility of DEFRA and the Welsh Ministers. Appointments to South Wales SFC are solely a matter for the Welsh Ministers. DEFRA is in the process of appointing new members to fill three vacancies. Seas and Oceans: Environment Protection Mr. Roger Williams To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with officials from (a) the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, (b) the Department for Communities and Local Government and (c) the Department for Transport in relation to the (i) drafting and (ii) implementation of the proposed Marine Bill. Jonathan Shaw DEFRA Ministers and officials have worked closely with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Department for Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Transport on the development of the proposed Marine Bill. We will continue to do so during the Bill’s passage through Parliament to ensure that our proposals for new legislation are coherent and compatible. Water Supply: River Wye Mr. Laurence Robertson To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Severn Trent on the possibility of securing water supply back-up from the River Wye; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Woolas I have not had any such discussions. It is for Severn Trent to consider the need for increasing provision of water in fulfilment of its duties to maintain adequate supplies of water. The company’s plan for meeting demand were set out in its 25-year water resources plans, prepared in 2004. The Environment Agency reported on those plans in ‘Maintaining Water Supply’, which is available from its web site. The plans are to be updated and will be consulted upon later this year. Additional abstractions to provide a back-up supply of water, whether from the River Wye or another source, would need to be licensed by the Environment Agency in line with the provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991 (as amended). White Fish: Conservation Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2007, Official Report, column 1112W, on white fish: conservation, what evidence his Department has received contrary to the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2004 on bass stocks; and if he will make a statement. Jonathan Shaw Some angling groups including the Bass Anglers’ Sportsfishing Society (BASS) have submitted information to counter the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on bass stocks. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, have assessed the information submitted by BASS and do not believe that it alters their advice to DEFRA that bass stocks appear to be fished sustainably. This is consistent with the most recent ICES advice. Church Commissioners Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff of the Church Commissioners were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Sir Stuart Bell This information is not recorded but, by way of a statement, the commissioners invest in technology whenever they believe that this will improve their business efficiency. When they do invest in new equipment, the recipient’s gender is irrelevant. Public Accounts Commission Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff of the National Audit Office were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Alan Williams The information requested is set out as follows. This includes SmartPhones which have personal digital assistant (PDA) functionality. For 2006 and 2007 these numbers include more than once those SmartPhones that were issued for staff to test, withdrawn and then reissued. There are currently 20 staff with active SmartPhones. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |PDAs and SmartPhones issued to male members of staff|PDAs and SmartPhones issued to female members of staff| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001|0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002|0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003|16 |4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004|0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005|0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006|14 |8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2007|12 |4 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Treasury Tax Returns: Online Filing Mr. Robathan 11. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the use of on-line filing of tax returns. Jane Kennedy Online filing is secure, quicker and more accurate for the customer and HMRC benefits by having better quality data and reduced administration and processing costs. By the beginning of January, just under 2 million self assessment returns had been filed online, an increase of 26 per cent. on the same point last year. International Debt Relief Mark Lazarowicz 12. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he plans to take to advance international debt relief. Andy Burnham The UK welcomes recent agreements at the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank to finance Liberia’s arrears clearance, paving the way for Liberia to enter the HIPC initiative. The UK will continue to support eligible countries to achieve HIPC debt relief and to qualify for debt cancellation under the multilateral debt relief initiative. The UK is working closely with international partners to address the problem of so-called vulture funds. Contractors: Monitoring Mark Pritchard 13. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contractual mechanisms HM Revenue and Customs has in place to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of private sector organisations to which it has contracted out work. Jane Kennedy HMRC employs a wide range of procedures for monitoring the performance of private sector contractors, on a contract-by-contract basis, following HMRC’s good practice guidance. Professionally qualified commercial specialists manage these contracts, which are kept under review. Saving Miss Begg 14. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government is taking to encourage people to save. Andy Burnham Since 1997, the Government have introduced individual savings accounts (ISAs) (now held by one in three adults), and the child trust fund, which will ensure that all children will hold a financial asset at the age of 18. The Government have piloted the saving gateway and is now taking forward feasibility work to enable rollout. The Government are also introducing personal accounts to enable individuals on low to medium incomes to save for a pension over their working lives. 10p Tax Rate Miss Kirkbride 15. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on revenue to the Exchequer arising from the abolition of the 10 pence tax rate; and if he will make a statement. Angela Eagle The yield from removing the 10p starting rate of income tax on non-savings income was published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2007 at line 15 of table A1. Removing the 10p starting rate of income tax was one single aspect of the Budget 2007 package, and should not be looked at in isolation from the other changes announced. Leitch Report Mr. Simon 17. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the Leitch report and on the skills base in the UK economy. Angela Eagle Discussions about the Leitch report and the importance of skills to economic growth are held at ministerial and official level on a regular basis. Investing in education and skills is vital to ensuring our continued success in today's global economy. That is why the Government are increasing their investment in improving education and the skills. UK education spending as proportion of GDP projected to increase from 4.7 per cent. in 1996-97 to 5.6 per cent. by 2010-11. Expenditure on higher education and adult skills in England will grow by over £2 billion over the next three years. Africa: Education for All Initiative John Robertson 18. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the Education for All initiative for Africa; and if he will make a statement. Angela Eagle The UK is a strong supporter of education, with a commitment to provide £8.5 billion for education by 2015; it is the second largest contributor to the Education for All Fast Track Initiative. At the autumn meetings of the G7 and IMFC, Finance Ministers reaffirmed the importance they place on development issues, including education. Treasury Ministers and officials will continue to use every opportunity to promote the UK's development priorities with their international counterparts. Trade Unions: Provident Funds Mr. Chaytor 19. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the upper limit for tax exempt payments from Trade Unions Provident Funds was last adjusted for inflation; and what plans he has to review the limit. Jane Kennedy The tax exemption limits whereby registered trade unions are able to claim relief in respect of certain income and gains used for provident benefits have not been raised since 1991. There are no plans at the current time to raise the limits. Skills Shortages Anne Snelgrove 21. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the impact on the UK economy of skills shortages. Angela Eagle The independent Leitch Review of Skills found no evidence that skill gaps or shortages have held back economic growth, though it did recommend that the Government raise their ambitions on improving the skills of the workforce. The 2007 National Employer Skills Survey conducted by the Learning and Skills Council highlights falls in the proportion of employers reporting skills gaps and the percentage of all vacancies caused by skills shortages. The Government are increasing their investment in improving the skills of the population. Expenditure on higher education and adult skills in England will grow by over £2 billion over the next three years. Capital Gains Tax Andrew George To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the pre-Budget report proposals for capital gains tax on housing affordability. Jane Kennedy The Government take a range of factors into consideration when formulating tax policy, and keep all of the relevant issues under review. The tax regime is just one of a number of factors that influence housing affordability. Banks: Insolvency Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to bring forward proposals for legislation (a) on bank insolvency and (b) to implement the Market Abuse Directive. Angela Eagle HM Treasury, the Bank of England and Financial Services Authority published a discussion paper, “Banking Reform: Protecting Depositors”, in October 2007. Comments on that paper were requested by 5 December 2007. A consultation document outlining proposals for reforms to banking regulation and depositor protection will be published shortly, and will be followed by a 12-week consultation period. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Chancellor on 21 January 2008, Official Report, columns 1207-24. Banks: Standards Norman Baker To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the resilience of the UK banking system; and if he will make a statement. Andy Burnham The FSA has responsibility for assessing the resilience of individual banks and shares responsibility with the Bank of England for maintaining a broad overview of the financial system as a whole. Their views of the risks to financial system are made public, in particular through the Financial Risk Outlook and the Financial Stability report respectively. The chairman and chief executive of the FSA and the Governor and deputy governor of the Bank of England have set out their views on these issues over recent months to the Treasury Committee. Cost of Living Philip Davies To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the difference between the retail prices index and the rate of inflation experienced by families with an average income. Angela Eagle No official estimates have been made of the rate of inflation experienced by families with an average income. However, under the Government’s monetary policy framework, inflation has remained close to target and the economy has now experienced 61 consecutive quarters of growth. UK inflation, currently at 2.1 per cent, remains close to target. This stability, alongside record levels of employment, has allowed average real incomes to increase for all income groups since 1997 and aggregate real household disposable income to rise by 25 per cent. Credit Miss McIntosh To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the trends in the availability of credit to householders in the last 12 months. Andy Burnham The UK economy remains strong and stable and is enjoying its longest period of macro-economic stability on record. The disruption in global financial markets has meant economic prospects have become more uncertain, with the pre-Budget report forecast incorporating some feed-through from financial market disruption to tighter credit conditions. But the UK economy has proved resilient to a number of shocks over the past decade, demonstrating the success of the Government’s macro-economic framework and promotion of open and flexible labour, product and capital markets. Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Angela Eagle The current user list for PDAs in core Treasury shows (a) 59 male users, and (b) 32 female users. Financial records would only provide the information requested on PDAs purchased from 2001 annually at disproportionate cost. Excise Duties: Fuels Norman Baker To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on fuel duty for motorists, with particular reference to the overall price of fuel and the Government’s climate change policy. Angela Eagle I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Knight) and the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 330W. Government Departments: Property Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 332W, on government departments: property, in what methodological or statistical ways the data in the table placed in the Library differs from the data provided in the answer of 6 January 2008, Official Report, column 630W, on the same subject. Angela Eagle The data in the table placed in the Library in the answer of 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 332W, gives the total figures for vacant space recorded on e-PIMS as either actual, future or potential. The data provided in the answer of 6 January 2008, Official Report, column 630W, is for vacant space recorded on e-PIMS only as actual, as that is how the question was interpreted. The data provided for HM Courts Service, Home Office and Treasury Group is different for the following reasons: HM Courts Service e-PIMS is a working database and the latest information available is used in PQ responses. The data provided in the table placed in the Library were the vacant space recorded as at 10 December. The data provided in the subsequent response was the vacant space recorded as at 17 December. On 11 December HM Courts Service entered a total of 7579m2 vacant space records onto e-PIMS, accounting for the increase in the figure given on 20 December, even though only vacant space marked as actual was included. Home Office The data provided in the table placed in the Library gave separate vacant space figures for the Home Office and the national probation directorate, whereas the subsequent response provided the Home Office vacant space inclusive of the national probation directorate. Treasury Group Similarly, the table placed in the Library gave separate vacant space figures for HM Treasury and National Savings and Investments whereas the subsequent response combines these in a single figure for the Treasury Group. Other small variances are accounted for by the different dates on which information is recorded. Knowledge Network Project Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance document on using the Knowledge Network software and database. Angela Eagle There is no one single, specific guidance document on using the Knowledge Network. Members: Correspondence Sir Gerald Kaufman To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 3 December 2007 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Mavis George. Jane Kennedy I replied to the right hon. Member on 22 January 2008. Population Mr. Chope To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely population of the United Kingdom in (a) 2015, (b) 2030 and (c) 2050. Angela Eagle The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 24 January 2008: As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question regarding what estimate has been made of the likely population of the United Kingdom in (a) 2015, (b) 2030 and (c) 2050. (181126) The table below shows the projected total population of the United Kingdom for the years requested. The most recent national population projections, based on the population at the middle of 2006, were published by the Office for National Statistics on 23 October 2007. --------------------------------- | |Total population (Million)| --------------------------------- |2015|64.5 | --------------------------------- |2030|70.8 | --------------------------------- |2050|77.0 | --------------------------------- Projections are uncertain and become increasingly so the further they are carried forward. In addition to the principal (central) projection results given above, variant projections based on alternative assumptions are also published. Details are available at: http://www.gad.gov.uk/Demography_data/Population/ Revenue and Customs: Data Protection Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) data and (b) physical security measures have been introduced at HM Revenue and Customs offices in Tyne and Wear since October 2007. Jane Kennedy HMRC reviews its security measures on an ongoing basis. Since October 2007, the offices in Tyne and Wear, in common with all HMRC offices, have implemented HMRC’s tighter controls on data security. For more detail on these changes, I refer the hon. Member to Kieran Poynter’s interim report which was published on 17 December 2007 and is available in the Library of the House. Revenue and Customs: Disclosure of Information Mr. Laws To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason HM Revenue and Customs has failed to respond to requests for information from the Information Commissioner’s Office in relation to case ref. number FS50164499 on behalf of the hon. Member for Yeovil; and if he will make a statement. Jane Kennedy HMRC are in continuing dialogue with the Information Commissioner’s Office and will be providing a full response in due course. Skin Cancer Mr. Bruce George To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department holds regional figures for five year survival rates for skin cancer. Angela Eagle The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 24 January 2008: As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking whether regional figures for five year survival rates for skin cancer are available. (181291) For England, five-year survival rates are available for adult patients (aged 15-99 years) diagnosed with skin cancer during 1999-2003 and followed up to the end of 2004. These are given in Table 1 and are also available on the National Statistics website. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14007&Pos=3&ColRank=1&Rank=422 Survival rates by NHS region for 58 cancers including skin cancer diagnosed during 1971-90 in England and Wales were published in Cancer Survival Trends* in 1999. Figures for skin cancer, broken down by region are given in Table 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | |Five-year relative survival| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Number of patients|Percentage |95 per cent.CI3| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Men |13,196 |80.4 |(79.2-81.7)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Women |17,005 |89.4 |(88.5-90.3)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 As cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, the relative rates for all ages (15 to 99) have been age-standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time, thus making them comparable with previously published figures.2 Melanoma of the skin is classified as code C43 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).3 95 per cent. confidence intervals (CI).Source:Office for National Statistics| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Men|Women| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |England |68 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northern and Yorkshire |69 |83 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Trent |66 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Anglia and Oxford |72 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North Thames |66 |83 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South Thames |66 |82 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |South and West |70 |81 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |West Midlands |71 |84 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |North and West |63 |81 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 As cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, the relative rates for all ages (15 to 99) have been age-standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time, thus making them comparable with previously published figures.2 Melanoma of the skin is classified as code 172 in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9).Sources:Office for National StatisticsTable 4.5: Cancer survival trends by NHS region, selected cancers, patients diagnosed 1971 to 1990: age-standardised relative survival rates (with 95 per cent. confidence intervals) at one and five years after diagnosis, and average increases in relative survival on the National Statistics website http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/xsdataset.asp?More=Yand published in:Coleman MP et al (1999) ‘Cancer survival Trends in England and Wales 1971 to 1995: deprivation and NHS region’. Studies in Medical and Population Subjects No.61. London: The Stationery Office.| | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written Questions: Government Responses Mr. Fallon To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make a substantive reply to question 175652, on advice on Northern Rock, tabled by the hon. Member for Sevenoaks on 17 December 2007. Jane Kennedy Very shortly. The Treasury regrets not having done so earlier. Defence Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Ann Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and which models of helicopter deployed in Afghanistan are fitted with winches. Mr. Bob Ainsworth All UK Sea King and all UK Chinooks deployed in Afghanistan are equipped with winches. I am withholding the number of helicopters deployed as the information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces. Aircraft Carriers: Procurement Mr. Soames To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce a detailed timetable for the Future Aircraft Carrier Programme. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 21W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on the placement of the manufacture contract for the Future Carrier, and to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 20W, on in-service dates. Armed Forces: Children Mr. Hoyle To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service deaths have occurred where the service parent was in receipt of continuity of education allowance or boarding school allowance at the time of their death since 1997; how many children of deceased service personnel received his Department’s financial assistance in these cases; what the total cost has been over that period; how much provision is made in his Department’s budget annually for such cases; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg Information prior to the roll-out of the joint personnel administration (JPA) could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In the period June 2006 to date, continuity of education allowance (CEA) payments have been made in relation to 15 Service personnel who have died in service. These payments have related to 21 children. The total cost of these payments is £185,000. There is no specific allocation for provision of CEA in cases of death in service. We cannot predict what future payments will be. However, we are committed to making such payments. Armed Forces: Housing Mr. Baron To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets he has set for upgrading service families’ accommodation to (a) S1fC and (b) S2fC categories under the standard for condition initiative; and when he expects these targets to be met. Derek Twigg [holding answer 17 January 2008]: This Department has targets only to upgrade Service Families Accommodation (SFA) properties to Standard 1 for Condition (SlfC). We will upgrade a minimum of 600 SFA properties to SlfC in financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09 with a further 800 upgrades planned for each year thereafter. This number of upgrades is based on the strategic decision, taken with the support of the armed forces, to focus the programme on upgrading the worst accommodation first which leads to a higher cost per upgrade. Funding in previous years was targeted at delivering a large number of relatively low cost upgrades. In fact the Department has increased the level of funding for upgrading SFA and is making available a further £20 million in 2008-09 and £30 million per annum thereafter. Armed Forces: Parachuting Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many high altitude (a) high and (b) low opening training airborne jumps have been conducted by British service personnel in each year since 2001. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The number of high altitude, high opening (HAHO), and high altitude, low opening (HALO), airborne jumps that have been conducted by British service personnel while completing service training are shown in the table as follows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Calendar year |High altitude high opening1|High altitude low opening1| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |175 |220 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |235 |135 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |395 |150 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |125 |550 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |65 |135 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006 |100 |375 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007 |320 |525 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Numbers rounded to the nearest 5| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Armoured Fighting Vehicles Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Bulldog vehicles have been (a) ordered to date and (b) delivered to UK Land Command; (2) how many Vector armoured fighting vehicles have been (a) ordered to date and (b) delivered to UK Land Command; (3) how many Mastiff armoured vehicles have been (a) ordered to date and (b) delivered to UK Land Command. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The number of Bulldog, Vector and Mastiff vehicles ordered to date and delivered to UK Land Command are shown in the following table: ------------------------------------------------------ | |Ordered to date|Delivered to UK Land Command| ------------------------------------------------------ |Bulldog|900 |411 | ------------------------------------------------------ |Vector |178 |178 | ------------------------------------------------------ |Mastiff|108 |104 | ------------------------------------------------------ Bulldog is an upgrade of the FV430 rather than a brand new vehicle. The conversion programme is due to be completed by 31 March 2011. The initial tranche of Mastiff deliveries are complete, less four ambulance variants due to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2008. We are ordering an additional tranche of Mastiff vehicles, as announced by the Prime Minister on 7 October 2007. AWE Burghfield: Floods Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the flood risk to the (a) High Security Area, (b) Nuclear Licensed Site Area and (c) remainder of the site at AWE Burghfield; what flooding has occurred at the site since July 2007; what representations he has received from the Environment Agency since that time; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The risk of flooding is addressed in the nuclear licence safety case for the AWE Burghfield site, which does not differentiate between areas. The safety case assessment concludes that such an event would not compromise safety at the site although there would likely be an impact on business continuity. A programme of review is therefore under way to determine what, if any, improvements might be introduced. No flooding has occurred at AWE Burghfield since July 2007. The Environment Agency has made no representations to the MOD on these matters. The nuclear site licensee, AWE plc, continues to advise the regulators of its plans through regular routine engagement. 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 to 2015. Des Browne I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 29W. AWE Management: Trident Missiles Nick Harvey To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment manufactured (a) any new Trident warheads and (b) any new plutonium pits in 2007; (2) when the Atomic Weapons Establishment plans to end the production of (a) new Trident warheads of the current design and (b) new plutonium pits of the current design. Mr. Bob Ainsworth I am withholding the information requested as its release would or would be, likely to prejudice national security and defence of the UK. Chad: Peacekeeping Operations Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether transportation and lodging of military forces in support of the European Security and Defence Policy mission to Chad will be financed by the EU or its member states under the costs lie where they fall principle. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The EU-led mission to Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) will be funded in accordance with the ATHENA funding mechanism approved by the Council of the European Union in 2004 and as subsequently amended. The mechanism defines which aspects of EU-led military operations are eligible for common funding by member states. The incremental costs of deploying elements of the Force HQ to and from the theatre of operations, and associated lodging of Force HQ staff, are eligible for common funding. The costs of deployment and lodging of force elements commanded by the Force HQ are met by the member states that provide the forces on a “costs lie where they fall” basis. A budget request will be submitted by the Operation Commander for the Chad/CAR operation for scrutiny by the ATHENA Special Committee during January 2008 before a resulting budget is approved. Defence Equipment and Support Organisation: Finance Annette Brooke To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 774W, on Defence Equipment and Support Organisation: finance, what the reasons are for the difference between the expenditure figure provided against financial year 2006-07 and that declared on the home page of the Defence Equipment and Support Organisation’s website. Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 21 January 2008]: The rounded £16,000 million annual budget figure for financial year 2006-07, as shown on the Defence Equipment and Support Organisation’s website, encompasses both equipment and non-equipment resource expenditure. This includes manpower, overhead costs and indirect non-cash resource costs such as cost of capital charges on assets and depreciation. The figure of £12,130 million for financial year 2006-07, as detailed in my answer of 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 774W, was for spend on equipment programmes only, including expenditure on all equipment additions, equipment support (including Stock Consumption and Post Design Services), PFI Service Charges and IT and Communications. Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Derek Twigg Records of personal digital assistants are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Firearms Act 1968 Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions the Defence Council has granted an authority to (a) possess, (b) acquire, (c) manufacture, (d) transfer and (e) sell items under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 in each of the last 10 years; (2) on how many occasions the Defence Council has revoked an authority to (a) possess, (b) acquire, (c) manufacture, (d) transfer and (e) sell items under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 in each of the last 10 years. Mr. Bob Ainsworth None. The Defence Council has no role in granting or revoking authorities under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. Fuels: Finance Mr. Gerald Howarth To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the defence budget achievable through the adoption of fuel hedging. Mr. Bob Ainsworth Fuel hedging would not in the medium or long term necessarily provide any direct savings to the defence budget. However, it would reduce the impact of price changes. “Government Accounting” precludes the use of fuel hedging to seek savings to the defence budget as this would involve speculation with taxpayers’ money. Land Mines Ann Winterton To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what pre-deployment training is provided for (a) mine detection and (b) personnel extraction from minefields. Mr. Bob Ainsworth All personnel deploying either as an individual replacement (IR), or as part of a formed unit undertake extensive training in mine awareness and minefield immediate action drills. These are as follows: (a) a 45 minute lecture on the threat of mines, specific to the theatre they are deploying to; (b) a 60 minute practical lesson (demonstration and practice) at identifying mines or potentially mined areas and how to extract themselves and their team from a minefield or mined area; (c) further opportunities to practise mine awareness and extraction drills including during the Confirmatory Training Exercise at Stanford Training Area (STANTA) where individuals are assessed on their assimilation of these drills; (d) “sweep up” training focused on areas where weakness or misunderstanding is identified. On arrival in theatre, mine awareness and any new theatre specific procedures are revised and practised. This is part of the Reception, Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) training package. Military Bases: Strait of Hotmuz Mr. MacShane To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for UK defence policy of France’s decision to create a military base in the Strait of Hotmuz. Des Browne On 15 January, President Nicolas Sarkozy signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates which includes plans to create a French military base in Abu Dhabi. There are no implications for UK Defence Policy. France has a long history of defence co-operation in the Gulf region. NATO: Finance Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Government contributed to NATO’s (a) civil budget, (b) military budget and (c) Security Investment Programme in each year since 1997. Des Browne The amount contributed by the UK to NATO’s civil budget, military budget and the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) since 1997 is as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Financial year |Civil budget1|Military budget2|NSIP2 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |20.400 |43.126 |36.826| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |16.100 |46.021 |54.168| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |16.300 |38.529 |45.350| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |18.900 |36.461 |42.915| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |17.900 |53.100 |62.493| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |18.200 |50.000 |38.301| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |18.700 |36.578 |45.813| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |17.600 |52.430 |55.538| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |17.842 |43.926 |54.575| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |17.281 |56.917 |40.959| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007-083 |19.470 |60.800 |51.147| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 The UK contribution to the NATO civil budget is funded by the FCO2 Funded by the MOD3 Current in-year forecast| | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the UK’s contribution to NATO common funding was allocated to NATO’s (a) civil budget, (b) military budget and (c) security investment programme in each year since 1997. Des Browne The proportion of the UK’s total contribution to NATO common funding allocated to the civil budget, military budget and NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) since 1997 is as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Financial year |Civil budget1|Military budget2|NSIP3| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |20.33 |42.97 |36.70| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |13.84 |39.57 |46.57| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |16.27 |38.46 |45.27| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |19.23 |37.10 |43.67| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |13.41 |39.78 |46.81| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |17.09 |46.95 |35.96| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |18.50 |36.18 |45.32| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |14.02 |41.75 |44.23| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |15.34 |37.76 |46.90| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |15.01 |49.43 |35.56| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007-084 |14.82 |46.26 |38.92| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 The UK contribution to the NATO civil budget is funded by the FCO2 Funded by the MOD3 Funded by the MOD4 Current in-year forecast| | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peacekeeping Operations Dr. Fox To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military units are allocated for potential deployment with (a) EU and (b) NATO missions. Mr. Bob Ainsworth The allocation of military units for all deployments with EU and NATO missions takes place on a case by case basis via the UK’s force generation process, according to national priorities, and drawn from those declared to the Defence Planning process for NATO and the Headline Questionnaire for the EU. Within these forces, some units are held at high readiness and designated for potential deployment with the EU and NATO but these would not deploy without the express consent of the UK Government. For EU missions, the UK’s contribution to the EU Battle Group roster in the second half of 2008 will be drawn from the Small Scale Focused Intervention Battlegroup element of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. For NATO missions, the UK has agreed to provide a battalion to NATO’s Operational Reserve Force (ORF) until the end of 2008. On current plans, up to the end of the first half of 2008, the Spearhead Land Element(SLE) of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) will meet this requirement. The UK is also providing a contribution to the NATO Response Force (NRF) throughout 2008 to be drawn as appropriate from the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. From January-June 2008 this will be one carrier and associated aircraft together with an escort ship (a destroyer or frigate); and a deployable air operating base (including four Tornado GR4 aircraft, and associated air-to-air refuelling, airborne early warning, and tactical air transport aircraft). From July-December 2008 the UK’s contribution to the NRF will be four air defence aircraft and eight ground attack aircraft together with associated air-to-air refuelling, airborne early warning, and tactical air transport aircraft; and a mine counter measures task group (including a command ship, a destroyer/frigate escort, and a survey vessel). Prince William Lynne Jones To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2008, Official Report, columns 887-8W, on Prince William, whether Prince William’s training will enable his transfer to an operational commission unit for (a) fast jet, (b) multi-engine and (c) rotary wing aircraft. Mr. Bob Ainsworth HRH Prince William’s attachment to the Royal Air Force is part of a wider programme of events and is designed to prepare him for his future role. It will not be possible in the time available for him to progress to an Operational Conversion Unit for fast jet, multi-engine or rotary wing aircraft before he goes on attachment to the Royal Navy. Reserve Forces: Mental Health Services Dr. Murrison To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to provide reservists with operational-related mental health problems with access to NHS healthcare. Derek Twigg Any reserve serviceman or woman injured when on operational deployment is entitled to and will receive the same level of medical treatment and support as their regular colleagues. This may include treatment at a military Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) or admission to the Priory Group. They will continue to receive treatment until they are deemed to have reached a steady state of fitness. They are then demobilised, and taken through a transition from military to NHS care, if they have continuing healthcare needs. Once demobilised, it is a long established tradition that reserve forces’ medical care becomes the responsibility of their own local NHS primary care trust and the majority of veterans’ physical and mental health needs are met by these provisions. However, we recognise that many health professionals may have limited experience of dealing with individuals with mental health symptoms arising from their service experience, and some reservists may be concerned that there will be only limited understanding by GPs of the context of their illness. In these specific circumstances, MOD recognises that it has an expertise to offer, and in November 2006 it launched the Reserves Mental Health Programme (RMHP). The RMHP is open to any current or former member of the UK volunteer and regular reserves who has been demobilised since 1 January 2003 following an overseas operational deployment as a reservist, and who believes that the deployment may have adversely affected their mental health. Under the programme, we liaise with the individual’s GP and offer a mental health assessment at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC) in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire. If diagnosed to have a combat-related mental health condition, we then offer out-patient treatment via one of the 15 DCMHs. If more acute cases present, the Defence Medical Services will assist in arranging for access to NHS in-patient treatment. In conjunction with the Department of Health, we recently launched the first of a number of community mental health pilots. Each site will have a trained community veterans’ mental health therapist. Veterans will be able to access this service directly or through their GP, ex-service organisations, the Veterans’ Welfare Service, or Social Service departments. The pilot at the Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation Healthcare Trust is now open. This will be followed by pilots in Camden and Islington, Cardiff, Middlesbrough, St. Austell and Scotland. If these pilots prove successful the model will be rolled out more widely across the UK. As an interim measure, and to assist those veterans not in the catchment areas of one of the new community mental health pilots, we have expanded of our Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) based at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, to include assessment of veterans with mental health symptoms with operational service from 1982 (including veterans of the Falklands campaign). Veterans who have recently deployed to Iraq (Operation Telic) and Afghanistan (Operation Herrick) may also attend for a full medical assessment if their Service Medical Officer or General Practitioner thinks it would help. The MAP was established in 1993 for veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf conflict and we encourage veterans worried about their health to attend. The clinician in charge also provides support and advice to GPs and other civilian health professionals requiring advice on the military aspects of treatment. Leader of the House Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Leader of the House how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff in her Office were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement. Ms Harman Following a machinery of government change, information prior to 2006-07 is available only at disproportionate cost. Since May 2006 two male and two female members of staff have been issued with personal digital assistants. House Committees: Salary Mr. Frank Field To ask the Leader of the House which chairmen of House Committees receive a salary in addition to that of an hon. Member to reflect their role as chairman. Ms Harman Under the resolutions of the House of 30 October 2003 and 13 July 2005 relating to pay for chairmen of Select Committees, the chairmen of the departmental Select Committees appointed under Standing Order No. 152, together with the chairmen of the Environmental Audit, European Scrutiny, Public Accounts, Public Administration, Regulatory Reform, Administration, Finance and Services, Liaison, Procedure, Selection and Standards and Privileges Select Committees, and the chairmen of the Joint Committees on Human Rights and on Statutory Instruments, receive an additional salary in respect of their role as chairmen. A total of 31 hon. Members receive such a salary. Under the Resolution of the House of 13 July relating to pay for chairmen of Standing Committees (now General Committees), the members of the Chairmen’s Panel—in addition to the three Deputy Speakers also receive an additional (graduated) salary, unless they are already in receipt of such a salary as chairman of a Select Committee. A total of 32 hon. Members receive such a salary. Timetabling of Bills Mrs. Dunwoody To ask the Leader of the House if she will commission and publish an independent assessment of the effect of programming on the passage of Government legislation, including information on (a) the number of Government amendments made at Third Reading in the House of Lords and (b) the length of time taken between introduction and enactment of Government bills (i) in the last three years and (ii) in the last three years before the introduction of programming. Ms Harman The effect of programming of Government legislation has been the subject of number of reports by the Modernisation and Procedure Committees of the House and therefore it is not proposed to commission an independent audit. The total number of amendments, including Government amendments, to Government Bills at Lords Third Reading in the following Sessions were: --------------------------------------------------------------- |Session |Number| --------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |80 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |440 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |119 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |428 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |540 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |306 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |56 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |741 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |460 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |412 | --------------------------------------------------------------- |Source:House of Lords Public Bill Sessional Statistics| | --------------------------------------------------------------- These figures are not broken down into ‘Government’ and ‘non-Government’ amendments, and it is important to remember that some amendments might have been tabled by a non-Government peer but inspired by the Government and that some amendments may have been tabled by the Government but in response to concerns raised by an MP or peer. Information about the interval between introduction and enactment of legislation for Government Bills in previous Sessions is a matter of public record, which is contained in the Library’s Sessional Information Digests available at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsid.htm Wales Capita Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was paid by his Department to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement. Huw Irranca-Davies My Department has no contracts with Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries. Departmental ICT Dr. Cable To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the (a) start date, (b) original planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) current estimated cost is for each information technology project being undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement. Huw Irranca-Davies My Department began work, in November 2007, on the development of new English and Welsh language websites. The original completion date for the sites was the end of December 2007, however following revisions, the new websites are due to be launched by the end of January 2008. The planned cost of the project is £29,611. Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Huw Irranca-Davies My Department has not issued staff members with personal digital assistants. Picture Financial Group Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had in a ministerial capacity with representatives of Picture Financial Group in the last 12 months; what the date of each meeting was; who was present at each meeting; and what the purpose of each meeting was. Huw Irranca-Davies Ministers meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings. Home Department Antisocial Behaviour: Prosecutions Mr. Ruffley To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 there have been for (a) noise, (b) graffiti and fly-posting and (c) waste and litter in (i) each local authority and (ii) each police authority area, broken down by basic command unit, in each region of England and Wales in each year since the introduction of the powers. Jonathan Shaw I have been asked to reply. The offences in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 include graffiti and fly-posting. Other offences are taken under different legislation. The number of prosecutions taken at magistrates courts is held by the Ministry of Justice. The offence class of ‘other’ criminal damage includes, but cannot separately identify, offences of graffiti. Data on fly-posting offences cannot be separately identified from the data held by the Ministry of Justice. --------------------------------------------- |Police force area |2003 |2004 |2005 |2006 | --------------------------------------------- |England | | | | | --------------------------------------------- |Avon and Somerset |814 |652 |576 |240 | --------------------------------------------- |Bedfordshire |35 |58 |53 |206 | --------------------------------------------- |Cambridgeshire |309 |252 |233 |152 | --------------------------------------------- |Cheshire |12 |51 |51 |177 | --------------------------------------------- |City of London |16 |11 |— |11 | --------------------------------------------- |Cleveland |162 |75 |29 |12 | --------------------------------------------- |Cumbria |28 |49 |91 |83 | --------------------------------------------- |Derbyshire |362 |346 |244 |185 | --------------------------------------------- |Devon and Cornwall |12 |6 |63 |1,016| --------------------------------------------- |Dorset |2 |— |2 |4 | --------------------------------------------- |Durham |195 |156 |76 |88 | --------------------------------------------- |Essex |565 |522 |561 |486 | --------------------------------------------- |Gloucestershire |141 |162 |178 |245 | --------------------------------------------- |Greater Manchester |1,329|1,467|1,424|1,457| --------------------------------------------- |Hampshire |667 |767 |374 |510 | --------------------------------------------- |Hertfordshire |48 |135 |189 |108 | --------------------------------------------- |Humberside |39 |185 |90 |81 | --------------------------------------------- |Kent |539 |718 |656 |713 | --------------------------------------------- |Lancashire |25 |24 |39 |183 | --------------------------------------------- |Leicestershire |67 |81 |91 |62 | --------------------------------------------- |Lincolnshire |9 |68 |95 |106 | --------------------------------------------- |Merseyside |271 |201 |70 |85 | --------------------------------------------- |Metropolitan Police|1,970|1,798|1,465|1,422| --------------------------------------------- |Norfolk |362 |318 |356 |245 | --------------------------------------------- |North Yorkshire |241 |372 |365 |305 | --------------------------------------------- |Northamptonshire |299 |259 |289 |308 | --------------------------------------------- |Northumbria |14 |11 |15 |29 | --------------------------------------------- |Nottinghamshire |14 |10 |136 |200 | --------------------------------------------- |South Yorkshire |404 |422 |442 |412 | --------------------------------------------- |Staffordshire |615^ |551 |543 |520 | --------------------------------------------- |Suffolk |14 |52 |168 |417 | --------------------------------------------- |Surrey |93 |72 |196 |404 | --------------------------------------------- |Sussex |587 |367 |463 |513 | --------------------------------------------- |Thames Valley |478 |370 |410 |356 | --------------------------------------------- |Warwickshire |81 |59 |42 |22 | --------------------------------------------- |West Mercia |102 |145 |162 |161 | --------------------------------------------- |West Midlands |1,269|1,409|1,090|1,024| --------------------------------------------- |West Yorkshire |467 |441 |440 |410 | --------------------------------------------- |Wiltshire |85 |61 |68 |44 | --------------------------------------------- | | | | | | --------------------------------------------- |Wales | | | | | --------------------------------------------- |Dyfed-Powys |9 |11 |15. |10 | --------------------------------------------- |Gwent |345 |223 |74 |98 | --------------------------------------------- |North Wales |297 |326 |378 |315 | --------------------------------------------- |South Wales |459 |96 |66 |53 | --------------------------------------------- DEFRA collects data annually from local authorities on Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). FPNs can be issued by local authorities for graffiti and fly-posting offences. A FPN can be offered as an alternative to prosecution but prosecution can still be taken in instances of non-payment of a FPN. Police Community Support Officers can issue FPNs if they have the relevant approval; such notices are issued on a local authority’s behalf, and are incorporated into the local authority’s figures. For ease of reference, nil returns have been omitted from the following tables, which include the number of prosecutions taken following non-payment of FPNs. -------------------------------------------- |Offence: graffiti | -------------------------------------------- |Local authority |Prosecutions following non payment| -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2006 to March 2007|| -------------------------------------------- |Gateshead BC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Kingston upon Hull City Council |1| -------------------------------------------- |Sandwell BC |2| -------------------------------------------- | || -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2005 to March 2006|| -------------------------------------------- |Gateshead BC |5| -------------------------------------------- |Newcastle upon Tyne CC |2| -------------------------------------------- | || -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2004 to March 2005|| -------------------------------------------- |Newcastle upon Tyne CC || -------------------------------------------- | |2| -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- |Offence: fly-posting | -------------------------------------------- |Local authority |Prosecutions following non payment| -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2006 to March 2007|| -------------------------------------------- |Canterbury CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Castle Point DC |2| -------------------------------------------- |LB Bexley |20| -------------------------------------------- |LB Ealing |5| -------------------------------------------- |Manchester CC |4| -------------------------------------------- |Milton Keynes BC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Newcastle upon Tyne CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Nottingham CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Peterborough CC |14| -------------------------------------------- |Rochdale BC |8| -------------------------------------------- |S Ribble BC |2| -------------------------------------------- |Selby DC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Sheffield CC |2| -------------------------------------------- |Solihull BC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Thurrock BC |1| -------------------------------------------- | || -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2005 to March 2006|| -------------------------------------------- |Nottingham CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Peterborough CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Solihull BC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Southampton CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Tameside BC |3| -------------------------------------------- | || -------------------------------------------- |Reporting period: April 2004 to March 2005|| -------------------------------------------- |Cheltenham BC |2| -------------------------------------------- |Gloucester CC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Newcastle upon Tyne CC |2| -------------------------------------------- |Thurrock BC |1| -------------------------------------------- |Westminster CC |7| -------------------------------------------- The House Library has been furnished with data on prosecutions and fixed penalty notices issued for other offences under the relevant legislation. The data are also currently published online. Firearms Bill Wiggin To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to attend the summit on Firearms Law Reform. Mr. Coaker I am currently considering a letter about the proposed summit and will respond shortly to the Scottish Executive. Forensic Science Service John McDonnell To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed by the Forensic Science Service in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what staff turnover was in each such year. Meg Hillier [holding answer 13 December 2007]: The Forensic Science Service has supplied the information in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Average number of staff in year|Percentage turnover (leavers/av staff x 100)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |2,729 |15.57 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |2,697 |7.26 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |2,642 |7.08 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |2,503 |12.66 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |2,431 |25.05 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sources:2002-03, 2003-04, 2006-07: Annual report2004-05, 2005-06: Performance report| | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passports: Fraud Stewart Hosie To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fraudulent passport applications were made in the last 12 months; and how many of those applications involved (a) identity theft and (b) false declarations where the individual was otherwise entitled to a passport. Meg Hillier Because of the nature of fraud it is only possible to estimate the number of fraudulent passport applications the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) receives. During the period 31 October 2005 to 30 September 2006, a sample of several thousand applications were scrutinised by specialist IPS teams with support from fraud investigators. This found that 0.25 per cent. of applications (or 16,500 cases) were believed to be from people attempting to obtain a passport fraudulently when they were not entitled to them. In a further 1.61 per cent. of applications (or 105,000 cases) there was some element of false declaration on the part of passport applicants but the identity of these individuals and their eligibility for passport services was not otherwise in doubt. It must be emphasised that these figures are an estimate and the result of one sampling exercise. IPS does, however, intend to undertake sampling of this type routinely and is currently engaged in a second exercise which is due to complete by April 2008. It is because of this level of attempted fraud that IPS has introduced over recent years such measures as checking identity information against public and private sector databases and interviews for adult first time passport applicants. Police: Forensic Science Service John McDonnell To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obligations her Department places on police forces and authorities in relation to the procurement of forensic science services. Meg Hillier [holding answer 13 December 2007]: Procurement of forensic services is a matter for individual police forces. The Home Office has placed no obligations on forces or authorities in relation to that procurement. Terrorism: Cumbria Tim Farron To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will commission research to identify sites in Cumbria which may be used for illegal purposes within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2006. Mr. McNulty [holding answer 21 January 2008]: We have no plans to do so. Transport Dartford Tunnel: Fees and Charges Bob Spink To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis it was decided which local areas to include in her consultation on the Dartford river crossing local discount scheme; if she will include Castle Point residents in that consultation; when the consultation will begin and end; whether the consultation will include public meetings; and how the consultation will be conducted. Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 22 January 2008]: A consultation on a discount scheme for local residents will be announced shortly and our detailed proposals wilt be set out in that document. We have no plans to hold public meetings but the consultation document will be widely available via our website, and we will welcome responses from all interested parties regardless of where they live. Departmental ICT Dr. Cable To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) start date, (b) original planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) current estimated cost is for each information technology project being undertaken by her Department and its agencies; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick The Department for Transport is currently undertaking a number of IT projects to enable us to provide better services to our customers or improve the efficiency of our operations. Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the key IT projects that are monitored and reported on centrally under the DfT's Investment Appraisal Framework is set out as follows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Department/Agency |Project name |Start date |Original planned completion date |Expected completion date|Originally planned costs (£ million)|Estimated costs(£ million)| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DfT1 |Shared Services Programme |April 2005 |April 2009 |April 2009 |31 |123 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |VOSA2 |Commercial Customer Portal |January 2004|December 2005 |January 2009 |9.5 |16.7 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |VOSA3 |Operator Annual Test: E-Test Bookings |January 2004|December 2005 |January 2009 |8.4 |16.8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |VOSA4, 5 |Mobile Compliance: providing mobile compliance devices to Enforcement Officers |March 2003 |December 2004 |March 2008 |7.91 |10.8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA6, 7 |Driver Licensing: Drivers Re-engineering Project (DRP) phase 2 |August 2003 |September 2008 |December 2008 |109 |103.7 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA8 |Smart tachograph project |July 2000 |May 2002 |June 2005 |13.2 |15.1 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA9 |Vehicles System Software (VSS) Replatforming |January 2005|July 2006, but agreement made with DVO to move date to November 2006|December 2007 |8.4 |13 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA9 |Driver Licence Upgrade (DLUP) |July 2004 |June 2007 |March 2008 |21.8 |16 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA10 |Vehicle Integration Northern Ireland |August 2006 |November 2008 |Second half 2009 |23 |21.3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DVLA |Driver Licence Ten Year Renewals Phase 1 |July 2007 |May 2008 |June 2008 |13.3 |13.3 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |DSA |Integrated Register of Driver Trainers (IRDT) |October 2003|January 2006 |February 2007 |1.5 |3.5 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HA |Traffic Control Centre: PPP service; providing co-ordinated real time information on traffic conditions across most strategic road network|August 2001 |August 2011 |August 2011 |160 over 10 years |160 over 10 years | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |HA11, 12 |Electronic Service Delivery of Abnormal Loads (ESDAL) |April 2004 |August 2006 Development |June 2009 Development |8.6 Development |9.64 Development | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | |July 2008 Operation |June 2011 Operation |1.21 Operation |1.21 Operation | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Latest estimate subject to satisfactory business case for remainder of the programme.2 The scope of the portal project has increased since original approval to include new elements such as the adoption of sophisticated data integration and management applications.3 The scope of E-test bookings has increased since original approval to include a multi-channel solution.4 The difference in completion date is due to an increase in project scope to include fixed penalties.5 Original planned costs for mobile compliance did not include staff costs however, estimated costs to complete include staff costs from April 2005.6 The previous parliamentary answer of 16 July 2004, Official Report, columns 1387-88W, only relates to phase 1. The cost of £37 million with a delivery date of December 2005 was achieved within approved funding. These details have been updated to include phase 2.7 The estimated completion date is currently subject to change pending a current re-scoping exercise.8 Smart Tachograph Project—cost variation due to Tachonet implementation, increasing project scope to meet EU legislation requirements.9 Vehicles System Software Replatforming, Driver Licence Upgrade and slippage due to six month New System Landscape freeze with subsequent replanning activities and rescheduled release slots.10 Original planned completion date is subject to Business Case approval.11 The estimated development completion date has increased after re-evaluation of outstanding requirements and subsequent agreement of rebaselined milestone programme.12 The two-year fixed operational period will commence after completion of development. The change of end date for operations reflects the new programme.| | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Driving Tests: Personal Records Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date Ministers in her Department were notified that a computer hard drive containing details of three million learner drivers had been mislaid by Pearson Driving Assessments. Jim Fitzpatrick The former Minister of State, the hon. Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) was told of the incident on 4 June 2007. The present Secretary of State was informed on 28 November 2007. Heathrow Airport: Noise Justine Greening To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fines have been issued for breaches of aircraft following noise preferential routes at Heathrow airport in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 17 January 2008]: At Heathrow airport departing aircraft have to follow noise preferential routes (NPRs) until they reach 4,000 ft, or are directed off the NPRs by air traffic control for safety or efficient air traffic management reasons. These routes are designed to avoid over flight of built-up areas by departing aircraft while under 4,000 ft, wherever possible. Aircraft which deviate outside an NPR swathe (which extends approximately 1.5 km each side of a nominal centre line) while under 4,000 ft are considered to be flying off track. The airport monitors track keeping as a noise mitigation measure. Track keeping performance is kept constantly under review and reported regularly to the Airport's Noise and Track Keeping Working Group on which local residents are represented by a number of organisations. In addition, the airport continues to work with NATS, airlines and representatives of the local community to consider whether further improvements can be made. Since the introduction of the airport's noise and track keeping system which enabled monitoring, track keeping has improved from around 85 per cent. to around 96 per cent. Given this high level of airline performance and the fact that some of the remaining 4 per cent. is due to instances where air traffic control have directed aircraft off the NPRs, at this stage it has not proved necessary to introduce a financial penalty system. Ice Prince Peter Bottomley To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures her Department has taken to monitor the route of the floating timber lost from the Ice Prince; what system there is for warning shipping, sailors and swimmers of additional risk; what estimate she has made of the cost of removing the timber from beaches; which organisations are responsible for meeting the clear up costs; and if she will make a statement. Jim Fitzpatrick Following the sinking of the Ice Prince on 15 January, the wreck site and the floating timber was under daily surveillance by MCA aircraft, and vessels in the area were requested to report sightings to the Coastguard. Navigation warnings to shipping, detailing location and heading, were then broadcast by coastguard stations along the south coast and the French Préfet Maritime. Information was also being broadcast to shipping via the Dover channel navigation information system. Media alerts were issued by the MCA in conjunction with local authorities and police to warn members of the public of the risk of engaging in any recreational activities close to the timber. The owners/insurers of the Ice Prince have appointed a contractor to remove the timber from the shoreline and will bear the associated costs of the clear up. Roads: Accidents Norman Baker To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents occurred in each county in the UK in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by the (a) day of the week and (b) time of day on which the accident occurred. Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 22 January 2008]: Tables showing the number of reported personal injury road accidents in each county in Great Britain for 2002 to 2006 by (a) day of the week and (b) time of day on which the accident occurred have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. Trains: Standards Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2008, Official Report, column 700W, on trains: standards, who undertook the study commissioned and funded by South West Trains; what the terms of reference of the study were; and if she will make a statement. Mr. Tom Harris The Department did not commission the report. The hon. Member should direct his queries to: Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd. Floor 6, Friars Bridge Court 41- 45 Blackfriars road London SE1 8N2 Work and Pensions Departmental Marketing Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years. Mrs. McGuire When photographs of Ministers are used by DWP internal communications, they have been for organograms. Two have been produced during this period—one in 2004 which included photographs of DWP’s executive team and Ministers at a cost of £1,200 and another in 2007 which included DWP’s executive team and Ministers at a cost of £700. Research conducted since then has indicated a staff preference for organisation charts to be available electronically and these are now being produced by DWP internal communications at no cost to the Department. Disability Living Allowance Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the take-up rate of disability living allowance was for (a) children under 16 and (b) children under 18 in full-time education, broken down by (i) region and (ii) ethnicity in the last period for which figures are available; (2) what the take-up rate of attendance allowance was amongst (a) children under 16 and (b) children under 18 in full-time education, broken down by (i) region and (ii) ethnicity in the latest period for which figures are available; (3) what the take-up rate of disability related benefits was amongst (a) children under 16 and (b) children under 18 in full-time education, broken down by (i) benefit, (ii) region and (iii) ethnicity in the last period for which figures are available. Mrs. McGuire Attendance allowance provides targeted help with the extra costs of disability for people who become disabled after the age of 65. For those under 65, disability living allowance can be claimed for help with extra costs. Estimates of the take-up rate of both these disability benefits are not available. Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the merits of increasing the age limit for claiming disability living allowance in line with the increase in state pension age. Mrs. McGuire Disability living allowance (DLA) is available to people up to age 65 who make a claim for help with their care or mobility needs. There is no need to increase the age limit for claiming DLA to take account in the increase in the state pension age for women from 2010. Provisions for increasing the age limits for DLA and attendance allowance (AA) from 2024 were included in the Pensions Act 2007. Raising the DLA/AA age limits at the same time as each of the increases in state pension age from 2024 is a logical step to ensure that all working age disabled people who can claim help with their disability-related costs continue to have access to the extra help provided by DLA. National Insurance: Travelling People Mr. Donohoe To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people from the traveller community are registered with a national insurance number. Mr. Plaskitt The information is not available because we do not need to know whether people are from the traveller community in order to issue a National Insurance number. Parliamentary Questions: Government Responses Jenny Willott To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to reply to Question 171550, tabled on 29 November 2007 by the hon. Member for Cardiff Central for answer on 4 December; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 7 January 2008]: I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 17 December 2007. Official Report, column 934W. Pensions Forecasts Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of people that will receive pension forecasts from his Department in each year until 2050, broken down by (a) age and (b) ethnicity. Mr. Mike O'Brien This information is not available. Pension forecast volumes are correlated to customer demand, which makes it difficult to estimate future service usage. We are also currently considering the role pension forecasts should play within the wider information and communication strategy that underpins and our pensions reforms. We recognise that individuals will need access to relevant and accurate information when they are auto-enrolled, as they would in any other circumstances where they are making decisions about their retirement. We are developing a strategy that ensures individuals are equipped with the necessary facts and understanding, so that they are able to make appropriate decisions about their retirement planning. Pensions: Hampshire Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take up rate for pension credit was in each constituency in (a) Hampshire, (b) Portsmouth and (c) Southampton in each of the last three years. Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 22 January 2008]: Estimates of eligibility and take-up are not available below the level of Great Britain. It is not therefore possible to say what the take-up rate for pension credit is in each constituency in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. Latest estimates of take-up rates for pension credit in Great Britain were published in the “Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2005/06” report. A copy of this report is available in the Library. Social Security Benefits: Fraud David T.C. Davies To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was recovered from those successfully prosecuted by the Fraud Investigation Service in each of the last five financial years. Mr. Plaskitt The information is not available in the requested format. Winter Fuel Payments Mark Hunter To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on (a) the adequacy of and (b) changing the winter fuel allowance in light of increasing fuel prices; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Mike O'Brien The Government keep all tax and welfare policies under review and any changes are considered as part of the normal Budget and Spending Review processes. Mark Hunter To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average percentage of pensioners’ energy bills that will be met by the winter fuel allowance this year. Mr. Mike O'Brien I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 6 December 2007, Official Report, column 1512W. Winter Fuel Payments: North West Region Mark Hunter To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of pensioner households eligible for the winter fuel allowance in (i) Cheadle Constituency, (ii) Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and (iii) the North West. Mr. Mike O'Brien The information requested is not available. We can only assess eligibility for those people who are in contact with the Department and whose circumstances are known. The vast majority of winter fuel payments are made automatically without the need to claim, but those people whose circumstances we are not already aware of, for instance because they are not on state pension or other benefits administered by DWP, would need to make a claim so that their eligibility can be assessed. The following table shows the number of winter fuel payments made to households in the Cheadle constituency, Stockport metropolitan borough council and the North West in winter 2006-07. Figures for winter 2007-08 are not yet available but we expect the numbers to be similar. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Cheadle constituency|Stockport metropolitan borough council|North West| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |14,960 |44,480 |1,027,700 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Notes:1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.2. Parliamentary constituencies, metropolitan borough councils and Government office regions are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.3. The figures refer only to the main payment run so they do not include the late payment run figures. We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people in Great Britain paid in late payment runs (0.8 per cent. of all payments). Since most of the payment runs are to people who are not receiving another benefit from DWP and whose claims had not been received by the qualifying week, most are men aged 60 to 64.Source:Information directorate 100 per cent. data.| | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Ireland Crime Mr. Dodds To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recorded rape offences in Northern Ireland, including attempted rape, led to convictions in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender of the victims. Paul Goggins The information is not available in the requested format. At present Northern Ireland court proceedings and sentencing data sources do not include victim information in relation to the commission of an offence. Table 1 shows the number of recorded rape offences (including attempted rape) from 1998-99 by age group and gender of victim while table 2 outlines the number of prosecutions and convictions for rape offences (including attempted rape) for the calendar years 1996 to 2005 (the latest available years). Court data are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included. Recorded crime data cannot be routinely reconciled with prosecution and conviction data as the former relate to the number of offences whereas the latter relate to the number of offenders brought before the courts. In addition, recorded crime data denote each offence as it has been initially recorded and this may differ from the offence for which a suspect or suspects are subsequently proceeded against in the courts. Government are committed to improving the rates of successful prosecution in rape cases. Specialist police units, staffed by highly skilled and trained personnel, are dedicated to enhancing the service to victims of rape and sexual assault and both PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service are seeking to develop models of best investigative practice so that more offences can achieve the threshold for prosecution. 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 address these issues through a robust action plan delivering on strategic objectives in three key areas—crime prevention, better victim support and improved protection and justice measures. The Strategy is to be published this spring. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Age under 18|Age 18-64|Age 65+|Age unknown|All ages| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1997-98 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |118 |149 |0 |4 |271 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |118 |149 |0 |4 |271 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1998-99 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |135 |171 |3 |15 |324 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |135 |171 |3 |15 |324 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1999-2000 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |131 |160 |1 |19 |311 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |131 |160 |1 |19 |311 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2000-01 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |95 |125 |1 |11 |232 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |95 |125 |1 |11 |232 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2001-02 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |108 |179 |0 |5 |292 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |108 |179 |0 |5 |292 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2002-03 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |— |— |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |164 |192 |0 |1 |357 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |164 |192 |0 |1 |357 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2003-041 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |5 |0 |1 |0 |6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |165 |222 |2 |0 |389 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |170 |222 |3 |0 |395 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004-05 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |9 |7 |0 |1 |17 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |157 |204 |2 |0 |363 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |166 |211 |2 |1 |380 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005-06 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |20 |15 |0 |0 |35 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |134 |218 |3 |1 |356 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |154 |233 |3 |1 |391 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006-07 | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Male |27 |20 |0 |0 |47 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Female |151 |257 |1 |1 |410 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Total |178 |277 |1 |1 |457 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Prior to a change in legislation which took place during 2003/04, males could not be classed as victims of rape.Source:Central Statistics Unit, PSN1| | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Prosecutions|Convictions| -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1996 |69 |15 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997 |61 |21 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998 |48 |18 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999 |36 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000 |26 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001 |34 |17 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002 |30 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003 |31 |10 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004 |37 |18 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005 |30 |8 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |Source:NIO Statistics and Research Branch| | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Demonstrations Mr. Dodds To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Parades Commission has met the organisers of the Gay Pride parade held in Belfast on 4 August 2007. Paul Goggins The organiser of the 2007 Belfast Pride parade has met with the Parade Commission’s Authorised Officers to review the event. A follow-up meeting between the parade organiser and the full Parades Commission is scheduled for 30 January 2008 to discuss the matter further. Departmental Marketing Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by his Department in each of the last five years. Mr. Woodward Products featuring departmental or Government branding which were procured by the Northern Ireland Office in the last five years are listed as follows: Delegate Packs Back drops Pens Pads Coasters Folders Compliment Slips Business Cards Name Badges Headed Paper and Christmas Cards. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years. Mr. Woodward There are no such displays in my departmental buildings. Police: Roman Catholicism Mr. Gregory Campbell To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what he expects the percentage of Roman Catholics in the police in Northern Ireland to be by March 2008. Paul Goggins I am advised that as of 15 January 2008, the forecasted figure for Catholic representation of regular officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland at the end of March 2008 is 23.97 per cent. The current Catholic composition within PSNI regulars is 23.62 per cent. We are committed to reaching our objective of 30 per cent. Catholic composition in the PSNI regulars by 2010-11. Prisoners Release: Foreigners Nick Herbert To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convicted foreign national prisoners were released from prisons in Northern Ireland in the last year. Paul Goggins The total number of convicted foreign national prisoners released from prisons in Northern Ireland between 14 January 2007 and 14 January 2008 was 122. The following breakdown shows the reason for release. ----------------------------------------------------- | |Number| ----------------------------------------------------- |Released Time Served (Fine defaulter) |59 | ----------------------------------------------------- |Released Time Served (Sentenced prisoner) |24 | ----------------------------------------------------- |Discharged at Court (Time Served on Remand) |17 | ----------------------------------------------------- |Discharged at Court (Non-custodial sentence)|15 | ----------------------------------------------------- |Released fine paid (Fine defaulter) |7 | ----------------------------------------------------- The details of all these prisoners were bought to the attention of the Border and Immigration Agency in line with guidance agreed between the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Border and Immigration Agency. Prisoners: Costs Mr. Gregory Campbell To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average running cost is expected to be of providing a prisoner place in Northern Ireland in 2008. Paul Goggins The cost per prisoner place (CPPP) target for 2008-09 is £81,500. The projected outturn for the current year is around £82,000 which is down from the outturn £90,298 in 2006-07. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has worked hard on implementing the various strands of the three-year efficiency package and this will contribute to yielding significant financial savings that will assist NIPS in meeting the current year and CSR07 CPPP targets. The Northern Ireland Prison Service also has under way a significant capital build programme that will create additional cellular accommodation over the term of the CSR07 period thus enabling the service to continue delivering its downward CPPP trend. Communities and Local Government Community Relations Mr. Paul Goodman To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made by the Improvement and Development Agency on the establishment of a group of accredited peers from local government and the voluntary sector on preventing extremism. Mr. Dhanda [holding answer 22 January 2008]: By early February 2008, the Improvement and Development Agency will have accredited approximately 30 peers to work with local authorities on the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda. The peers are a mix of local politicians and cabinet members with responsibility for preventing extremism; senior local government officers; and senior members from the voluntary sector. A schedule of pilot visits to local authorities is being planned for spring 2008. Community Relations: Religion Mr. Paul Goodman To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wycombe of 18 December 2007, Official Report, column 1304W, on community relations: religion, where the three pilots already launched are taking place; and where the two pilots due to be launched in 2008 will take place. Mr. Dhanda The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme for faith leaders is currently being piloted in four areas: Bradford, Leicester, Tower Hamlets and Sheffield. The option of a fifth pilot site was explored, but we assessed that four sites were sufficient to pilot the programme. Council Housing: Standards Mr. Pickles To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the proposed Office for Tenants and Social Landlords will (a) set targets for local authorities which have housing stock and (b) have power to inspect local authorities which have housing stock. Yvette Cooper I announced on 15 October 2007 that an independently chaired advisory panel will carry out further work with stakeholders in order that the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords should regulate local authorities’ social housing management functions within two years of it commencing its’ operations. Decisions on the nature of the regulatory framework will be made in due course upon consideration of the panel’s recommendations. Council Tax Benefits: Tax Rates and Bands Grant Shapps To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households in England have a zero liability for council tax due to 100 per cent. council tax benefit. Mr. Plaskitt I have been asked to reply. As at May 2004, the most recent available figure, 3,185,000 households received full council tax benefit. Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff working in her Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement. Mr. Dhanda The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Fire Services: Floods Mr. Laurence Robertson To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what charges the Fire and Rescue Service may make for pumping water out of commercial premises which have flooded; and if she will make a statement. John Healey [holding answer 21 January 2008]: English Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) can charge for the provision of services other than fire-fighting services under Section 19 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. This includes the provision or removal of water. It is a matter for the individual fire and rescue authority concerned to determine its policy on costs and charges for pumping out commercial premises. Fire Services: Planning John McDonnell To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what advice has been given to fire and rescue authorities on pre-planning for major hazards and incidents since the Buncefield fire in December 2005. Mr. Dhanda [holding answer 21 January 2008]: Fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) are required by the fire and rescue service national framework to have in place and maintain an integrated risk management plan (IRMP) which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. The IRMP enables the authority to tailor cover for fire and other incidents to local circumstances—evaluating where risk is greatest and allocating resource accordingly. It is a requirement that the IRMP is subject to a full consultation with the local community before it is agreed and published. CLG has issued no specific guidance on planning for major hazards and incidents since December 2005. Fire Services: Risk Assessment John McDonnell To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been given to fire and rescue authorities since the Buncefield fire in December 2005 on the exchange of information on risk assessments between fire and rescue authorities and other agencies. Mr. Dhanda [holding answer 21 January 2008]: No advice has been issued. However, the draft fire and rescue service national framework, about which Communities and Local Government is currently consulting, would make it mandatory for each fire and rescue authority to: have regard to the risk analyses completed by Local and Regional Resilience Forums, including those reported in external Community Risk Registers and internal risk registers review the effectiveness of their cross-border integration arrangements with neighbouring authorities, and set these out appropriately in their integrated risk management programmes. Furthermore, we intend to issue “good practice” guidance on the integrated risk management plan (IRMP) and the Civil Contingencies Act after the Major Incident Investigation Board has completed its work on the Buncefield fire, and the Government have produced a single consolidated response to its recommendations. Children, Schools and Families Community Nurses Mrs. Maria Miller To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many family nurse partnership (FNP) programmes are in operation; how many family nurses there are; how many and what proportion of (a) families and (b) children (i) have been provided with information on and (ii) are accessing these programmes; where the programmes are located and what criteria were used to determine these locations; what plans there are to expand the FNP programme; what targets and indicators there are for the programme; what research and evaluation is being carried out into it; when the results of that research will be published; and if he will make a statement. Beverley Hughes [holding answer 23 January 2008]: There are 10 Family Nurse Partnership Pilot sites in operation in England, which began operating from March 2007 and which will be running as Pilot sites until early 2010. Across the 10 sites there are a total of 57 family nurses, including supervisors. By 4 January 2008, 1,332 mothers had been provided with information by a family nurse about the Family Nurse Partnership programme. Of these, 1,143 (85 per cent.) took up the offer of enrolment. The Pilot sites are Barnsley, Derby City, County Durham and Darlington, Manchester, Slough, Somerset, South East Essex, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Walsall. The criteria used to determine these locations as suitable for the Pilot Phase of the Family Nurse Partnership are at Annex A. The targets and indicators for sites operating the Family Nurse Partnership in England are listed as “fidelity requirements” at Annex B. Over the 2007 Spending Review period (2008-09 to 2010-11) we will be investing £30 million to: conduct the final year of the small scale testing phase of the Family Nurse Partnership; increase the number of sites testing and delivering the Family Nurse Partnership intervention in England by 20 sites in 2008-09 , with the decision about possible further expansion in subsequent years being informed by evaluation outcomes from operating the first 30 sites; conduct a research trial into the impact of the Family Nurse Partnership in England; and support integration of the Family Nurse Partnership into the universal Child Health Promotion Programme. An interim evaluation report of the Pilot Project’s first year will be published in the spring. The final evaluation report of the Pilot is expected to be available in spring 2009, although evaluation of the second year of the pilot has not yet been commissioned. It is also intended to commission a research study to evaluate the impact of the FNP in this country. Annex A Criteria to determine the 10 family nurse partnership pilot sites Criteria 1: Strong partnership working and a high degree of NHS/LA service integration Criteria 2: Community engagement Criteria 3: Commitment to progressive universalism in health led child and family services Criteria 4: Workforce capacity and capability Criteria 5: Effective local leadership Criteria 6: Demographic profile and capacity to identify at risk families Criteria 7: IT capacity Criteria 8: Record of successful innovation Criteria 9: Project implementation plan that demonstrates the capacity and capability to successfully deliver the programme to the timetable outlined in the background information Criteria 10: Resources Annex B Family-Nurse Partnership Fidelity Requirements Objectives concerning fidelity to program model Program is reaching the intended population of low-income, first-time mothers: 1. 75 per cent. of eligible referrals are enrolled in the program 2. 100 per cent. of enrolled women are first-time mothers (no previous live birth) 3. 60 per cent. of pregnant women are enrolled by 16 weeks gestation or earlier Program attains overall enrolment goal and recommended caseload: 4. A caseload of 25 for all full-time nurses within 8-9 months of program operation Program successfully retains participants in program through child’s second birthday: 5. Cumulative program attrition is 40 per cent. or less through the child’s second birthday 6. 10 per cent. or less for pregnancy phase 7. 20 per cent. or less for infancy phase 8. 10 per cent. or less for toddler phase Nurse home visitors maintain established frequency, length, and content of visits with families: 9. Percentage of expected visits completed is 80 per cent. or greater for pregnancy phase 10. Percentage of expected visits completed is 65 per cent. or greater for infancy phase 11. Percentage of expected visits completed is 60 per cent. or greater for toddler phase 12. On average, length of home visits with participants is = 60 minutes 13. Content of home visits reflects variation in developmental needs of participants across program phases: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Percentage| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Average time devoted to content domains during Pregnancy | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Personal Health |35-40 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Environmental Health |05-07 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Life Course Development |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Maternal Role |23-25 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Family and Friends |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Average time devoted to content domains during Infancy | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Personal Health |14-20 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Environmental Health |07-10 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Life Course Development |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Maternal Role |45-50 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Family and Friends |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Average time devoted to content domains during Toddlerhood| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Personal Health |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Environmental Health |07-10 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Life Course Development |18-20 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Maternal Role |40-45 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Family and Friends |10-15 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Education: Prisons Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to improve the quality of prison education since 2001. Mr. Lammy I have been asked to reply. The transfer of responsibility for offender learning from the Home Office in 2001, to the Department for Education and Skills, now the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, brought the offender learning agenda within mainstream learning and skills arrangements. This led to the introduction of heads of learning and skills, a new senior role within each prison responsible for co-ordinating delivery. Offender learning is inspected by Ofsted (and its predecessors) to the same standards as mainstream education, with published reports since 2002. Between August 2005 and August 2006, the Learning and Skills Council completed the introduction of a new offender learning and skills service. This service is designed to integrate delivery both inside and outside prisons, as well as ensuring the quality is consistent with that available in the outside community. The new delivery arrangements are governed by the policy framework set out in the ‘Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment’ Next Steps document, published jointly by the then Department for Education and Skills, the Home Office, and the Department for Work and Pensions in December 2006. Many of the further changes set out in the Next Steps document are now being piloted in our two test bed regions, the West Midlands and east of England, Geronimo Communications Mr. Laws To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2008, Official Report, column 1272W, on Geronimo Communications, what information his Department holds on any payments made by Geronimo Communications other than to departmental bank accounts; and if he will make a statement. Kevin Brennan DCSF has three departmental bank accounts, an HM Paymaster General bank account and two commercial bank accounts. All payments received by DCSF are credited to one of these three bank accounts. There are no records of any payments being received from Geronimo Communications and credited to any of these accounts. Nursery Schools: Greater London Tom Brake To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many free nursery places have been provided in London in each of the last 10 years. Beverley Hughes Information about the part-time equivalent number of free early education places filled by three and four-year-olds in London is shown in the table. Part-time equivalent number of free early education places1,2,3 filled by three and four-year-olds in London—position in January each year3-year-olds4-year-oldsMaintained nursery and primary schools4Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providersTotal 3-year-oldsMaintained nursery and primary schools4Other maintained and private, voluntary and independent providersTotal 4-year-olds199842,300n/a42,300n/an/a685,000199944,900n/a44,900n/an/a687,500200046,500712,10058,600n/an/a687,000200146,700720,80067,500n/an/a687,800200246,900732,70079,60078,100813,50089,600200347,400729,40076,80075,000814,30089,300200446,700928,00075,30074,0001014,00088,000200546,600930,10076,70073,6001013,00086,600200647,700932,30080,00073,5001013,40086,800200748,800934,80083,60074,2001014,00088,200 n/a = not available.1 A place is equal to five or more sessions and can be filled by more than one child.2 Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 and to the nearest 10 otherwise.3 Prior to 2002, information on early education places taken up by four-year-olds was derived from returns made by local authorities as part of the Nursery Education Grant (NEG) data collection exercise. These data do not differentiate between the maintained and private, voluntary and independent sectors.4 Headcount of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools’ Census.5 Headcount of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Annual Schools’ Census.6 Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise.7 Part-time equivalent number of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise.8. Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census supplementary data collection exercise and the Annual Schools’ Census.9 Part-time equivalent number of children aged three at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools’ Census.10 Part-time equivalent number of children aged four at 31 December in the previous calendar year from the Early Years Census and the Annual Schools’ Census. The latest figures on early education places for three and four-year-olds in England were published in Statistical First Release (SFR) 19/2007 “Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2007”, available on my Department’s website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/ Primary Education Mr. Chaytor To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many year 1 pupils there were in schools in England in each of the last five years. Jim Knight The available information is provided in the table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Nursery|Primary1|Secondary1, 2|Special3|Total1, 2, 3| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |20035 |0 |580,620 |40 |3,640 |584,300 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2004 |30 |568,050 |30 |3,340 |571,440 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2005 |10 |563,970 |160 |2,960 |567,100 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2006 |10 |544,110 |210 |3,010 |547,340 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |2007 |10 |533,200 |270 |2,830 |536,320 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |1 Includes middle schools as deemed.2 Includes maintained secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies.3 Includes maintained and non maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools.4 Excludes dually registered pupils.5 Figure provided for secondary schools in 2003 excludes anomalous national curriculum year group data reported by one school.Note:Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.| | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Educational Needs: Greater Manchester Mark Hunter To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on children with (a) special educational needs and (b) dyslexia in (i) Cheadle constituency and (ii) Stockport metropolitan borough council area in each of the last five years. Kevin Brennan [holding answer 21 January 2008]: The information requested is submitted to the Department according to local authority areas, rather than districts within an area. Cheadle is a district of Stockport Local authority. The information for Stockport LA about the amount spent on children with special educational needs is as follows: -------------------- | |£ | -------------------- |2003-04|14,181,000| -------------------- |2004-05|17,038,000| -------------------- |2005-06|20,558,000| -------------------- |2008-07|20,963,000| -------------------- |2007-08|20,941,000| -------------------- The Department does not collect separate figures on how much was spent on children with dyslexia. Culture, Media and Sport Archaeology Mr. Gray To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the long-term future of the Portable Antiquities Scheme; and if he will make a statement. Margaret Hodge The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and so any decisions on its future funding will be taken by the MLA. In recognition of the importance of the scheme, I am very pleased to be able to confirm that the MLA has announced that it intends to maintain current levels of support for the PAS in 2008-09. The MLA will consider options for future funding of the PAS in the context of its priorities for museum collections and public participation. The PAS is of national importance and the MLA is committed to seeing it thrive and evolve. The MLA will continue to work with the British Museum and other stakeholders to build on the scheme’s success in advancing archaeological knowledge—for finders, museums and, most importantly, the wider public. Arts: Peterborough Mr. Stewart Jackson To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in Library all correspondence between his Department and the East of England Development Agency on funding of arts projects in Peterborough in the last 12 months. Margaret Hodge [holding answer 22 January 2008]: My Department has no record of any such correspondence. Capita Mr. Amess To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid by his Department to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Sutcliffe The information that is currently held is listed as follows. Some of the records are not available or are held centrally by other Government Departments. Question: How much was paid to Capita Group and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000? Answer: ----------------- | |£ | ----------------- |2000-01|69,350 | ----------------- |2001-02|95,139 | ----------------- |2002-03|7,862 | ----------------- |2003-04|9,854 | ----------------- |2004-05|7,540 | ----------------- |2005-06|102,855| ----------------- |2006-07|428,464| ----------------- |2007-08|470,913| ----------------- Question: Which contracts were awarded by DCMS to Capita since 2000-01? Answer: 2001—Framework Agreement to support quinquennial reviews of non-departmental public bodies. 2007—Air Ticket Booking Service Question: What the cost was of each contract? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—£49,000 Air Ticket service—£23,000 to date Question: What penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions? Answer: None. Question: What the length was of each contract? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—five years Air Ticket service—four years Question: Whether the contract was advertised? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—Yes. Official Journal of European Union advert issued. Air Ticket Service—Yes. Official Journal of European Union advert issued by OGC Buying Solutions. Question: How many companies applied for the contract? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—24 companies applied. Air Ticket service—three companies applied. Question: How many were short-listed? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—10 companies short-listed. Air Ticket service—three companies short-listed. Question: What criteria were used for choosing a company? Answer: Quinquennial Reviews—Knowledge and Experience, Relevant Skills, Quality Management, Theme Based Expertise, References. Air Ticket service—Ability to provide the service to agreed standards, implementation plan of service, Quality Assurance Plans, Experience of personnel to be involved within contract, Evidence of existing customer satisfaction and service provision, Contingency planning. Question: What provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case? Answer: None. Departmental-Email Mr. Jenkins To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of e-mails printed by officials in his Department. Mr. Sutcliffe My Department is already taking steps to reduce the unnecessary printing of e-mails. My Department has introduced multifunctional printing devices which allow double-sided printing as default. Staff are encouraged as part of the environmental management system to conserve paper by reducing the amount of printing generally. My Department is also introducing an electronic content management system which means that e-mails will no longer need to be printed for the Department’s formal record. Departmental Property Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has spent on leasing property in each of the last three years. Mr. Sutcliffe The Department has spent the following on leasing property in the last three financial years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |2004-05 |2005-06 |2006-07 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2-4 Cockspur Street |4,913,005.16|4,922,663.00|4,720,321.25| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Grove House, Orange Street |596,312.52 |596,312.52 |596,312.52 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Oceanic House, Cockspur Street |573,400.00 |573,400.00 |578,688.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Queens Yard, Tottenham Court Road|497,667.61 |552,250.00 |552,250.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Blandford Street |n/a |93,695.00 |93,695.00 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |6,580,385.20|6,738,320.50|6,541,275.70| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |n/a =Not applicable | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gambling: Licensing Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many (a) operating licences, (b) premises licences and (c) personal licences the Gambling Commission withdrew in each year since October 2005; (2) how many applications for (a) operating, (b) premises and (c) personal licences the Gambling Commission received in each year since 2005; (3) how many applications for (a) operating, (b) premises and (c) personal licences the Gambling Commission declined in each year since 2005. Mr. Sutcliffe The table shows the number of applications for operating and personal licences that were received by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) and their equivalents under the previous legislation, the Gaming Act 1968 (the 1968 Act). It also shows numbers of applications which were withdrawn by applicants or declined by the Gambling Commission, and licences and certificates revoked by the Gambling Commission. Information relating to the application for society lottery registrations under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 is not included in the table. The figures for the 1968 Act relate to each financial year listed and those for the 2005 Act to the calendar year of 2007. Applications for operating and personal licences under the 2005 Act could be received from January 2007, prior to the Act coming fully into force on 1 September 2007. Figures for premises licences under the 2005 Act are not yet available. Licensing authorities are responsible for considering and issuing gambling premises licences under the 2005 Act. They are expected to send their first annual returns to the Gambling Commission by the end of January 2008. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |Applications received|Withdrawn|Declined|Revoked| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |April 2005-March 2006 | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Casino: |— |5 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |67 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer/substitute |3 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Continuance |35 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Bingo: |— |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |8 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer |10 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Gaming Machine Suppliers |171 |6 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |S. 19 Personal certificates|3,481 |316 |0 |26 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |April 2006-March 2007 | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Casino: |— |15 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |58 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer/substitute |1 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Continuance |24 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Bingo: |— |2 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |10 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer |6 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Gaming Machine Suppliers |79 |6 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |S.19 Personal certificates |3,490 |443 |0 |28 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |April-August 2007 | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Casino: |— |5 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |0 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer/substitute |2 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Continuance |0 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Bingo: |— |1 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |New |4 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Transfer |3 |— |— |— | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Gaming Machine Suppliers |30 |0 |0 |0 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |S.19 Personal certificates |1,009 |105 |0 |8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Applications received|Withdrawn|Declined|Revoked| --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Operators licences|2,866 |104 |15 |13 | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |Personal licences |3,644 |293 |2 |0 | --------------------------------------------------------------------- National Lottery Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding has been spent on (a) arts, (b) heritage, (c) community sport, (d) school sport and (e) capital funding for schools in each year since 1997. James Purnell [holding answer 22 January 2008]: National Lottery expenditure for the good cause sectors specified is set out in the table, subject to the qualifications given. The figures are for the United Kingdom as a whole. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Arts: drawdown from the NLDF by the six arts/film distributors|Heritage: drawdown from the NLDF by the Heritage Lottery fund|Sport; drawdown from the NLDF by the five sports distributors|School sport: payments by New Opportunities Fund/Big Lottery Fund under the PE and Sport in Schools and School Sports co-ordinators programme|Other sport: payments by NOF/big Lottery fund under the community Sports Programmes, Space for Sport and the Arts and Football Foundation| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |356 |133 |188 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |366 |196 |397 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000|259 |277 |317 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |272 |290 |293 |0 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |275 |262 |359 |11 |0 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |246 |265 |377 |3 |2 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |295 |324 |315 |21 |11 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |298 |308 |242 |74 |11 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |275 |374 |264 |211 |39 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |228 |367 |209 |183 |43 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Political Impartiality Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the declared party political affiliations are of members of the boards of (a) the National Lottery distributors, (b) non-departmental public bodies and (c) agencies within the responsibilities of his Department. [Official Report, 7 February 2008; Vol. 471, c. 7MC.] Mr. Sutcliffe In accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, board members are required to declare details of political activity and are asked to include the name of the political party they have been active for. Applicants are not required to provide details of party political membership or affiliation but may do so if they choose. Of currently serving board members for DCMS bodies, 47 board members in total have made a political activity declaration. Of these, eight are from a lottery distributor; 39 from a non-departmental sponsored body and none from departmental agencies. In terms of political activity this can be further broken down as follows: Of the eight lottery distributor board members who made a declaration: seven were active for the Labour party and one declared political activity independent of a political party. Of the 39 non-departmental sponsored body board members who made a declaration, 11 were active for the Conservative party, 23 for the Labour party, 3 for the Liberal Democrats and two declared politically independent activity. Public Libraries: Closures Sarah Teather To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public libraries have closed in England in each of the last 10 years. Margaret Hodge This information is not held centrally. However, the Public Library Statistics, published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), contain data establishing the total number of public library service points open for more than 10 hours per week. The House of Commons Library holds copies for the period in question. Sports: Finance Mr. Don Foster To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007, Official Report, column 1006-07, on sports: finance, how much funding in each year was provided from (a) his departmental budget and (b) Lottery funding. Mr. Sutcliffe The figures in the table represent the actual spend (or ‘outturn’) on sport, from 1997-2000, as set out in the Department’s published appropriation accounts, and for 2001-06 in the Department’s resource accounts. Details of the 2007-08 allocation for sport as at the winter supplementary estimate can be found in central Government supply estimate 2007-08, winter supplementary estimates (HC29). --------------------- | |£ million| --------------------- |1997-98 |50.1 | --------------------- |1998-99 |49.4 | --------------------- |1999-2000|51.6 | --------------------- |2000-01 |52.6 | --------------------- |2001-02 |63.9 | --------------------- |2002-03 |109.8 | --------------------- |2003-04 |78.9 | --------------------- |2004-05 |111.5 | --------------------- |2005-06 |117.5 | --------------------- |2006-07 |169.5 | --------------------- |2007-081 |187.4 | --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |£ million| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |153 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1998-99 |357 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |251 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |232 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |309 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |313 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2003-04 |261 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |232 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2005-06 |400 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |296 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2007-082 |227 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Plans figures as at winter supplementary estimate2 Projected income figure| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports: Health Education Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department and (b) Sport England have spent on providing information on sports and fitness facilities to the NHS Choices website. Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 23 January 2008]: Neither DCMS nor Sport England has spent any funds on providing information on sports and fitness facilities to the NHS Choices website beyond the staff time incurred to do so. The data are provided from the Active Places dataset. Mr. Hunt To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how often Sport England are required to provide updated information on sports and fitness facilities for inclusion on the NHS Choices website. Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 23 January 2008]: Sport England provides updated information on sports and fitness facilities for inclusion on the NHS Choices website upon request, otherwise every six weeks. Sports: Schools Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the expected annual salary is of a competition manager in school sport partnerships; (2) how much has been spent on training competition managers in each year since 1997. Mr. Sutcliffe The National School Sport Strategy was launched in 2002. Initial funding focused on the school sport partnership infrastructure of partnership development managers, school sport coordinators and primary link teachers. Funding for competition managers began in 2005. Grants, based on the number of competition managers and senior competition managers allocated to county areas, are passed to the host organisation, for example a school sport partnership. The current grants envisage a salary of up to £30,000 for competition managers and £40,000 for senior competition managers, as well as up to £1,000 for professional development. However, it is for the host organisation to decide upon the precise salary, and training allocation. The Department does not hold this information centrally. As part of their work, the Youth Sport Trust is also funded to provide central support and resources for the development of competition managers. There are currently 90 competition managers in post comprising 67 competition managers and 23 senior competition managers. Duchy of Lancaster Admiralty House Mr. Pickles To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for how many months each vacant ministerial residence in Admiralty House has been unoccupied; and if he will consider renting out such properties to individuals other than Ministers. Gillian Merron I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 1080W. The Admiralty House flats are an integral part of the Cabinet Office estate. A change in their use would therefore not be appropriate. Christmas Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department and its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in each of the last five years. Mr. Burns To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas cards and (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007; (2) how much (a) his Department and (b) the Minister for the Olympics spent on (i) Christmas cards and (ii) postage of Christmas cards in 2007. Gillian Merron For information on Christmas cards sent in 2003 and 2004, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis) by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (David Miliband) on 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 82W. In 2005, the Department spent £2,816 on Christmas cards, 40 per cent. of which was donated to charity. For 2006 and 2007, the Cabinet Office has used an on-line e-card at no additional cost to the Department. The cost of any Christmas cards sent by the Department is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No departmental funds have been used for staff Christmas parties. Christmas trees are situated at certain points on the Cabinet Office Estate, which includes 10 Downing street, such as in the reception of the main buildings and at the front door of 10 Downing street. The following costs include the purchase, decoration and environmentally friendly disposal of the trees. The cost in each of the last five years was £13,294 (2006), £12,968 (2005), £13,159 (2004), £8,399 (2003) and approximately £5,151 (2002). Departmental Manpower Mr. Hoban To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are employed in each salary band in his Office; (2) how many appointments of (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in each salary band have been made to his Office in each month since 27 June 2007. Gillian Merron As of 1 April 2007, the number of full-time equivalent civil servants by salary band in the Cabinet Office is as follows: ------------------- |Band |Total | ------------------- |SCS |223.56 | ------------------- |A |350.64 | ------------------- |B2 |383.23 | ------------------- |B1 |296.41 | ------------------- |C |224.13 | ------------------- |Ungraded|1.2 | ------------------- |Total |1,479.17| ------------------- Between 1 April and 30 December, the size of the Department has reduced from 1,479 to 1,340. On numbers of appointments, the Department generally has a high level of turnover compared to other Government Departments, because there are significant numbers of staff on fixed term appointments, on loan from other Government Departments or on secondment from external organisations, bringing in people with relevant skills/expertise to work on current priorities. There were 476 appointments in 2006-07. The number of full-time equivalent civil servants in each band, appointed to the Cabinet Office each month since 27 June 2007 is as follows: --------------------------------------------------- |Band |June|July |Aug|Sept |Oct|Nov |Dec |Total | --------------------------------------------------- |SCS |4 |4.83 |1 |1 |4 |3.59 |0 |18.42 | --------------------------------------------------- |A |3 |9.58 |9 |5.78 |13 |7 |5 |52.36 | --------------------------------------------------- |B2 |1 |9 |5 |11 |6 |6 |2 |40 | --------------------------------------------------- |B1 |1 |12 |3 |5 |6 |4 |4.83 |35.83 | --------------------------------------------------- |C |0 |3 |1 |4 |8 |10 |3 |29 | --------------------------------------------------- |Total|9 |38.41|19 |26.78|37 |30.59|14.83|175.61| --------------------------------------------------- Since 2003, the Government have published details on special adviser names, numbers and costs in an annual written ministerial statement. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007, Official Report, 147-50WS. Departmental Responsibilities Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his role is with regard to (a) the operation of the political office at 10 Downing street, (b) the development of Government policy, (c) responding to day-to-day events and (d) forward-planning of Government announcements; whether that role has changed in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. Edward Miliband My ministerial responsibilities are set out in the List of Ministerial Responsibilities which is available in the Libraries of the House and on the Cabinet Office website at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ministerial_responsibilities.aspx. Departmental Standards Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment the Cabinet Office has made of whether (a) the Prime Minister’s Office and (b) the Cabinet Office have met the Departmental Strategic Objective of ensuring the highest standards of propriety and integrity in public life. Edward Miliband The Government are committed to upholding the highest standards of propriety and integrity in public life as set out in the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the seven principles of public life. Maintenance of these standards is scrutinised by Parliament including the Public Administration Select Committee and other bodies including the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Electronic Mail Mr. Maude To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance he has issued to his Department's (a) staff and (b) special advisers on the use of non-government e-mail accounts for official purposes. Gillian Merron The Cabinet Office has a protective security policy, in which the controls and procedures apply to all staff, including special advisers. Government Departments: Correspondence Mr. Horam To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidelines he has provided to Government Departments on responding to letters and e-mails from members of the public on (a) acknowledging receipt of the correspondence and (b) the time allowed for a substantive answer to be sent. Gillian Merron I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 1081W. Prime Minister 10 Downing Street: Smith Institute Mr. Hoban To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 27 June 2007 (a) the Smith Institute and (b) SI Events Ltd have used facilities at No. 10 Downing street. The Prime Minister Information on official and charity receptions held at Downing street will be published in the usual way following the end of the financial year. Christmas Mr. Philip Hammond To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office has spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in each of the last five years. The Prime Minister In 2006 my predecessor (the right hon. Tony Blair) sent approximately 1,700 official Christmas cards at a cost of £460. For previous years I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my predecessor on 19 December 2002, Official Report, column 936W; 20 December 2004, Official Report, columns 1350-1W and 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 63W. For parties and decorations I refer to the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) today. Departmental Manpower Mr. Maude To ask the Prime Minister how many staff are employed by his Office. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) and the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 15 October 2007, Official Report, column 819W. Departments: Ministerial Policy Advisers Mr. Maude To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1076W, on Departments: ministerial policy advisers, whether Mr Bob Shrum provides him with potential consultancy, speech-writing or related advice, in relation to his official duties. The Prime Minister I have nothing further to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Edward Miliband) on 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1076W. Manpower: Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Hoban To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2007, Official Report, column 625W, on manpower: Prime Minister’s Office, how many staff hours were spent on average on speechwriting in his Office in each week of the last month. The Prime Minister I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 29 October 2007, Official Report, column 615W. Ministerial Policy Advisers Mr. Binley To ask the Prime Minister what the terms and conditions of Mr Stephen Carter’s employment as Chief of Strategy and principal adviser are; and what rules apply to the retention of interests in outside bodies by special advisers. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the press notice issued by my Office on 7 January 2007, copies are available on the No. 10 website at: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page14174.asp A copy of this webpage has been placed in the Library of the House. Special advisers are appointed under the terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Ministers: Official Gifts Mr. Hayes To ask the Prime Minister when the rules governing gifts received by Ministers and registered as part of the Donated Asset Reserve were last updated. The Prime Minister The arrangements for the handling of gifts are set out in chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code which was issued in July 2007. Mr. Hayes To ask the Prime Minister how much depreciation has taken place of items held in the Donated Asset Reserve over the last 12 months. The Prime Minister I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my predecessor (the right hon. Tony Blair) on 4 December 2006, Official Report, column 151W. Official Visits David T.C. Davies To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has visited (a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Liverpool and (d) London since his appointment. The Prime Minister A list of my UK visits will be published in the usual way following the end of the financial year. Pay Mr. Jeremy Browne To ask the Prime Minister what the Prime Minister’s salary was in each of the last 10 years. The Prime Minister This is a matter of public record and is available in the Libraries of the House. Prime Minister: India Jeremy Corbyn To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he held during his recent visit to India on discrimination by caste and descent in that country. The Prime Minister During my visit, I announced a new UK three-year development programme of £825 million. This will support the health and education sectors, with a particular focus on bringing education to a greater proportion of Indians, regardless of caste. In addition, I took part in an event on women’s empowerment where I discussed among other issues the impact of caste and discrimination in Indian society. Special Advisers Mr. Gauke To ask the Prime Minister what obligations there are on special advisers to (a) divest and (b) declare financial interests held prior to appointment; and if he will make a statement. The Prime Minister Special advisers are appointed under the terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Innovation, Universities and Skills Education: Trade Unions Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many trained union learning representatives there were in each year for which figures are available. Mr. Lammy Union learning representatives (ULRs) are lay union representatives, whose main function is to advise union members about their training, educational and development needs. Since the launch of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in 1998, and the introduction of statutory rights for ULRs to train and carry out their duties in 2003, more than 18,000 have been trained helping more than 400,000 people into learning. Both employers and workers stand to benefit from ULRs. They are an inexpensive source of expert advice for employers. They are particularly effective in reaching workers with basic skills needs—people who may be reluctant to take advantage of training opportunities. In that sense, ULRs help to stimulate a demand for learning and training among a group which employers find it hard to reach. Rounded figures for trained ULRs since April 1999 are as follows: ------------------------------ |As at April each year|Number| ------------------------------ |1999 |730 | ------------------------------ |2000 |1,600 | ------------------------------ |2001 |3,000 | ------------------------------ |2002 |4,700 | ------------------------------ |2003 |6,700 | ------------------------------ |2004 |10,300| ------------------------------ |2005 |14,000| ------------------------------ |2006 |16,000| ------------------------------ |2007 |18,000| ------------------------------ Overseas Students: Finance Mr. Hayes To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills further to his letter of 7 September 2007 to the Chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, whether a UK resident or citizen with a qualification from an overseas institution deemed to be equivalent to or lower than a qualification which they wish to study will qualify for public funding for higher education courses in English institutions where they have not previously accessed public funding for higher education within the UK. Bill Rammell Subject to exceptions for particular categories of students and subjects on which HEFCE has been consulting, such citizens who wished to study for a qualification equivalent to or lower than the one already obtained from an overseas’ institution would not qualify for the purposes of institutional public funding. Our clear priority is to widen participation and increase the incentives for higher education providers to attract and retain more of the millions of people without a first higher education qualification, wherever that qualification was obtained. Union Learning Fund Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2007, Official Report, columns 754-55W, on Union Learning Fund, by what means trained union learning representatives help workers back into learning under the Union Learning Fund. Mr. Lammy Union learning representatives (ULRs) are lay union representatives; whose main function is to advise union members about their training, educational and development needs. Since the launch of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in 1998, and the introduction of statutory rights for ULRs to train and carry out their duties in 2003, more than 18,000 ULRs have been trained. Latest figures show that last year they helped over 150,000 workers into learning through a wide variety of ULF projects. ULRs are trained to an approved standard by Unionlearn, the TUC’s learning organisation, or their own union to carry out their role in engaging, supporting and helping workers back into learning. This training provides the ULRs with a wide range of skills to help fellow workers back into learning including: starting conversations at work about the importance of learning and showing that everyone can benefit from improving their skills; carrying out informal group and one to one interviews in the workplace to find out the learning needs of workers, how these can best be addressed, including where and when; carrying out Skills for Life screening to identify any literacy or numeracy needs in a relaxed non threatening way to allay any fears individuals may have; working closely with training providers to customise the content of learning programmes and arranging how and when the learning can be delivered on a flexible basis to enable the widest participation; supporting (earners who may have missed a few sessions of learning and encouraging them to continue by helping to address any needs which may have arisen; working with employers to set up a learning centre in the workplace. These are just some of the ways in which ULRs can help workers into learning, but perhaps most important is their ability to engage with those hard to reach learners who might otherwise be too embarrassed to admit their learning needs to an employer or supervisor but who trust a fellow worker who understands their point of view. In that sense, ULRs help to stimulate a demand for learning and training among a group which employers and training providers find it so difficult to reach. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many education or training places were funded through the Union Learning Fund in each year since 1998; and how many of these led to qualifications at level (a) 2 and (b) 3. Mr. Lammy The Union Learning Fund (ULF) is a source of funding to help trade unions boost their capacity as learning organisations and use their influence with employers, employees and learning providers to encourage greater take up of learning in the workplace. It is not used to fund the provision of training courses but enables trade unions and their union learning representatives to provide advice, guidance and support in order to help workers access learning opportunities to improve their skill levels. With the help of ULF, trade unions and their union learning representatives have been really successful in working with employers to help people get back into learning, tackling both organisational and individual skill needs. There are now over 18,000 trained union learning representatives who have helped over 400,000 workers back into learning since the fund was introduced in 1998 there were over 150,000 last year alone, many of whom were Skills for Life learners, those most in need of new skills who employers and training providers find it so difficult to reach. Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the 10 most expensive projects funded under the Union Learning Fund were in each year since 1998; and how much each cost. Mr. Lammy Trade unions have a key role to play in promoting the development of learning and skills in the workplace. To help them do this more effectively we introduced the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in 1998. This source of funding is helping trade unions use their influence with employers, employees and training providers to encourage greater take up of learning at work and boost their own capacity as learning organisations. The 10 projects that were awarded the most funding through the ULF in each financial year since 1998 are set out in the following tables identified by the lead union. ------------------------- |Project/union|£ | ------------------------- |1998-99 | | ------------------------- |GMB |148,349 | ------------------------- |AEEU |139,500 | ------------------------- |USDAW |113,550 | ------------------------- |GPMU |97,000 | ------------------------- |MSF |80,135 | ------------------------- |UNIFI |56,400 | ------------------------- |MU |50,000 | ------------------------- |NUJ |50,000 | ------------------------- |T&G |50,000 | ------------------------- |UCATT |50,000 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |1999-2000 | | ------------------------- |GMB |188,210 | ------------------------- |AEEU |116,065 | ------------------------- |MSF |162,144 | ------------------------- |GPMU |158,009 | ------------------------- |T&G |155,680 | ------------------------- |Unison |137,325 | ------------------------- |ISTC |100,733 | ------------------------- |USDAW |94,450 | ------------------------- |CWU |87,950 | ------------------------- |PCS |84,500 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2000-01 | | ------------------------- |Unison |560,894 | ------------------------- |GPMU |345,535 | ------------------------- |MSF |343,720 | ------------------------- |GMB |343,217 | ------------------------- |AEEU |246,350 | ------------------------- |T&G |201,236 | ------------------------- |NUJ |176,800 | ------------------------- |UCATT |167,000 | ------------------------- |CATU |118,808 | ------------------------- |NUT |117,750 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2001-02 | | ------------------------- |GMB |1,079,568| ------------------------- |Unison |831,704 | ------------------------- |NUT |534,871 | ------------------------- |T&G |421,540 | ------------------------- |GPMU |341,804 | ------------------------- |USDAW |234,892 | ------------------------- |AEEU |222,450 | ------------------------- |CWU |210,300 | ------------------------- |BFAWU |182,206 | ------------------------- |MSF |161,981 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2002-03 | | ------------------------- |AEEU |1,325,481| ------------------------- |Unison |1,198,095| ------------------------- |GPMU |889,889 | ------------------------- |GMB |850,049 | ------------------------- |CWU |848,000 | ------------------------- |MSF |835,361 | ------------------------- |T&G |426,128 | ------------------------- |BFAWU |354,745 | ------------------------- |NUJ |349,700 | ------------------------- |ASLEF |280,000 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2003-04 | | ------------------------- |USDAW |1,263,981| ------------------------- |NASUWT |1,234,029| ------------------------- |UNIFI |1,173,347| ------------------------- |T&G |891,133 | ------------------------- |GMB |794,766 | ------------------------- |POA |691,913 | ------------------------- |NUT |611,350 | ------------------------- |GFTU |521,000 | ------------------------- |PCS |463,081 | ------------------------- |MSF |427,428 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2004-05 | | ------------------------- |GPMU |1,781,950| ------------------------- |Rail unions |1,514,600| ------------------------- |Amicus |1,478,900| ------------------------- |FBU |1,144,000| ------------------------- |BFAWU |850,725 | ------------------------- |Unison |801,600 | ------------------------- |T&G |588,933 | ------------------------- |PCS |570,216 | ------------------------- |UCATT |565,766 | ------------------------- |GMB |342,522 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2005-06 | | ------------------------- |T&G |2,319,299| ------------------------- |GMB |1,933,208| ------------------------- |UCATT |510,436 | ------------------------- |Community |380,658 | ------------------------- |GFTU |249,445 | ------------------------- |ATL |221,649 | ------------------------- |PCS |215,000 | ------------------------- |MU |196,685 | ------------------------- |BELTU |194,559 | ------------------------- |USDAW |152,000 | ------------------------- | | | ------------------------- |2006-07 | | ------------------------- |Amicus |3,414,517| ------------------------- |Unison |2,212,528| ------------------------- |Rail unions |1,971,951| ------------------------- |PCS |1,366,020| ------------------------- |FBU |1,248,168| ------------------------- |BFAWU |1,190,233| ------------------------- |USDAW |1,166,231| ------------------------- |CWU |1,138,438| ------------------------- |GMB |931,835 | ------------------------- |POA |883,360 | ------------------------- Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much was paid under the Union Learning Fund to (a) ASLEF, (b) BECTU, (c) BFAWU, (d) Community, (e) CWU, (f) GMB, (g) MU, (h) NACODS, (i) NUM, (j) TSSA, (k) UCATT, (l) UNISON, (m) UNITE, (n) UNITY and (o) USDAW in each year since 1998. Mr. Lammy Trade unions have a key role to play in promoting the development of learning and skills in the workplace. To help them do this more effectively, we introduced the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in 1998. This funding is helping trade unions use their influence with employees, employers and training providers to encourage greater take-up of learning at work and boost their own capacity as learning organisations. The table sets out how much ULF funding has been awarded to the specific unions in each financial year from 1998/99 up to 2006/07. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Union |1998/99|1999/2000|2000/01|2001/02 |2002/03 |2003/04 |2004/05 |2005/06 |2006/07 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |ASLEF |— |50,000 |93,250 |88,200 |280,000 |126,000 |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |BECTU |44,000 |40,000 |59,000 |50,934 |146,254 |57,600 |43,200 |194,559 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |BFAWU |34,000 |65,946 |49,562 |182,206 |354,745 |359,168 |850,725 |— |1,190,233| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |COMMUNITY |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |380,658 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |CWU |— |87,950 |50,000 |210,300 |848,000 |100,000 |— |— |1,138,438| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |GMB |148,349|188,210 |343,217|1,079,568|850,049 |794,766 |342,522 |1,933,208|931,835 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |MU |50,000 |50,000 |38,365 |— |— |— |38,300 |196,685 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NACODS |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |NUM |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |TSSA |— |— |— |— |— |75,000 |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |UCATT |50,000 |52,000 |167,000|50,000 |240,599 |40,797 |566,766 |510,436 |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |UNISON |— |137,325 |560,894|831,704 |1,198,095|33,210 |801,600 |130,000 |2,212,528| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |UNITY/CATU|— |43,482 |118,808|70,070 |101,000 |— |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |AMICUS |— |— |— |— |— |— |1,478,900|— |3,414,517| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |AEEU |139,500|166,065 |246,350|222,450 |1,325,481|67,639 |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |MSF |80,135 |162,144 |343,720|161,981 |835,361 |427,428 |— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |GPMU |97,000 |158,009 |345,535|341,804 |889,889 |240,133 |1,781,950|— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |UNIFI |56,400 |19,000 |68,200 |82,800 |— |1,173,347|— |— |— | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |T and G |50,000 |155,680 |201,236|421,540 |426,128 |891,133 |588,933 |2,319,299|863,600 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The recently formed trade union UNITE has not yet received any ULF funding so details have been included of the funding awarded to those unions which have merged to form UNITE—AMICUS, T and G, GPMU, AEEU, MSF and UNIFI. Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Complaints Mr. MacNeil To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what procedures his Department has in place to assess the performance of designated representative bodies under the Enterprise Act 2002. Mr. Thomas In order to become a designated super-complainant, bodies must meet a number of stringent criteria. Designations are reviewed every two years to ensure continued compliance. There are also procedures in place for withdrawal of designation if a body no longer meets the criteria or if they are believed to be abusing the super-complaints process (e.g. for competitive advantage or commercial gain). Any super-complainant must also comply with the Office of Fair Trading’s ‘Guidance for designated consumer bodies’. Mr. MacNeil To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what best practice guidance his Department has issued to representative bodies designated under the Enterprise Act 2002 on communication with consumers who have sought advice on obtaining redress under the Act. Mr. Thomas In the case of super-complaints, the Secretary of State has responsibility for the designation of super-complaints bodies. Best practice guidance on the making of super-complaints is the responsibility of the Office of Fair Trading. In the case of consumer group claims, the Secretary of State is responsible for the designation of specified bodies. Guidance on bringing consumer group claims is the responsibility of the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Departmental Accountancy Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what items of his Department’s (a) revenue and (b) expenditure are uprated using (i) the consumer prices index, (ii) the retail prices index and (iii) other measures of inflation. Mr. Thomas Where relevant, contracts which BERR has entered into will contain a clause to adjust expenditure and revenue in accordance with inflation. Revenue derived from charges or fees will follow appropriate guidance, and is subject to an inflator where this is recommended by the fees and charges guide. Statutory redundancy payments and guaranteed insolvency payments for employees’ (paid from the National Insurance Fund), employment tribunal compensatory awards, payments to British Energy relating to contractual historic spent fuel liabilities, and payments in respect of Coal Health provisions are uprated using RPI. Concessionary Fuel payments are uprated using other measures of inflation. Departmental Consultants Sarah Teather To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consultancy contracts his Department issued in each year since 2005; what the (a) value, (b) purpose and (c) contractor was in each case; and whether the consultant’s report is publicly available in each case. Mr. Thomas I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) published on 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 203W. Departmental ICT Susan Kramer To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many (a) male and (b) female members of staff working in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas The Department does not keep historic records of the number of personal digital assistants (PDA’s) that were issued to staff or any information on the gender of the user as PDA’s are issued solely on the basis of business need. Between 2001 and 2006 there were approximately 400 PDAs in use. These were mainly palm devices although a few HP and Compaq PDAs were purchased. The total has reduced as the number of staff in the Department has decreased. At the beginning of 2007 a Blackberry service was implemented. By January 2008 there were 361 PDAs issued to staff. An analysis of this number shows that 235 of these have been issued to male and 126 to female members of staff. Departmental Marketing Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years. Mr. Thomas We have one display board in the reception area of BERR’s headquarters at 1 Victoria street, London, bearing the names and photographs of its Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and his team. We cannot identify the specific cost of producing this board, as it was produced as part of a wider re-branding exercise. We have produced around 320 A3 colour posters showing the ministerial team in the current year. These have been produced in-house at negligible cost. It is not possible to provide costs for display boards or posters for previous years without incurring disproportionate costs. The Insolvency Service has no pictures or displays featuring Ministers in any of their buildings. Companies House and UK Trade and Investment have no records of producing posters or displays for their offices with the names and photographs of Ministers in the last five years. Departmental Special Advisers Mrs. May To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what he expects the estimated annual cost to be of (a) expenses, (b) salary, (c) office space, (d) administrative support and (e) special advisers for Lord Jones of Birmingham in his capacity as Minister of State. Mr. Hutton Lord Jones is Minister of State for Trade and Investment jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and draws the ministerial salary appropriate to a Lords Minister of State. There are three full-time equivalent staff directly employed to support Lord Jones. Two members of the administrative support staff are paid for by BERR, the other is paid for by the FCO. Information on the cost of Lord Jones’ support staff cannot be provided as to do so could identify an individual’s salary, which is confidential between the individual and the employer. Office costs will be accounted for in the 2007-08 departmental annual report and accounts. Lord Jones has no special advisers. Employment: Discrimination Danny Alexander To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many cases of age discrimination have been brought before the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service and found in favour of the employee in cases where discrimination took place against an employee for being too (a) young and (b) old in each of the last 10 years. Mr. McFadden Complaints of alleged age discrimination under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which came into operation on 1 October 2006, are made to the Employment Tribunal Service, not ACAS. Such complaints are then usually passed to ACAS for conciliation. In the period 1 October 2006-31 December 2007, ACAS received 2,750 cases for conciliation in which a complaint of age discrimination was one of the matters, or the sole matter, complained of. Without a detailed examination of the grounds of each claim, it is not possible to say what proportion of these claims alleged the claimant had been discriminated against on the basis of their being too young or too old, or were related to some other matter. Over the same period, excluding those claims which were struck out, ACAS operational records indicate that a resolution was brokered in 90 per cent. of cleared cases in which one of the matters, or the sole matter, complained of was age discrimination. Where cases are not resolved in conciliation, they are subsequently heard by the Tribunal Service. First Solution Money Transfer: Insolvency Harry Cohen To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the insolvency service investigation into First Solution Money Transfer Limited has concluded. Mr. McFadden On 6 July 2007 companies investigation branch (‘CIB’) (which is part of the Insolvency Service), appointed investigators following the sudden closure and apparent collapse of First Solution Money Transfer Ltd. A number of clients reported having lost money that was sent through this company destined for dependant family overseas. On 2 August 2007 CIB petitioned the court to wind up the company and appoint the official receiver as provisional liquidator to protect and preserve the assets. On 21 November 2007 a winding up order was made and the official receiver was appointed liquidator of the company. As a result of a meeting of creditors held on 19 December 2007 an external liquidator from Tenon Recovery was appointed and that firm will now deal with the realisation of assets and distributions to creditors. The official receiver has a further statutory role, to investigate the causes of the company’s failure, and to report to the Secretary of State regarding the conduct of the directors in respect of the company’s trading, under the terms of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. Furthermore, the official receiver is under a duty to report any evidence of criminality to an appropriate prosecuting body. Meanwhile the CIB appointed investigators are continuing their work and CIB are hopeful of receiving the investigators’ final report in the near future and decisions can then be made on further action. It would be inappropriate to issue progress reports in the meantime. CIB’s investigation under the Companies Act benefits from the use of compulsory powers, but the Act only permits disclosure of the investigators’ report through a statutory gateway. In particular there is no provision which allows publication of the report. Multinational Companies Mr. Moore To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in his Department are working to promote the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s guidelines for multinational enterprises; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas The UK’s National Contact Point (NCR) for the OECD Guidelines is currently managed by officials from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. BERR dedicate one full-time official to working on the NCP and are in the process of recruiting a second, while the Foreign Office and DFID both currently contribute 20 per cent. of one official’s time. Natural Gas: Distribution Mark Williams To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) how many households in each (a) region and (b) local authority do not have access to mains gas; and if he will make a statement; (2) what percentage of homes are within 100 yards of a mains gas supply, broken down by (a) region and (b) local authority. Malcolm Wicks As part of its regional and local energy statistics publication programme, BERR has published the number of domestic gas meter points in each local authority in Great Britain. A document listing the estimates comparing the number of domestic meter points with the estimates of the number of households in each region and local authority for 2004 (the latest year for which both sets of data are complete) has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Corresponding data are not available for Northern Ireland. The Government do not hold information about the proximity of homes to gas mains. Overseas Trade: Far East Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what conclusions have been reached on the scope for raising the UK’s trade profile in (a) Malaysia, (b) Qatar, (c) Singapore, (d) South Korea, (e) Thailand and (f) Vietnam, as set out in the July 2006 five year strategy on prosperity in a changing world; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas As outlined in UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) five year strategy, “Prosperity in a Changing World”, we have deployed our overseas network resource to achieve a step change in the UK’s profile in emerging markets. To date, the following additional resources (UK-based civil servants and local engaged (LE) officers) have already been deployed or are planned for the following countries in question: ---------------------------------------------------------- |Market |New resource deployed |New resource planned| ---------------------------------------------------------- |Malaysia |One UK-based |— | ---------------------------------------------------------- |Qatar |One UK-based and two LE|— | ---------------------------------------------------------- |Singapore |One UK-based |— | ---------------------------------------------------------- |South Korea|— |— | ---------------------------------------------------------- |Thailand |One UK-based |— | ---------------------------------------------------------- |Vietnam |One UK-based |One LE | ---------------------------------------------------------- Post Office: Finance Keith Vaz To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the budget was for the running of Post Office Ltd. in (a) 2007, (b) 2006 and (c) 2005; and what it is expected to be in 2008. Mr. McFadden This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the right hon. Member. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Post Offices: Closures Mr. Weir To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions were held with the Post Office on the timing of the issue of recommendations on post office closures prior to the announcement of dates by the Post Office; on what date he was made aware by the Post Office of the proposed dates for publication of proposals for post office closures under the various area plans; and on what date he first discussed the question of purdah with the Post Office. Mr. McFadden Following publication in May 2007 of the Government’s response to the public consultation on the Post Office network, my officials have engaged in regular discussions with Post Office Ltd. on the timetable for post office closures, including purdah. Supercomplainer Procedures Mr. MacNeil To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on how many occasions each of the designated representative bodies under the Enterprise Act 2002 have used the supercomplainer procedures. Mr. Thomas Which? has made five super-complaints to the Office of Fair Trading—private dentistry, care homes, Northern Ireland banking, credit card interest calculation methods, and the Scottish Legal Profession. Citizens Advice has made two—doorstep selling and payment protection insurance. Postwatch has made one super-complaint, on mail consolidation and the National Consumer Council has made one, on home collected credit. Energywatch has made one complaint—on billing processes—to Ofgem in its (Ofgem’s) capacity as a concurrent regulator. Telephone Services Julia Goldsworthy To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which of his Department’s (a) agencies and (b) non-departmental public bodies collect and monitor information relating to telephone contact centres. Mr. Thomas The Department’s central records do not contain the information to answer this question. Therefore, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform could answer this question only at disproportionate cost. Trade Unions: Finance Mr. Maude To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what guidance (a) his Department and (b) the Certification Officer have produced on whether the fixed costs of (a) photocopiers and (b) other equipment may be fully charged to the general fund of a trade union in circumstances where that equipment is used for political purposes. Mr. McFadden Neither the Department nor the Certification Officer has produced guidance on this issue. UK Trade and Investment Mr. Clifton-Brown To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many significant interventions UK Trade and Investment are expected to make in 2008. Mr. Thomas UK Trade and Investment’s 2007 comprehensive spending review settlement set high level targets for UKTI. These include annual targets for high value foreign direct investment successes; helping businesses to exploit overseas business opportunities; and increasing the quantity of R and D in the UK through business internationalisation. The targets are set out in full in UKTI’s 2007 autumn performance report (Cm 7284, December 2007). Business plans are being put in place to deliver these targets. Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what changes have been made to the overseas network of UK Trade and Industry to deliver the increase in the UK profile in (a) China, (b) India, (c) Brazil, (d) Indonesia, (e) Mexico, (f) Russia, (g) Saudi Arabia, (h) South Africa, (i) Turkey and (j) the United Arab Emirates as set out in the July 2005 five year strategy on prosperity in a changing world; and if he will make a statement; (2) in which countries in UK Trade and Industry’s overseas network staff reallocations took place in the financial years (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08 to date; what further reallocations are planned in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09; and if he will list these changes. Mr. Thomas As part of UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Strategy, “Prosperity in a Changing World”, £5.6 million of resources has been redeployed to help achieve a step change in the UK’s profile in emerging markets. As a direct result of this exercise, UKTI staff resources (full-time equivalents (FTEs) of UK based civil servants and locally employed staff (local)) have now been reinforced in the following markets, which include China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and the UAE: --------------------------------------- |2006-07 market|FTE UK-based|FTE local| --------------------------------------- |Brazil |3 |— | --------------------------------------- |China |2 |2 | --------------------------------------- |Hong Kong |— |1 | --------------------------------------- |India |2 |— | --------------------------------------- |Malaysia |1 |— | --------------------------------------- |Mexico |— |— | --------------------------------------- |Qatar |1 |2 | --------------------------------------- |Russia |— |1 | --------------------------------------- |Saudi Arabia |— |1 | --------------------------------------- |South Africa |1 |— | --------------------------------------- |Total |10 |7 | --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ |2007-08 market|FTE UK-based|FTE LE| ------------------------------------ |Brazil |3 |1 | ------------------------------------ |China |7 |5 | ------------------------------------ |Hong Kong |1 |3 | ------------------------------------ |India |6 |2 | ------------------------------------ |Indonesia |— |1 | ------------------------------------ |Malaysia |— |— | ------------------------------------ |Mexico |2 |3 | ------------------------------------ |Russia |1 |8 | ------------------------------------ |Saudi Arabia |— |1 | ------------------------------------ |Singapore |1 |— | ------------------------------------ |South Africa |1 |— | ------------------------------------ |Taiwan |— |4 | ------------------------------------ |Thailand |1 |0 | ------------------------------------ |Turkey |1 |5 | ------------------------------------ |Vietnam |1 |0 | ------------------------------------ |Total |25 |33 | ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- |2007-08 market|FTE UK-based|Planned LE| ---------------------------------------- |China |2 |— | ---------------------------------------- |Dubai |1 |— | ---------------------------------------- |India |— |7 | ---------------------------------------- |Saudi Arabia |1 |1 | ---------------------------------------- |Vietnam |— |1 | ---------------------------------------- |Total |4 |9 | ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- |2008-09 market|FTE UK-based|Planned LE| ---------------------------------------- |China |— |— | ---------------------------------------- |Dubai |— |— | ---------------------------------------- |Russia |2 |— | ---------------------------------------- |Turkey |1 |— | ---------------------------------------- |Vietnam |— |— | ---------------------------------------- |Total |3 |0 | ---------------------------------------- UK Trade and Investment: Arms Trade Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what effect the transfer of responsibility for defence trade promotion from the Defence Export Services Organisation to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) will have on the number of (a) UK and (b) overseas staff employed by UKTI; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas UKTI is not an employer in its own right. For the majority of its civil service manpower requirements it draws on staff employed by one or other of its two parent Departments—BERR and the FCO. The transfer of responsibility for defence export support from the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) will result in approximately 240 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts being transferred to BERR/FCO. Of these, approximately 200 are in the UK and 40 overseas. The precise figures will be determined following detailed analysis of DESO’s structure and staffing currently being undertaken as work on the transfer proceeds. Of the UK posts, approximately 50 are filled by military staff who will transfer on loan to UKTI/BERR. The remaining approximately 150 UK-based civilian posts will be filled by staff on a combination of permanent and loan transfer terms from MOD to UKTI/BERR. The transfer will increase UKTI’s UK presence from just under 900 to just under 1,100 FTEs (a figure that includes both UKTI’s headquarters operation and its teams in the nine English regions). Of the overseas civilian posts which will transfer to UKTI/FCO, approximately 20 are filled by UK based staff and 20 by locally engaged staff. The transfer will increase UKTI’s overseas presence from approximately 1,250 to just under 1,300 FTEs. UK Trade and Investment: Manpower Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many of UK Trade and Investment’s overseas staff are provided by (a) his Department and (b) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas UKTI is not an employer in its own right. For the majority of its civil service manpower requirements it draws on staff employed by one or other of its two parent Departments—BERR and the FCO. The current full-time equivalent (FTE) number of staff working overseas for UK Trade and Investment is approximately 1,250. Of these, 200 FTE positions are filled by UK civil servants, with the remaining 1,050 FTE positions filled by staff recruited locally by the relevant overseas post. Approximately 85 of the UK civil servants positions are filled by BERR members of staff, on loan to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The remainder (115) of these are filled by FCO employees. Mr. Hague To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which countries have seen an (a) increase and (b) decrease in UK Trade and Investment staff in the context of the July 2006 five year strategy on prosperity in a changing world; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Thomas In the context of the UKTI’s five-year strategy, “Prosperity in a Changing World”, the following countries have seen changes to staff deployment: Increases Brazil China Hong Kong India Indonesia Malaysia Mexico Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa Taiwan Thailand Turkey Vietnam Decreases Australia Canada Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Ghana Greece Japan Kuwait Latvia Lithuania Malta Nigeria Poland Slovakia Spain Sweden Trinidad and Tobago Uganda US Uruguay An increase in staff resources in Dubai will take place later this year. Weatherseal Holdings: Complaints Mr. MacNeil To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consideration he has given to applying the provisions of Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002 in response to the volume of consumer complaints generated by Weatherseal Holdings plc and its subsidiaries. Mr. Thomas [holding answer 23 January 2008]: The Secretary of State does not have powers to apply the provisions of Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002. Part 8 is enforced by Trading Standards, the Office of Fair Trading and in Northern Ireland the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. If an enforcer such as Trading Standards receives sufficient complaints or intelligence about a trader they may consider action under the Act. Weatherseal Holdings: Standards Mr. MacNeil To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of Weatherseal Holdings plc’s and its subsidiaries' compliance with the consumer credit legislation. Mr. Thomas [holding answer 23 January 2008]: None. This would be a matter for the Office of Fair Trading. Foreign and Commonwealth Office British Council: Film Mr. Drew To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision of the British Council to close its dedicated film office; what cost savings he expects to be made accordingly; and what evaluation was carried out into the impact of this decision on the effectiveness of the British Council to communicate its key messages abroad. Mr. Jim Murphy The British Council has a dedicated film department as part of its wider arts group. The British Council arts group is currently undergoing internal restructuring and will be undertaking a public consultation on a new arts strategy. Finalised decisions have not yet been taken on the future of this department. Expertise in film will be retained at its current level and may be increased thereby demonstrating the British Council’s commitment to its film activity. The British Council anticipates no change to their global arts budget as a result of this restructuring. As film expertise will remain a substantial part of any new structure, no formal evaluation was undertaken. Christmas Mr. Burns To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Ministers in his Department spent on (a) Christmas cards and (b) the postage of Christmas cards in 2007. Meg Munn [holding answer of 23 January 2008]: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers sent a total of 474 cards in 2007. The cost of the cards came to £493.50, with postage of £76.34. The majority of these cards were delivered using the internal mail system. Climate Change Mr. Greg Knight To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many departmental (a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) consultants, contractors or secondees working full-time or part-time for his Department attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. Meg Munn [holding answer 16 January 2008]: 10 Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials attended some or all of the 13th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali, Indonesia. Seven of these staff are normally based in Jakarta, including our ambassador to Indonesia, Charles Humfrey, and three are normally based in London, including my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, John Ashton. Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict Lyn Brown To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the plans of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to expel the Lord’s Resistance Army from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo; what assessment he has made of such plans; and if he will make a statement. Meg Munn The Governments of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi signed an agreement to co-operate on the threat of ‘negative forces’ in September 2007. I welcome this as a sign that illegal armed groups will not be allowed to operate in the region. The Lord’s Resistance Army is engaged in a process of peace talks with the Government of Uganda, which we support. I have received no reports to suggest that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will intervene, while negotiations between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army continue. Departmental Databases Mrs. Villiers To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what audits his Department and its agencies have carried out in relation to personal data and IT equipment in each of the last 10 years. Meg Munn The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) main IT system, Firecrest, is accredited to handle classified information in accordance with Government security policies. As such it is subject to constant monitoring, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose in detail the methods used. Personal data have been included within our usual information audits of individual Departments, which measure performance against FCO information management policies. Until now, personal data have not been subject to separate central audit. We are, however, reviewing our procedures as part of the Government's data handling review, see paragraph 29 of the Interim Progress Report available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/upload/assets/www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publications/reports/data/data_handling.pdf. Departmental Public Finance Mr. Keith Simpson To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will break down his Department's planned near cash funding by strategic objective, for financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11. Meg Munn The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is a complex organisation whose structures in the UK and overseas reflect a mix of geographical and functional responsibilities. Staff costs account for approximately 55 per cent. of departmental discretionary near-cash expenditure. I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1140W: the vast majority of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff work on more than one strategic objective. It is therefore not possible to provide a full answer on the basis requested. Nevertheless the following table setting out planned expenditure on strategic programme activities for the next three years illustrates the priority being accorded to work in the four areas highlighted in the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 23 January 2008, Official Report, columns 52-53 WS. ----------------------------------------------------------------- | |2008-09|2009-10|2010-11| ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Counter Terrorism/Counter Proliferation|35.30 |41.00 |56.00 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Low Carbon/High Growth Economy |13.70 |19.70 |24.70 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Strong International System |9.35 |9.35 |9.35 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Conflict Prevention and Resolution |19.30 |19.30 |19.30 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Departmental Redundancy Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. Meg Munn It is the policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies. But, following the 2004 spending review, we have carried out a restructuring exercise to realise efficiency savings. This early retirement programme will enable us to reduce the size of the senior management structure in the FCO by 18 per cent. by 31 March 2008. The following totals also include compensatory early retirement packages for staff in the delegated grades involved in restructuring exercises: --------------------------------------------- | |Total (£) | --------------------------------------------- |12 months preceding 30 June 2004|3,217,003 | --------------------------------------------- |12 months preceding 30 June 2005|10,901,738| --------------------------------------------- |12 months preceding 30 June 2006|16,189,129| --------------------------------------------- The amounts quoted include FCO costs to the Cabinet Office to cover the additional years included in compensatory packages, compensatory lump sums under the Principle Civil Service Pension Scheme and annual pension payments until the officer reaches 60. All payments to early retirees have been calculated and paid in strict accordance with the terms of the standard Civil Service Compensation Schemes. 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 158W, on embassies, if he will list the (a) (i) name, (ii) location and (iii) function of the (A) seven embassies, (B) four embassy offices, (C) one office and (D) six consulates opened since 1997 and (b) three consulates upgraded to embassies. David Miliband The missions referred to in my answer to the right hon. Member on 10 December 2007, Official Report, column 158W are as follows: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Post name |Country |Status | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Posts opened | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |Tripoli |Libya |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |Kabul |Afghanistan |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |Pyongyang |Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea|British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |Dushanbe |Tajikistan |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |Chisinau |Moldova |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |Dili1 |East Timor |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |Baghdad |Iraq |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1997-98 |BanjaLuka |Bosnia and Herzegovina |British Embassy Office | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |Basra |Iraq |British Embassy Office | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2004-05 |Kirkuk |Iraq |British Embassy Office | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2006-07 |Almaty2 |Kazakhstan |British Embassy Office | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |Pristina |Kosovo (Serbia) |British Office | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |Chongqing |China |British Consulate General| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1999-2000 |Gothenburg |Sweden |British Consulate General| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |Conakry |Guinea |British Consulate | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |Bamako1 |Mali |British Consulate | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |Port-au-Prince|Haiti |British Consulate | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2000-01 |Denver |USA |British Consulate | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Posts upgraded to embassies | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |Asmara |Eritrea |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2001-02 |Bamako1 |Mali |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2002-03 |Conakry |Guinea |British Embassy | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Posts opened and closed during this period.2 Office left in place after embassy relocation to Astana.Note:Year—April to March| | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The size and role of British embassies and high commissions differ from post to post, but most are comprised of the following Sections: Consular, Visa, Commercial, Political/Press and Public Affairs, and Management. A British embassy office is a subsidiary of the embassy. Consulates and Consulate Generals are subordinate posts which carry out a range of functions mainly comprising of Consular, Commercial and Visa work. The British Office in Pristina is responsible for managing the UK’s relationships with the UN Mission in Kosovo, the Provisional Institutions of Self-government and other local actors. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to manage our overseas network to reflect changing demands and challenges, ensuring that our resources are aligned with our priorities, and that the UK has a cost-effective and flexible network of overseas representation. We will continue to adjust our estate assets in individual countries to meet our operational needs. Gaza: Politics and Government Jeremy Corbyn To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has held with the government of Israel on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Dr. Howells Our ambassador in Tel Aviv regularly raises our concerns with the Israeli government about the security and humanitarian situation in Gaza. My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development issued statements about the situation in Gaza on 30 October 2007, 11 January 2008 and 21 January 2008. Most recently, I raised these concerns with the Israeli ambassador on 17 January 2008. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is due to speak to Foreign Minister Livni today, and will again make clear our concerns. John Cummings To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made, together with European Union member states’ foreign ministers, to Israel on the situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. Dr. Howells My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be discussing the situation with his European colleagues at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January. The Government continues to believe that Israeli security and Palestinian suffering and hardship need to be addressed together, and they can only be addressed through mutual recognition, which will be vital to long-term stability in the area. As my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for International Development said on 21 January: “The recent escalation of violence between Gazans and Israelis is extremely grave”. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv regularly raises our concerns with the Israeli government about the security and humanitarian situation in Gaza. My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for International Development also issued statements about the situation in Gaza on 30 October 2007, 11 January 2008 and 21 January 2008. Most recently, I raised the situation in Gaza with the Israeli ambassador on 17 January 2008. Middle East: Diplomatic Service Mr. Keith Simpson To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to his Sunday Times article of 6 January 2008, what his estimate is of the cost of transferring staff from Europe to the Middle East and South Asia. Meg Munn I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's written ministerial statement of 23 January 2008, Official Report, columns 52-3WS. Detailed plans for the transfer of staff resources from Europe to the Middle East and South Asia are still at an early stage. We will not be in a position to estimate costs until we have finalised timings and confirmed all the specific changes that we will need to make. Thomas Dandois Mr. MacShane To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has received on the detention of Thomas Dandois, a joint British-French national in Niger; (2) if he will discuss the case of Thomas Dandois, currently detained in Niger, with the Foreign Minister of France; (3) if he will make representations to the Government of Niger requesting the release of Thomas Dandois. Meg Munn Mr. Dandois and his French colleague were released from prison on bail on 18 January. There were no travel restrictions placed upon them as a condition of their bail and they have returned to France. The judgment on their case will take place at a later date. Mr. Dandois is a dual French-British national who entered Niger on his French passport. He and his colleague were given consular assistance by the French embassy in Niger. The Government worked with the French embassy, through their representatives in Niamey, and with the French Foreign Ministry to clarify the status of the charges against Mr. Dandois. We will continue to liaise with the French Government and monitor the case. We have received one previous parliamentary question, fourteen representations from hon. Members and a Peer and a number of letters from members of the public on this case. Justice Departmental Recruitment Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the policy of British jobs for British workers will affect his Department’s recruitment policy. Bridget Prentice The Ministry of Justice will continue to apply the civil service nationality rules in respect of eligibility for employment in their recruitment and appointment procedures. Elections: Fraud Mr. Hoban To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated research on the effectiveness in preventing electoral fraud of requiring electors in polling stations to sign for their ballot paper. Bridget Prentice Seven local authorities undertook electoral pilot schemes that required electors to provide their signature before being issued with their ballot papers in polling stations at the May 2006 local elections. Four local authorities did so at the May 2007 local elections. The Government have not commissioned research on this issue. However, in its statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes the Electoral Commission noted that public opinion research carried out in the pilot scheme areas suggested that requiring voters to provide a signature may provide a deterrent effect in relation to personation. The Government continues to believe that requiring electors to sign for their ballot paper will help to deter opportunists from defrauding the system and improve levels of public confidence. Harassment Act 1997 Dan Rogerson To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) investigations and (b) prosecutions there were under the Harassment Act 1997 in each year since the Act came into force. Maria Eagle Information covering defendants proceeded against under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 since the act came into force on 16 July 1997 has been provided in the table. Data are provided on the principal offence basis and cover the period from 1997 to 2006 in England and Wales. ------------------------------- | |Number proceeded against| ------------------------------- |1997|780 | ------------------------------- |1998|6,194 | ------------------------------- |1999|7,934 | ------------------------------- |2000|8,631 | ------------------------------- |2001|8,331 | ------------------------------- |2002|8,335 | ------------------------------- |2003|8,434 | ------------------------------- |2004|8,501 | ------------------------------- |2005|8,425 | ------------------------------- |2006|8,101 | ------------------------------- Information on investigations is not held by the Ministry of Justice. Langley House Trust Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the terms of the service level agreement with the Langley House Trust are for the provision of secure beds for persons supervised in the community; and when the contract was let. Maria Eagle The National Offender Management Service has a service level agreement (SLA) with the Langley House Trust, under which the trust is funded to provide two enhanced supervision beds at its Longcroft project for offenders assessed as high risk of serious harm on release from custody who are also identified as having mental health problems. The National Offender Management Service has a second SLA with the trust, under which the trust is funded to provide accommodation in the community for offenders who are subject to statutory supervision by offender managers in probation boards. The level of supervision required for each offender is determined by the offender manager, taking into account the facilities at each trust project. The current SLAs commenced on 1 April 2007 and will run until 31 March 2008. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in Langley House Trust accommodation have (a) absconded, (b) breached the conditions of their curfew and (c) breached the hostels’ rules in another way in each year of the contract. Maria Eagle Figures for residents whose places are funded by the National Offender Management Service under the SLAs arc not recorded separately; the figures below are for the whole of the trust resident population. The proportion of trust residents under the SLAs during 2007-08 was around a third. In 2007-08, (a) five trust residents absconded, and (b) 46 breached the conditions of their curfew, including three who had absconded. While all breaches of hostel rules, including minor ones such as use of bad language, are recorded in individual residents’ files, overall numbers are not compiled—(c). However, where breaches of rules lead to a resident’s eviction or recall to prison, that is recorded. In 2007-08, 99 residents were evicted, of whom 40 were recalled to prison, One resident under the enhanced supervision SLA absconded during 2007-08. None breached curfew, and as explained above, there are no available records of other rule breaches. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he is intending to review the contract with the Langley House Trust for the provision of secure accommodation places. Maria Eagle Yes. The current service level agreements with the Langley House Trust came into effect on 1 April 2007 and will expire on 31 March 2008. We will review the position in light of our operational requirements before deciding whether to renew the arrangements and, if so, on what terms. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how performance against the contract with the Langley House Trust is monitored. Maria Eagle The trust provides a monthly return as set out in the service level agreements (SLAs), covering various matters, such as the admission and departure of offenders, breaches and convictions for further offences. Officials use the monthly returns to monitor the trust’s performance against the SLA, including through regular meetings during the year with the Trust’s Director of Offender Management Additionally, under the terms of the enhanced supervision SLA, the trust is required to complete a brief progress report on each resident and a departure report following the end of the placement. An annual report on performance is also to be submitted. The trust is to co-operate with inspections and audits, internal and external as required and attend meetings as convened by the Public Protection Unit in the National Offender Management Service as is reasonable. The Ministry of Justice is currently carrying out an audit of the public protection processes in the trust. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there have been breaches of the terms of the contract with the Langley House Trust since it was let. Maria Eagle The National Offender Management Service is aware of two breaches of the service level agreements (SLAs) since they were let. There has been one breach of the main SLA which was in respect of the performance standards audit, which was not finalised by the deadline, but is being finalised now. Under the terms of the enhanced supervision SLA, the National Offender Management Service is aware of one occasion where checks were not made on a resident as frequently as was requested by the local multi-agency public protection panel. Legal Aid Dr. Stoate To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many legal aid representation orders have been granted by magistrates courts in each month since the re-introduction of means testing for legal aid in 2006. Maria Eagle The following table shows the information requested. The numbers of orders reported as being granted each month are subject to minor adjustments as cases are processed and progress through the system. ---------------------------------------------- | |Representation orders granted| ---------------------------------------------- |October 2006 |34,254 | ---------------------------------------------- |November 2006 |44,281 | ---------------------------------------------- |December 2006 |34,815 | ---------------------------------------------- |January 2007 |47,842 | ---------------------------------------------- |February 2007 |43,790 | ---------------------------------------------- |March 2007 |46,849 | ---------------------------------------------- |April 2007 |43,153 | ---------------------------------------------- |May 2007 |47,501 | ---------------------------------------------- |June 2007 |47,063 | ---------------------------------------------- |July 2007 |47,974 | ---------------------------------------------- |August 2007 |47,272 | ---------------------------------------------- |September 2007|43,198 | ---------------------------------------------- |October 2007 |48,573 | ---------------------------------------------- |November 2007 |45,686 | ---------------------------------------------- |December 2007 |33,968 | ---------------------------------------------- Dr. Kumar To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost of legal aid in the UK was in each of the last 10 years. Maria Eagle The cost of legal aid in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 financial years is shown in the following table. Responsibility for legal aid in Scotland is devolved and is therefore a matter for the Scottish Parliament. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |1997-98|1998-99|1999-2000|2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |England and Wales|1,529.6|1,628.1|1,550.1 |1,663.7|1,717.0|1,908.5|2,076.7|2,038.0|2,027.8|1,980.3| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Northern Ireland |28.9 |30.1 |34.7 |37.7 |41.5 |45.0 |49.9 |58.9 |57.5 |69.0 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Total |1,558 |1,658 |1,585 |1,701 |1,759 |1,954 |2,127 |2,097 |2,085 |2,049 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legal Aid: Expenditure Dr. Stoate To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on legal aid in each of the last 10 years (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of annual total public expenditure. Maria Eagle Table 1 as follows shows legal aid cash expenditure in each of the last 10 years. Table 2 as follows shows that expenditure for both England and Wales and for Northern Ireland as a proportion of total managed expenditure. Legal aid in Scotland is a devolved matter, funded out of the Scottish block grant which also forms part of total managed expenditure. When compared to other main domestic areas of public spending, legal aid has been one of the fastest growing areas of public sector spending over the past years. For example, the average annual real-terms growth of legal aid over the past 25 years to 2006-07 was 5.7 per cent. This compares with 4.4 per cent. for social care and protection; 4.2 per cent. for public order and safety; 4.1 per cent. for health and 1.9 per cent. for education. ---------------- |£ million, net| ---------------- | |England and Wales|Northern Ireland|Total| ---------------- |1997-98 |1529.6|28.9|1,558| ---------------- |1998-99 |1628.1|30.1|1,658| ---------------- |1999-2000 |1550.1|34.7|1,585| ---------------- |2000-01 |1663.7|37.7|1,701| ---------------- |2001-02 |1717.0|41.5|1,759| ---------------- |2002-03 |1908.5|45.0|1,954| ---------------- |2003-04 |2076.7|49.9|2,127| ---------------- |2004-05 |2038.0|58.9|2,097| ---------------- |2005-06 |2027.8|57.5|2,085| ---------------- |2006-07 |1980.3|69.0|2,049| ---------------- ------------ |Percentage| ------------ | |England and Wales|Northern Ireland|Total| ------------ |1997-98 |0.47|0.01|0.48| ------------ |1998-99 |0.49|0.01|0.50| ------------ |1999-2000 |0.45|0.01|0.46| ------------ |2000-01 |0.46|0.01|0.47| ------------ |2001-02 |0.44|0.01|0.45| ------------ |2002-03 |0.45|0.01|0.46| ------------ |2003-04 |0.46|0.01|0.47| ------------ |2004-05 |0.41|0.01|0.43| ------------ |2005-06 |0.39|0.01|0.40| ------------ |2006-07 |0.36|0.01|0.37| ------------ Legal Aid: Fees and Charges Dr. Stoate To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the new legal aid fee scheme on the number of legal practices undertaking criminal legal aid work. Maria Eagle Reforms to criminal legal aid were introduced on 14 January 2008 and included the introduction of fixed fees for police station work. Prior to the introduction of these reforms a national re-tender of the General Criminal Contract, which provides access to legal aid work for providers, took place in October last year. Of those firms that already held a contract, 2,295 re-tendered, while a further 90 applications were received from new providers. In total there has been a reduction of only 5 per cent. in the number of providers delivering Criminal Legal Aid work under the new contract, which also came into effect on 14 January. This has had no impact on the accessibility of legal advice to clients in criminal legal aid cases. Legal Services Commission: Fees and Charges Anne Milton To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much money the Legal Services Commission has received by way of (a) recovered costs and (b) interest on statutory charges in each year since 1997. Maria Eagle The information requested is shown in the following table. Data for the years 1997-98 to 1999-2000 relate to the former Legal Aid Board, which was replaced by the Legal Services Commission in 2000. The reduction in recovered costs was due to the removal of money cases such as personal injury from scope in 2000 following the introduction of conditional fee arrangements in 1995. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Financial year |1997-98|1998-99|1999-2000|2000-01|2001-02|2002-03|2003-04|2004-05|2005-06|2006-07| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Recovered costs |37,850 |36,550 |27,190 |23,440 |23,220 |13,450 |18,440 |5,590 |5,950 |4,570 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Interest on Statutory charges|3,290 |1,040 |5,180 |6,130 |8,100 |8,230 |8,130 |7,030 |9,180 |9,450 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Members: Correspondence James Brokenshire To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he will reply to the letter of 22 November 2007 from the hon. Member for Hornchurch on a new prison at Beam Reach, Rainham. Mr. Hanson I replied to the hon. Member on 16 January 2008. Ministry of Justice Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he will publish the Brennan report on the structure of his Department. Mr. Straw I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert) on 15 January 2008, Official Report, column l206W. National Offender Management Information System Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to date of developing the C-NOMIS IT system for prisons and probation in England and Wales has been. Mr. Hanson The total expenditure on the NOMIS Programme, of which C-NOMIS forms the very major part, to the end of December 2007 is estimated at £179 million. Financial and business benefit from work completed on C-NOMIS is preserved. Nearly all of the expenditure attributable to C-NOMIS is relevant to its future use in HMPS as ‘Prison NOMIS’. The other projects in the programme will continue to derive benefit from the investment and work to date. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the financial consequences for his Department’s budget are of not rolling out C-NOMIS to the Probation Service. Mr. Hanson The C-NOMIS project as originally intended included the roll out of C-NOMIS to the Probation Service. This was unaffordable and the revised plans now ensure that the overall costs will be contained within the Department’s budget. The business change and continuity consequences of not rolling out C-NOMIS to the probation service have been handled by other measures contained within the overall NOMIS programme. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the developers of C-NOMIS, EDS, will be paid any compensation as a consequence of the system not being rolled out to the probation service. Mr. Hanson EDS will receive no compensation as a result of the C-NOMIS system not being rolled-out to probation areas. ‘Prison NOMIS’ continues the development of C-NOMIS, preserving the financial and business benefit from work completed to date. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of how the decision not to roll out C-NOMIS to the probation service will affect its ability to comply with end-to-end management of offenders. Mr. Hanson Following the NOMIS programme strategic review, and taking into account the Offender Management (OM) strategic review, the newly revised and deliverable NOMIS programme will ensure both the protection of the public and the continued successful implementation of the Offender Management Model and end-to-end offender management. The programme will ensure that offender managers have access to necessary information to effectively manage offenders within custody and the community. Building on and preserving work completed to date, the programme will enable staff in both prisons and probation access to information required to support OM. Mr. Garnier To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his original estimate was of the final cost of rolling out C-NOMIS to the Prison Service and Probation Service. Mr. Hanson When originally initiated in June 2004, the estimated lifetime costs, before VAT, cost of capital and depreciation was £234 million. Personal Injury Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what assessment he has made of the merits of introducing measures to cap the level of fees for legal services in personal injury claims cases; and if he will make a statement; (2) what steps he plans to take following the consultation exercise on case track limits and the claims process for personal injury claims that closed on 13 July 2007 in relation to personal injury claims; and if he will make a statement; (3) what plans he has to reform the civil justice system in respect of personal injury claims; and if he will make a statement; (4) when his Department plans to publish the responses to the recent consultation on case track limits and the process for personal injury claims. Bridget Prentice The consultation paper: “Case track limits and claims process for personal injury claims” set out proposals for improving the system for certain personal injury claims, including proposals for fixed recoverable costs. These proposals represent a significant reform of the claims process for personal injury claims and it has been important to give careful consideration to the numerous and diverse range of views that we have received. A summary of responses and the Government's next steps will be set out in the Response to Consultation, which we aim to publish by the end of March. Mr. Bellingham To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the impact of referral fees on the personal injury claims process; and if he will make a statement. Bridget Prentice The Ministry of Justice has not assessed the impact of referral fees in personal injury claims. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for the regulation of lawyers and ensuring that they comply with Rule 9 of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007 which sets out the requirements on referral fees. The SRA are currently reviewing the provisions on referral fees and considering a range of options to improve compliance with Rule 9. Peterborough Prison: Prisoners Release Mr. Stewart Jackson To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convicted prisoners held at HMP Peterborough were released early as a result of prison overcrowding in the latest period for which figures are available. Mr. Hanson The End of Custody Licence was introduced on 29 June 2007. Eligible prisoners serving between four weeks and four years may be released under licence from prison up to up to 18 days before their automatic release date. Up to the end of November 2007, the latest date for which figures are available, there had been 325 prisoners released under the End of Custody Licence scheme from HMP Peterborough; 77 of these were during the month of November. The total number of releases by offence group, sentence length, age, gender, ethnicity and prison establishment have been published on the Ministry of Justice website for the first week of the scheme, the remainder of July, and every subsequent month since then. The monthly published figures can be found on separate links under the following main link: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/endofcustodylicence.htm Data on releases up to the end of December 2007 will be published at the end of January 2008 according to the schedule of MoJ statistical publications http://www/justice.gov.uk/docs/moj-stats-schedule.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. Prisons: Drugs Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what key performance indicator is used to assess the effectiveness of drug treatment in prisons. Mr. Hanson The key performance indicators listed in the table as follows are currently used to monitor drug treatment performance. Research indicates that prison drug treatment, with effective follow-up in the community, can reduce the level of reoffending by at least 10 per cent. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Key performance indicators |2005-06|2006-07|2007-08| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Number of prisoners entering clinical services (Detoxification/Maintenance) |27,000 |27,500 |27,500 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Number of prisoners undergoing initial assessment1 |61,400 |61,400 |61,400 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Percentage of prisoners completing treatment programmes they have started |65 |65 |65 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Random Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) positive rate |2— |2— |2— | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1 Through CARATs (counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare services) or YPSMS (young persons substance misuse service).2 Improve on previous year.| | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Burrowes To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 1 May 2007, Official Report, column 1601W, on Drugs: prisons, how many detainees began clinical drug treatment on (a) detoxification and (b) extended prescribing programmes in 2006-07. Mr. Hanson During 2005-06, 51,520 prisoners entered prison detoxification and drug maintenance programmes. Since April 2007, these two interventions have been reported separately. In the period April to October 2007, the following clinical interventions for prisoners with drug dependence in prisons were provided: (a) detoxification 26,932; and (b) extended prescribing 7,263. This is a total of 34,195 interventions. Note: P. Simon data can fluctuate as prison establishments finalise their entries. Source: P. Simon database, HM Prison Service. Prisons: Education Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what steps the Government have taken to improve education and training provision in prisons since 1997; (2) what progress has been made on developing an integrated Learning and Skills Service as indicated in the Government’s Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan. Mr. Lammy I have been asked to reply. The transfer of responsibility for offender learning from the Home Office in 2001, to the Department for Education and Skills, now the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, brought the offender learning agenda within mainstream learning and skills arrangements. This led to the introduction of Heads of Learning and Skills, a new senior role within each prison responsible for co-ordinating delivery. Offender learning is inspected by Ofsted (and its predecessors) to the same standards as mainstream education, with published reports since 2002. Between August 2005 and August 2006, the Learning and Skills Council completed the introduction of a new Offender Learning and Skills Service. This service is designed to integrate delivery both inside and outside prisons, as well as ensuring the quality is consistent with that available in the outside community. The new delivery arrangements are governed by the policy framework set out in the ‘Reducing Re-Offending Through Sk