Thursday Volume 550 13 September 2012 No. 43

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 13 September 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 401 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 402

One example is hockey’s “Give it a Go” scheme, which House of Commons has now attracted more than 20,000 people at more than 600 sites across the country. Thursday 13 September 2012 Caroline Dinenage: I echo the Minister’s words: the Paralympics and the Olympic games showcased all that The House met at half-past Ten o’clock is great about this country. On building the fantastic Olympians and Paralympians PRAYERS of the future, it is vital to invest in the infrastructure, skills and facilities that our young people need, particularly in schools. What are the Government doing to that end? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Hugh Robertson: Two things in particular. The new youth sports strategy, which has been announced and BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS the figures for which will be announced in December, will involve an investment over the next four years to COMMITTEE OF SELECTION encourage sport governing bodies to make those precise Motion made, and Question proposed, investments. Separately, the Places People Play programme That Geoffrey Clifton-Brown be discharged from the Committee has now invested in improving more than 700 facilities of Selection and Bill Wiggin be a member of the Committee until up and down the country. the end of the current Session.—(Mr Randall.) Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): What prospect Hon. Members: Object. does the Minister, helped by his new Secretary of State, whom I welcome to her post, think he has of persuading the Education Secretary to reverse his disastrous decisions on school sport partnerships, on the two-hour target Oral Answers to Questions and on liberalising Labour’s very strict laws on disposing of school playing fields?

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Hugh Robertson: The new youth sport strategy is precisely designed to address a problem that existed even under the old scheme—the difficulties in getting The Secretary of State for Culture Olympics, Media people out of school and into community clubs. Steps and Sport was asked— are being taken. There is no doubt that in some areas school sport partnerships were extraordinarily effective; Sport Participation (Children) in others, they were not. I think the consensus is that they were an expensive way of doing things. I note, from 1. Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): What progress what the shadow Chancellor said to the TUC last week, she has made in encouraging more children to take part that the Labour party is not making any spending in competitive sport. [120631] commitments. There is an opportunity now to work together for a new system that I hope will deliver the The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media improvements we all want in school sport. and Sport (Hugh Robertson): Before answering, may I record the congratulations of the whole House to everybody Dame Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood) involved in London 2012? (Lab): I welcome the Secretary of State to her new position; she has one of the best jobs in Government. I Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Especially Tessa. congratulate the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Hugh Robertson: Wait a moment—the hon. Gentleman Authority, all the public servants across Government, is being slightly tedious. I congratulate in particular the the Government Olympic Executive, the city authorities athletes of Team GB and ParalympicsGB. Moreover, I and the thousands of people who gave their all to would particularly like to record, on behalf of everybody, deliver a summer that the people of this country will our congratulations to the right hon. Member for Dulwich never forget. A special congratulation goes, of course, and West Norwood (Dame Tessa Jowell) on her to our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and to the contribution to the project over many years. I also games makers, who embodied the feeling of the people congratulate—I know that this will please you, Mr Speaker of this country that these were their games and that —Andy Murray on his win in New York on Monday. they mattered in the contribution to making them such Through the school games, we are encouraging all a success. They really did belong to the people of our schools to offer their pupils the chance to play more country. competitive sport. More than 14,000 schools have so far In congratulating the Minister on his well-deserved signed up to participate and, in addition, 1,600 of our promotion, I invite him to take forward one of the best young athletes had the chance to compete in and important means of delivering the success of the Olympics around the Olympic park in the inaugural national by continuing the commitment to cross-party working finals in May. The national governing bodies of sports with a plan for sport that will survive for a decade. It will use the inspiration of the London 2012 games to should include more primary children playing sport in encourage more young people to take up their sport. physical education, more children competing, and adults, 403 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 404 throughout their lives, enjoying the pleasure of taking of Professor Harrington’s two reports on improving the part in sport at all levels. A cross-party approach will work capability assessment? Is not a reasonable inference guarantee stability. I commend that approach to the from the comments of members of the Labour party right hon. Gentleman. that it does not want people to be assessed to see whether they are able to work? Mr Speaker: We are extremely grateful to the right hon. Lady, whose courtesy is equalled only by her Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is drawing me back to comprehensiveness. my old job, but I will resist the temptation. He is right that this matter is well and truly in the sights of the Hugh Robertson: Following that, I suppose that we all Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and I note his ought to pay tribute to the right hon. Lady for her comments. comprehensiveness in dealing with this project from the moment the bid was launched, through to delivery. Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): I, too, Everybody across the House genuinely would like to welcome the right hon. Lady to her new position. As recognise her contribution. she has already seen, her old position will follow her The right hon. Lady is right that one lesson from the wherever she goes. I do not think that she will ever get success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB is the importance away from that, because disability pervades all of society. of a strategy that is not constantly altered. When I came The Paralympics were a huge success and the Channel 4 to office, I called the problem that has constantly plagued coverage was wonderful. Does the right hon. Lady the sports world short-term “initiativeitis”. It is our agree that it was particularly insensitive of Atos to intention to continue with the approach that has served sponsor not only the games but the lanyards, so that us so well for the Olympics and to ensure, as I am sure every Paralympian was forced to wear the name of Atos everybody in the House wants, that we deliver a tangible around their neck? Perhaps Atos had a perverse reason legacy from the events of this summer. for doing that, because a much wider audience now knows how it has been treating disabled people in the Paralympic Sponsorship work capability assessment.

2. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): Maria Miller: The hon. Lady will know that such What discussions she has had on sponsorship by Atos decisions are made by organisations outside of Government. of the London 2012 Paralympics. [120632] She is right to say that the Paralympics were a fantastic opportunity to change attitudes in this country, and I The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport think that they achieved that. We need to keep that (Maria Miller): The London Organising Committee of going. She is also right to say that former Ministers for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games was responsible Disabled People retain a deep and passionate interest in for appointing domestic partners for the London 2012 ensuring that the needs of disabled people are catered games, and the International Paralympic Committee is for, whichever Department they work in. responsible for international Paralympic partners. All the partners provide vital funding, without which the Leveson Inquiry games simply could not happen. Atos has been a key technology provider for the Paralympic movement since 3. George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) (Con): 2002, and became the official worldwide information When she expects the publication of the report by Lord technology partner for the International Paralympic Justice Leveson on the culture, practice and ethics of Committee in 2008. the press. [120633]

Katy Clark: In contrast to the fantastic performances The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by the Paralympic athletes, the performance of Atos (Maria Miller): I expect Lord Justice Leveson to deliver was slammed by the National Audit Office. The Secretary his report in the autumn. of State will be well aware of the anger that many disabled people feel towards Atos Healthcare because George Eustice: I am grateful for that answer. During of its poor decision making and the high success rate of module 4, the final module of Lord Leveson’s inquiry, it reconsiderations and appeals. Does she feel, in retrospect, became increasingly clear that the self-regulation of that Atos has been an effective service provider and an news content would work far more effectively if it were appropriate sponsor of the Paralympics? supported by some statutory underpinning. Given that the Government are already introducing statutory measures Maria Miller: The hon. Lady will know that without in areas such as defamation, will the Secretary of State money from sponsors, we cannot stage such games. The confirm that the Government retain an open mind on involvement of the sponsors enabled us to ensure that further statutory regulation in that area? more countries than ever before competed in the Olympic and Paralympic games. I am sure that she welcomes Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. that. The reason we commissioned a report was to listen to what Lord Justice Leveson puts forward. We very much Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): I am sure that the have an open mind and I would not want to pre-empt whole House welcomes my right hon. Friend to her new the inquiry by trying to second-guess its conclusions. position. Given her experience in the Department for Whatever we do in future, we need to ensure that we Work and Pensions, does she agree that the key to all maintain freedom of expression, that we have a press this is the work capability assessment? Is it not correct that is suitably independent of government and politicians that the Government have accepted all the recommendations and that there are sufficient teeth in the sanctions that 405 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 406 empower the system. It must command the confidence report in great detail to ensure that any necessary actions and respect of the public and the industry alike. We are taken so that we do not have the same scandalous need to adhere to those important principles, but first situation again. and foremost we must receive the report. Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I, too, welcome the Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): Should Secretary of State to her new job, but she has made one Lord Justice Leveson call time on the last chance saloon mistake already, because there is not to be one report by and recommend a statutory underpinning for press Leveson: there are meant to be two, and I believe that self-regulation and a co-regulation model, what preparatory the second is the more important. It is to be on what work have the Government done to prepare for such an actually happened at the News of the World. So far, option? Lord Justice Leveson and everybody else have rightly avoided the illegality, criminality and dodginess that went on between the police and the News of the World, Maria Miller: The hon. Gentleman outlines some of for the simple reason that nobody wants to compromise the options that may be taken forward. What we have to criminal prosecutions. Will she ensure that, contrary to do at this stage is ensure that the inquiry runs its course. what Lord Leveson has been saying, he will produce a Those both within and outside the House have noted in second report so that we know what went on? great detail the evidence that has been given, and we will need to look at the report in detail. Maria Miller: I will, of course, always look to the hon. Gentleman to keep me right on these things. He is Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Does the absolutely right that there is a part two to the inquiry new Secretary of State agree with the Prime Minister and, as I think we have already made clear, the Government that successive Governments have got too close to the will make a statement on part two when part one has media? Does she also agree that this Government, like concluded. It is important that we take these things at previous ones, are still leaking information to the press the proper pace and that we have time to consider the before statements are made to Parliament? Should that initial report before we consider further work. not end immediately? Tourism Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. All Secretaries of State would want to ensure that the 4. Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): House is kept informed first and foremost. In you, What recent estimate she has made of the financial Mr Speaker, we have somebody who we know keeps an contribution of the heritage sector to the tourism eye on that very closely. industry. [120634] The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) (Lab): and Sport (Hugh Robertson): Heritage tourism in the May I add my warmest and sincerest congratulations to United Kingdom accounts for £4.3 billion in gross the right hon. Lady on her appointment as not only domestic product, rising to £7.4 billion if heritage green Secretary of State but Minister for Women and Equalities? spaces are included. The London 2012 Olympic and I look forward to working with her on both issues. Paralympic games and torch relay have provided a The right hon. Lady takes on her role at a crucial major opportunity to highlight our heritage assets. time. The Leveson inquiry offers a historic opportunity to tackle the long-standing problems of the lack of a Tristram Hunt: Given that, only a Government of proper press complaints system and the concentration such awesome incompetence as this one could follow up of media ownership. We saw from the Hillsborough the Olympics, when the eyes of the world were on independent panel report yesterday, 20 years before the Britain, by abolishing the post of Minister for tourism Dowlers, the ugly spectacle of collusion between the and heritage. We know that the Tory party did not like police and some elements of the press, inflicting pain Danny Boyle’s wonderfully progressive vision of British and misery on innocent people who were already suffering. history, but did it really have to seek revenge by scrapping Will she ask Lord Justice Leveson to examine the the post? Why will the Government not support our implications of that for the media and to take evidence national heritage and tourism industry, rather than from the panel and the families? When his report is abandon it? published, will she convene cross-party talks so that we can ensure that we have a press that is strong because it Hugh Robertson: That is the silliest question I have is free and clean, and that we can all work together to heard in two and half years. Let me make it absolutely achieve that? clear that I loved the opening ceremony and that, far from the tourism Minister being abolished, he is standing before you. Maria Miller: I thank the right hon. and learned Lady for her kind words and look forward to continuing Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Does the to work with her on these issues and those of women Minister agree that the £122 million that the Government and equality. are about to spend on the so-called GREAT campaign, The right hon. and learned Lady is absolutely right celebrating all that is great about Great Britain—including, that there are issues within Leveson that have clear in my case, the great adventurers and great climbers, read-across to the report that was released yesterday. which will launch in October—is extremely good value However, at this time I want to ensure that we continue for money? How much does he expect the country to to focus first and foremost on the importance of getting benefit from that £122 million investment in inward it right for the families involved. We will examine the tourism, and how does he intend to monitor the return? 407 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 408

Hugh Robertson: We have used the GREAT campaign broadcasters to undertake production throughout the to try to drive incoming tourism into this country. The UK, but the future of individual BBC services and initial signs are that it has been a great success and that production in Scotland is a matter for the BBC and we people are waking up once more to the delights of do not seek to intervene. holidaying in this country. We are in consultation to ensure that the process rolls on, with further additions Gregg McClymont: The separatists tell us that a to the GREAT campaign. separate Scotland could replicate the success of Danish TV.However, looking at prime-time Danish TV schedules Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): Is the for this evening, I see few zingers ready to wing their Minister aware that the Environment Minister in Northern way across to the United Kingdom, although three Ireland recently commissioned an expert study that top-class independent UK productions are featured. showed that heritage contributed substantially to the Does the Minister agree that Scotland is much better off Northern Ireland economy? Does he agree that we must as part of one of the most successful TV industries in not only protect but invest in our heritage sector? the world? Hugh Robertson: The answer to that has to be yes. Mr Vaizey: I have huge regard for the hon. Gentleman. I did not know that he was fluent in Danish and a Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): I totally regular studier of Danish television schedules, but that agree with the Minister’s previous answer. Will he join only enhances my regard and I agree with his point. me in congratulating my local council, Cheshire West and Chester, on its massive investment in renovating Chester’s Roman city walls, reversing years of neglect? BBC Hugh Robertson: Absolutely. The great thing about the torch relay was that it gave many places the opportunity 10. [120643] Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) to put their tourism assets on display, and I am absolutely (Lab): Network commissions from the BBC in London delighted that my hon. Friend’s local council is acting in constitute £80 million to £85 million of investment in such a fashion. the Scottish economy, make up 78% of revenue from independent production companies and help sustain Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): There is no 15,000 jobs in Scotland. Does the Minister share my doubt that London 2012 has been a fantastic achievement, concern that if Scotland separates from the rest of the demonstrating Britain’s unique character. Despite that United Kingdom significant damage could be done to success, there has been significant concern, especially that section of the Scottish economy? outside London, that visitor numbers were below those Network commissions from the BBC in London that were predicted. Given that concern, given the constitute £80 million to £85 million of investment in Government’s recent commitment to increase the number the Scottish economy, make up 78% of revenue from of overseas visitors from 30 million today to 40 million independent production companies and help sustain by 2020 and given that at a time when they should be 15,000 jobs in Scotland. Does the Minister share my capitalising on the Olympic tourism legacy they have concern that if Scotland separates from the rest of the chosen, as my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent United Kingdom significant damage could be done to Central (Tristram Hunt) rightly mentioned, to cut the that section of the Scottish economy? ministerial post focused on tourism and heritage, will the Minister explain how he will guarantee that every region benefits from UK tourism? Mr Vaizey: I certainly share the hon. Gentleman’s concern. Over the past few months I have been lucky Hugh Robertson: This has to be one of the silliest enough to visit BBC Scotland’s headquarters and see points made for a very long time. We had a thoroughly the excellent work it does. May I record my gratitude to excellent Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for BBC Scotland for sending my children a photograph Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), who covered tourism, signed by Nina of “Nina and the Neurons”? heritage and gambling. We now have a Minister who covers sport, tourism and gambling. I cannot remotely Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): It see that that is in any way a downgrade. There were is with a great sigh of relief that we see the Minister is three responsibilities before and there are three now—the still at the Dispatch Box, and I welcome the new Secretary maths are very simple. of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The threat to the BBC comes not from an independent Scotland but from Scottish Independence what is happening with the cuts now. How can that be justified in Scotland, which is a nation, not a region of 5. Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and the BBC? Given that we are about to make the biggest Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): Whether she has discussed decision in our nation’s history, is it right that the BBC with the BBC Trust the potential effect on the BBC of has been cut to the absolute bone? People need to be an independent Scotland. [120636] informed and the issues debated.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Mr Vaizey: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Iamin words, and I regret that must I disagree with him. I regular contact with the Culture and External Affairs think the licence fee settlement was excellent for the Minister in the Scottish Government on a range of BBC. It provides funding certainty until 2017, which no broadcasting matters. The Government encourage other media company in this country can boast. 409 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 410

School Playing Fields Hugh Robertson: That is absolutely the intention. Three initiatives are worth looking at in that respect. The new whole sport plans will include for the first time 6. Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East specific disability targets, as will Places People Play, and Cleveland) (Lab): What discussions she has had with an inclusive opportunities fund is being run for the first the Secretary of State for Education on the protection time by Sport England to address exactly that issue. of school playing fields. [120637] The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): The Government have and Sport (Hugh Robertson): School playing fields fall set up a programme to encourage local sports clubs to under the departmental responsibility of the Department engage young people and to get them involved in sports for Education, but my Department is in regular contact after school to create a sporting habit for life, but that with it over a range of issues relating to sport. For the will not work unless we have quality sports education in first time, the Places People Play initiative has a specific earlier years. In response to my right hon. Friend the programme for safeguarding and enhancing playing Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw), the Minister said fields, and is operated in partnership with Fields in that the delivery of school sports partnerships was Trust. patchy, but that is not what he said before the general election, when he said that we should be building on Tom Blenkinsop: I thank the Minister for his reply, school sports partnerships. Sadly, in the past two years, but does he agree that there is a lack of local accountability there has been a 40% drop in school sports partnerships in the selling of academy school fields, which should be and a 60% drop in hours spent outside the classroom by subject to the same protection as those belonging to teachers organising sport, and the Government’s PE maintained schools? teacher release money is due to end in August 2013. Will he admit that cutting £162 million from school Hugh Robertson: In a sense, yes. After the Olympics, sports partnerships was a mistake, and will he join the anybody who is interested in or involved with sport will Opposition in calling for the Secretary of State to want to ensure that those opportunities are available to re-ring-fence that money so that we can have a sporting as many people as possible. That said, the point of legacy? academies is that they enjoy freedom from central control and set their agenda as they wish. The issue is less about Mr Speaker: Order. We have got the question and we playing fields than about the provision of sports facilities. are grateful for it. Let us have the answer. The key point is to build more 3G pitches, from which schools get 90 hours of use, as against four for an old Hugh Robertson: All Members know why that happened, grass pitch. but the key issue is the deficit the Government inherited in 2010. It is absolutely pointless the hon. Gentleman Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): Does whining unless the Opposition have another policy or the Minister agree that the quality of coaching and are prepared to commit to restoring that money. The facilities is just as important as the amount of space shadow Chancellor made it abundantly clear to the available? In Folkestone, the state-of-the-art redevelopment TUC last week that there will be no spending commitments of Cheriton road sports ground was possible only because of that sort, so it is utterly hypocritical to pursue this of the sale of a redundant piece of playing field land in until you have an idea of how to put it right. the vicinity. Hugh Robertson: Absolutely. The key statistic is that Mr Speaker: Order. I am sure the Minister is not on average a grass pitch provides four hours’ use a accusing any individual hon. Member of behaving week, but that rises to 90 hours on a new 3G pitch. This hypocritically. Will he clarify that he is not? He needs to is not a new process: 246 school playing fields were sold make it clear. off under the previous Administration. Hugh Robertson: I am happy to do so, Mr Speaker. Local Community Sport Mr Speaker: I am extremely grateful to the Minister. 7. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): What steps she is taking to build on the success of the London 2012 Broadband Olympics in local community sport. [120638] The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media 8. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): What steps and Sport (Hugh Robertson): Through Places People her Department is taking to improve access to Play, Sport England is investing £135 million in community broadband. [120639] sport facilities and local community sport, and to date over 700 community sport facilities have benefited from The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport the programme. In addition, the new youth sport strategy (Maria Miller): We are making good progress. Almost includes funding to help local authorities improve sport all areas have an agreed local broadband plan to provision and investment to enable schools to open up deliver 90% superfast broadband and universal standard their sporting facilities for use by local communities. broadband coverage under our rural broadband programme. Five projects have completed procurement Neil Carmichael: I thank the Minister for that reply. and we expect the remainder to have entered into contracts The Paralympics received a fantastic response, but can by next summer. Lead responsibility for rural broadband we extend those good things to ensure that wherever in Scotland lies with the Scottish Government, who possible everybody has access to community sport— have been allocated funding of over £100 million by my obviously with a focus on disabled people? Department. 411 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 412

Ann McKechin: The Secretary of State will be aware In addition, Sport England is investing £30 million over that broadband coverage in Glasgow is, at 60%, well the next three years to support new large-scale multi-sport below the UK average, and that the recent application facilities. for superfast broadband was surprisingly rejected by her Department. Will she give me her personal assurance John Mann: There is one planned. Emily Race is the that she will work with the city council, the Scottish top 11-year-old heptathlete medal-winning prospect in Government and other partners in Glasgow to ensure the country, but she has to practise on a grass football that it can benefit from superfast broadband, because field. If my area can put together two thirds of the without it Scotland’s economy will suffer? money, will the Minister join me in twisting the appropriate arms to ensure that the national sports bodies find the Maria Miller: I share the hon. Lady’s concern to other third, so that her and others’ dreams and ambitions ensure that more people have access to faster broadband can be realised? as soon as they can. That is why we will shortly announce funding for the first 10 super-connected cities. Bids Hugh Robertson: Particularly after the feats of Jessica from up to 27 second-tier cities are due by 17 September. Ennis earlier this summer, I am sure that everybody Edinburgh will be among the first 10 cities to which across the House will join me and the hon. Gentleman funding will be allocated, and Glasgow can apply in the in wishing Emily Race all the best. The possibility of second round. I urge her, too, to work with the Scottish doing what he suggests through the Sport England fund Government on these matters. is absolutely there, and I encourage him to make a bid.

Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Suffolk 4G Spectrum county council will announce its decision in the next few weeks, but the exciting development of 4G roll-out 11. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): What assessment by existing operators is welcome news. Will my right she has made of Ofcom’s decision to allow Everything hon. Friend update the House on the progress that Everywhere to use the 4G spectrum from September Ofcom is making on the other spectrum that will bring 2012. [120644] 4G nationally? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Maria Miller: My hon. Friend will be aware that we Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Ihave continue to work with the Commission to clarify state made no assessment of Ofcom’s decision. The decision aid details prior to our being able to proceed with that to allow the variation to Everything Everywhere’s licence part of our programme. We anticipate Commission to allow 4G services in their spectrum at 1,800 MHz is approval in the autumn and will continue as rapidly as for Ofcom to make as the independent regulator. possible to ensure that we make the necessary progress. Our country needs better connectivity to ensure that we John Glen: I thank the Minister for his reply, but are competitive in future. would he not agree that in an era when consumers are taking out 18-month contracts, it is essential that Ofcom Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): May I add moves quickly to ensure that monopoly power does not my congratulations to the right hon. Lady? The reshuffle become entrenched and consumers can benefit from was supposed to be the delivery reshuffle. At questions genuine competition in the 4G spectrum? last week, the Prime Minister said he wanted the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend is right about the importance the economy by focusing on broadband roll-out. Will of competition. Not only is EE, as we must learn to call the Minister assure the House that, by 2015, 90% of the it, about to roll out 4G services, but we are working with country will have superfast broadband? Ofcom to ensure that we can proceed with our auction as quickly as possible and bring 4G services to all Maria Miller: The hon. Lady will know that the mobile operators. reshuffle has delivered some very fast changes. We had announcements last Friday on freeing up the roll-out of Topical Questions superfast broadband from some of the regulations and red tape preventing us from moving forward as fast as Mr Speaker: I remind the House that topical questions we need to. I hope that she will join me in encouraging and answers are supposed, by convention, to be briefer. her constituents and others to support our measures. T1. [120651] Priti Patel (Witham) (Con): If she will Heptathletes: Facilities make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

9. John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): How many facilities The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for heptathletes are planned for construction in the (Maria Miller): The thoughts of everyone in the Chamber next four years. [120642] will be with the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. Before I turn to the distressing The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media report published by the Hillsborough independent panel and Sport (Hugh Robertson): The honest answer to the yesterday, I want to place on the record my sincere hon. Gentleman’s question is none, because heptathlons thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the generally take place in athletics stadiums, and the Olympic London Olympics and Paralympics. stadium will remain in use as an athletics venue as part As has been said, 2012 will be remembered as the best of the sporting legacy of the London games and will ever summer in our sporting history. At the start of the host the London 2017 world athletics championships. Olympics, Lord Coe said: 413 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 414

“These games will bring out the best in us”, and to Paralympics GB. All of us absolutely want to do and our athletes answered that call. They did so through everything possible to build on that and use it to encourage not only what they achieved but how they achieved it. more young women to get into sport. They are incredible role models and they did the country proud. But they are not alone. The success of the games T4. [120656] John Pugh (Southport) (LD): What was due to thousands of businesses and organisations— assessment have the Government made of problem gambling on the internet, given the prevalence of the Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry, but I must say to the advertising? Secretary of State that although I absolutely understand the spirit of her remarks, it is an abuse to use topical Hugh Robertson: It is absolutely our intention to questions to make a statement. She must give a brief tackle the issue by regulating gambling at the point of initial answer and then the supplementary will follow. consumption. Proposals to that effect will be brought That is the situation—always has been, always will be. forward later this year.

Maria Miller: Thank you, Mr Speaker. T3. [120655] Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): I I would like very briefly to note yesterday’s panel am sorry that the Minister responded to my hon. Friend report on the Hillsborough disaster and say that our the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford), the shadow thoughts are with the families. Minister, by accusing him of whining for raising genuine concerns about school sport. Does he not accept that the cuts to the school sports partnership will seriously Priti Patel: I congratulate my right hon. Friend on undermine the 14-to-25 strategy? coming to her new position and associate myself with her opening remarks. Hugh Robertson: Let me be clear about this. The Tourism supports 54,000 jobs in Essex and contributes point I am simply making is that hon. Members cannot more than £3 billion to our local economy. Will she join criticise a policy if they do not have a policy, and the me in congratulating the tourism sector in Essex and Opposition do not, at this moment, have a policy. attend the Visit Essex tourism conference on 14 November [Interruption.] No, no; I think I heard the shadow to see at first hand the excellent work done there and the Chancellor saying that there would be no restoration of contribution that these individuals make to our local funding and that the Opposition could not make wide- economy? ranging funding commitments. If the Opposition do not have the money to restore the partnership, the Maria Miller: I thank my hon. Friend for that question. better approach is to follow the advice very wisely The Olympics also played their part in Essex, which offered by the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West hosted the mountain biking competition, at Hadleigh Norwood (Dame Tessa Jowell), which is to ensure that farm. The Government will continue to do everything we work together to deliver the improvements we all they can to support tourism in Essex, and I hope to want to see in school sport and deliver a proper legacy come along and see it for myself in the not-too-distant from London 2012. future. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): T2. [120653] Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) Will the Minister join me in congratulating Sir John (Lab): The all-party group on women’s sport and Major on his foresight in setting up the national lottery fitness wants to see our fantastic women athletes in the and direct funding of sport, which is seen as a major media, inspiring girls and women of all ages to take contributory factor to our amazing Olympics success? part in sport. However, outside the Olympics, women’s Does that not show that a good Government can leave a sport gets 5% of the media coverage and less than 1% legacy that can be enjoyed for generations, whereas a of the commercial sponsorship. Do Ministers agree bad Government just leave debts that take generations that this must change, and will DCMS Ministers work to pay off? with the all-party group over the coming months to ensure that it does? Hugh Robertson: Absolutely, and it is noticeable that many of the legacy programmes from London 2012 are The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media being run as a direct result of this Government’s decision and Sport (Hugh Robertson): The answer to that is to restore national lottery funding to the levels envisaged absolutely yes. We were trying—[Interruption.] by Sir John Major. The figure was 13.7% when we took office; it is 20% now, and that is what is underpinning the legacy. Mr Speaker: Order. I do not know what this chuntering from a sedentary position is about; all I know is that who answers the question is a matter for those on the T5. [120657] Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): In Treasury Bench. Let us hear from the Minister. Northern Ireland we were immensely proud of the huge success enjoyed by Northern Ireland competitors in the recent Olympic and Paralympic games, including Hugh Robertson: I would have thought that my answering the rowing successes of Richard and Peter Chambers, was encouragingly non-gender specific. and Alan Campbell. However, although officially they We were trying to work this out earlier, but I have a competed for Team GB and NI, it is all too frequently suspicion that the first medal at London 2012, the first abbreviated to Team GB. Is there any prospect of the gold and, indeed, the last medal were all won by female Government rebranding Team GB as Team UK, so athletes. They made a huge contribution, both to Team GB that all four nations are fully reflected in the success? 415 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 416

Hugh Robertson: This is a question that is raised on Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): many occasions by people from Northern Ireland. The Ministers will be aware of the proposed changes to honest answer is no, because the decision is outside the listed building consents. Can they give me an assurance remit of Government. Athletes are selected by the British that no radical changes to a listed building will take Olympic Association. The team is called Team GB for place without full consideration and positive consent historic reasons that predate the events that led to the having been obtained from a council, rather than following formation of Northern Ireland, and I see no sign of the absence of a response from a council? that changing in the near future. Mr Vaizey: The previous Minister for heritage, my Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): Many parts of hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Argyll and Bute have no mobile phone coverage, which Penrose), did an excellent job of consulting on this is bad for business and can make it difficult to get help issue, and I pay tribute to the hard work that he has in an emergency. Will the Government please tell us done to promote the heritage sector over the past two what plans they have to extend mobile phone coverage years. The consultation has now closed and we will in Argyll and Bute? consider the responses. The sentiments of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, (Paul Maynard) are well made. Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Iam delighted to be able to tell my hon. Friend that we have T8. [120660] John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): The the mobile infrastructure project, which we are currently Football Association taskforce that I recently chaired procuring and which is putting £150 million precisely highlighted a huge variation in the quality of stewarding into bringing mobile phone coverage to constituencies at professional football matches. Will the Sports Minister such as his. pursue that issue with the football authorities, given the dangers inherent in that situation? T6. [120658] Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op): Can the Minister for sport update Hugh Robertson: Yes. the House on when the Government expert group on involving supporters in the governance of football will be convened? HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Hugh Robertson: Yes; we are awaiting the findings of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport. I The hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter pay tribute to its work on this issue, as I have on many Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, occasions. As soon as we have the report back, we will was asked— announce the next steps. Palace of Westminster: Refurbishment Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): The Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media 1. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage discussions the Commission has had with the (Mr Vaizey), will recall a meeting to discuss the better Parliamentary Works Directorate on the possibility of regulation of DMOL, which organises channel listings vacating the Palace of Westminster to facilitate the for Freeview, at which he undertook to take a look at renewal of the fabric of the building and an overhaul of the matter. Will he update the House on any progress its essential facilities. [120661] that has been made? 6. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): What Mr Vaizey: Yes; my understanding is that DMOL assessment the Commission has made of the risk of applied to Ofcom, effectively to have its electronic exposure to asbestos in the Palace of Westminster; and programme guide regulated by Ofcom. I will write to if he will make a statement. [120666] my hon. Friend with the full details of the implications. 8. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What T7. [120659] Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): plans he has for the Palace of Westminster to close for Many of my constituents cannot even get moderately refurbishment. [120669] fast broadband. They are therefore desperate for the introduction of superfast broadband, but 2015 is too John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) far away. Aberdeen will be bidding to become one of (LD): I reassure hon. Members that no decisions have the superfast cities. Can the Secretary of State give us been taken as yet. Such a project would be a major an assurance that the criteria will include not only ease undertaking, and a final decision will not be taken for of installation and density of population but factors some time and would probably be a matter for both such as the industries that will depend on having Houses. This will clearly require careful study and planning. superfast broadband? Aberdeen is an important Most of the current Palace of Westminster dates economic driver in the north-east of Scotland. from the mid-19th century, and much of the external structure and weatherproofing has been untouched since Maria Miller: The hon. Lady makes an important then. Many of the utilities and services inside the Palace point, and I hope that she will join me in encouraging date back 60 or 70 years. There is a major backlog of her local authorities to adopt the kind of deregulation remedial work, including that involving asbestos, which of planning issues that will help to speed up the delivery is being professionally assessed and must be remediated of broadband and reduce the costs. in accordance with regulations. 417 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 418

In January this year the Commission appointed a Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ study group to examine all the possibilities, including a Co-op): If the House of Commons Commission gets its temporary relocation of Parliament. The group was skates on, we have a fantastic facility in Hackney in east assisted by two Members from each House. The report London—the Emmedia centre. While it awaits a tenant, of the study group is not yet finalised, but it is expected it could happily house Parliament in the interim while to be submitted to the Commission and the House the work is done. There is a seven-minute shuttle to St Committee of the House of Lords at the end of next Pancras, City airport on the doorstep, excellent transport month. links and it is 20 minutes to Westminster, so will the House of Commons Commission consider a temporary Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman appeared to say all relocation of Parliament to “Eastminster”? that without having to breathe. I am extremely impressed. John Thurso: I am delighted to reassure the hon. Mr Hollobone: The Palace of Westminster is a place Lady that at this stage, with the Commission not yet of work for thousands of people, yet the fabric and having received the report, all options can be placed on facilities in many areas of the building date back to the the table. However, the option that is ultimately chosen 1840s. Clearly, the cost of bringing the building up to will follow best practice, best value and the best advice modern standards could be billions of pounds. When is that we receive. the House of Commons Commission likely to get its first estimate of the total cost of doing up the building? Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): It would be totally unacceptable for the House not to sit for three John Thurso: The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely months, so I hope we will continue with September good point. It is difficult at this stage to make a proper sittings. Does the hon. Gentleman accept that if the assessment of the cost, but we expect the report to patching-up work is going to be very costly and possibly contain an assessment of the various costs and, therefore, carry on for years, it would be far better to reach a brave an indication of the best avenue to pursue. The Commission decision and do the job properly from the start? will ensure that it pursues the best value for money, which will involve a combination of the lowest-cost option and keeping Parliament functioning properly. John Thurso: The hon. Gentleman makes a very good point. As I said, from my experience in another life, I Michael Fabricant: If Parliament is to be decanted, have found that it is usually better to take two or more may I make a shameless bid for it to be decanted to years and get the job done than to be inconvenienced Birmingham? [Interruption.] Why not? It is our second and unable to work properly for 10 years. I stress, city. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the cost of doing however, that we are at a very early stage; it is for the the works over 10 years would be considerably higher professional advice to be given first, and then for the than the cost of decanting and doing the work over two Commission to make a decision in the light of that or three years? advice.

John Thurso: On my hon. Friend’s suggestion about Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): I suggest that the Birmingham, I cannot possibly comment. In regard to hon. Gentleman’s answer on asbestos is much too the costs, it is my experience from my past life that a complacent. It is incredible that we are being brought decant and a quick contract are often preferable to a back here when every day I go into my office, I meet series of contracts with no decant, but that is a matter men in white coats—[Laughter]—wearing protective for the study, and we must be led by the evidence that is clothing and gas masks. We have staff wandering around produced. We will follow that properly. in this building, yet we have reports on the dangers of asbestos here going back to 2005. I suggest that the Pauline Latham: I thank the hon. Gentleman for hon. Gentleman should take this matter far more seriously. those answers. My concern is about decanting and its cost. Does he view the September sittings as a significant barrier to achieving the necessary repairs without completely Mr Speaker: I cannot imagine that the right hon. closing Parliament? A contractor could be let in during Lady keeps eccentric company; that is quite beyond my the long summer period, and while I acknowledge what imagination. the hon. Gentleman said, this would be preferable to hon. Members. John Thurso: I can assure the right hon. Lady that I take asbestos extremely seriously, as does the Commission; John Thurso: The hon. Lady makes a good point but more importantly, the Parliamentary Director of about the September sittings. I have given evidence on Estates does, too. Asbestos is not dangerous if undisturbed. the subject. Again, there is a balance to be struck All areas of the Palace have been properly surveyed. between the cost of a day’s sitting and the advantage Where remedial action is taken, the work force operate one might gain on a contract, but in this case we are within full health and safety dictates and do so as safely into something of a quite different magnitude. There is as possible. I am constantly reassured by the House already estimated to be £1 billion-worth of backlog, authorities in this area. My answer was necessarily and these are not contracts of 10 or 11 weeks; they are short, given that I had to answer three questions and seriously big contracts, so all options to ensure best given the orders for brevity issued from the Chair. I value for the taxpayer and allow the Commission to assure the right hon. Lady that this matter is taken make the right choice must be looked at. extremely seriously. 419 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 420

LEADER OF THE HOUSE Mr Lansley: I seem to recall that Labour Members wanted the time for Deputy Prime Minister’s questions to be extended. The Leader of the House was asked— 7. [120667]Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) Scrutiny (Con): I welcome the Leader of the House to his new position. May I ask him to consider improving scrutiny 2. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural What plans he has to improve scrutiny of the Affairs by extending the time allocated to oral questions to its Secretary of State? Government by the House. [120662] Mr Lansley: I am aware of my hon. Friend’s interest The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew in that issue. I think that the time available for DEFRA Lansley): As Leader of the House, I want to ensure that questions has proved adequate, and we have no plans to the public see the Government reporting to and being change it at present. accountable to this House. As a Government, we have increased the number of ministerial statements in Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): It is two and a half comparison with the previous Government; given more years since the Wright reform of the election of Chairmen time for the Report stages of Bills; and published more of Select Committees was introduced. At that time Bills in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny. We are also there were very few candidates for some of the posts, encouraging public engagement in the House’s scrutiny, and in the case of one Committee there was only one with public reading stage pilots and, as I have announced candidate. Would this not be a suitable time for the today, a new 10,000-signature threshold for e-petitions existing Chairmen to resign, so that all Members, including to trigger a Government response. new Members, could have a chance to have their turn, in order that the work of Select Committees could be Katy Clark: I understand that the Government plan refreshed? to introduce a business Committee by the end of 2013. Mr Lansley: I do not think that I would hold myself Can the Leader of the House tell us how he views the or my predecessor responsible for whether people put proposal at this stage, and whether he thinks that such a themselves forward. I think it is perfectly reasonable to Committee will improve scrutiny by giving Back Benchers give Members that opportunity. If they do not take it more of a say in, for example, the timetabling of Bills up, that is a matter for them. and opportunities to vote on amendments? Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I note Mr Lansley: As the House will know, I have the what my right hon. Friend said earlier about responses greatest admiration for the reforms introduced by my to e-petitions with 10,000 signatures. Will he clarify that predecessor, including the creation of the Backbench by telling us what time frame would be involved, and Business Committee, which has provided substantial can he give us any more details? opportunities. The hon. Lady rightly drew attention to the Government’s commitment in the coalition programme, Mr Lansley: I hope that it will be possible to respond and I look forward to constructive discussions about it. rapidly to petitions with 10,000 signatures. I cannot tell the hon. Lady at this stage how quickly we will do it, but Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The Leader I hope that we will do it in a matter of weeks. I want of the House could improve the quality of scrutiny members of the public to feel that they have a genuinely immediately by making the post of Chairman of the interactive relationship with scrutiny of the Government Committee of Selection an elected post. Would it not be in the House, which involves direct responses to their totally absurd if an independent Chairman of that use of the website and, indeed, to their e-mail addresses. Committee were replaced overnight by a former Whip? Ministerial Statements

Mr Lansley: Again, I pay tribute to my predecessor. 3. Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ The introduction of elections to membership of Select Co-op): Whether the Government plan to impose Committees represents a considerable step forward in penalties on Ministers who fail to observe the House’s terms of Members’ ability to determine the shape of expectations in regard to statements. [120663] decision making in the House. However, it is also important for the Committee of Selection to reflect the interests of The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom the parties— Brake): The Government are committed to making key policy announcements in Parliament, a principle that is set out clearly in the Ministerial Code. As the right hon. Mr Bone: Of the House. Gentleman will know, the House had an opportunity to debate the issue in December last year. The premise that Mr Lansley: Both sides of the House have an interest specific penalties should be imposed by the House over in getting business through, as well as respecting the and above those already available was considered and rights of Back Benchers. rejected during that debate. David Wright (Telford) (Lab): Could we get rid of Alun Michael: I congratulate the Deputy Leader of Deputy Prime Minister’s Question Time, because he is the House on delivering that reply with a straight face, hopeless, and introduce a format enabling Boris Johnson but let us be honest: we all know that announcements to come and give evidence to the House, because he should be made in this House first, but the temptation clearly has more influence over Government policy? of a quick headline and some media coverage trumps 421 Oral Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 422 virtue almost every time, especially within the walls of Tom Brake: I do not know the detail of what was No. 10. Does the Deputy Leader of the House agree announced, but sometimes such statements do not address that Ministers need to know that there is a certain matters of policy, but instead express the direction in penalty for that, such as promotion to the Whips Office which the Government are going. or being hung by their toenails from the Elizabeth Tower, in order to ensure that virtue prevails? Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): The fact that we have both a new Leader and Deputy Tom Brake: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for Leader of the House presents us with an excellent that. He is an experienced and respected parliamentarian, opportunity to establish higher standards in how the and he will be aware of the range of measures that are Government report matters of concern to this House. available to put a Minister on the spot over any alleged Will the Deputy Leader therefore take this opportunity failure to make the most important policy announcements to give a guarantee that the Government will report to this House. They include urgent questions, Select statements to this House before briefing the media? Committee investigations, Prime Minister’s questions, points of order and raising matters in the Backbench Tom Brake: It is clear from the ministerial code that Business Committee. I hope he agrees that that is an that is precisely what Ministers are required to do, and impressive list of effective sanctions against errant Ministers. as we know, if necessary the Speaker will intervene and force a Minister’s hand if that is required. Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): The Pre-legislative Scrutiny Government have increased the number of ministerial statements made to this House, and you, Mr Speaker, 4. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): have increased the use of urgent questions to hold the What plans he has for pre-legislative scrutiny of Government to account, which is also welcome. However, Government Bills. [120664] it sometimes feels as if there is not much point in attending events such as the Budget debate or the The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Queen’s Speech debate, as one has read all about them Lansley): The Government are committed, wherever in the previous Sunday’s newspapers, which shows that possible, to publishing legislation in draft with a view to not enough is yet being done. Will the Government pre-legislative scrutiny. We have published nine sets of consider making use of Westminster Hall, or elsewhere, draft measures so far this Session and will publish more in order to have far more ministerial statements and, as it progresses. crucially, far more opportunities for Back-Benchers to scrutinise what Ministers are up to? Diana Johnson: But given the right hon. Gentleman’s unfortunate experience with the Health and Social Care Tom Brake: It is worth pointing out that over the Bill, does he not agree that it would be best for all recent period there have been 32 Prime Minister’s statements. Government Bills to have extensive scrutiny before reaching We are making more statements per day than under the the Floor of the House? previous Government. I agree, however, that it would be a good idea to allow Westminster Hall to be used for Mr Lansley: I think the hon. Lady and the House will oral statements, and the Leader of the House has recognise that it is not possible for all Bills to have expressed support for that. pre-legislative scrutiny, but as I said, the Government have published a substantial number of such measures. Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): In which case why, at When I was Secretary of State for Health, we published 10 o’clock today, did the Minister for Universities and the Care and Support Bill in draft for pre-legislative Science make an announcement on changing the scrutiny—I look forward to its commencement this immigration policy at a conference a long way from autumn—and it has also been the subject of both here? consultation and a public reading stage. 423 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 424

Business of the House yesterday, those of us in the Opposition fully associate ourselves with the very welcome apology the Prime Minister made to the families and to the people of 11.33 am Liverpool. Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of The contents of the report are scandalous. There is the House give us the business for next week? shock and anger at the revelations that an opportunity to save the lives of so many was missed. There is shock The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew and anger at the despicable and self-serving lies told Lansley): The business for next week will be: about the fans’ behaviour on the day. There is disbelief that the truth has been concealed for 23 long years. I MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER—Second Reading of the Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill. pay tribute to the families who have campaigned for justice for so long—without them yesterday would not TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER—Motion on the conference have been as it was. I also pay tribute to the work of all recess Adjournment, the format of which has been Members of this House representing Merseyside seats specified by the Backbench Business Committee. Colleagues and others who have campaigned for justice, including will wish to be reminded that the House will meet at my right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy 11.30 am on this day. Burnham), and my hon. Friends the Members for Garston The business for the week commencing 15 October and Halewood (Maria Eagle) and for Liverpool, Walton will include: (Steve Rotheram). Does the Leader of the House agree MONDAY 15 OCTOBER—Consideration in Committee that this shows the value of Members of Parliament and remaining stages of the Infrastructure (Financial who represent and fight for the communities they serve? Assistance) Bill. Last night, the chief constable of South Yorkshire TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER—Remaining stages of the police said that it looked on the face of it as if some Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (day one). police officers had broken the law. This morning, the WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER—Conclusion of remaining ex-chief constable of South Yorkshire, Richard Wells, stages of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. said that it is “absolutely essential”to pursue prosecutions in the Hillsborough case. At the same time, one of those THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER—A debate on a motion relating officers who appears to have been involved in orchestrating to the disbandment of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal the cover up is currently a serving chief constable. Regiment of Fusiliers, followed by a debate on a motion relating to the use of intercept evidence in courts and Yesterday, the House was united in its response. May inquests. The subjects for these debates have been nominated I assure the Leader of the House that we stand ready to by the Backbench Business Committee. co-operate in any way that is helpful in finally achieving a just resolution? Can the Leader of the House explain FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER—Private Members’ Bills. what the Government’s course of action will now be to The provisional business for the week commencing hold to account those who did wrong and deliver justice 22 October will include: for the families, now that we finally have the truth? On MONDAY 22 OCTOBER—Second Reading of the Public setting aside the flawed coroners’ verdicts, could the Service Pensions Bill. Leader of the House arrange for the Attorney-General I should also like to inform the House that the to make a statement before recess on the next steps? We business in Westminster Hall for 17 September and welcome the fact that there was a statement yesterday 18 October will be: and the commitment to a full debate in Government time. I note what the Leader of the House said in his MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER—A debate on the e-petition statement, but many members will want to contribute relating to the west coast main line franchise decision. to the debate, so could he be a little more forthcoming THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER—A general debate on community and update the House on when it will take place? I hope benefit for major infrastructure projects. that it will take place on the Floor of this House and It is also my intention to provide time for a debate on not in Westminster Hall. Hillsborough, as announced by my right hon. Friend The Chancellor has finally plucked up the courage to the Prime Minister during his statement yesterday. come to this House at the start of December to make Colleagues will also wish to know that my right hon. his autumn statement. We know that the new Environment Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver the Secretary is a climate change sceptic, but the Chancellor autumn statement on Wednesday 5 December. clearly thinks the climate is warming because in his mind autumn now extends well into December. Given Ms Eagle: The whole House will be shocked and that this Government have decided that autumn now saddened by the murder in Libya of the US ambassador extends into December, can the Leader of the House and three other members of the United States diplomatic assure us that the Prime Minister has no plans to cancel staff. It will inevitably raise concerns about the safety Christmas? and security of our own diplomats in Libya and elsewhere Yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Leader of the in the region. May we have an urgent statement from Opposition asked the Prime Minister about the the Foreign Secretary on what action the Government Government’s target to cut debt by 2015. Given that are taking to protect Foreign Office staff in the region? borrowing is up 25% and that the Government are We welcome the publication of the Government’s briefing that the Chancellor will abandon his debt target papers on the Hillsborough disaster yesterday and the completely, will the Leader of the House arrange for the report by the Bishop of Liverpool—that was a process Chancellor to make an urgent statement in this House we began in government. As my right hon. Friend the on whether the Government are still committed to the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) said target? 425 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 426

The hon. Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock) As far as Christmas is concerned, I am in favour of gave an interview to The Spectator this week in which Christmas. Oliver Cromwell, when Lord Privy Seal—an he compared himself favourably to Churchill, Pitt and office I now have the privilege of holding—abolished Disraeli. Now, we all share his joy at his appointment to Christmas but, although we are fond of precedent in ministerial office after striving so hard to be noticed, this place, I have no plans or intentions to do the same. but it is not immediately apparent to me, or I suspect to anyone else, why the Under-Secretary of State for Skills Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle) (Con): thinks he has quite matched the achievements of some Although many tributes were paid to him last week outstanding British Prime Ministers. Will the Leader of when I was in my constituency, may I, as Father of the the House arrange for the hon. Gentleman to make a House, thank the previous Leader of the House, my statement before the recess to enlighten us on his obvious right hon. Friend the Member for North West Hampshire powers? (Sir George Young), for his service to the House? I have known every Leader of the House since Harry Crookshank Mr Lansley: I think we share across the House a sense in the 1950s, and to my mind my right hon. Friend of outrage at the attacks on US diplomatic staff in ranks high among the best of them. Libya. As the hon. Lady rightly says, the Foreign Secretary, who was in Cairo, responded and made clear the Mr Lansley: The Father of the House, once again, Government’s condolences to the US Government. The rightly and appropriately speaks on behalf of us all. attacks of course remind us of the dangers our diplomatic staff run, which we know very well from other such Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): May incidents. I know that the Foreign Secretary, if he can, I add my voice to those who support the statement and will update the House on how arrangements to secure campaign of the families affected by the Hillsborough our staff around the world are being pursued. disaster? The campaigners used the then-new e-petitions Having sat here yesterday and heard the report from system to take their campaign to the House so that the Hillsborough Independent Panel, I share the House’s Members could bring forward yesterday’s statement. sense of shock and outrage. From my point of view, as a That points out the importance of e-petitions to the former Secretary of State for Health, I know that House. people might not always be able to achieve the standard I welcome the announcement that the 10,000-signature in professional and public service responsibilities that threshold will now trigger a response from the Government. so many of us believe they would want, but it is shocking Will the Leader of the House work with the Backbench that some would go to such lengths to deny the truth, Business Committee to ensure that every single instigator spread misinformation, not follow the evidence or the and signatory of an e-petition will eventually get some science and, in those circumstances, leave the families kind of response from us? with no awareness of what the post-mortems genuinely meant or what the possibilities had been. I completely Mr Lansley: I enjoyed listening to the work of the share the hon. Lady’s sense of shock that that occurred. Backbench Business Committee this week. I intend to As the hon. Lady rightly said, what has happened is work with the hon. Lady and Members across the very much to the credit of the families and Members of House, including my colleagues in the Government, to this House. In response to her question, it does indicate ensure that those who give their time and energy to the value of Members of Parliament, and I pay tribute bringing issues before the House feel that they are to the way Members have pursued the issues over many responded to properly and timeously. years. It says something about the value of this House that we are not part of the establishment, and should Several hon. Members rose— not see ourselves as such; we are beyond it, with people being accountable to this House. We should use this Mr Speaker: Order. A large number of right hon. and House and its powers and privileges to deliver that hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye, but it is sense of accountability. In following up the panel’s highly unlikely that I shall be able to accommodate report, we must continue to make the House exactly them all today. There is a statement on Afghanistan to that kind of forum for achieving that sense of accountability. follow and two debates under the auspices of the Backbench Clearly, Ministers and other authorities must follow Business Committee. I seek to maximise the number of up the panel’s report. I know that the Attorney-General contributors, so there will be a premium on brevity will keep the House informed, as the Prime Minister from the Back Benches and Front Benches alike. made clear yesterday, and I will of course keep in close touch with him about keeping the House updated on James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con): whatever decisions he might reach. I have announced a May we have a debate on the future of the Shoeburyness- debate, which will take place on the Floor of the House, to-Fenchurch Street line, which is currently under tender? and I am sure that, with the usual channels, we will Specifically, can the Government give my commuter expedite that so that it can take place as soon as constituents reassurance that good rolling stock will possible, and talk about when the appropriate moment not be replaced with old, dirty rolling stock without air for the debate will be. conditioning? The hon. Lady asked about fiscal policy. I have to tell her that the Government’s fiscal policy is very clear, and Mr Lansley: The choice of rolling stock is a matter it enables our plans to meet the targets. With regard to for the franchisee, but it must meet the franchise conditions. forecasts, the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast, The competition to which my hon. Friend refers is, of for example, is due at the autumn statement, which I course, live, so I shall not make any further comment on announced today will take place on 5 December. the bids. 427 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 428

Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen) (Lab): May Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): We do need to we have an early debate on the marking of GCSE have the debate about GCSE marking that was requested. English exams this summer? It is clear that tens of Why will not the Government and Ofqual listen to thousands of young people went home in June, confident Mike Whiting, the Conservative cabinet member in that they had done everything that their teachers and Kent county council who said that regrading should the examiners asked them to do, only to get devastating take place? Do we not need an urgent debate in the results in August. As Ofqual is accountable to the House in Government time? House, should we not have the chance to debate whether the damage being done to those young people’s careers Mr Lansley: I will not repeat what I have said other far outweighs any impact of regrading in line with the than to say that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of January assessments? State for Education is absolutely right to say that there was no political interference. Ofqual is an independent Mr Lansley: I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman regulator, and we should respect its independence and will have seen that the Education Committee is pursuing its determination to maintain standards. precisely those issues, and it is right that it should. The Secretary of State for Education was absolutely right to Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Four incredibly say that Ofqual is an independent regulator. He did not brave women of the Special Operations Executive were interfere with its decisions, and, frankly, the Welsh murdered by the SS in Ravensbrück concentration camp Education Minister is wrong in seeking to substitute his on or shortly before 5 February 1945. Their names were own judgment. Denise Bloch, Cecily Lefort, Lilian Rolfe and Violette Szabo, who was later awarded the George cross. Former Member of Parliament, Nicholas Bennett, recently visited Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): May Ravensbrück and can find no obvious memorial to we have a debate on bigotry, which will enable the many those real heroes. I am sure that my right hon. Friend, hon. Members who hold a traditional view of marriage and all Members of this House, will join me in calling not to declare an interest? on the Government to rectify this situation.

Mr Lansley: I am in favour of marriage and I do not Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend is right. The courage of think we need to debate bigotry because in the House the men and women of the Special Operations Executive we seek to engage with all our affairs in a way that was remarkable. Members of the House will recall that respects good language. If my hon. Friend is referring three years ago that courage was recognised with a to the draft of a speech for the Deputy Prime Minister, I memorial on the Albert embankment, including a statue reassure him that the Deputy Prime Minister did not of Violette Szabo. None the less, what my hon. Friend make the remarks and nor did he intend to. has said about Ravensbrück camp will no doubt have been noticed by the German embassy here. Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): May we have an urgent debate on the situation in Yemen? On Tuesday, Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): When, and from whom, the Yemeni Defence Minister narrowly escaped may we expect a statement indicating that the Honours assassination and today 5,000 Yemenis have stormed Forfeiture Committee is going to look at the honours the American embassy in Sana’a. The country is sliding attached to the names of anyone who was implicated in into civil war. Please may we have an urgent statement? the scandalous syndicate of deceit that was exposed yesterday? When it does so, will it also consider the case Mr Lansley: The right hon. Gentleman has raised an of Derek Wilford, who was clearly indicted by the issue that we all recognise is both urgent and increasingly Savile report? difficult. I will, of course, talk to my colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about it. I do not Mr Lansley: If I may, I will ask colleagues with those have knowledge of any immediate opportunity for debate, responsibilities to write to the hon. Gentleman about but I will talk to them about how they might further those matters, and ask that I be informed about what report to the House. the timetable is for considering them. Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): The Backbench Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): Business Committee has been an outstanding success, Yesterday I hosted a meeting for MPs about the ongoing and I pay particular tribute to the hon. Member for humanitarian crisis in Syria. We heard numerous tales North East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel) for her leadership of aid not getting through to the people who really need in it. However, does the Leader of the House agree that it. When we return from the conference season, may we an excessively large number of set-piece debates that have a debate or statement on the effectiveness of aid used to take place in Government time are now held in and what changes need to be made to make sure that it Backbench Business Committee time? Is there now an is getting to the people who need it? opportunity to increase the amount of time given to Backbench Business Committee debates or, alternatively, Mr Lansley: I will of course ask my colleagues how to bring back Government-time debates for defence they might further report to the House. However, I and other things? remind hon. Members that the UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the Syrian people, and that it is Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his helping to deliver emergency food aid to 80,000 people recognition of what a step forward the Backbench a month, shelter for 9,000 families, and urgent medical Business Committee is. We look forward to it continuing care for over 50,000 people affected by the fighting. to do its work. As I understand it, part of the intention 429 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 430 following the Wright Committee was that some of the Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) debates that were scheduled in Government time should (Con): The ongoing saga of Post Office procurement is be treated as part of the responsibility of the Backbench getting rather out of hand. There is still no information Business Committee. coming to sub-postmasters from the Post Office. If the Post Office loses the procurement bid, rural post offices Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): Will will disappear. May we please have a statement or a the Leader of the House ask the Foreign Secretary to debate in this House to discuss what is plan B should come to the House before we rise for the recess to clarify this go wrong? the Government’s intentions if, as expected, the United Nations General Assembly is asked to vote before we Mr Lansley: I presume that my hon. Friend is talking reassemble on the admission of Palestine as a non-member about the vehicle excise duty contract. That is a live state of the UN? Last year many hon. Members found procurement and, as such, it would be incredibly difficult it inexplicable, given the UK’s policies, that we should to have any kind of a debate about it. I assure him and have abstained on the motion at the Security Council. the House that last year Government business passing At that time, the Foreign Secretary said that in the event through post offices increased in value, which it had not of a motion at the UN General Assembly, different done for a number of years previously. I reiterate that, considerations would apply. As this matter could be as I said last week, the post office local model is giving resolved one way or the other before we reassemble, post offices additional possibilities and business may we have a statement so that we can respond before opportunities, and I hope that that will continue. the House rises? Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): May I draw the Leader of the House’s attention to early-day Mr Lansley: The House will be aware of the motion 523? Government’s view, which I think is widely shared, that the right route is to a two-state solution through negotiation. [That this House deplores the decision of HSBC to That will continue to be the Government’s approach. close its branch located in Shildon, County Durham; Indeed, depending on the events at the UN General notes that in light of this decision the town of Shildon, Assembly, Her Majesty’s Government will be seeking to home to over 10,000 residents, will be left without any promote such a negotiated solution. banking facilities meaning residents will be forced to travel several miles to get to their nearest bank; further notes that this decision is especially deplorable in light of Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Has my right hon. the fact that HSBC made a pre-tax profit of £13.7 billion Friend seen my early-day motion 489? last year and paid their Chief Executive just under £8 million; [That this House notes that the Charity Commission has and finally calls for HSBC to review urgently its decision formally recognised druids as a religion and granted them to close its branch in Shildon.] charitable status, even though they have just 300 members; The disgraceful proposal to close the HSBC bank questions why therefore the Charity Commission has branch in Shildon will leave 10,000 people without any not recognised the Christian Brethren church, which has banking facilities at all. Will the Leader of the House 16,000 members and more than 300 churches across the make time for us to have a debate on how the banks country; further notes the extensive community and charitable treat ordinary people? outreach that the Brethren church does, which has significant public benefit; and finally calls on the Charity Commission Mr Lansley: I have every sympathy with the hon. to stop the discrimination against this Christian church Lady. I remember that in my own constituency, some and to have a level playing field for all religions.] 10-plus years ago, branches of HSBC, Barclays and May we have a debate on the Charity Commission Lloyds shut down in villages. As the years have gone on, and the recognition of religious groups to find out why much of that closure programme has made it increasingly it recognises druids but does not recognise the Christian difficult for people to obtain cash and to undertake Brethren, who have 16,000 members and 300 churches some of their business. I know that this concerns the across the country? House, and I will raise it with my colleagues. It may come up again when banking reform proposals come Mr Lansley: Yes, I have seen the early-day motion in before the House. my hon. Friend’s name. Of course, the Charity Commission is not a regulator of religion, and it should be explaining Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): May we have an its responsibilities and doing so in a way that commands early debate on restoring public trust in the police? The confidence. majority of police are professional, hard-working and honest, but an increasing minority are not, and too often they are pensioned off after internal disciplinary Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): A high street procedures rather than going before the criminal courts, payday loan broker in my constituency has been standing even when they are known to have committed a criminal outside a primary school handing out balloons to children act. and leaflets asking if they are struggling to afford a school uniform. May we have an urgent debate on Mr Lansley: I think that that is one of the many effective regulation of this predatory sector? reasons why the whole House will have been shocked by the concerted effort, including by police officers, to Mr Lansley: I will, if I may, invite my hon. Friends misinform and mislead people about the nature of what from the Department for Education to respond on that happened at Hillsborough. This is, in a sense, part of a issue, with which I confess I am not familiar. wider issue about culture. I hope that in discussions 431 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 432

[Mr Lansley] Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): Yesterday the Department of Health announced the warm home with my hon. Friends and the new Minister for Policing scheme. Could we have a debate on the wide range of and Criminal Justice we may be able to address, together measures that the Government are introducing to tackle with the police service, further changes in culture. I fuel poverty, so that Members of this House can work would not say that there have not been substantial with their communities to make sure that the people changes. I know personally many of those who feel that who most need the help get it this winter? over the years there have been substantial changes in the right direction in the police service, but we must Mr Lansley: I am pleased that my colleagues at the look critically at whether more can be done to make Department of Health were able to follow up last year’s sure that there is a culture of openness, transparency initiative of a warm homes healthy people fund and and accountability. support local authorities and charities with further provision, which was announced earlier this year. It is Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Leader of all about taking practical steps to ensure that people the House will recall from his previous position the who are vulnerable and frail can be supported by importance of physical activity in promoting the health community action. of the nation and programmes such as Move It that deliver it across the spectrum for thousands of young Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): people. Will he therefore consider a debate on the Could we have a debate on the ever-increasing energy Olympic legacy, particularly in relation to what that costs? It is clear that neither we as politicians nor the legacy can mean for the health of the nation? regulatory bodies are doing anything to protect our constituents. Will the Leader of the House look at what Mr Lansley: Yes. I share the hon. Gentleman’s view. I powers this House has to say to major energy companies, hope there will be an opportunity for the House to “As long as you are recording record profits and as long debate not only the physical, economic and related as you are awarding yourselves £1 million bonuses, you legacies, but the legacy of promoting sport, which we are not doing it at the expense of our constituents”? will do through competitive games in schools, by extending the School games, by improving engagement with Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will recall how the community sports clubs, and by promoting physical Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy activity as well as competitive sport. That is what the Secretary focused on the issue of energy costs more Change4Life and Games4Life programmes have sought than a year ago. They, along with the regulator, Ofgem, to do and will continue to do. have been focusing on how we can ensure that energy costs and opportunities for those who are at risk with regard to fuel costs are able to access the best possible Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): price for energy. Will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to all the athletes who took part in the British Transplant games, which were held in my constituency? Linked to Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): When pre-legislative that, could we have a debate on organ donation and scrutiny takes place on the draft Care and Support Bill, transplants, which help save lives? how will my right hon. Friend ensure that every Member of the House will be able to engage in the detail, rather than its being a Second Reading debate on a grander Mr Lansley: I will, of course, look at whether scale? opportunities will emerge for a discussion about organ donation and I recognise that there is an ongoing debate Mr Lansley: Our intention is that the pre-legislative in Wales about the character of the organ donation scrutiny will be undertaken jointly between the two programme. I thank my hon. Friend for mentioning the Houses—I hope that that is what will happen. As with Transplant games. Papworth and Addenbrooke’s hospitals any pre-legislative scrutiny, all Members of this House in my constituency probably conduct more transplants will have an opportunity to make representations about in total than anywhere else in the country. I never fail to the Bill’s character to the Joint Committee. be amazed by what is achieved by those who provide transplant services. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): The GCSE fiasco is of major national significance. It affects the lives of Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): thousands of young people in their ability to get Following on from the Business Secretary’s answer to apprenticeships and jobs and to go on to further study. an urgent question on Monday, could we have a debate We need a debate in this House and should not just about this country’s industrial policy? It is hugely important. leave it to the 11 members of the Education Committee. It is about how we pay our way in the world, how we We owe it to the 376,000 young people who took their ensure that we have a robust tax base and how we will GCSEs this year to have a debate in this House. provide high-paying jobs in the future, so it deserves a major debate in this House. Mr Lansley: If the hon. Gentleman feels strongly about that, he may wish to talk to his Front-Bench Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman may wish to raise colleagues about how they choose to use Opposition with his Front-Bench colleagues their choice of time for time. I listened to my right hon. Friend the Education debates. What the Business Secretary said clearly is that Secretary giving excellent answers when he gave evidence not only are the Government focusing on an industrial to the Education Committee, and I would think that strategy to deliver growth, but the range of measures that provides it with a very good basis for its own and our ability to do so are increasing all the time. inquiry. 433 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 434

Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): May we Mr Lansley: I recall that development. Clearly, these have an urgent debate on community health services? In are commercial matters for the companies concerned, Milton Keynes the strategic health authority has advised but there will be matters of substantial public interest in the primary care trust to progress with an NHS-only relation not only to the Government as a customer, but competitive procurement for our community health to the Government holding a golden share. I will make service. This goes against a strong local wish for a sure that my colleagues are aware of the need, as I am managed transfer and potentially undermines the innovation sure they are, to report to the House when the time and benefit our integrated service is delivering. comes.

Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend and his neighbour, my Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): The Government hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes North appear to be indulging in a mashup, as popularised by (Mark Lancaster), have discussed this and I had intended the television programme “Glee”. Last week, the Leader to meet him. I hope that this might be able to be of the House told me that there was no variance in pursued with my successor as Health Secretary. We are policy on Sunday trading pre and post-Olympics; yet always clear where such changes take place that, while it the Secretary of State for Communities and Local is important to make progress, to do so quickly and to Government has told the Telegraph that he is willing to have a system that is viable, it is vital that it carries the take a long, hard look at different trading patterns. confidence of the local decision makers—the council, Could we have an urgent statement to clear up this the public and the clinical commissioners—in how we mashup? go forward.

Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): Will the Mr Lansley: What I said last week was accurate and Leader of the House give an assurance that the annual continues to be true. The fact that one is continuously debate on fish quota allocations will take place in this looking at issues, as one does in government—I know House later this year, in advance of the completion of that only too well—does not mean that one has changed the negotiations in Brussels? one’s position.

Mr Lansley: I will, if I may, make an announcement Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Many of my on that in business questions at a later date. constituents who are members of trade unions are moderate people who do not think that the best way to Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): May we lift this country out of recession is to cripple it with have a debate about donations to political parties and strikes. In view of the TUC’s comments this week and their influence? I and many colleagues are concerned given that many strikes are held on the back of very low about the unions that are calling for co-ordinated action turnouts in strike ballots, will my right hon. Friend to bring the country to its knees and the amount of bring forward a debate on whether such a small minority money that they donate to the Opposition. of people should be able to hold the country to ransom at such a difficult time? Mr Lansley: Yes, of course. As Leader of the House, I do not engage in any partisan activity, but it is important Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend makes a very good that all parties recognise on whose behalf we make point. I was interested to see that only 27% of members representations to the House—we make them on behalf of the National Union of Teachers voted in its ballot. It of our constituents. We should not do so, whether as seems to be utterly wrong for the education of young individual Members or as parties, on the basis of outside people potentially to be prejudiced on the basis of a vested interests, and that applies to the Labour party clear lack of participation among members of that with regard to the trade unions. union.

Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Could Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): The Leader of the we have a debate on tourism? Does the Leader of the House will know that the Health and Safety Executive House agree that the exciting discovery of what might has described asbestos as be the remains of Richard III in a Leicester city car “the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.” park has the potential to hugely benefit the city of Leicester in terms of tourism? Does he also agree that if Those of us who work in this building have a right to those remains turn out to belong to Richard III, they know, in detail, what is the situation with asbestos here. should be laid to rest at Leicester cathedral? Please may we have a written statement so that we know precisely what is the situation, rather than having to rely Mr Lansley: I should probably not venture into the on conversations with the men in white coats? latter point, but I have followed this archaeological inquiry with great interest. It is an exciting potential Mr Lansley: The right hon. Lady and the House will discovery. have heard what my hon. Friend the Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (John Thurso) said about Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): Could we have a statement that. He was entirely accurate. I do not need to be or a debate in light of last night’s announcement of the persuaded of the importance of ensuring that asbestos proposed merger between BAE Systems and the European is dealt with properly and that people are not exposed Aeronautic Defence and Space Company? BAE employs to it. I have seen in friends of mine the consequences of tens of thousands of people in the UK, is our biggest exposure to asbestos and of mesothelioma. We will take export manufacturer and is a company in which the UK every step to ensure the safety of Members, staff and Government hold a golden share. visitors to the House. 435 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 436

Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): May Mr Lansley: I am sorry, but I was not here throughout we have an early debate on the charges that some GPs Culture, Media and Sport questions, so I do not know impose on their low-income patients in relation to their whether the hon. Gentleman had a chance to raise that housing needs? I was shocked to learn that one of my issue. I endorse his view that the coverage of the Olympics constituents was charged £35 for such a letter, which is and Paralympics was excellent. In particular, although I half of his weekly benefit. That is wrong. am not always able to do these things, the ability to watch any of the many Olympic sports that were happening Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend raises an important at any given moment was excellent. point. I will discuss it with my hon. Friends at the Department of Health and the Department for Work Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I am fighting and Pensions and ensure that he receives a reply. GPs to keep my local post offices open. That is why I are not in a position to charge their patients for any support the campaign for the renewal of the Driver and NHS services or to provide private health care services Vehicle Licensing Agency services contract. May I add directly to their patients. However, under their contracts my name to the cause for a debate on the importance of and by agreement, there are a number of additional the renewal of that contract and of other Government services that they can provide to their patients that are work to safeguard a strong post office network? outside those that are provided by the NHS. I will, of course, ensure that he receives a reply. Mr Lansley: As my hon. Friend will have heard, I urge Members to look at the positive steps that are Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): being taken and at the increase last year in the Government Given the concerns about the downgrading of school revenue at post offices. That particular contract is a live food standards and the influence of lobbying, may we contract. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to have a debate on why Domino’s Pizza’s shareholders comment during the course of a live contract, nor for decided to donate £50,000 to the Education Secretary’s there to be a debate about a contract during the course local Conservative association? of its procurement.

Mr Lansley: Well, I imagine it was because they think Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): that my right hon. Friend is a first-rate Member of Will the Leader of the House do all he can to encourage Parliament. I know that he would not, and am sure that the Labour Opposition to give us at least the topics of he did not, allow that to influence any decision that he their Opposition day debates at the business statement made. Opposition Members must recognise, as do prior to their taking place? I am not sure whether he is Government Members, that it is important that the aware of what happened on Monday night. We had public support political parties, because otherwise they 20 minutes to prepare and submit an amendment to a cannot exist, function or do their work. However, it is Labour Opposition motion. That is totally unacceptable important that that does not cause any influence. Opposition and is a gross discourtesy to the House, the Speaker and Members should look to the beam in their own eye, the officials. Will the Leader of the House get the because the trade unions not only provide the overwhelming Opposition to get their act together? majority of the Labour party’s money, but exert direct influence over its policy as a consequence. Mr Lansley: I read the hon. Gentleman’s point of order on that issue. In the spirit of the two Front Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Benches, I refer his question to the shadow Leader of In March this year, in response to a written question, the House to reply. the Department for Education stated that it was considering proposals to form military academies. May we have an James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): urgent debate on the role that military academies might May we have a debate on the importance of new transport play in addressing issues such as low aspiration and low infrastructure in regions such as the west midlands, social mobility, particularly in deprived areas? focusing on the potential for investment in new airport capacity in Birmingham and on high-speed rail, to Mr Lansley: Yes, I will ask my hon. Friends to continue the important work of rebalancing the British respond on that. The Government welcome the role economy? of military cadet forces, which can help tremendously to engage young people. We recently announced a Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will have a good £10.5 million-plus expansion of school-based cadet forces, opportunity to raise that important point and related which will create a further 200 units by 2015. Of course, issues in the debate on the Infrastructure (Financial free schools and academies have the flexibility to extend Assistance) Bill on Monday. The Bill will enable us to such an ethos in their schools. I am sure that the do much more to provide such important infrastructure Department for Education and the Government would investment by using our credibility in the international welcome that. money markets and the low cost of borrowing to drive forward long-term investment in infrastructure. David Wright (Telford) (Lab): The coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics on television was outstanding Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ and brought the country together. Can we have a debate Co-op): At oral questions last week, the Minister for on free-to-air sports productions for UK consumers? the Cabinet Office suggested that gaps in the Contracts Many people feel locked out from being able to watch Finder website in relation to contracts between Atos major sporting events, such as the Ryder cup and test Origin and Atos Healthcare and the Government were match cricket, live. Can we look again at the events that due to contracts signed under the previous Government. are on the national register? On checking that, I found that at least three significant 437 Business of the House13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Business of the House 438 contracts, including one worth £200 million between not now react to public opinion, which is saying that for the Department for International Development and goodness’ sake, we must bring our troops out of harm’s Atos, are not listed. Can we have a statement from the way and away from a war that has become a mission Minister for the Cabinet Office about the accuracy of impossible? that website, which he promotes constantly? Mr Lansley: My right hon. Friend the International Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised Development Secretary is in her place and will be to hear that I do not know whether what he says is true making the quarterly statement on Afghanistan immediately or what the position is. I will simply, if I may, refer the following business questions. If the hon. Gentleman matter to my hon. Friends and ensure that he receives a seeks to catch your eye, Mr Speaker, he may have an response. opportunity to raise that issue.

John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): Dr Stuart Smallwood, Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): May the respected headmaster of Bishop Wordsworth’s school we have a debate on the future management of acute in Salisbury, wrote to me this week to express great hospitals, particularly in London? I ask because there is concern that strike action has been approved by just now survey evidence showing that a significant number over one in five members of the National Union of of members of the Royal College of Physicians would Teachers. Will my right hon. Friend urge the Education not recommend their hospital for the treatment of their Secretary to bring forward legislation so that there is a friends and family. minimum threshold before such disruptive action can take place? Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will recall that the Prime Minister and I have rightly emphasised the friends Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend and the head teacher of and family test. It involves both staff and patients being the school in his constituency make an important point. asked whether they would recommend their services. From my conversations with leaders of trade unions My colleagues at the Department of Health will over a number of years, I think that when they clearly continuously examine how we can improve acute hospital do not have a compelling mandate for action, they services. I have discussed the future hospital programme should take that into consideration. I simply urge the with the Royal College of Physicians, and what we are teaching unions not to proceed with industrial action. It doing to modernise the NHS will absolutely address the is not in the best interests of the children, and it is not issues that it raises. As it says, we should recognise that justified by any grievance that they have brought forward. the increasing burden of ill health among older people, which is a consequence of increased life expectancy, Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): On 16 July, the then should increasingly be managed through improvements Secretary of State for Transport announced in a statement to services in the community. That will mean that we that a competition was to be launched to invite bids for can focus hospital services on patients who genuinely new train stations. Since then, nothing has been heard. need to be in hospital. The competition could help Ferryhill in my constituency, which has been crying out for a new train station for Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): In years. May we have another statement on when exactly the north-west of England, the four police authorities the competition will start and what the rules are, so that are merging some civilian parts of the Forensic Science if possible, Ferryhill can get a bid together? Service’s functions with unseemly haste on the back of the closure of the FSS, before the system has been able Mr Lansley: I was very impressed by the announcements to bed in. Will the Leader of the House organise an that were made just before the summer on the future rail urgent debate on that important subject, as that appears network, which were substantial and wide-ranging. I do to be happening before the police and crime commissioner not know the answer to that particular question, but I elections? Will he ask the Home Secretary to publish will ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for any documents that give guidance to chief constables Transport to respond. on the matter?

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I Mr Lansley: I will of course ask the Home Secretary congratulate the Leader of the House on how he has about that, but it strikes me that the hon. Gentleman answered all these difficult questions? May I ask him a might seek to secure a debate on the Adjournment gentle and easy one? Can he confirm that, as is political about it. convention, the only business on tomorrow’s Order Paper will be private Members’ Bills? Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): On Monday, I attended the Delegated Legislation Committee Mr Lansley: So far as I am aware, yes. on the criminal injuries compensation scheme. At the end of the debate the Minister in charge did not move Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Our colleagues in the motion because of the level of opposition to the the New Zealand Parliament have just decided to bring Government’s proposals to slash compensation for the their troops out of Afghanistan a year earlier than victims of crime. May we now have a statement providing planned. The Parliaments of Canada and the Netherlands assurances that compensation will not be cut? have already brought their troops home and they are safely back in their own countries. With the situation in Mr Lansley: I think my colleagues at the Ministry of Afghanistan getting worse than ever and a record number Justice will make a statement to the House in due of NATO troops having been murdered by the Afghans course, but I will discuss with them when they might do whom they are training, arming and funding, must we that. 439 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 440

Afghanistan also working closely with ISAF and the Afghan Government to take concrete action to reduce as far as 12.24 pm possible the potential for such incidents in the future. Developing the Afghan national security forces is a key The Secretary of State for International Development part of our strategy. They have an essential role in (Justine Greening): With permission, Mr Speaker, I providing long-term security and governance in will present a quarterly review of our progress in Afghanistan. Partnering is not without risk, but it is Afghanistan, following the Prime Minister’s statement essential to success. The incidents in question are not after the G8 and NATO summits in May. This statement representative of the overwhelming majority of Afghan represents the combined assessment of the Department security forces, and in fact every day, tens of thousands for International Development, the Foreign and of coalition forces work successfully alongside their Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. Afghan partners in a trusting relationship, without I begin by paying tribute to the brave men and incident. women of our armed forces. As of today, 427 British We continue to support an Afghan-led political process troops have lost their lives since the conflict began in as the means to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. 2001, including 33 since the beginning of this year. We recognise that the way forward will be challenging, They have made sacrifices that the House and the but we remain committed to supporting the Afghan British people acknowledge with the utmost gratitude Government’s efforts. We also recognise that security and admiration. We all recognise the considerable challenges and stability in Afghanistan are in the mutual interest that they continue to face in protecting Britain’s national of all its neighbours, who have, in different ways, suffered security and that of the Afghan people. as a result of Afghanistan’s instability during the past I also join the Foreign Secretary in condemning the 20 years. brutal and senseless attack on the US consulate in Benghazi yesterday. It only serves to highlight the risks In November 2011, Afghanistan and its neighbours that personnel face as they work for peace and stability agreed to take forward regional dialogue and co-operation in countries in transition. In Afghanistan, we have strict through the Istanbul process. As part of that process, security regimes in place to keep UK officials safe, and the Foreign Secretary attended the Heart of Asia ministerial of course our arrangements are kept under constant conference in Kabul on 14 June together with Foreign review. Ministers from the region and supporting countries. We are in Afghanistan to protect our own national The final declaration reaffirmed participants’ support security by helping the Afghans take control of theirs. for sovereignty and regional co-operation. Participants Our objectives in Afghanistan, which are shared by our also agreed to implement key confidence-building measures international partners, the Afghan Government and the and the UK has offered to provide assistance to develop Afghan people, remain the same—an Afghan state that chambers of commerce, tackle the narcotics trade and is able to maintain its own security and prevent the support counter-terrorism and disaster management country from being used as a safe haven by international activities. We will continue to engage with that process terrorists. In pursuit of that aim, we are helping the and the lead regional countries. Afghans develop their national security forces, make Further highlighting the UK’s commitment to progress towards a sustainable political settlement and Afghanistan, the Prime Minister visited Kabul and build a viable Afghan state that can provide for its Camp Bastion in mid-July. In Kabul, the Prime Minister people. participated in a trilateral meeting with President Karzai Security transition remains on track, and in May the and Pakistani Prime Minister Ashraf on the common Afghan Government announced the third of five tranches goal of security and stability in the region. Nevertheless, of areas that will start the process. Once fully implemented, we know that transition to a stable, peaceful and prosperous it will mean that all 34 provinces will have areas that Afghanistan will require significant economic growth have begun transition. Significantly, in tranche 3, Afghans and development as well as progress on security and an will be taking lead security responsibility for 75% of the Afghan-led political settlement supported by its neighbours. population, including in all three districts that make up Task Force Helmand, the UK’s area of operations. With that in mind, we continue to promote growth and to help to build up the private sector to provide Our training efforts are delivering tangible results. opportunities for the Afghan people. For example, since The Afghan national security forces are increasingly the beginning of this year our assistance has provided moving to the fore in delivering security, and their more than 7,000 men and women in Helmand province capability and confidence continues to improve. By with technical and vocational education and training, mid-2013 we expect the Afghans to be in the security tailored to the needs of the local private sector, enabling lead across the country. They are deploying in formed them to get the jobs they need and to start their own units, carrying out their own operations and planning businesses. More than 80% of those graduates are now complex security arrangements. After 2014 any residual employed, providing a better life for their families. insurgent threat will be tackled by capable Afghan forces trained and equipped to manage their own security At the same time we continue to help the Afghan effectively. Although the international security assistance Government to increase tax revenues. In May, domestic force coalition continues to play a key role, it is right revenue tax collection had increased to more than that it is increasingly a supporting one. $2 billion, a 23% year-on-year increase and more than The increase in so-called insider threat attacks is of eight times the level of revenue collected in 2004-05 course concerning. We routinely assess and refine our when UK support began. As the Select Committee on force protection to meet mission requirements and to International Development’s recent report on tax in best ensure the personal safety of our forces. We are developing countries has rightly highlighted, increasing 441 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 442 revenue generation is absolutely vital for countries such send a clear message to the Taliban that they cannot as Afghanistan to help to reduce their dependence on wait us out and that now is the time to participate in a international assistance over time. peaceful political process. Afghanistan has enormous potential. The country’s UK aid is helping Afghan civil society organisations vast mineral wealth could transform its long-term economic and local communities to hold their Government to prospects and the UK Government are helping the account. For example, through the Tawanmandi civil Afghans to capitalise on that, accountably and transparently, society programme, Afghan women’s organisations are for the benefit of their people. Local government institutions raising awareness of the elimination of violence against are beginning to have a transformative effect on the women law, holding Government bodies to account for lives of urban and rural communities by delivering its implementation and supporting female victims. In better public services and strengthening infrastructure, addition, thanks to UK support, by the end of the year again supported by UK aid. With the right amount of about 470 communities will be able to monitor Afghan international support in place and the commitment of Government public works programmes to ensure they the Afghan Government to take forward essential reforms, deliver what they have promised. the Afghan people aspire to a peaceful and prosperous As we progress towards full security transition at the future, which will support the UK’s national security end of 2014 it is vital that international assistance, interests, too. I look forward to taking forward that including from the UK, continues to deliver such results work alongside my right hon. Friends from the Foreign so that ordinary Afghans can have faith in their Government and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence to provide an alternative to the insurgency and a better in the months and years ahead. life for their families. In previous statements, Members of this House have pointed out that Afghanistan faces 12.36 pm an uncertain financial future that could put future Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South) (Lab): I thank the Secretary peace and stability at risk. With that in mind, my of State for sending me a copy of her statement in predecessor led the UK delegation at the Tokyo conference advance. Let me take this opportunity to welcome her in July. Partners committed $16 billion, or $4 billion per to one of the best jobs in government. I hope that she annum, through to 2015 to meet Afghanistan’s essential has had time to reflect on how privileged she is to lead a development needs. At that conference, the UK announced Government development agency that is a global leader that we will provide development assistance to Afghanistan in reducing poverty and earns widespread respect for at the current levels of £178 million per annum up to our country around the world. 2017 and will continue to support Afghanistan right through the “transformation decade” from 2015 to I also welcome the hon. Member for Hornsey and 2024. Many other partners followed our lead and thanks Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) to this excellent to the efforts of the UK Government, the conference Department and place on the record my appreciation declaration commits the international community to and respect for the contribution the hon. Member for meeting Afghanistan’s budget shortfall until at least Eddisbury (Mr O’Brien) made to the Department for 2017. International Development—his is one of the sackings that will raise many questions among Members on the Our continued support, however, will require the Government Benches. Government of Afghanistan to implement the reform Whatever political differences I have had with the commitments set out in the Tokyo mutual accountability right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), framework. The framework acknowledges the importance nobody disputes his commitment to international of better governance, economic growth and regional development or the respect he earned across the sector co-operation and calls on the Government of Afghanistan during his period as Secretary of State. He is sitting to deliver progress on elections, corruption, economic next to the former Secretary of State for Health—the management and human rights. It includes a strong and Government Front Bench today could be called “detox specific focus on the rights of women as a prerequisite and retox”, as while the right hon. Member for Sutton for peace and prosperity. At the request of the Afghan Coldfield was detoxifying the Conservative brand, the Government, the UK agreed to co-chair the first ministerial right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) review of progress against the Tokyo commitments in was retoxifying it—[Interruption.] I shall have plenty of 2014. We therefore intend to play a major role in time to mention the right hon. Member for Rutland and holding the Afghan Government and partners to account Melton (Mr Duncan). I am sure that the hon. Member for their commitments to each other. for Hornsey and Wood Green has been sent to the Department in part to keep an eye on him. Since Tokyo, the Afghan Government have taken I join the Secretary of State in condemning the attack steps to demonstrate their intent. On 26 July, President on the US consulate in Benghazi yesterday and welcome Karzai issued a far-reaching decree on tackling corruption. her assurances about ensuring the necessary protection The decree sets out 164 specific and time-bound instructions for UK personnel serving in Libya. This House for almost all Government ministries. We welcome the overwhelmingly supports ISAF’s mission in Afghanistan vision outlined in the decree and President Karzai’s and we are tremendously proud of the dedication and personal commitment to the agenda. We now need to courage of our armed forces, aid workers and diplomats. see the Government deliver and we will continue to We must always remember and pay tribute to those who support them as they take forward those reforms. have fallen and provide all necessary support to their Taken as a package, the commitments made at Tokyo loved ones left to grieve. and NATO’s security-focused summit at Chicago in It is important to recognise on such occasions the May send a powerful message to the Afghan people and significant progress being made in Afghanistan, where the region that we are there for the long haul. They also more children are attending school, access to health 443 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 444

[Mr Ivan Lewis] shaping the country’s future? Members on all sides of the House will agree that there will be no peace and care is improving and the economy is growing, yet security in Afghanistan without a leading role for women. tremendous challenges remain. Afghanistan is one of Finally, in 34 “green-on-blue”attacks this year, 45 soldiers the poorest and most fragile countries in the world, and have been killed and 69 wounded. In the most recent progress on the millennium development goals is slow. incident on 29 August, an Afghan soldier shot dead There is serious concern at the escalation of “green-on-blue” three Australian soldiers at a base in the south-central attacks, which have led to too many fatalities, raise province of Uruzgan. What protections have the serious questions about the safety of our troops, and Government put in place to protect our forces from hamper the essential work that is being done to strengthen such attacks, and what analysis has been done of their the capacity and professionalism of the Afghan national cause and potential solutions? security forces. As the Government have rightly said, the draw-down Justine Greening: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his of troops must be gradual so that we do not have a kind words about my new role. He was right to pay cliff-edge withdrawal in 2014, and we must ensure that tribute to the work of my hon. Friend the Member for there is no erosion of the international community’s Eddisbury (Mr O’Brien) and my right hon. Friend the commitment to stability in Afghanistan when our forces Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell). In their depart. We have a long-term responsibility to ensure many years at the Department, they made a huge that the Afghan people shape the destiny of their country difference to the importance of UK policy, and that was with the greater stability that is essential for much recognised by the many people with whom I have already needed economic growth and the fight against poverty. spoken about our agenda, including Dr Jim Yong Kim of the World Bank whom I met yesterday for the first I have a number of questions for the Secretary of time. State. Political and institutional development in any The hon. Member for Bury South (Mr Lewis) mentioned country is a slow, long-term project, and a steady—rather funding and corruption,. If the international community than sharp—decline in funding is needed to avoid triggering is to match reform in Afghanistan with funding, as part a worse economic crisis than that already likely. The of the Tokyo mutual accountability framework, we Tokyo conference in July this year was essential, and we must ensure that every pound goes where it is intended. welcome the $16 billion post-2014 funding agreement. That effort, however, must be led by the Afghan In that context, will the Secretary of State confirm Government, and President Karzai was right to announce that it remains Government policy that by next year, wide-ranging steps to ensure that members of the 0.7% of gross national income will be spent on official Government, judiciary and Executive are transparent development assistance, and that the Government will about their interests, and to ensure accountability for support the private Member’s Bill promoted by the hon. the delivery of public services at a local level. The Member for Preston (Mark Hendrick), which would Department supports such measures, and we are funding enshrine that commitment in law? 35 advisers to work in 17 different departments to ensure effective delivery and so that the skills needed for Will the Secretary of State expand on the specific successful delivery are developed over time. mechanism used to ensure that the contribution of the international community is not lost through corruption I understand the rationale behind the hon. Gentleman’s but spent on the priorities outlined in Tokyo and at the question about the Afghan peace and reintegration NATO Chicago summit? Will she comment on the process. It is an important issue and if we are to achieve political process? The Afghan peace and reintegration a sustainable political solution in Afghanistan, all elements programme was bolstered in June when the Helmand of Afghan society must join the dialogue on that. Early provincial peace council and representatives of the Afghan signs are encouraging, but there is a long way to go. The national security forces held a shura—the first of its peace and reintegration process is a key part of that but, kind in Helmand. As the Secretary of State will agree, a as the hon. Gentleman said, a start has been made. I political settlement that brings together local populations will write to him with further details about anticipated with new authority structures is essential to guarantee further steps. lasting and local stability across Afghanistan. Will she On the 2014 election, we are supporting the work of provide an update on how and where the Government the Independent Election Commission, which has a expect the Afghan peace and reintegration programme vital role. The hon. Gentleman spoke about the challenges to develop? faced during the 2010 election, but that was the first democratic election in Afghanistan for 30 years, so of The House will be aware that presidential elections course there were challenges. From that base, however, I will be held in Afghanistan in 2014, and the conduct of believe that real improvements have been made, and it is those elections will be a significant measure of how far right for the Independent Election Commission to oversee the country has come. What work is the Department the process of electoral reform. In 2014 I expect that doing with the Afghan authorities and the international elections will be better run, and I hope that a higher community to ensure that the elections are safe, free proportion of women will participate than in the first and fair? set of elections. Although it was stated at the Bonn conference that The hon. Gentleman mentioned the role of women in the peace process would be “inclusive...regardless of Afghanistan, and in spite of the progress that has been gender”, there have been no specific commitments to made, women in Afghanistan still face huge challenges involve women. What is being done to bring more every day. It was heartening to see women’s rights women into the political process, and ensure that the explicitly mentioned as part of the Tokyo agreement, voice of Afghan women and civil society is heard when and they are now enshrined in the Afghan constitution, 445 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 446 which we wanted to see. The challenge, however, is in progress is very slow. With that in mind, has the Secretary implementation and ensuring that those rights for women of State had a chance to form a view on the Royal exist in reality. It was correct for the Tokyo agreement to United Services Institute report that members of the refer specifically to women’s rights, and we must look to Taliban are prepared to engage in talks? the medium and long term. For example, nearly half of children entering education are now female, and such key building blocks will enable women to take a more Justine Greening: I shall certainly look closely at that prominent role. Just under 30% of Members of the report. On the Taliban, I refer my hon. Friend to my Afghan Parliament are women, and we must ensure earlier comments that a sustainable political solution that in the future, women have the education and training will involve the participation of all members of Afghan that will enable them to participate more fully in Afghan society. President Karzai has been very clear that he society than in the past. wants to engage with the Taliban, but he has three conditions: first, they must renounce violence; secondly, I will conclude my comments—[Interruption.] How they must break their links with al-Qaeda; and thirdly, could I forget? I will not sit down without referring to they must recognise democracy and the fact that they our important 0.7% commitment. Britain has played a should be part of the Afghanistan constitution. leading role in meeting that goal. The coalition agreement is explicit about that and about our intention to legislate, The broader regional talks to which my hon. Friend and we will stick to it. refers are absolutely right. A safe and secure Afghanistan is absolutely in the interests of Pakistan. He mentioned Several hon. Members rose— Russia, but Iran was also at the Istanbul conference. That shows that regional countries understand that Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. A working towards a secure and stable Afghanistan is in large number of Members wish to comment on the everybody’s interests, including the UK’s. statement, which means that questions have to be brief. I will cut hon. Members off if they are not brief, and I will not be able to call anybody who arrived late to the Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): I welcome the statement. Secretary of State to her new role and wish her the best of luck in it. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): May I welcome the Secretary of State to her position? Is she satisfied that Hon. Members have spoken a lot about women in the Government of Afghanistan are doing everything Afghanistan in the past few years, but we need more necessary to deal with the Kabul bank corruption scandal? detail on what talks are going on to protect the considerable gains that have been achieved for them. I meet Afghan Justine Greening: I believe that a lot of progress has women MPs twice a year in Inter-Parliamentary Union been made. As my hon. Friend will be aware, prosecutions delegations. I find it amazing that they feel too constrained will take place, and the United Kingdom—together to be able to speak freely with us because of the person with Canada—is funding a forensic order that will leading the delegation, who is, of course, usually a man. provide an evidence base so that action can be taken. We therefore need to know the detail of what is happening to ensure that the gains made for women are and will be Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): Eighty-seven protected. That is extremely important. per cent. of Afghan women experience at least one form of domestic abuse. In evidence to the Select Committee on International Development, we have heard calls for Justine Greening: I ask the right hon. Lady to take a funding for counselling, hostels and legal services. Will careful look at the Tokyo mutual accountability framework, the Secretary of State commit to funding those services which includes discussions specifically on protecting directly so that UK aid can improve the lives of Afghan women’s rights and, critically, delivering them on the women? ground—I will take a close personal interest in the matter. Justine Greening: I have two things to say in reply to The right hon. Lady asks for specifics. The mutual the hon. Lady. First, much of our support is delivered accountability framework includes ensuring the proper through the Afghan reconstruction trust fund, which implementation of the elimination of violence against supports women in the ways to which she referred. women law, which has been passed, and the national Secondly, women are playing more of a role in supporting action plan for the women of Afghanistan. I understand women—for example, the number of women defence that many people will listen to me and think, “Those are lawyers has risen from something like three to 400. fine words, but what will actually happen on the ground?” Those are the key ingredients we need if women’s rights The key point is that this is a process. The Tokyo are to be not just enshrined in the Afghanistan constitution conference was important because, for the very first but delivered on the ground. I recognise, as she does, time, it solidified in writing many of the reforms that we that a huge amount of progress is still to be made. want the Afghan Government to take forward in return Afghanistan has come a long way, but it started from a for the financing settlement, which sits alongside the low base, and we should be under no illusion—it has reforms, and which will be delivered by the international a long way to go. The role of our country, working with community. our international partners, and, critically, the Afghanistan Government, is key in ensuring that progress continues. Monitoring and reviews will take place, and the UK will play a key role in them. We were asked by the Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): There is Afghan Government to co-chair the first ministerial widespread agreement that a political surge is needed, review in 2014, but, as I am sure the right hon. Lady with regional talks involving the Taliban and regional knows, an officials’ review will take place next year. We countries such as Pakistan, India and Russia, but, sadly, will pay very close attention to the whole agenda. 447 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 448

Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): The Secretary of ensure that the constitution, which enshrines women’s State’s appreciation for Her Majesty’s armed forces will rights, works on the ground as well as on paper. That is be welcomed in the garrison town of Colchester, home incredibly important, and as I have said, I take a close of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Will she give a progress personal interest in it. report on the huge logistic achievement of the summer of 2008, when soldiers from Colchester were involved in Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): I notice that a the transportation of turbines to the Kajaki dam? What motion contains the names of 425 of our brave soldiers has happened since? killed in Afghanistan. Although it was put down last week, it is already out of date—it does not contain the Justine Greening: The hon. Gentleman asks a very names of the two fatalities since then or the names of specific question and it might be better if I reply to him the 2,000 of our soldiers who have returned broken in in writing after the statement. Suffice it to say that he is mind or body, and it cannot contain the names of the right to point out that our troops have played a critical almost certain future deaths, such as those that followed role not just in combat but in supporting the Afghanistan the Falklands and Vietnam wars, when more soldiers Government to rebuild some of the infrastructure that took their lives after the war than died in combat. One the country will need. He mentioned a project in Helmand Welsh soldier took his life this January. He is not province. Alongside that, our troops have played key recorded. How can we respect the self-deluding fiction roles in helping with schools, health care and roads—if in the report? It is another case of our brave soldiers— we are to have a thriving agricultural sector, farmers need to get their produce to market. All that work Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. provided by our troops will be immensely powerful not The hon. Gentleman has made his point, but I said that just in protecting Afghanistan and in working with questions should be brief, however important. Afghanistan forces today, but in building the country we hope can be successful tomorrow. Justine Greening: I think that many people across the country and the House believe that our troops are Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): I welcome the performing a vital role. It is the right thing to do not Secretary of State to her post. I also welcome her only for Afghanistan but for our country. The number commitment to working with women in Afghanistan of terrorism threats to the UK coming out of Afghanistan and her reflection on the importance of the role of has already reduced substantially in recent years. women in peace-building and stability. Will she expand I take issue with the hon. Gentleman on another on what specific role the UK Government can play in point. He referred to servicemen and women coming supporting rural women in Afghanistan to ensure that back battered and broken; I cannot remember the exact they have access to education and financial independence, phrase. and to ensure that they are not only aware of their rights but able to exercise them? Paul Flynn: Broken in mind and spirit.

Justine Greening: The hon. Lady will no doubt Justine Greening: Broken in mind and spirit. The understand that a huge range of different activities are hon. Gentleman only had to watch some of the competitors happening, and not just at national level—provincial at the Paralympics in recent weeks to see that they were and district plans are also in place. The district plans are amazing people who had done amazing things in the very much locally driven, but we are providing assistance. past and would continue to do amazing things in the As I have said, we are providing assistance at national future. We owe them our wholehearted support. level in Ministries to ensure that they are better placed in terms of their skills and capability to deliver at local Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): For level, but we need to see further progress. The Tokyo those of us who opposed our involvement in Afghanistan, mutual accountability framework is the right one to it was obvious from the start that the Taliban would not enable us not only to agree what needs to be done, but be beaten, given the available resources, and that we to track it to ensure that it happens. were fighting the wrong enemy in the wrong country, given the differences between al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): I, too, welcome Yet the key stumbling block to a diplomatic solution my right hon. Friend to her new position. I am sure she remains the American refusal to conduct non-conditional welcomes the fact that the representation of women in talks with the Taliban. They will talk only if the Taliban the Afghan National Assembly is 27%—it is 22% in the lay down their arms and accept the constitution. This UK House of Commons—but there is only one female will not happen. Should the UK Government not be governor in Afghanistan. In addition, through the doing more to get the Americans to change their position? Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I have met After all, we showed in Northern Ireland that it is several Afghani women National Assembly Members possible to talk and fight at the same time. who are concerned about their future, and who feel that they will go backwards when our support and troops Justine Greening: As we have made clear, we believe come out. What will she do to ensure that they retain that the political process towards a sustainable peace their position and that level of representation? should ultimately be led by the Afghan Government. I take my hon. Friend’s point about the Taliban, but it is Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is right to flag up worth reflecting that increasingly their attacks have those understandable concerns. The NATO-led combat been pushed to the fringes of Afghanistan society. In mission will come to an end by the end of 2014. One key fact, 80% now take place in parts of Afghanistan where outcome of the Chicago conference was that NATO just 20% of the population live. So I believe that we are now needs to consider at post-2014 support. We need to making progress, and I hope that over time growing 449 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 450 numbers of Taliban fighters will choose to join the “Afghanvillages and homes were once again turned into a battlefield peaceful discussion on how to reach a political settlement of a ruthless war inflicting irrecoverable losses in both human and and lay down their arms. Steps are being taken in material” Afghanistan to encourage that process to continue. terms. Does she agree? Justine Greening: We have made it clear why we Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): I congratulate believe it important to work with the Afghanistan the Secretary of State on her new role and welcome the Government to create a stable and secure Afghanistan. commitment to women’s rights that she has articulated Obviously, people will have opinions on how action in her statement and answers. When the international there is progressing, but the important thing is that we troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the role of the now look forward. Afghan national army and police force will take on Finally, I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s opening increasing importance. What are she and her ministerial comments. I was proud of what I achieved with my colleagues doing to ensure that the police and army are previous Department. And one of the most important alive to issues of women’s rights and can enforce the law bits of that, of course, was the electrification of the to which she referred many times, so that it becomes a Welsh railways. reality on the ground, not just in the constitution? Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): The Justine Greening: A lot of our work concerns not Secretary of State was right to emphasise the concern in only combat but training, assistance and advice for the this country about the so-called insider threats, or green- Afghan security forces and local police. That is one of on-blue attacks. As ISAF troops withdraw from combat the key routes to maintaining women’s rights. Although action, what can be done to ensure the safety of our we often talk about the departure of British troops in development workers and those of other nations? the coming months, I should emphasise that we will retain a presence so that we can support and train the Justine Greening: It is about ensuring that Afghanistan Afghan national security force to maintain security. As as a whole has a secure and orderly society, whether that the hon. Lady will know, an academy will be set up next involves helping to develop local Afghan police forces, year to continue training the best and brightest Afghan supporting the Afghan national security forces nationally soldiers to play that leadership role. That is one of the so that they have the capacity and capability to deliver key things happening next year. Those building blocks security, or DFID working with departments, for example, will help maintain women’s rights. There is not one to deliver a system of justice and rule of law on which thing alone we can do to make the ultimate difference. people can rely. All those things will create an environment It will involve a series of actions at all levels in Afghan in which positive work can be best achieved. It is an society delivered by many different stakeholders. Over overall support package that will make a difference. The time, that will start to bring a change for the better. I work done by the organisations mentioned has been believe that that change has already begun, however, as critical in supporting Afghan people on the ground as can be seen, for example, by the number of women we go through the complex and huge process of helping elected to the Afghan Parliament in its first elections. to build a state that benefits everyone. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): I Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): As a trustee of a welcome the Secretary of State to her position and UK-based non-governmental organisation, Afghan Action, thank her for the work she did on the reduction of the I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement. Would she Humber bridge tolls in her previous role. be minded at a time convenient to her to meet In her statement, the Secretary of State talked about representatives of UK-based NGOs, such as Afghan promoting growth and building up the private sector. Action, Afghanaid and Turquoise Mountain, to discuss What is being done to help women get into the workplace how, with our partners in Afghanistan, we can maximise and perhaps start their own businesses? our contribution to continued development there? Justine Greening: We are seeing an improvement, Justine Greening: I am pleased that my hon. Friend with more women going into employment, although raises that point. In such a statement, it is often easy to there are still clear differences between men and women fail to mention the huge amount of very important in Afghanistan in terms of pay and wages earned. A lot work done by NGOs, including some of those to which of support is being given, not just to get investment into he referred. I have had the privilege of meeting some of Afghanistan at both the private sector and national the key NGOs involved in international aid, and I levels, but to ensure help and advice in developing small would be delighted to meet some of the organisations and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in rural areas. he has talked about. I will ensure that my office gets in Those are the sorts of routes that will ensure that more touch with him to make that happen. opportunities are opened up for women to participate. In answer to the hon. Lady’s point about the Humber Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) bridge, let me tell her that the very first picture I put up (PC): I welcome the Secretary of State to her new role in my office was of the Greening toll buster beer that and express my disappointment that she has left the was brewed in my name after we reduced the tolls. I position of Secretary of State for Transport, where she hope that I can deliver in this role as well as I hope I did did such a sterling job. The AFP news agency reported in my last. this week that President Karzai had criticised the war Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): on terror. He said that the war I, too, welcome the Secretary of State to her new “was not conducted and pursued as it should have been” position and thank her for her warm support for women’s and that rights. Afghan women are not just victims; they, too, are 451 Afghanistan13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Afghanistan 452

[Nicola Blackwood] forces? That includes not just those who have lost their lives, but the many who have been injured. Does she brave campaigners for women’s rights, but that position agree that their sacrifice not only has enabled capacity comes at a cost. Many, such as Hanifa Safi, who was building in law and order, democracy and governance assassinated this summer, pay the ultimate price. Can to take place, but for the first time has enabled millions my right hon. Friend say what steps she is taking to of children to access an education? That should give us develop a plan to support women human rights defenders great pride, as well as optimism for Afghanistan’s long-term and assist the Afghan Government in protecting their future. female representatives, who face increasing threats? Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Justine Greening: Clearly this is a real issue, and it has One of the things that struck me in my first few days in been raised by many parliamentarians across the House this role is just how common some of the challenges we today. For the first time, women’s rights are now enshrined all face are. Education is the route for all of us to make in the Afghan constitution. We are supporting many of the most of ourselves. That is why it is so important that the departments in Afghanistan that will play a key role children in Afghanistan should also have the chance to in ensuring that those rights are respected and implemented develop into the people they can be. Some 5.9 million on the ground. Having listened to the many questions children—nearly 6 million—are now attending school asked today, I think this is an issue that I will want to in Afghanistan, which is a huge, dramatic increase. pursue with perhaps a number of colleagues across the Nearly 40% or so are now girls. Let us remember that House, in order to tap into their clear knowledge and under the Taliban none of them were girls and there experience in this area over recent months and years. were also far fewer children in school. If we are to see Indeed, I shall ensure that I get such a meeting organised. long-term progress, we have to enable people in Afghanistan, particularly children, to get the knowledge and skills to Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): I met a delegation develop their country themselves. That is one of the of Afghan MPs this summer, and I think the Secretary most important things we are doing. of State is absolutely right to focus on women’s rights and the protection of women. Can she say what targets Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): have been set, and what progress has been made towards I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement. Please meeting them, for reducing deaths in childbirth and can she explain what role the UK is playing in improving infant mortality? governance in Afghanistan? Justine Greening: Obviously we are playing a leading Justine Greening: I do not have those precise statistics role in this area. The most important thing we are doing with me, but clearly improving health care is critical. is supporting Afghan departments to be effective. We For example, we have moved from a position where very have funded advisers helping them not just to work on few children under the age of one had any kind of policy, but to do very straightforward tasks such as vaccine to one where a quarter are now vaccinated. planning budgets, executing budgets and monitoring There is now also much more support for women to financial spend. All those things are relatively ensure fewer deaths in childbirth. I shall write to the straightforward, but they are the key ingredients that hon. Gentleman, and I thank him for the kind note he need to be in place for public services to be delivered sent me on taking up this role. This is an area that I well. When public services are delivered well in Afghanistan, hope we can all focus on together. that will lead to increasing buy-in among the Afghan Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): I, too, warmly welcome people, as they see their country moving in the right my right hon. Friend to her new role. What steps can the direction. If we can do that, it will create, I hope, a more Government take to ensure that those nations that virtuous circle, so that we see more and more development committed to supporting the future of Afghanistan, in continuing in future. Tokyo and in Chicago, stick to that commitment? Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Post-2014 there are likely to be diplomats, military personnel and British Justine Greening: We can make sure that we review contractors left in Afghanistan to help the country. progress against the Tokyo mutual accountability When the planning is done, will my right hon. Friend framework. The progress review will happen regularly. the Secretary of State ensure that the post-2014 medical There are already a number of countries that, alongside arrangements are good, particularly for casualty evacuation? Britain, have made clear financial commitments to continue It does not end when the military leave. to support Afghanistan, while a number of others are yet to confirm exactly what their contributions will be. Justine Greening: I hope that I will be able to provide We secured an overall agreement that £16 billion would my hon. Friend with that assurance. I will pass on his be made available to support the Afghanistan Government concerns to my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary, as they go through their period of reform, and that is and perhaps he will then receive a fuller reply about the just between now and 2016. That is a substantial investment. work that the Ministry of Defence is doing in that There was also clear support for the sense that the next regard. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we have decade needs to be one in which Afghanistan will be to ensure that the safety of troops is paramount. That truly transformed. I am sure that there will be further has been a focus for this Government, and that will discussions about the funding needed beyond 2016 to continue going forward. support that. Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): May I Does the Secretary of State agree that the excellent also congratulate the Secretary of State on her new role work done to win over hearts and minds is undermined and thank her for the tribute she paid to our armed by the use of drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan? 453 Afghanistan 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 454

Does she agree that that needs to change if we are to Points of Order continue winning over the hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan and the border region of Pakistan? 1.19 pm Justine Greening: My hon. Friend asks a complex Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): question in many respects. Ultimately, the focus for this On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I seek Government has principally been to provide support your guidance on the way in which the Home Office for security on the ground, in terms of both combat parliamentary unit is refusing to deal with Members of operations and helping the Afghan national security Parliament. This week, my office contacted the unit to force build up capacity and capability. We are one of a seek guidance as to which new Minister was dealing number of international partners operating in Afghanistan, with a particular area, so that I could address a letter to and we will continue those operations. NATO is looking the correct person. The unit refused to assist me. I then at what the nature of those operations should be post sought a copy of the Home Secretary’s speech to the combat, after 2014. I have no doubt that my hon. Police Superintendents Association conference, as it Friend’s question is an important one that it will be was not on the website. Again, I was refused assistance. reflected on by many people. I also have three named-day questions for answer on 4 September that are still outstanding. The Table Office has advised me to contact the Home Office parliamentary unit, but in the light of the unit’s refusal to deal with me or my office this week, would Madam Deputy Speaker care to comment on whether that would be appropriate?

Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake), is in his place, and he will have heard the hon. Lady’s point of order. I will ensure, with him, that the Leader of the House investigates the matter and reports back not only to Mr Speaker but directly to the hon. Lady on the rather strange circumstances that she is experiencing with the Home Office parliamentary unit.

Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Please could you discuss with Mr Speaker the possibility of the need for a guidance note for Members on the names of deceased persons being used to make a point? I refer to the publication of the names of all the fallen in Afghanistan, many of whom were my constituents. The only communication that I have ever had from the relatives of the deceased has expressed admiration for what their loved ones have done in Afghanistan, and I simply ask whether it is seemly that the names of the fallen should be used to make a point.

Madam Deputy Speaker: I must be frank with the hon. Gentleman on this matter. Rather than giving him a direct response today, I will take the matter to Mr Speaker so that he can reflect on it and decide whether there is a need for further action.

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Youwill know that, before the general election, the Prime Minister promised that his Government would cut net migration to the tens of thousands. He used the phrase, “No ifs. No buts”. The former Immigration Minister, the right hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green), said to the House on 9 July: “A student who comes here for three years or more is as much of an immigrant as somebody who comes on a work visa for two years or more.”—[Official Report, 9 July 2012; Vol. 548, c. 4.] Today, the Minister for Universities and Science has announced—not here in the House, but at a conference in Keele—that the Government have told the Office for National Statistics to “better count students in immigration flows”. 455 Points of Order 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 456

[Chris Bryant] BACKBENCH BUSINESS

That is clearly the first step towards statistically removing students from the Government’s net migration target. Select Committee Inquiry Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not expect you to comment (Aviation Strategy) on the chaos at the heart of the Government, or indeed on the fact that the new Immigration Minister, the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper) has already 1.24 pm lost control of his own brief and policy, given that such Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): announcements are being made by the Universities I beg to move, Minister. Can you confirm, however, that all announcements That this House notes the launch of the Transport Committee’s of that nature should be made to this House, so that inquiry into the UK’s aviation strategy. Members on both sides of the House can criticise the I should like to thank the Backbench Business Committee Government if we think that they are doing something for this opportunity to launch the Transport Select wrong? Can you also confirm that an urgent question, if Committee’s new inquiry into the Government’s aviation sought, could be taken either tomorrow or on Monday? policy and for enabling us to bring our work to the attention of Members and the public in this way. Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Gentleman has put a great deal on the record that was not strictly a Aviation is vital to the UK economy. The air transport point of order. With regard to Ministers making new sector has a turnover of approximately £26 billion and policy announcements, Mr Speaker has made it absolutely provides around 186,000 direct jobs in the UK. More clear that when such announcements are to be made, it than 500,000 jobs depend on the sector and an additional is the House of Commons that should hear them first. 170,000 come as a consequence of visitors arriving by With regard to what the Government might decide to air. Aviation feeds into our manufacturing, tourism and do in the next few days in relation to the business of the freight sectors. It also connects businesses to international House, I am afraid that I am not able to comment, but I markets and allows people to travel across the UK and am sure that the hon. Gentleman will pursue the matter abroad. The industry, however, also has an impact on anyway. the local environment around airports, and its carbon emissions have a global environmental effect.

BILL PRESENTED John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I welcome the inquiry. There is an abundance of inquiries PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS BILL at the moment, so we are all going to be busy. In past Presented and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) inquiries, the focus on emissions has centred on carbon Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the dioxide, and not on the nitrogen oxides that are poisoning Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary large numbers of my constituents and, if the third Theresa May, Secretary Philip Hammond, Secretary runway goes ahead, will poison 35,000 more. Will my Jeremy Hunt, Secretary Michael Gove, Secretary Eric hon. Friend ensure that the inquiry takes that matter Pickles, Danny Alexander, Mr Francis Maude, Sajid into account? Javid and Steve Webb, presented a Bill to make provision for public service pension schemes; and for connected Mrs Ellman: I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. purposes. The Committee will certainly be interested to hear representations on the specific issue that he has raised. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 70) with explanatory The Department for Transport has taken some time notes (Bill 70-EN). in producing its aviation strategy. The coalition rejected plans for a third runway at Heathrow in 2010, but in July this year, the Government published their draft aviation policy framework for consultation. The Government say that their draft policy should make the best use of existing aviation capacity in the short term, while other long-term solutions to increase capacity are being developed. The issue of hub status is particularly contentious. Two years after opposing plans to expand Heathrow, the Government’s draft aviation policy does not include a strategy for maintaining an aviation hub in the UK. Ensuring that the UK has an effective hub airport is important to encourage growth, maintain international connectivity and provide transport services on more marginal routes.

Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): As a member of the Transport Select Committee, I am very much looking forward to working on this important inquiry. Will the hon. Lady confirm that the inquiry’s terms of reference will allow us to consider the interaction of aviation strategy with a high-speed rail network, so 457 Select Committee Inquiry 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Select Committee Inquiry 458 (Aviation Strategy) (Aviation Strategy) that we can explore other hub airport options rather proposals that they want considered during the inquiry— than simply the binary choice between expanding Heathrow otherwise, it will not be an objective inquiry, but a fix and building a Thames estuary airport? for Heathrow? Mrs Ellman: I can confirm that the terms of reference for the inquiry, which are now being published, will Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman makes an important include the particular issue that the hon. Gentleman point, and the Government should consider that in has raised. setting up their inquiry, as should the Chair and members of the inquiry when conducting their business. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond): I hear the hon. Lady’s comments Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): Does the on hub airports. I am sure that her inquiry will wish to hon. Lady share my view that timing the review to reflect on the new Secretary of State’s announcement conclude just a few weeks after the election is an last week that an independent commission was being set extraordinarily cynical move by the Government? Will up to look at all these proposals. I am sure that that will she join me in pressuring the Government to bring the be within its terms of reference. The Government will review forward so that when it comes to either the local very much welcome the Select Committee’s report, and elections in 2014 or the general election in 2015, the we look forward to reading its findings. She will of voters will know what they are voting for? course understand that, in welcoming it, we might not necessarily be able to give an unequivocal welcome to Mrs Ellman: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his its findings. comments, but the responsibility for the decision lies Mrs Ellman: I welcome the Minister to his new with the Government. The Select Committee is a scrutiny position. My colleagues on the Transport Committee committee, and we have decided that it is important to and I look forward to questioning him on this issue. He hold an inquiry now; that is why we are launching it is correct to point out that the Prime Minister announced today. We intend to report in the first part of 2013. last week that an independent commission would be set We will take a wide-ranging look at Government up to look at these issues. However, that commission is policy on aviation, including their current draft strategy, not expected to produce its final report until 2015, so airport capacity and the issue of hub status. Although any decision based on its recommendations will be much of the current public discussion has focused on postponed until the next Parliament, at the earliest. the issues of hub capacity and the south- east, the role of airports outside the south-east and their economic Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does my hon. impacts, both nationally and in the region in which they Friend agree that, as some airports have already reported are situated, are also important issues. that they are losing long-haul flights to hub airports on mainland Europe, there is some urgency in deciding our future aviation strategy, and that waiting until 2015 to Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) (Con): The make the decision when we know how long it takes to hon. Lady is generous with her time. Speaking as an develop any new infrastructure seems like an enormously MP who represents a Medway seat—one that will be long time? directly affected by any proposals for a Thames estuary airport—I ask the hon. Lady to confirm that she will Mrs Ellman: I agree with my hon. Friend. Indeed, be willing to take oral evidence from members of the that is why the Transport Committee is about to launch public who will be directly affected by any of the its own inquiry. proposals? Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): I, too, welcome the opportunities that come with this inquiry. Mrs Ellman: The Committee is calling for the submission Will the hon. Lady confirm that her inquiry will look of evidence and it will then decide who it sees as seriously at the long-term best interests of London, appropriate to invite to give oral evidence. We are which I suggest are not best served by a patch-and-mend asking for the most diverse possible evidence to be attitude towards Heathrow, which, at best, will be able given, and we will consider it all very carefully. to squeeze in one more half-runway before it is completely It is important for Parliament to be involved in the out of room? We really need to look at the long-term aviation debate and to be able to assess the evidence on best interests of London and the south-east. these key issues in the public interest. The Select Committee’s work should enable that to happen. Mrs Ellman: I hope the hon. Lady will note that the terms of reference of our inquiry make it very clear that the Committee will be interested in looking at all Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): All Members possibilities, so we look forward to hearing her thoughts will welcome an independent inquiry, as I suspect we on the issue. already know that the Government’s inquiry will opt for the third runway at Heathrow, and the Mayor of London’s Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): inquiry will go for Boris island. We welcome the The hon. Lady mentioned the commission that is being independence, but will my hon. Friend take on board established by the Government. It will inevitably consider the dismay felt in west London that after many years of the Heathrow proposal, which is shovel ready, and uncertainty, all three main parties were against the third other proposals such as for the Thames estuary airport, runway, but that that consensus has now been overturned? which is much less developed. Is she concerned that this The prospect of a third runway in the middle of London inquiry must not only be objective but be seen to be is not conscionable, so will my hon. Friend consider objective, and that, therefore, it is up to the Government excluding it, as the Mayor’s inquiry does, from her to spend some money on bringing forward the alternative inquiry? 459 Select Committee Inquiry 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Select Committee Inquiry 460 (Aviation Strategy) (Aviation Strategy) Mrs Ellman: I thank my hon. Friend for his comments, use of only London airports as a point of access into but I have to confirm that the Committee has an open the UK. It is interesting to note that people in Iceland mind and that it will be willing—and, indeed, keen—to want to be able to fly to Glasgow rather be forced to fly receive evidence on a diverse range of options, all of to London and then north again to Glasgow. which will be considered. The terms of reference for our inquiry will be published Mrs Ellman: The issues of international agreements on our website today. We want to hear a wide range of and the decision-making powers of the aviation sector views on the Government’s aviation policy, and we are itself are highly relevant to our inquiry. asking a number of questions. I would like briefly to I have referred to environmental concerns, and the outline some of the issues on which we would like to inquiry will address environmental issues. The aviation receive evidence. I emphasise, however, that this is not industry has a number of environmental impacts. The an exclusive list. issue of noise can be particularly important to local We will consider what the objectives of Government residents, and we want to know whether this is being policy on aviation should be. We want to hear about the regulated appropriately. We will also consider the wider benefits aviation brings to the UK economy and how environmental impact of aviation and how the industry important the issue of international aviation connectivity can reduce carbon emissions so that further growth can is to UK industry. We are also interested in hearing be sustainable. We want to consider the full range of about where aviation should fit in the Government’s options. We will, for instance, consider whether a new wider transport strategy, as well as about the impact of airport should be built in the Thames estuary, whether air passenger duty. Should there be a step change in Heathrow should have a third runway, and, indeed, aviation capacity? How should we make best use of whether there are other options. We will approach those existing capacity? The Government hope that their current issues with an open mind, and will consider the evidence strategy will make the best use of capacity in London, submitted to us. but are their current plans sufficient or appropriate? Are airports situated in the regions outside the south-east Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): What sufficiently supported, and do they have a proper place is interesting about the inquiry is that, in allowing for in the Government’s strategy? the possibility of a Thames estuary airport, it seems to Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): My be accepting that it is not a given that the only place hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun where we can have a hub airport is Heathrow. On that (Cathy Jamieson) and I had meetings this morning with basis, we should surely consider the possibility of expanding representatives of Britain’s regional airports, which are our regional airports, such as Manchester and Birmingham, advocating a differential for air passenger duty as a way and creating a further hub in one of the northern of stimulating greater use of regional airports, taking airports rather than always concentrating on the south the pressure off both London Heathrow and Gatwick. of England. This is an interesting suggestion that has recently come forward. My hon. Friend mentioned air passenger duty; Mrs Ellman: The Committee will consider the points will this be an issue that her inquiry will look at? made by the hon. Gentleman. We should be interested to hear evidence along those lines. Mrs Ellman: That issue will be considered, as the terms of reference for our inquiry specifically include it. Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): Given the length We would like to hear about how we could improve of time involved in any solution that the Committee the passenger experience and operational resilience at considers for the south-east, will the hon. Lady ensure UK airports. We invite views on the constraints of that it hears representations from Birmingham business increasing UK aviation capacity and on environmental organisations, and also from Birmingham airport? A concerns. £40 million runway extension is expected to be completed at the airport by 2014, which will allow flights to Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): I thank the various regional cities in China, Brazil, South Africa hon. Lady for being so generous with her time. Air and many other countries with growing economies. passenger duty is an issue that the Select Committee on Northern Ireland has looked at in respect of regional aviation. It is important to share that information, as Mrs Ellman: I thank the hon. Lady for her comments, we heard witness after witness presenting evidence on and, again, look forward to our receiving evidence the impact of APD not just on aviation, but on the along those lines. growth of tourism in the UK generally and its impact We want the public to ensure that their voices are on the wider economy. heard on this important issue. We aim to influence the Government during their policy development process Mrs Ellman: The Committee would be very interested with sensible but challenging recommendations, and to to receive evidence along the lines that the hon. Lady ensure that aviation policy is high on the agenda. mentions, given the importance of looking at the significance of aviation for economies—regional as well as national. John McDonnell: To ensure that the public are engaged, will the Committee consider holding local meetings to Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) discuss Heathrow? (SNP): Will the hon. Lady and her Committee look into the historic reasons for the congestion in the south-east Mrs Ellman: The Committee has not yet decided of England—namely, the signing of bilateral agreements exactly how it will conduct itself, but that may be a between the UK and other countries that stipulated the possibility. 461 Select Committee Inquiry 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 462 (Aviation Strategy) Aviation policy may be controversial, but it is a vital Fuel Prices issue which must be addressed. I hope that the Committee’s inquiry will assist in the development of an appropriate Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Before I policy. call the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) to Question put and agreed to. move the motion, I must inform Members that there will be a five-minute limit on all Back-Bench speeches. Depending on progress, it may be necessary to review that limit during the debate, but we will begin with a five-minute limit. I hope that the mover of the motion will bear that in mind.

1.43 pm Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I beg to move, That this House notes the call for evidence by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on competition in the UK petrol and diesel market; however, believes that the OFT and Financial Services Authority should launch a full investigation into oil firms active in the UK; calls on the Government to consider the emergency steps being taken in other G20 countries to reduce fuel prices; notes, for example, the announcement by President Obama to strengthen federal supervision of the US oil market and to increase penalties for market manipulation, and the move by Germany and Austria to establish a new oil regulator with a remit to help stabilise the price of petrol in those countries; and further urges the OFT to note that the Federal Cartel Office in Germany is now investigating oil firms who are active in the UK following allegations of price fixing. I want to make three points today. First, petrol and diesel have never been more expensive in real terms; secondly, oil companies are uncompetitive, and are not passing on cheaper fuel to motorists; and thirdly, there is increasing evidence that dodgy speculators are rigging the market and forcing up the international price of oil. I should begin by saying that today’s debate is happening partly because of the work of FairFuel UK, the hard work of Peter Carroll and Quentin Wilson in giving a voice to thousands of motorists across the country—in the space of two weeks, they secured 27,000 signatures—The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign, and the work of the independent Petrol Retailers Association, led by Brian Madderson. Above all, however, it is happening thanks to the Backbench Business Committee, which has found time for fuel debates that have had a significant influence on Government policy, and the many Back Benchers who are here today and who have supported me, particularly my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Martin Vickers), the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), the leaders of Plaid Cymru and the Social Democratic and Labour party, and the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil). [HON.MEMBERS: “Western Isles!”] I did practise saying “Na h-Eileanan an Iar” in my office before the debate. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), and many other Members who have been very active. As can be seen on the Order Paper, the motion was signed by more than 80 Members from all parties: this is not a party political issue, but an issue that affects every single one of us and every single one of our constituents. First, let me say something about the cost of fuel. Of course, much of that cost is tax. We have had many debates on the subject, and I am pleased that the Government not only cut fuel tax last year, but cancelled two planned fuel duty rises. The price of petrol is 10p lower than it would have been if the last Government’s plans had been implemented. However, despite the fuel 463 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 464

[Robert Halfon] Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Iam sorry, but I could not see who the hon. Gentleman was tax freeze, prices are still rising, and the Department for in order to call him, because he had turned his back to Energy and Climate Change says that in real terms fuel me. May I remind Members that it is important for has never been more expensive. them to face the Chair? I could not recognise him from the back of his head, but I can now call Mr Lee Scott. Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): Will my hon. Friend give way? Mr Scott: I apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker, although some people do feel that that is my best side. Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): Will I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing the debate. my hon. Friend give way? Last weekend, I happened to have to drive up to Manchester, and I noticed on the M1 that there was a Robert Halfon: Ladies first. difference of some 12p between the price of petrol in Manchester and the price in London, although the Heather Wheeler: I thank my hon. Friend, and dealership was the same. Surely there can be no explanation congratulate him and the Backbench Business Committee for that. Does my hon. Friend share my concern? on securing the debate. My constituents do not understand why fuel prices Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend is right, and I hope are still going up, given that we hear so often that the that he will agree with what I shall say later. actual quote price has gone down enormously. Perhaps I believe that we need to cut taxes on fuel, but given my hon. Friend will say something about that later in that the oil market makes up nearly half the pump his speech. price, oil companies must bear their share of the responsibility. If Members do not believe me, they Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend is a great campaigner should listen to what was said by the former head of against high petrol and diesel prices. Her constituents Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy: are very lucky indeed. She will hear me make exactly the “Filling up the family car has gone up 70% in two years, same observations later. causing what was a steady recovery to go sideways.” Yes, the eurozone is a problem, and so is the overhang Mr Baron: I congratulate my hon. Friend, and support of debt, but it is expensive energy that is really hurting his motion. He mentioned the freezing of fuel tax. May people on low incomes and crushing our economic I suggest that the Government should think more about recovery. extending the freeze for the foreseeable future and, if Secondly, turning to the oil companies, data from the necessary, taking funds from areas in which money is Department of Energy and Climate Change quarterly being spent unwisely? I am thinking of, for example, aid energy prices release show that there is now a three-week for India, a country that has its own aid programme. delay between a fall in oil prices and a drop in petrol That would help many hard-pressed families and businesses prices at the pump. However, even accounting for that, up and down the country. a dossier from the website I founded, petrolpromise.com, proves that cheaper oil was not passed on to UK Robert Halfon: While I strongly believe that we should motorists for most of the last two years. That is true of cut fuel duty as much as possible, I have to say that I am April, July, September, October, November and December a passionate believer in overseas aid, and I am very 2011, and March, April, and May 2012. That is nine out proud that we have the overseas aid policies that we of the last 18 months. have. Nadine Dorries rose— Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is a vital debate, Claire Perry rose— but the Minister was not present at the beginning of it. I wonder whether you could rule on whether or not that Robert Halfon: I shall give way to both my hon. showed a lack of respect for Members and for the Friends in a moment. public at large. In July 2011, oil prices fell by 5%, but petrol prices were unchanged. Then, in March this year, oil prices fell Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Fortunately again by 5%, but petrol prices rose by 10%. Why? I shall the Minister is now present to hear the debate, so no now give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid further comment is required from me. Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries).

Robert Halfon: I must say that I was disappointed by Nadine Dorries rose— the hon. Lady’s point of order. I made it clear at the outset that this was not a party political issue, and the Hon. Members: Answer the question! Minister could not have done more—in his present post, and when he was the Minister responsible for Nadine Dorries: I shall allow my hon. Friend to apprenticeships—to show that he cares deeply about answer that, as he is doing so well so far. In my constituency, issues of this kind. there are students who cannot take their places at Bedford college, in part because their families used to Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Does my hon. be two-car families so there was a second car to transport Friend share my— them around, whereas now lots of families are going 465 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 466 down to having just one car, because the cost of petrol Robert Halfon: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. has increased so much. That is having a huge negative The point he makes highlights why it is so important impact on families. that all of us give evidence to the OFT in order to try to force an inquiry. Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend is right, and I shall make the point in my concluding remarks that this issue Several hon. Members rose— is not just about economics. Although the economics of it is important, I have sought a debate on this subject Robert Halfon: I give way to the hon. Member for because I believe it is about social justice, too, as high Coventry South (Mr Cunningham). petrol prices are hurting the poorest far more than the rich. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): I am one of the signatories to the hon. Gentleman’s motion. Claire Perry: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for Indeed, last year I raised the oil price issue as I had been giving way again. May I point out that in rural down in Cornwall the year before and I noticed that oil constituencies such as mine the situation is particularly tankers were lined up. I am glad we are going to look difficult because there is not sufficient competition among into these cartels—if there are cartels—and the fixing petrol stations to drive prices down, and we are very of oil prices. More importantly, high oil prices feed dependent on our cars as we do not have public transport through in that they lead to people’s cost of living options? rising, such as through increased bus fares or food prices because of higher transport costs. Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend hits the nail on the head. She is absolutely right, and that is why we need an Robert Halfon: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman Office of Fair Trading inquiry. for that intervention, and for supporting the motion. As he rightly says, this affects every man and woman in the Several hon. Members rose— country. Those who do not use cars may well travel on buses, and bus fares have gone up because the price of Robert Halfon: I shall make a little progress, if I may. diesel has gone up. He is precisely right, therefore. Returning to the point I was making, when the oil price rises, it is a different story. In December last year, Several hon. Members rose— oil prices rose by a fraction, and the fuel price at the pumps instantly rose faster and higher. No market is Robert Halfon: I am going to make a little more perfect, but the question for oil wholesalers to answer is progress. this: why are they always benefitting, rather than smaller Returning to the point I was making, slowly the forecourts or the consumer? It is not just motorists who smaller firms are squeezed out of business. Then the are being crushed; small retailers are being crushed, too. “own brand” stations put their prices up. This is exactly In January, independent retailers gave the OFT evidence the same kind of anticompetitive stranglehold that proving that there is anticompetitive pricing, and that breweries have over pubs, as we have heard in this 300 smaller forecourts are being forced out of business House. every year, leading to petrol deserts in some towns. The In my constituency of Harlow, some garages are fact is that most smaller petrol stations are forced to charging 140p for petrol and 144p for diesel, which is a buy from just a few large oil companies, and at massively full 10p more expensive than the cheapest forecourts in higher prices than their “own brand” stations down the the UK. The same complaint was made in Germany road. about five oil wholesalers who are active in the UK. Germany’s Federal Cartel Office—Bundeskartellamt— Mr Marcus Jones: My hon. Friend is making an acted quickly, and opened a criminal investigation. Why important point. Does he agree that it is telling that can’t we do that here in Britain, too? Austria has whereas in 1991 there were 19,247 petrol forecourts in actively started regulating its fuel markets, and the AA this country, as of last year that figure had fallen to has noted the impact of that in respect of keeping fuel 8,480, despite the fact that the number of cars on prices down. If the oil companies have nothing to hide, British roads had risen by 10 million? they could opt for open-book accounting, and be much more transparent. Robert Halfon: The situation my hon. Friend describes is tragic, because when rural communities in particular Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I congratulate lose their petrol station, they do not just lose a petrol the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate. Has he station: they lose a vital community asset. May I give noticed the practice of retail outlets to offer cut-price special thanks to my hon. Friend, too, as were it not for fuel two days a week, which they sometimes do while him and the Backbench Business Committee, of which also offering fuel at a higher price than only a week ago? he is a member, we would not be debating this issue This kind of excessive volatility in oil prices seems today? deliberately designed to confuse motorists so as to make it as hard as possible for them to shop around for John Thurso: On two occasions, the OFT has looked the cheapest fuel. into garages in Caithness for precisely the reasons my hon. Friend has set out. On both occasions, it found Several hon. Members rose— that it is not the small local garages that are at fault; rather, it is the distribution centre and the link between Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. them and the oil companies. I am therefore delighted Many Members are trying to intervene, and many of that my hon. Friend has secured this debate, and I hope them are not on the list of speakers. There are also lots we will now finally get to the heart of the problem. of Members on that list, however, and they may not get 467 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 468

[Madam Deputy Speaker] Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his long campaign, which to speak if this opening contribution takes too long. I I fully support. Residents and businesses in my constituency hope the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) are bemused by a system that is not a free market, bears that in mind. because it is not open and transparent. Until we get that transparency that he is so clearly adumbrating, we will Robert Halfon: May I therefore ask those who want not genuinely achieve success for those we represent. to intervene but who are not on the list of speakers to make brief interventions, and those who are due to Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend is exactly right; the speak not to intervene? key issue is transparency. That is why I am asking, as We have established that fuel is more expensive than are all the MPs who have signed today’s motion, for an ever, and not only because of tax, but because of investigation not just by the OFT, but by the Financial anticompetitiveness in the oil market, and we have seen Services Authority as well. Last year, President Obama that cheaper oil is not being passed on to motorists. saw the same problems in America and he took action Thirdly, there is the allegation of price-fixing. This against rogue traders and banks, bringing in tough means that, even if oil companies were doing the right penalties, including prison, for people convicted of illegal thing, hedge funds and speculators are rigging the price market manipulation. We should do that in Britain, too. of oil to keep it artificially high. In conclusion, it would be churlish of me not to Many academics and financial journalists have said welcome the modest steps taken by the OFT. I am that is happening. In a groundbreaking article in The grateful that it has agreed to hold an inquiry into Daily Telegraph, Rowena Mason showed how oil price whether there should be an inquiry, although I note that “benchmarks” are unregulated and—like LIBOR—are when I first wrote to the OFT earlier in the year it was vulnerable to manipulation. The petrolpromise.com dossier less interested. Its chief executive wrote to me saying shows that the Consumer Federation of America has that raised the same concerns, as have Deutsche Bank, professors “even where we are able to investigate an issue, we may not at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Maryland necessarily do so, as we prioritise our work according to available university and the London School of Economics. resources”. Bloomberg has investigated how banks are buying up That was Sir Humphrey’s way of saying no. However, I strategic stocks of oil and hoarding them on ships at am pleased that the OFT is inching towards a full sea, or in underground silos. investigation. My hope is that this debate will allow A whistleblower who trades the oil futures market MPs to tell the OFT what is happening in their patch has contacted petrolpromise.com and given us a detailed and what problems residents are facing. The FSA has statement about how the market is rigged. He says: agreed to meet the whistleblowers, so that will happen in due course, and I urge it to take further action. “I trade the oil market on a daily basis, and every day the price is manipulated—not just the daily benchmark price but the My questions to the Minister are as follows: will he calendar spreads that make up a large part of the daily volume. write to the OFT and the FSA setting out his concerns All through July, for example, there has been a massive buying-pressure and reflecting what Members say this afternoon? Will on oil futures for August and September 2012. Both were trading he investigate the issue of anticompetitive pricing and at around a $0.5c to $1 dollar premium. This gives a false how oil wholesalers are bankrupting retailers? Will he impression of the market and inflates the price of the nearby oil look at why some towns, such as Harlow, seem to be price”. stuck with stubbornly higher fuel prices than everywhere He goes on to say: else? Some of this debate is technical, but we should not “One part of the problem is a lack of market transparency. In forget that this is not about the economy; I am here the oil futures market, huge volumes are offered and then withdrawn today because I believe in social justice and I believe without trading…There is no reason for this behaviour other that the high petrol and diesel prices hurt the poor far than to distort market prices.” more than they do the rich. He also says that “unlike stocks and shares where large holdings have to be declared, Several hon. Members rose— in the oil market nobody knows where the money is coming from”. Robert Halfon: I am sorry but I am not going to give He continues: way, as I have almost come to the end of my remarks. “Prices are particularly manipulated at the close of business, when ‘markers’ are set on an average of trades in the last three Ours is a great car economy, but high petrol prices are minutes of the trading session. Every day, around these times, I creating a poverty trap, adding to Britain’s dole queues. see that the structure of the market is being moved to bring prices The Office for National Statistics says that fuel prices in line with the trading books of whoever is manipulating the are regressive, hitting the poorest Brits the hardest. market…This is in order to fix the price and make sure a profit is RAC figures show that an ordinary Harlow worker is shown on their books.” paying a tenth of their income just to fill up the family It is a long statement, but I wanted to put the key car. The Government define fuel poverty as applying to parts of it on the record. someone who spends a tenth of their income on fuel, so motorists in Harlow and across the country are facing fuel poverty. I urge the House to support the motion, Several hon. Members rose— and I shall end by saying that in my constituency, and no doubt across the country, the question is not whether Robert Halfon: Given what Madam Deputy Speaker someone can afford to have a car, but whether they can said, I will take one more intervention. afford not to have one. 469 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 470

2.3 pm Naomi Long: Courage is always commendable, wherever it is found, and I hope that the OFT is not only Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): I am pleased to courageous but successful in its investigations. be able to participate in today’s debate on this important issue affecting all our constituents. From my perspective In the limited time available to me today I do not it is also timely, because recent reports have confirmed, wish to reiterate points that have already been made. I again, that petrol and diesel prices in Northern Ireland concur with most of what I have heard today, not least are the highest in the UK and among the highest in what has been said about the immediate response at the Europe. The impact of this on Northern Ireland’s pumps when oil prices rise but the tardy response when consumers, families and businesses is compounded by they fall. That is a matter that frustrates. However, I the fact that Northern Ireland has a greater dependence wish to focus my attention on particular aspect of the on road travel than other regions, because of its high market: supermarket pricing policy and its impact on level of rurality—35% compared with the 12% average consumers. I wish to state at the outset that my focus on for the rest of the UK as a whole—and restricted access this issue is not to suggest that supermarkets are responsible to public transport outside urban centres. That factor for all the ills of the market. They are not the worst was mentioned by the hon. Member for Devizes (Claire retailers in all cases; many offer lower prices to consumers Perry). than other petrol and diesel retailers. However, the variation in supermarket pricing strategy and the prices The high prices have a significant impact on local on the forecourts are further examples of the lack of households, on businesses and on our national transparency in pricing more generally. competitiveness. In addition, high prices and high differentials in the level of duty on fuel between the Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Does the hon. Lady Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, in particular, also agree with FairFuelUK’s central campaign that the provide an additional incentive for fuel laundering, 3p fuel duty rise, which was deferred from August, smuggling and stretching, which deny the Exchequer should not come into effect on 1 January 2013 as income and carry significant enforcement and policing planned? Some of us voted recently for such an approach costs. Therefore, having affordable and transparent fuel during consideration of the Finance Bill. pricing is a vital component of tackling those issues. On the impact on business and growth, I had the Naomi Long: I do agree with that. I also wish to point opportunity during the recess to meet representatives of out that the price variation between petrol stations in a the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland, single constituency can sometimes completely outstrip and I was able again to hear at first hand about the the fuel duty, yet it often gets less attention. I wish to detrimental impact that the high and rising cost of fuel focus on that in my next remarks. is having on its members and on the wider economy. One plant hire company in my constituency told me Over the past year, I have been monitoring the price that it was keen to expand its business and take on new of fuel in my constituency and in the adjoining staff, and could see opportunities for doing so even in constituencies of Strangford and North Down. I have this difficult economic climate, but the effect of inflated become increasingly concerned that people in my fuel prices on its business has meant that fuel has now constituency get a poor deal on petrol prices compared overtaken wages as a proportion of business costs and with those in surrounding towns such as Newtownards that its ability to expand has been constrained. and Bangor, where the price of petrol and diesel can be 6p a litre cheaper. One of the reasons for that differential is the impact of supermarkets on local pricing. Although Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): One of they account for only 4% of Northern Ireland forecourts, my constituents is following this debate and has just their market share is about 25%. Supermarkets such as tweeted me to say that they spend £4,600 a year on Asda operate a quasi-national pricing policy, but others diesel, £1,000 on insurance and £240 on road tax, so do not and that can lead to significant anomalies in the going to work costs them £5,840. She is considering pricing between stores in the same chain, and also in the giving up work because of the excessive price of fuel. prices offered at other local retailers as a consequence. The lady’s Twitter handle is “knot_weed”. Does the hon. Lady accept that that is difficult both for businesses David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): Will the and their employees? hon. Lady give way?

Naomi Long: It is incredibly difficult and it is one of Naomi Long: No, because I want to finish my point, the stumbling blocks we will face as we try to get people if I may. Asda does not have a national price policy, but out of unemployment and back into work. The cost of it does have a national cap on prices, with the flexibility travel to work is a significant factor. In Northern Ireland, to reduce the price by 2p where competition is particularly where the cost of car insurance is also higher than in the fierce. However, many of the other supermarket retailers rest of the UK, the problem is further compounded. have no such constraint. Although people assume that I hope that the OFT investigation will particularly if they purchase petrol at any Tesco or Sainsbury’s examine the elevated price of fuel in Northern Ireland petrol station they will get the same deal—they therefore and the reasons behind that, as it is hurting business fail to shop around—that is simply not the case. and families, and it is hindering growth. I will cite one example. At the Tesco petrol station in east Belfast, the price of petrol can be anything from 4p Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): The hon. Lady refers to 6p a litre more than at a Tesco petrol station in to the OFT investigation. Will she praise its chief executive Bangor or Newtownards, which are about 9 miles away. for his courage in taking on the might of the oil companies In both those towns, the reduced price offered is almost in dealing with this very important issue? certainly due to the fact that the Asda supermarkets in 471 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 472

[Naomi Long] speech made by my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) and the work he has done. I hope that those towns offer petrol forecourt services, which Tesco my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnorshire responds to. Tesco competes with the local prices in the (Roger Williams) will agree that this has a particular area but feels under no obligation to offer consumers resonance for rural areas not only because of the points the best value price for the commodity they are trying he has raised about higher prices and the difficulty in to purchase, which I think is wrong. The price differential reaching services, but because they are low-wage areas is significant and has been monitored by the Consumer and so the part of the weekly budget that has to go on Council for Northern Ireland, following a meeting between fuel is much higher. We are talking about social justice, my colleagues and the council earlier this year. Two and we want social justice for rural areas as well. petrol stations owned by the same supermarket chain and less than 9 miles apart, when monitored over four Roger Williams: My hon. Friend makes an important months, showed a variation of 4p to 5p a litre for petrol point about the affordability of fuel in rural areas. and 5p to 6p a litre for diesel. Indeed, Morrisons has just opened a supermarket and The justification that the petrol stations are responding petrol forecourt in Brecon; it has reduced prices, and my to local competition is no comfort whatsoever to consumers constituents welcome that. My main purpose in speaking who might have to pay £3 more to fill up at one when today is to make the point that we still need independent they could fill up for much less at another site owned by retailers, because it is only their presence that keeps the the same supermarket down the road, but they would supermarkets honest. If the supermarkets had a monopoly not necessarily be aware of that. I reiterate that the in rural areas, they would certainly increase their prices. focus on supermarkets is not simply to suggest that they are responsible for the problem, but it shows the lack of Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): Will my hon. Friend transparency—the compete opaqueness—in how petrol give way? prices on the forecourts are reached and the lack of choice that consumers then have in making their decisions. Roger Williams: I am sorry, but I do not have time to I want transparency and openness, I support the motion, give way. and I commend the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert I am kept informed of issues relating to petrol Halfon) for bringing the matter before the House. distribution, and indeed to retail, by Mr Skinner from Glanusk services in Sennybridge. He is an independent 2.11 pm supplier of fuel to his community, and he is fiercely independent. He has provided huge service to his area. I Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): I remember that the winter before last, during the very hope to speak in the dairy industry debate in Westminster cold period, when tankers were unable to access houses, Hall later and so apologise to hon. Members if I have to Mr Skinner was selling heating oil in drums. He is really leave this debate early. I would like to say a few words a saviour for the area. He tells me that the distributors on behalf of rural areas, and, indeed, very rural areas, who supply him with petrol and diesel are declining in where fuel prices are of the utmost importance, because number as one operator takes over another, which is not only is there a lack of public transport but access to taking competition out of the distribution system. In retail services, health services and education is over long those circumstances, the independent supplier of petrol distances and takes a great deal of fuel. I congratulate and diesel finds it very hard to get a competitive price so my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert that he can remain in business. When this inquiry takes Halfon) on securing the debate. He has given me some place, my representations will be on behalf of those information indicating that in my constituency petrol is independent retailers in very remote areas, because we sold at up to 142p a litre and diesel is sold at up to 149p need them in the countryside in order to maintain a litre. I am not surprised, because some of our independent competition and ensure that the supermarkets do not retailers operate in very remote areas, and we are very take advantage of a monopoly position and make fuel pleased that they have persisted in doing so. unaffordable for my constituents and those in other Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con): rural areas. My hon. Friend’s constituency is very close to mine. Does he share my concern about the pace of closures of Several hon. Members rose— small outlets that service local villages, which is obviously putting pressure on local constituents? Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. A large number of Members still wish to participate in the Roger Williams: My hon. Friend is quite right, and I debate, which is due to end at 3.30 pm. I am therefore will come to that point in a moment. Certainly, petrol reducing the time limit to four minutes, and if necessary stations such as the community shop and petrol station I will reduce it further. The more interventions there in Llanbadarn Fynydd, which is at least 10 miles away are, the slower progress we make. Those wishing to from any other facility, and the one operated by Mr Tay speak who intervene will find themselves moving down in Ystradfellte are important facilities for very rural the list. I hope that Members will bear that in mind. communities. A number of supermarkets have recently opened in my constituency; we were Tesco-free for 2.16 pm many years, but Tesco has now come to Llandrindod Wells and to Ystradgynlais. Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): I will bear that in mind, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to begin Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): I thank my by thanking the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert hon. Friend and colleague from Powys for giving way Halfon) for giving everyone in the Chamber, on both and allowing me to associate myself with the fantastic sides, the opportunity to stand up for hard-pressed 473 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 474 motorists in our constituencies who are struggling with Europe and the second highest in the world. The last the increase in fuel prices at the pumps. It is clear to all Government embraced that tendency with enthusiasm that there are people who are gaining by manipulating by introducing 12 increases in fuel duty. This Government, markets and that consumers are not seeing the benefit however, have done more than any other to help the when oil prices fall. We must also be clear that the OFT motorist, by voiding two years’ worth of the last has announced not an inquiry at this stage, but a call for Government’s tax increases. I also welcome the Chancellor’s evidence. I am sure that everyone in the House will want deferral of the August rise earlier this year, which many their constituents and local businesses to get in touch of us wanted. with the OFT and present an overwhelming case for an Across the country, businesses and individuals have inquiry so that we can see some progress. been hit by fuel costs. When the price of oil goes up time The hon. Member for Harlow said that this is not a after time, so does the petrol price, yet when the oil price party political issue, but I have to say that I do not think comes down, the petrol price remains steadfastly where we see the issue in isolation. Thanks to the opportunity it is. This weekend, prices came within about 3p of a he has given us today, a large number of my constituents record high. have been in touch, and not many of them said, “The On top of that, there is a discrepancy between rural only problem in my life is the price of fuel at the and urban areas. Fuel is about 133p a litre at the pumps pumps.” We also have the problem of rising food prices. this week; in High Peak, it is as much as 144p a litre—a 10% premium. Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): Will the hon. Lady give way? Julian Sturdy rose— Fiona O’Donnell: I will not, because I want as many Members as possible to be able to contribute to the Andrew Bingham: I shall take two interventions, and debate, as you have suggested, Madam Deputy Speaker. this will be the first. It is also about rising food prices, which rose by 4.6% between March last year and March this year, and Julian Sturdy: I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. rising energy prices. The Prime Minister promised to Do not oil companies and supermarkets often sell fuel take action to stop excessive rises in energy prices. I at inflated prices in rural areas to offset the cost of have asked him questions about both food inflation and production and the lower prices in urban areas? That is energy prices, but we have not seen any action from the having a huge impact on retailers as well. Government, so I hope that the hon. Gentleman will be more successful in convincing the Prime Minister to do Andrew Bingham: Absolutely. Unfortunately, rural something to bring down petrol prices. residents like me have been beaten into submission at Today’s debate is not just about the speculators and paying high fuel prices. the oil companies that are making money off the backs Furthermore, cars are more vital to people living in of our constituents; it is about those individuals who rural areas than to those living in urban areas. Many are struggling to find work and, increasingly, having to Members will not know the small village of Edale in my travel further to do so. I want to talk about one of my constituency, although the walkers and ramblers among constituents who has been in touch, a 40-year-old single them will. My hon. Friend the Member for Hexham man. He has been in work all his days, apart from a (Guy Opperman) set off from Edale on his charity walk 16-week period when he could not find work. He is of the Pennine way earlier this year. currently having to make a 48-mile round trip each day to get to work. That is taking a third of his salary, which Mr Rob Wilson: Is my hon. Friend as disappointed as leaves him unable to buy clothes; he told me that he has I am about the contribution of the hon. Member for not bought any new clothes for at least three years. It East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell)? She complained about also means that he is struggling even to put food on the the Minister being late, yet few of her colleagues have table. The Government have to take some responsibility bothered to turn up for what she described as a very because their economic policy is hurting people and important debate. making it much more difficult to cope with rising prices. I want to touch briefly on a policy that is also Andrew Bingham: I completely agree. A couple of impacting on poorer motorists, who, as the hon. Member days ago, I was in the Chamber for the Opposition day for Harlow rightly said, are suffering more than anyone debate about universal credit. The Opposition made else. I understand why we incentivise people to buy great play of the fact that there were more Members on more environmentally friendly cars—that is absolutely their Benches than ours, so let us turn it back on them: the right thing to do—but the poorest motorists struggle many Government Members are here because we care to come up with the money to buy a car that allows about the motorist and the cost of fuel. them to benefit from the policy. I return to the people in the rural areas of High Peak. In conclusion, I again congratulate the hon. Gentleman. The residents of Edale face a 14-mile round trip to a I hope he will be able to convince the Government to post office. They have to go 10 miles for a doctor or act on fixed pricing. dentist. All those journeys have to be made using their own transport. In rural areas, a car is a necessity, not a 2.20 pm luxury. If we add all those journeys together over a year, the extra fuel costs can amount to as much as £400 to Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): Chancellors of do the 2,000 miles that people in urban areas do not all persuasions have increased tax on fuel for many have to do. Those rural residents travel further and pay years, and that is why we have the highest fuel taxes in higher prices at the pumps. 475 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 476

Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): Is it not also I was told by the Labour Government that the introduction true that in rural northern England the problem is of such a derogation would mean that people travelled compounded by the fact that our average salaries are so to the islands to buy fuel that would still have been more much lower? expensive. I did not follow the logic then and I do not now. Andrew Bingham: My hon. Friend makes an excellent point with brevity, and I appreciate that. Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): The hon. We hear about deprivation in different parts of society. Gentleman is right. We raised the rural fuel issue with There is a thing called rural deprivation. Yes, I am lucky the last Government, but nothing was done. This to represent and live in a beautiful area, but we pay for Government have introduced the rural fuel derogation. that through higher fuel costs and our increased reliance Like the hon. Gentleman, I would like it to increase. on fuel. Lots of other rural communities up and down Will he support a campaign to see the derogation extended the country suffer the same misfortune. to remote parts of the mainland, such as the Kintyre peninsula? We are lucky that our Government are in power, because we are 10p a litre better off than we would be if Mr MacNeil: The hon. Gentleman makes a great the Labour party were still in government. However, we point, and a serious one, about rural places in mainland pay more in rural areas. The difference goes to the oil Scotland. Places such as Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland companies, not necessarily the Chancellor of the Exchequer. and Lochaber, which I must not forget as I worked I believe that the Government are doing everything they there, would benefit from the extension and increase of can to keep fuel prices down, but it is time that the oil the derogation. companies started to play their part and did what they It is interesting that, as the motion states, other could. We need to make motoring affordable. I welcome countries, from the United States of America to Austria the call by the Office of Fair Trading for information on and Germany, are regulating. Ultimately, we will have the UK petrol and diesel market; I hope that it will shed to do the same in the United Kingdom before the enough light to inspire a full investigation. We need economy is totally strangled. Whether it is the fault of open and transparent oil trading. the companies, the distributors, the speculators or the retailers, we need to get the issue sorted for the good of Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Is the hon. Gentleman the economy. Indeed, retailers would be quite pleased to suggesting that markets do not work? have greater regulation or transparency, especially as Andrew Bingham: Far from it; the market would work they are sometimes tied to long-term contracts with perfectly if we could see a little more of how it works. distributors, which makes it difficult for them to shop The issue is about ensuring that there are fair petrol around and means that the price of fuel cannot be prices and that when the oil price comes down, so does brought down in marginal areas. the petrol price. Transparency might be the answer, but we must bear it in mind that in some areas and markets prices can go Mrs Bingham complains that I do not take her anywhere up if the seller is reluctant to give discounts to certain expensive anymore, but last week I took her to a petrol buyers. For that reason, regulation must be taken seriously station in High Peak. [Laughter.] I spoil her. before the economy is strangled. We cannot leave the In the interests of brevity, I will conclude. I hope that foot pressing harder and harder on the jugular in the the action of the OFT will lead to an investigation into neck of the economy. fuel prices. I hope that it will do it quickly and fairly and that the oil companies will react and do what we are John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I doing as a Government to help to get the prices down. apologise for intervening and then leaving, but I am They should do that quickly to help hard-working going to meet a group of people with disabilities. This is families in High Peak and across the country and to not just about fuel in the tank but about meeting help get the economy going, enabling people to put fuel people’s heating costs. The heating costs of someone in their cars and live their lives as they wish. who is elderly or has disabilities are always higher. Now, yet again, many people are having to choose between 2.26 pm heating and eating. That is why we need to control these prices. Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): We are facing higher fuel prices in real terms, as Mr MacNeil: My constituency has the highest rate of the hon. Member for Harro—sorry, the hon. Member fuel poverty in the UK, so I know that the hon. Gentleman for Harlow (Robert Halfon) said; I have as much difficulty is absolutely correct, and I am grateful for his intervention. in pronouncing the name of his constituency as he does People are having to make these choices when they get in pronouncing the name of mine. up on a winter’s day, especially the elderly and vulnerable. I draw the Chamber’s attention to a debate here on This is a poll tax on jobs and on economic activity. 7 February 2011, when I said that prices in my constituency The TaxPayers Alliance has produced work that shows were a shocking £1.45 a litre. Now they are between that in many places, of £30 paid at the till, £18 goes in £1.52 and £1.59 for diesel, with petrol typically about 4p tax. That is in line with my own research. In the case of a litre less. Those prices take into account the 5p rural a litre costing £1.50, 58p is tax and 28p is VAT. A total fuel derogation. I make this plea to the Government: in of 83p was paid in tax, but it will be more, and my the modern day, a 5p derogation is not enough. We constituency has the highest tax per litre in the UK. might have to go to Europe and ask for a larger one. We must look at what is happening in the supply I point out to the hon. Member for East Lothian chain when fuel goes from the refinery to the distributors (Fiona O’Donnell), who was particularly partisan, that and then leaves the depot and arrives at the retail when I asked for a larger derogation in the last Parliament, forecourts. The best estimate that I can work out from 477 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 478 rumours is that in my area, having left the depots, it is is taking place here today. For anyone who has not had going to retailers at about £1.20 or £1.25 per litre a chance to pop over and celebrate our produce, I ask excluding VAT. With VAT, it comes to about £1.50, and them please to do so. the rest is the retailer’s margin, which is usually 5p, 6p Recent data show that when the last fuel rise took or 7p. My figures are approximate but they give an idea place, traffic levels generally fell by 1% while in rural of what is going on. I can best ascertain that the pre-tax areas they fell by 5%. That highlights the degree to cost of a litre is about 65p. which rural areas are particularly sensitive to, and dependent The Government have promised to bring in a fuel on, fuel prices. There is nothing progressive socially duty stabiliser, and I encourage them to do so. That is about condemning poor families to live in isolated rural what the Scottish National party called it; they could communities unable to play their part in society, and call it a fair fuel regulator, or whatever. That would nothing progressive economically about penalising the control spikes in fuel prices, alleviating uncertainty and car usage of those in rural and marginal areas. The helping businesses to plan in an uncertain world. rural economy, particularly in East Anglia, has the High fuel prices hit the poorest most, and they hit opportunity to drive and lead a more sustainable model jobs and families. They hit rural constituencies and of economic growth, with small businesses back in the island constituencies. We cannot constantly come back countryside and less commuting, but that will not happen to this Chamber with the same complaints year after unless we support the oil of the economy, which is fuel. year, Government after Government. I could not tell I welcome the many measures that the Government the House how many speeches I have made about this, have taken. They have frozen fuel duty, invested more but there have been many over the past seven years. than £4.5 billion in relief and petrol is now 10p cheaper, There has been some progress in recent years with the saving families more than £159 on average every year. I rural fuel derogation, and I am thankful for that, but also welcome the fair fuel stabiliser. There are no simple more has to be done. It is the job of Parliament and of answers. The truth is that the previous Government Government to solve the country’s problems. We need bequeathed us a horrible legacy of debt and a dependency regulation and we need to bring in the fair fuel stabiliser on the fuel levy, and pennies at the pump in relief cost for the hard-pressed motorists, workers and families of the Treasury billions, which undermines our effort on this country. the deficit and puts at risk our low interest rates. I hope that the Minister will acknowledge the real 2.32 pm impact of this pernicious tax on the most vulnerable, particularly in rural and isolated areas; explore all and George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): I shall follow any options for targeting relief at those who need it your strictures, Madam Deputy Speaker, by keeping my most; take this opportunity to confirm the excellent foot to the pedal and not taking interventions. initiative on the fair fuel stabiliser; and put the Government’s I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow and his formidable political weight behind this call for (Robert Halfon) on his dogged, determined and diligent an inquiry into the serious allegations of market rigging campaigning on social justice issues. Harlow is lucky to that have been highlighted, commendably, by my hon. have him, and so are we in this House. This is a key issue Friend. because it goes to the heart of the cost of living, it undermines growth and economic recovery, and it raises 2.35 pm important issues to do with market failure and regulation. Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): I I welcome the news that the review will look into the also congratulate the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert lack of competition at the pumps and strongly support Halfon) on securing this debate and will begin where he my hon. Friend’s call for an investigation into the oil finished—on the issue of fuel poverty. When we talk market. about fuel poverty in this House—we have done so for I want to focus my comments on the pressures facing many years—we usually consider it in terms of household my constituents and the rural economy generally. Some energy bills, but from what I have heard this afternoon, garages in Mid Norfolk are currently charging £1.40 for many are facing the same problems as those experienced fuel, and in the past that has risen to £1.45. The cheapest in my constituency, where a low-wage economy in a fuel in Britain today is £1.32 and the average is £1.38. rural area means that people are having to spend more Rural communities are paying more for their fuel. As on fuel for their family car. As has been said, people others have said more eloquently, rural communities are who have to use their car in a rural area such as mine dependent on cars for travel; there is little or no alternative. and elsewhere are being driven into fuel poverty. People A car is not a luxury. Many of my constituents, whose are even being driven to the point of wondering—we average income is £18,000, have to run two cars to have heard this once already—whether they can continue maintain a family. This affects the whole community—not to go to work and afford to run their car, because they only families and commuters but pensioners, those who have a 30, 40 or 50-mile round trip every day to work. depend on public transport and have to recoup the cost, That is becoming less viable for some households. and the public sector. As my hon. Friend said, this goes There is no doubt that something is happening in the to the heart of social justice in serving the most vulnerable marketplace. I, like Members from all parties in this in rural and marginal areas. House, wrote to the Chancellor to say, “Please do not Inflation is another factor. The market is not working, impose the 3p fuel duty in August,” but what did we and that is deeply inflationary. The rural economy, witness anyway? A standard note produced by the particularly food and farming—our biggest manufacturing House of Commons Library shows that the price of sector—is being damaged, and that is hugely significant fuel at the pumps increased by 3p. Something is happening. in terms of our economic recovery. I draw Members’ No matter what we do—if we reduce the duty, for attention to the Norfolk food and farming festival that example—something happens. The hon. Member for 479 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 480

[Mr Russell Brown] This matter is incredibly important to many of our constituents, not least in areas such as Cornwall. Many Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) mentioned the people have spoken about the problems that rural areas rural fuel derogation. I strongly suspect that, despite face, but the problem is not just the rurality of such the 5p reduction, prices still went up, so the 5p fall was areas, but the fact that they are peripheral and a long wiped out entirely. Manipulation is going on in the way from the markets. Cornish businesses have to transport marketplace. their goods some 300 miles just to get to London, which involves a huge additional cost. The 38% increase in the Mr MacNeil: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for fuel price since 2007 has had a massive impact. raising that point. The price of fuel went down and up in a certain way, as if to disguise what was happening, I associate myself with the comments of my hon. so it was difficult to get to the bottom of what was Friend the Member for High Peak (Andrew Bingham) going on because fuel is not tied to a regulator. in which he congratulated the Government on what they have done on this issue. They have not introduced Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. On any of the tax rises that had been planned and, as a interventions, it is not fair for Members who have result, fuel prices are supposedly 10p lower than they already spoken to use up the time of others. A lot of would have been. However, there is no point in cutting Members want to get in and we ought not to be so taxes if the money that is saved ends up not in the generous. pockets of our constituents, but in the pockets of the people who are rigging the fuel market. Mr Brown: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker—I will not let the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar get back in again. The door is closed. He is right, however: Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): As well whether something is disguised or manipulated, it is as the practical hardships that my hon. Friend has happening. touched on, does he agree that what gets up our constituents’ noses is that while they have been working harder, I do not want to have a go at the hon. Member for making sacrifices and helping each other out to get the High Peak (Andrew Bingham)—he is a decent guy—but economy back on track, these people might have set out let me put the record straight for him. On 11 occasions to rip them off? over nine years, the previous Government either froze or cancelled the fuel duty increase that had been in the Budget. We are all battling to put this right. George Eustice: That is absolutely right. I was going As oil prices increase, so do the costs of heating oil to say that one of the great indictments is that prices are and liquefied petroleum gas. The last peak in pump always quick to rise, but very slow to fall when the prices was back in the summer of 2008, and at that time markets go the other way, as my hon. Friend the Member the price of fuel at the pumps was driven by crude oil at for Harlow pointed out in his opening remarks. a price of $140 per barrel. Last week, according to The I was interested in the proposal of the former Secretary Daily Telegraph—not my favourite read—the price of of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member crude oil was $113.49 per barrel, so we are a long way for Putney (Justine Greening), for a transparent wholesale off the $140 per barrel that resulted in the peak in prices price tracking system, through which the major fuel during the summer of 2008. There is manipulation. I do distributors would voluntarily make clear the basis on not think that there is any doubt about that. which they calculate their prices and demonstrate the I say again to the hon. Member for Harlow and link between the prices that they charge at the pump others that I want VAT to be reduced from 20% back to and the wholesale market price. 17.5%. The increase to 20% put fuel prices up by 3p or I am concerned about the impact of supermarkets 3.5p a litre, which is the highest increase under the dominating the market in local areas by reducing their coalition Government. A reduction in VAT would help, prices to snuff out other retailers and, once they have but we must be wary to ensure that the oil companies do the pitch to themselves, putting the prices back up. not try to squeeze the prices a little more and recover Hon. Members have spoken about the disparities between that money. different areas. Cornwall has lost all its Jet garages, I am delighted that the Office of Fair Trading will which have been taken over by Texaco. The already look into this matter. I was surprised when it wrote to limited choice of retailers has become more limited. me two weeks ago to say that it would do so because of The biggest scandal is the allegation of price fixing. I the representations that I and others had made. I say to welcome the OFT’s call for evidence. It should follow colleagues in this House, let us not hold our breath, that through with an investigation. As a Conservative, I because the OFT’s previous work, especially in the have no problem with markets when they work properly. more rural locations in Scotland, came up with nothing. In fact, I think that speculation has a role to play. The We need answers about what is going on in our communities futures markets have a role to play in helping businesses and about what consumers and our constituents are manage risk. However, my hon. Friend the Member for being faced with. We therefore need the evidence to go Harlow gave evidence that there might be significant to the OFT and for it to have a robust inquiry to put the rigging of the market, with certain futures being placed matter right. and then withdrawn for no reason and a total lack of transparency about who holds those futures, which is a 2.41 pm real problem. As Conservatives, we will object if there George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) (Con): I has been market rigging in the way that we saw with congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow LIBOR. For that reason, I believe that the OFT should (Robert Halfon) on securing this debate and on his follow through its call for evidence with a full-scale tireless work on this subject. investigation. 481 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 482

2.44 pm us have been outraged by the alleged manipulation of LIBOR, but the manipulation of fuel prices will have Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab): I congratulate much more of an effect on our constituents. They feel the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) on securing the pain that it causes every single week when they fill this important debate. Many of my constituents have up their car. contacted me on the subject of fuel prices over the past few months, and they are extremely concerned, because I want to focus on the local market in my constituency there is no doubt that high fuel prices are hitting them of Rossendale and Darwen. I spoke about it last June hard at a time when their families are being squeezed by and in my view it was then and remains a broken higher food, gas and electricity prices. market. Rossendale is near the town of Bury and Darwen is near the town of Bolton, so, to provide a comparison, In fact the situation is even worse in my constituency, I visited petrol stations in both places. At its peak, there because one large retail outlet has a near-monopoly, was a 5p difference in fuel costs between Bury and which means that petrol can cost drivers in my area an Rossendale and between Bolton and Darwen. Rossendale average of between 3p and 5p a litre more than it does and Darwen are both ribbon developments, like so people in our neighbouring constituencies. That is tending many of the Lancashire industrial towns along the river to drive business and customers out of Inverclyde and valley, so someone who lives in either place is forced to into neighbouring areas in search of cheaper fuel to fill commute long distances because of the nature of our up their tanks. community. Bizarrely, that large retail outlet, Tesco, tells my At this point, I want to pay special tribute to my local constituents that if they spend between £80 and £100 in paper, the Rossendale Free Press—I hope it will publicise the store they will receive a voucher giving them between this speech, of course. With me, earlier this summer, it 3p and 5p off a litre of petrol. How generous of it, and launched a “Rip off at the pumps” campaign. This is a how astute at the same time—it is winning both ways. positive example I can give to colleagues of where they How is it that someone can shop in the store and get 5p can lead and affect the price of petrol or diesel in their off at the pump, but not pull into the petrol station and own patch. We took the price at our local Tesco and receive the same price? It makes me wonder at what compared it with the price at the Asda in Bury, and, as I price Tesco is receiving its petrol. We have to examine said, there was a 5p difference. We called on people who the whole supply chain by which fuel reaches our pumps, lived locally not to buy their fuel at Tesco until that because at each step of the way people are making large price was brought down. I personally met representatives profits. of Tesco here in Westminster and asked how they Inverclyde could not be described as a rural constituency, arrived at that price. They told me that they drew a but as far as such retailers are concerned we are a three-mile geographical line around the Tesco store in captive constituency. When the oil prices go up we see Rawtenstall and used prices in that area as a comparison an almost instant increase at the pumps, but when oil and basis for theirs, but what they did not say was that prices go down it seems to take for ever for the price to the only other major petrol retailer with which they get lower, if it does at all. Along with my constituents, I were comparing their prices was also Tesco. They were therefore welcome the debate so that we can hold the both fixing and making the price in one market, which fuel retailers to account and have them justify not only is why I think that the market is broken. the high price of fuel but their sluggish reductions to Earlier today, I checked the price difference again fuel prices. following the campaign run by me and the Rossendale I must point out that it is not only the big, bad oil Free Press. Petrol in Asda is Pilsworth is now £1.37.7 a companies and fuel retailers that are hiking up the price litre, whereas at the Tesco in Rawtenstall it is £1.37.9. of petrol. The Government are also adding to the cost. We have taken the difference down from 5p to less than They hiked up VAT to 20% and applied it to fuel, and half a pence. That is something positive that we can all we know that high fuel tax hits the poorest in our do as Members of this House. We should not suffer society who need their cars the most, either to get to discrimination at our petrol pumps for living in a rural work or to visit people. It is not big businesses but community and we should do something about it. I hard-working families who pay that money, and those hope that by running their own “Rip off at the pumps” families are finding it increasingly expensive to fill up campaigns, hon. Members can bring prices down in their cars. High fuel prices are having a devastating their area. effect on my community, and a cut in fuel duty would stimulate growth and create jobs. Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): Will my hon. Friend give way? Only the other day I was told that a staggering 30% of lorries carrying goods from Scotland to the south-east Jake Berry: I am sorry, but I will not. are from outside the UK, and so have the privilege of The Government have taken action. People who have being able to fill up with cheap diesel and petrol from to put fuel in their van to go to work or in their car to go the continent. If the Government are really serious to school feel the squeeze at the pumps and I pay tribute about making an instant impact at the pumps, they to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor for freezing the should take the first step and cut VAT on fuel. fuel duty rise and saving everyone 10p a litre, putting the fuel back in our economy so that people can go to 2.48 pm work. Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con): I start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for 2.53 pm Harlow (Robert Halfon) for securing the debate. It is Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): I congratulate my privilege to speak in it. I read his allegations in The my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon), Sun today about the manipulation of oil prices. A lot of who has a fantastic track record of leading on this 483 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 484

[Justin Tomlinson] passed on to the consumer. I therefore welcome the decision by the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the extremely important issue. This is yet another debate in actions of the oil market. All local residents will be keen which I am pleased to support him. I am also proud to to know whether they are being defrauded and ripped be a member of the FairFuel UK and PetrolPromise off, which I think we all suspect is the case. campaigns, which are bringing this issue to the forefront. We must accept that we will not see cuts to fuel duty Petrol prices have been increasing for decades under in the short term, and that world oil prices will continue the twin pressure of rises in fuel duty and oil prices. The to rise. As demand grows and resources are limited, previous Labour Government hiked fuel duty 12 times pressure will increase and we must look at the alternatives. in 13 years and it always amazes me that the Opposition I welcome the fact that in my constituency, Honda UK, are in such denial about that. They were very quick to in conjunction with BOC, has taken advantage of take credit when they increased spending on public Government grants and created the first open-access services, so they should also take credit for how they hydrogen refuelling station. My hon. Friend the Member paid for it. With uncertainty in the middle east and for South Swindon (Mr Buckland) and I lobbied hard limited resources, global oil prices will continue to rise. to ensure that that remains in place. The key for those Together, those factors have stretched motorists to breaking alternatives is the availability of refuelling infrastructure point, so that many of them are priced out of their cars for all the different resources. We must invest in those and businesses struggle with additional costs. alternatives so that we can deal with the pressures that I I welcome the Government’s move to scrap Labour’s have mentioned. further six planned rises and the modest but welcome 1p cut in fuel duty. Fuel is about 10p cheaper than it Several hon. Members rose— would have been had the former plans gone through, which more than covers any changes under VAT. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I am going I accept that the wrecked economy we inherited means to drop the time limit to three minutes in order to get that money is tight and that we cannot just wave a everybody in. If anybody intervenes again, somebody magic wand. I surveyed the good people of my constituency, will drop off the end of the list, and I am trying not to however, and asked them what their priority would be if let that happen. they were Chancellor and suddenly inherited some money to play with. The choices were VAT, income tax, inheritance 2.57 pm tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax or fuel duty. Fuel duty was by far the most popular, by a significant David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): I congratulate distance. I asked residents why that was the case, and I my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) will use the Government’s changes to income tax thresholds on securing this debate; he has been redoubtable on this to illustrate my point. The changes to income tax were important subject. Fuel prices are indeed regressive, welcomed because they took 2 million people out of and it is therefore important to look at the evidence for paying tax altogether and benefited 24 million others. the issues that the OFT is to consider. I am pleased that However, people could not say how much they had the OFT will consider this matter, and that the previous benefited personally, but the one tax they could describe Secretary of State for Transport asked for more was the cost of fuel, which is a clearly displayed, tangible transparency in the wholesale market. Markets need to cost. If we do one thing to kick-start and boost consumer be seen to be working by being transparent. confidence, it should be to cut fuel duty. My plea to the Let me return to the previous OFT review on this Chancellor is this: as and when he finds the money, a issue in 1998. It concluded that the market was not cut in fuel duty should be the No. 1 priority to boost the rigged, with the possible exception of the Scottish highlands economy. and islands, which have particular issues about clear market share and so on. Since the 1998 report, the Duncan Hames: My constituent, Michael Hudston, structure of the market has changed and oil companies campaigns assertively on this issue and he is acutely have become much less dominant. The retail market is aware of how much tax he pays. When he fills up at the now 40% supermarkets, 30% oil companies, and 30% pump, he pays an effective rate of tax of 146%. Interestingly, independent—the oil companies have left the retail three years ago it was as high as 200%, which demonstrates market. There are seven refineries in this country—possibly the point my hon. the Member for North Swindon now six because the one at Coryton has closed—and (Justin Tomlinson) was making, which is that, so far, the oil industry, as understood in this debate, owns two tax changes have not made the situation worse in the of them. way alleged by Labour Members. Let us look at the evidence. We have heard about postcode pricing, and it is true that there are differences Justin Tomlinson: I thank my hon. Friend and agree in prices. Hon. Members have also said that the fact with his comments. I remember that on the day of the that oil prices are the same demonstrates that the market 1997 general election—not a particularly happy memory is rigged, and we must choose which of those two for the Conservative party—I paid 57p a litre to fill my problems is greater. If prices are the same, it is arguably car. a perfect market. Perhaps it is true that prices go up My hon. Friend the Member for Harlow presented more quickly than they come down, but the OFT must evidence about how the oil industry is acting, and how look at the evidence. it is quick to pass on any rise in oil prices but slow to The counter-evidence on the cartel is that oil companies pass on cuts, and all parties are united in the belief that are leaving UK. If there is a cartel, it is not a very good much needs to be done. The statistic given was that for one—it does not appear to have been done well. Further every 10p fall in the wholesale price, an average of 7p is counter-evidence is that the refinery and retail margin 485 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 486 in the UK is among the lowest in Europe. That is odd. and Citizen, in Bedfordshire, which has been running a Hon. Members have mentioned regulation in Germany, campaign supporting fairer fuel prices in my local town but Germany has a higher retail and refinery margin since the beginning of this year. People are incredulous than the UK, as have Spain, Sweden, Italy and others. that local petrol prices can vary so much between If Members have evidence of a cartel, they must put communities. One of my constituents, Tipu Zaman, it before the criminal authorities. A cartel is a criminal said: offence and directors can go to prison. We should not “I travel to Stevenage every day and have not bought petrol in use the word lightly. Bedford for around seven months. On the way there and back I pass about four or five petrol stations and all of them charge less 3pm than the stations in Bedford.” Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): I congratulate How can that be true? my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon), It is important to recognise that the campaign of my who is a doughty campaigner on fuel prices. He should hon. Friend the Member for Harlow has already made be thanked by the general public throughout the country progress by having the OFT start to look for evidence to for that. The problem is dear to many of my constituents’ support an investigation. There has been much speculation hearts for a number of reasons, and like most right hon. about the potential manipulation of the markets. I and hon. Members, I have had postbags full of would be shocked if those markets had been rigged, but correspondence from my constituents—not just in the let us not forget that only a few months ago we were all last few weeks, but for many months. shocked at allegations of rigging in the LIBOR market. I wholeheartedly support the motion and concur To restore people’s trust in markets, it is important that with many of the views that hon. Members have expressed the OFT investigates. today. We urgently need an investigation by the Financial I ask the Minister to talk with his colleagues about Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading. That another issue that my hon. Friend the Member for is the will not only of hon. Members who have signed Warrington South (David Mowat) mentioned. The issue the motion, but of the public, so strongly do they feel. of competition has changed since 1998. One of the Oil companies and traders come up with all sorts of issues, seen in groceries as well, is a shift in power from reasons why what hon. Members have said today is not retail choice to logistics strength—large supermarket true, and say that they are urban myths, but neither chains using their logistics strength to move into new hon. Members nor the public are convinced by their markets and reduce competition. That is an important arguments. issue for the OFT to investigate. I should like to mention one or two unanswered Finally, may the Minister also learn lessons from the questions that hon. Members have not mentioned. They US experience. The Federal Trade Commission writes mentioned the differential. In my constituency, which is on its website: probably one of the most urban county constituencies “Oil and gasoline are commodities that are critical to American in the country, there is a differential of between 9p and consumers, so the Federal Trade Commission devotes significant 10p from one side to the other—a distance of five or resources to make sure that these markets remain competitive, six miles—which is astounding. using all the powers at its disposal to protect consumers from Twenty years ago, many of us chose to buy diesel cars anticompetitive conduct”. because diesel was far cheaper than petrol. All of a Will he ensure that the Government show that they sudden, the cost of diesel seems to have accelerated and understand the importance of this issue? outstripped the cost of petrol—on average, diesel is currently about 5p a litre more expensive. There must be 3.7 pm a reason for that, and we need an answer. Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ I am short of time and have not mentioned most of Co-op): It is a pleasure to take part in a debate on an the things I wanted to mention, but I implore the issue that is important to motorists, families and businesses Minister to continue to pursue this issue. Please do not across the country, as the hon. Member for Bedford let the regulators off the hook, and please implore them (Richard Fuller) just said. I congratulate the hon. Member to put a solution in place. We need a proper investigation— for Harlow (Robert Halfon), who has worked assiduously with teeth—that has an outcome for our constituents. on this issue and, as he said, built enough support across the House to get this debate through the Backbench 3.4 pm Business Committee, and I congratulate the latter on Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): My hon. Friend the allowing it to happen. I also welcome the Minister to his Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) is the driver’s place. This is, I think, his first appearance at the Dispatch friend. For many years, people who drive cars doubted Box in his new role, although we have faced each other whether any Member of the House—particularly Labour three times in a different capacity over the past week Members—favoured what they did in their daily lives, or so. so it must be a tremendous joy for them to have my hon. Families’ and businesses’ budgets are facing Friend in the House. He is not just the driver’s friend: as unprecedented pressures, as set out by the hon. Members we have seen today, he is a friend of families on low for Harlow and for Bedford, but, as my hon. Friend the incomes, of business, of growth, and of people who live Member for East Lothian (Fiona O’Donnell) said, other in towns and the country alike. This issue affects us issues, such as energy bills and rail fares, are also adding all, so I add my voice to his, and to those who have to them. As a result, people are struggling to keep their congratulated him on securing this debate. head above the water. The cost of fuel is one such Like my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and pressure. As the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Darwen (Jake Berry), who mentioned his local newspaper, Freeman) pointed out, that has an effect on the wider I would like to congratulate my local newspaper, Times economy too. 487 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 488

[Tom Greatrex] Members, those living in remote areas face particular pressures. By and large, prices in remote parts of the For all those reasons, the OFT’s decision to issue a country are higher than in urban areas, as the OFT call for information on the UK petrol and diesel sector reports. There is also less choice, leading to less competition is welcome. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for and difficult decisions being made. As my hon. Friend Harlow, because he made the point, as too did my said, in some cases people may be deciding that it is not hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries and Galloway even worth going to work, because of the costs associated (Mr Brown), that were it not for the continual representation with making those journeys. Rural motorists often have here, we probably would not have got to that stage—it far further to travel to fill up their tanks. High prices in certainly was not the message the hon. Gentleman was remote areas also have a severe impact on the road getting from the OFT earlier in the year. haulage industry.The OFT noted the generally detrimental There is a sense that when the price of oil rises, the impact of high fuel costs on the standard of living in cost of fuel is not far behind, but when the price of oil remote areas. falls, reductions in fuel costs do not appear to follow on so quickly. As the OFT said, In November last year, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced a pilot scheme to cut the price of “pump price may be failing to rise and fall in a way that reflects fuel for some of the UK’s island communities in the the underlying movements in crude oil prices”. Northern and Western Isles of Scotland, to come into That is at the centre of this debate and explains the level effect in March this year. Although that might be of concern expressed across the House. welcome—even though it came into effect 18 months As the hon. Member for Harlow detailed, the media after the Chief Secretary had said it would happen reported this morning that a City whistleblower has within a few months—towards the end of February, alleged that the oil market is rigged with daily price shortly before the scheme was to be introduced, the manipulations. The hon. Member for Rossendale and price at the pumps on Orkney and Shetland increased Darwen (Jake Berry) made the point very well that the by 5p per litre. I know that the right hon. Member for alleged manipulation, if true, would have had a much Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) is unable to take greater direct impact on our constituents than some part in these debates because of his Government position, other instances of manipulation that quite rightly caused but at the time he made it clear through his local concern. We need a fuel market that works in the newspapers that it was a strange coincidence that prices interests of motorists, small businesses and local should go up shortly before the scheme was introduced. communities, but there are genuine concerns that that is That adds weight to the concerns expressed about the not what we have. possible level of manipulation. It is vital that the OFT The OFT’s announcement is welcome, although I gets to the bottom of that, because those concerns are note that it is not the announcement of an inquiry. As deep-seated, particularly at a time of economic pressure the hon. Member for High Peak (Andrew Bingham) for so many people. made clear, what has been announced is a pre-inquiry inquiry, which probably should lead to inquiry, as I The hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Roger hope will be the case, because there is a good case for Williams) made some points about independent retailers—I one. The OFT has committed to publishing a summary will not attempt to pronounce the name of the village of its findings in 2013 and will outline the next steps at where the filling station he referred to is. That is also an that point. As hon. Members will know, if a full inquiry issue in urban areas, as I know from my constituency. is to be held, it may take many months if not years, with Unlike the hon. Member for High Peak, I have not no firm conclusions necessarily reached until that point. quite reached the point of taking my wife out to a petrol We have to face the fact that there is a widespread station—I am not sure I am that brave—but over a year feeling that in the meantime motorists will continue to ago I was contacted by an independent retailer operating get a raw deal and face mounting pressure at the pump. in my constituency. The company’s main concern was that it was unable to compete with large supermarkets, The hon. Members for Camborne and Redruth (George which have the ability to use petrol prices as loss leaders Eustice) and for Warrington South (David Mowat) and, further, manipulate prices in those areas. My hon. referred to the previous Transport Secretary saying that Friend the Member for Inverclyde (Mr McKenzie) made she wanted to look at tracking the price that oil companies that point in relation to the situation in his constituency, pay and how the reductions are passed on at the pump. as opposed to neighbouring constituencies, as did the That is something she said in her previous role, but hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen. when the Library contacted the Department for Transport yesterday to see what progress had been made, it was A further complaint by that company was about the advised that nothing would happen until the OFT had practices of oil firms and the impact on smaller retailers. reported its findings at the very earliest. If an OFT That complaint has in large part been supported by the inquiry does flow from the call for evidence, that could findings of the International Organisation of Securities take a considerable time, so perhaps the Minister can Commissions, a body that has, as the OFT noted, enlighten us as to why the Department cannot do that highlighted many areas of concern, including the way in work now. Indeed, I am not clear why that should be the which oil prices are reported. The OFT expressed its case, because those issues could be tracked now. I concern that if oil prices are being inflated, that could therefore hope that the Minister will respond to that be point, which is a matter of concern for Members in all parts of the House. “leading to higher pump prices because wholesale road fuels prices may be based on the prices reported by oil price reporting As the hon. Member for Belfast East (Naomi Long) agencies.” and my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries and Galloway made clear, along with many Government That is another important aspect of this debate. 489 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 490

I am sorry to have to report that the local petrol Fuel is of fundamental significance to consumers, retailer in my constituency that contacted me a year ago and it is in our mutual interest to ensure that motorists is no longer operating, and its situation is not unique. and businesses are confident that they are being treated That is happening to many others as well. My constituency fairly and that, when the cost of crude oil comes down, is largely urban and suburban, and the number of reductions are passed on transparently and without empty petrol retail outlets has increased massively. Some, unnecessary delay. This Government have eased the ironically, are now being used as car-washes. There has burden on motorists by £5.5 billion by not implementing also been a reduction in the opportunities available to the policies of the previous Government. I do not want people and an increase in the dominance of some of the to make this debate an unnecessarily partisan one— big companies. All those factors underline the importance although my emphasis is on the word “unnecessarily”. of making the case to the OFT that it needs to get to The truth is that, had we put in place the previous grips with this issue as quickly as possible. It must Government’s plans, prices would be higher. collect and analyse the evidence in order to make a The shadow Minister pointed out, with typical decency, decision on whether there should be a full inquiry. that we have also put in place the rural fuel duty rebate Earlier this week, the president of the AA, Edmund scheme, which is cutting the price of fuel in very remote King, expressed his concern about the high price of communities by 5p a litre. The Government will continue petrol at this time of year. He made the point that to monitor the effectiveness of that scheme and, obviously, although increases are normally lower and pump prices if there is more to say on that matter, I will come to the come down at this time of year, we have seen an increase House and say it. of about 10p since July even though there has been no Hon. Members on both sides on both sides of the appreciable increase in the price of oil. That is despite House have pointed out that the retail price of fuel is the Government’s introducing a fair fuel stabiliser. My affected by a wide range of factors, including crude reading of the Red Book tells me that it was introduced prices, tax and duty, the exchange rate, and the cost of at a level of $75 a barrel equivalent. If that is correct, it refining and bringing the product to market. In the end, has not made a difference, and the suggestion that the the effect on consumers is a profound one, and it is stabiliser was the answer to the problem has not been because I share the view of my hon. Friend the Member borne out. Perhaps this is because of other market for Harlow and others that this is a matter of social manipulations that have been at the heart of the debate, justice that I am delighted that we shall have eased the and if so, that too lends weight to the case for the burden on motorists by approximately £5.5 billion between inquiry to happen as soon as possible. We need to get to 2011 and 2013. Average pump prices could be approximately the bottom of these issues, so that other Government 10p a litre lower than if we had implemented the interventions that could make a difference can be introduced previous Government’s so-called fuel duty escalator in rather than being offset by other changes and behaviours 2011-12. that are inherent in the market. The petrol and diesel retail market in the UK is We have had an informed and interesting debate this subject to the same legal constraints and the same afternoon. Members on both sides of the House have framework governing competition and trading standards expressed the concerns raised by their constituents. This that relate to businesses in general. Price differences in vital issue has a significant impact on their standard of different areas are likely to reflect local supply and living, and even on their ability to go about their daily demand, and may differ depending on fuel transportation business. The information in Members’ speeches showed costs and different retail business models, as my hon. the strength of feeling across the House. Motorists are Friend the Member for Bedford, among others, has feeling the squeeze. Families and businesses are feeling said. the pinch. That is why it is essential that any manipulation, collusion or shady practices in the market are properly Oil prices rose this year owing to international exposed, and the OFT has a duty to get on and do that developments such as uncertainty in the middle east as soon as possible. and north Africa, and continued growth in demand. The Wheatley review and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions are looking at these matters, 3.17 pm as the House will know. The House will also know that The Minister of State, Department of Energy and the UK works with the G20 to enhance transparency in Climate Change (Mr John Hayes): The House has long the oil market, as recommended by many contributors known that I am energy personified, and I am delighted to the debate. In the end, as my hon. Friend the Member that the Prime Minister has now recognised that fact for Warrington South (David Mowat) said, this is at and given me this important new role. I am equally least as much—and arguably more—about retail practice delighted to speak on these matters from the Dispatch as it is about the oil industry. The oil price is, of course, Box for the first time, although, as the shadow Minister, set by global markets. The key causes of high prices this the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West year are well understood. (Tom Greatrex), said, he and I have already met in debates in Westminster Hall and in Committee. Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): Many Members have Several hon. Members have rightly paid tribute to my talked about the volatility of oil prices and the functioning hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon). of the markets. There is a correlation between the My hon. Friends the Members for Bedford (Richard volatility of oil prices and US Federal Reserve monetary Fuller), for Nuneaton (Mr Jones) and for Camborne policy. Before the end of Bretton Woods, there was and Redruth (George Eustice) have all made the point hardly any volatility in the oil price; it has been introduced that he has done the House a great service in allowing only subsequently. If there is a secular trend in oil prices us to have an important debate on an important issue, at all—priced in, say, gold, which happens to be a scarce which affects so many of our constituents. commodity—it is downwards. I do not think we are 491 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 492

[Steve Baker] In summary—this is not my final summary, Mr Deputy Speaker, but merely my preliminary summary: I did not paying enough attention to the US exporting both want to dampen the enthusiasm with which my speech inflation and volatility through US Federal Reserve was being met—I strongly welcome the OFT’s decision monetary policy. to call for more information about the way in which the petrol retail market works. As has been said, the OFT has said that it will Mr Hayes: That is a typically incisive and insightful consider whether reductions in the price of crude oil are contribution from my hon. Friend. I will say a little being reflected in falling pump prices; whether the more about volatility, but the House will have heard his practices of supermarkets, which have been mentioned argument. It seems to me to be as impressive as his by a number of Members today, and major oil companies arguments usually are, and I shall certainly give further may be making it more difficult for independent retailers consideration to the matter. to compete with them—I shall say more about that in a In the spirit of being open-minded—this is, of course, moment; whether there is a lack of competition between an immensely open-minded Government—let me mention fuel retailers in some remote communities in the UK; the Wheatley review into LIBOR, which is considering and whether the concern about price co-ordination and whether benchmarks or indices in other markets also the structure of road fuels markets that has been expressed need to be looked at. It will, of course, include this by other national competition authorities is relevant in market and it aims to publish its conclusions by the end the UK. That is a first step, and reflects the fact that, to of September. I look forward, too, to the recommendations date—as was pointed out by my hon. Friend the Member from the International Organisation of Securities for Warrington South—no clear evidence has not been Commissions, and the Government will consider how provided to demonstrate that there is reason for concern to take those forward in the G20 and how to implement about competition in the market. Nevertheless, the inquiry them in the UK to ensure oil price benchmarks are not is welcome: I want to make that absolutely clear. open to manipulation. As a result of this debate, however, I ask my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow, and and of the arguments made by my hon. Friends and other Members with an interest in the subject, to engage others, I will write to the Financial Services Authority with the OFT’s study—I have no doubt that my hon. about the concerns raised here today. There is no point Friend was going to do so anyway, but I wanted to place in our having these sorts of debates if they do not that on the record—and to participate fully, as my inform and inspire Government policy. In the case of Department will: I commit myself today to ensuring this Minister, they will do just that. that that happens. What is important at this stage is for Members or their constituents who have evidence relevant It is absolutely right that we enhance transparency in to the scope of the OFT’s call for information to make the oil and commodity markets. The Government continue it available before 17 October. work to improve the functioning of the global market and to reduce price volatility through engaging with key As I have said, my Department’s analysis shows that oil-producing countries to promote investment in oil changes in the wholesale price of crude, both increases production and responsible behaviour in the market—the and decreases, are passed on, but I shall nevertheless matter raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe ask my officials to look at the matter again and revisit (Steve Baker) a few moments ago. To that end, we have their analysis, as a direct result of the debate and my also championed a new charter for the International hon. Friend’s wider contribution to discussions on this Energy Forum, and we will continue to monitor closely subject. the impact of initiatives being taken in several other The important issue of what might be called “fuel G20 countries, including Germany and Austria, to improve deserts” was also raised today. The OFT is seeking fuel price transparency. evidence relating to the decline in the number of independent petrol stations and the rise of hypermarkets. Demand is another issue, and reducing the UK’s That too has been mentioned by a number of Members, long-term dependency on oil and petroleum products is including my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington a Government priority. This includes developing ultra- South and my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford. low-carbon vehicles, high-speed rail networks and renewable The Government have taken tough action in the past to heat incentives. We are working within the G20 to address the potential of local monopolies. For example, reduce oil demand globally—for example, through the this summer, following an OFT investigation, Shell gave work to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. At the same time, it undertakings to sell a number of its petrol stations is important to ensure that the market is well supplied, because of concerns of this kind. and we are working with the International Energy Agency, including on post- Libya stock release. Some Members mentioned the problems of rurality. The hon. Member for Inverclyde (Mr McKenzie) and The Office of Fair Trading call for evidence is central my hon. Friend the Member for Camborne and Redruth to our considerations today. I encourage all Members (George Eustice) represent rural constituencies, and I to submit evidence to the OFT, and I know that many am quite deeply affected by the problems myself. I know who have spoken in the debate will do just that. Of from my own experience in Lincolnshire that rural course we must not intervene until that call for evidence communities can be disadvantaged when the number of is complete. My Department believes that changes in petrol retailers falls and journeys to obtain petrol and the price of crude are indeed passed on to the pumps, diesel become longer. I will also ask my officials to look although, as is clear from the data, there is a considerable at the relationship between storage capacity and the time lag. There is certainly a case for greater transparency, declining number of retailers; the picture is mixed because about which, as my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow of the size of tanks that are kept in different places, but will know, the OFT has specifically asked for evidence. I am interested in the issue. 493 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 494

Independent petrol stations are often located in more Mr MacNeil: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. rural areas, and can provide a valuable service for local Will he consider increasing the rural fuel derogation communities. As was mentioned by the hon. Member and extending the rural areas that are covered by it, not for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Tom Greatrex), only in Scotland but in Wales and England? there is concern about the effect on rural resilience in the event of further closures of such petrol stations. As Mr Hayes: Given what I have said about my credentials I said earlier, the OFT has signalled that it is seeking in respect of rurality, the hon. Gentleman can be absolutely evidence relating to the decline in the number of convinced that my concern for rural areas in England, independent petrol stations and the rise of the hypermarket Scotland and the rest of our United Kingdom will be at retailers, to which the hon. Gentleman and others referred. the very heart of all I do. I particularly thank my hon. Friend the Member for I again thank my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow High Peak (Andrew Bingham) for emphasising the for securing this debate, and in response to his three effect that that has on his constituents. I must make it core points, I say the following. First, petrol prices are clear again that the Government have not been reluctant high, but had we implemented the previous Government’s to take action in the past, and would be happy to do so policies, they could have been 10p per litre higher, and again if the evidence legitimised such action. we have taken location-specific action through the rural Earlier this year, my Department commissioned a duty rebate scheme. study of the retail market for road fuels, to develop Secondly, DECC analysis shows that changes in the further our evidence-base on the size and shape of the price of crude are passed on at the pump—although market and our knowledge of the impact of the structural there is a significant time delay. The Government are change to the market over recent years. I will write to keen to establish whether there is evidence to the contrary, interested Members with details of the findings in due however, and we will revisit our analysis. The OFT will course and share them with the OFT. That is what it also look at this, and I encourage those with evidence to says in my script, but I will do more than that: I will give to submit it before the due date. write to all Members of the House, because I know that all Members are interested in these matters. We will Thirdly, price transparency is important to build keep the whole House fully informed of the steps the consumer confidence. In the call for information, the Government are taking. OFT noted that DECC and the Department for Transport have been in discussions with the fuel industry on As a result of the arguments my hon. Friend the possible ways to improve information on fuel prices, Member for Harlow has made today, I will also instruct and we have agreed to await publication of the OFT’s my officials to ensure that this study should include findings before taking further steps. Let there be no detailed analysis of how far people have to travel to mistake, however: I shall make sure that coherence reach their nearest petrol station, and how this has informs our approach to that cross-departmental work. changed over time. He may count that as a significant The Government take seriously the potential for victory for him and a tribute to the work he has done. manipulation of reported price benchmarks and look In conclusion— forward to the International Organisation of Securities Commissions recommendations. We will consider how Tom Greatrex rose— to take them forward in the G20 and how to implement them in the UK, to ensure that oil price benchmarks are Mr Hayes: Before moving to my exciting peroration, not open to manipulation. As I have said, I will write to I shall happily give way to the hon. Gentleman. the Financial Services Authority to express Members’ concerns. I encourage my hon. Friend and others in this House to work constructively with the OFT and await Tom Greatrex: While the Minister is in the mood to the result of its call for information. As has been said, at instruct his officials to do various things in response to this stage the OFT has not ruled out a more detailed this debate, may I reiterate my point about the work the market study. This first step of the call for information previous Transport Secretary said would happen, but will enable the OFT to take a view on potential market which it appears the Department is now saying will not concerns and the need for further work. The OFT will happen until after an OFT inquiry? Will the Minister publish early next year, alongside recommendations for look into that, and see whether it could happen sooner action by others to support fair and open competition rather than later? in the market. Let me end by saying that energy is vital for growth, Mr Hayes: I thought that was the best point among as fuel provides the power for our economy. However, many that the shadow Minister made in his speech. The this is also about the effect on consumers—it is indeed OFT plans to report in January 2013. As the hon. about social justice. In my job, as the people’s Minister Gentleman knows, it is looking specifically at the issue from the people’s party—the party of Wilberforce, of transparency, and we want to feed its findings into Shaftesbury and Disraeli—the people’s concerns for our work. I will certainly take a look at the timing issue social justice will motivate, inspire and inform all I do, he describes, however, to make sure we are acting in a in this matter and in others. coherent and consistent way.

Mr MacNeil rose— 3.36 pm Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): I am not sure Mr Hayes: I shall give way, but these interventions whether I can match the excitement generated by the are slightly Wagnerian, as they serve to add to the Minister but, in concluding this debate, I, too, join in expectation in advance of my exciting peroration. the congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for 495 Fuel Prices13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Fuel Prices 496

[Martin Vickers] Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Martin Vickers) agree with me, and with many of our fair fuel and petrol Harlow (Robert Halfon), who has certainly made his price campaigners, that Governments can do nothing name—he is now known nationwide as “Mr Fair Fuel”. more at the moment to help hard-pressed families, It is a pleasure to serve as his deputy on the all-party commuters and small businesses than cutting fuel duty group on fair fuel for motorists and hauliers. and that oil companies can do nothing more to support This has been a good debate, with every speaker our economy at this tough time than acting fairly and highlighting the impact on their constituents. Without transparently in the way they price their products? doubt, the cost of living is, along with the other economic issues of jobs and growth, the No. 1 concern of our constituents. There is a widespread view that the tax Martin Vickers: I agree entirely. My hon. Friend, as and duty on petrol is way too high, and that it is unfair, always, gets right to the heart of the matter. particularly as it falls disproportionately on hard-working families, especially in rural areas, as has frequently been My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George mentioned. People know that the Government are Freeman) gave a particularly good analysis of the impact particularly keen to help and support them and, having on rural economies. As other hon. Members have said, heard the Minister’s comments, I am confident that that many of our constituents in rural areas now have to is the case. As my hon. Friend the Member for Camborne drive much further to fill up as a result of the drastic and Redruth (George Eustice) and others have said, the reduction in the number of petrol forecourts, particularly Government are particularly alert to the problems affecting in the independent sector. It is worth pointing out that hard-working families. It has been said numerous times we should not blame the independent operators. They but it cannot be said too often that petrol is 10p a litre are local businessmen seeking to make a decent living. cheaper now than it would have been had the Chancellor These fuel prices are affecting the average person every not acted. day of their lives in a negative way. The more that goes in tax, the less there is to spend and boost the local It is worth mentioning that in my constituency many economy. I was pleased to hear the Minister speak hundreds of people work in the oil industry at the about being robust and that he is not reluctant to take refineries in Immingham and along the Humber bank, further action and would be prepared to revisit the and the industry is vital to the local economy.Nevertheless, many issues raised if new evidence is brought forward, the public remain understandably cynical about, and which is encouraging. suspicious of, what they see: vast profits; volatility in markets; and the results of falls in oil prices not being We have had an exceptionally good debate. The root quite as dramatic as those of increases. My hon. Friend cause of the problem might be market manipulation, the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Jake Berry) and it might not. Despite allegations one way or the referred to a broken market, and my constituents, who other, our constituents deserve the real answers. In live within walking distance of a refinery and often find summary, I fully support the OFT’s moves so far but that they get a better deal by driving many miles to save believe that, along with the FSA, a full, independent a few pence a litre, can testify to that. and transparent investigation is needed. As I have said, It is long time—14 years, I believe—since the OFT the unfair price of fuel at the pumps is not the fault of last investigated the sector, and I thank the Petrol the independent forecourts, which have seen high rates Retailers Association for bringing that to my attention. of closure over the years; it is possibly the outcome of Clearly, another investigation is urgently needed. As my price fixing by the people involved in the oil market. hon. Friend the Member for Harlow has pointed out on Our country cannot survive these continued price hikes. a number of occasions, other G20 nations are taking They damage individuals and business. It is good to see regulatory action and we need to ask ourselves why we cross-party support for the motion. are so far behind. While we push for a full investigation, Question put and agreed to. I also want to give my support to the call for evidence. I encourage, as the Minister did, all Members to submit Resolved, evidence. Our constituents rightly expect the discrepancies in That this House notes the call for evidence by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on competition in the UK petrol and diesel costs that flow from oilfields and platforms to be market; however, believes that the OFT and Financial Services immediately reflected at the pump. While we are seeking Authority should launch a full investigation into oil firms active the how and why, what should concern us more than in the UK; calls on the Government to consider the emergency anything—we have heard evidence of this in the debate—is steps being taken in other G20 countries to reduce fuel prices; the burden that this cost places on the average person notes, for example, the announcement by President Obama to and on the average business, and on their ability to strengthen federal supervision of the US oil market and to contribute positively to the economy. increase penalties for market manipulation, and the move by Germany and Austria to establish a new oil regulator with a remit to help stabilise the price of petrol in those countries; and further Jason McCartney: As one of the signatories to the urges the OFT to note that the Federal Cartel Office in Germany motion, I praise my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow is now investigating oil firms who are active in the UK following (Robert Halfon) for securing the debate. Does my hon. allegations of price fixing. 497 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 498

Tax Avoidance and Evasion Secondly, there is the obvious point that if tax avoidance were cut sharply, many of the Government’s cuts in public spending and benefits would not be necessary 3.42 pm and, I think, could not be justified. Thirdly, the tax Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) avoidance industry—I do not exaggerate in saying that (Lab): I beg to move, it is a parasite on the body politic—would be rendered largely obsolete. That this House has considered the matter of tax avoidance and tax evasion. The fact that City lawyers and accountants are paid I would first like to thank very sincerely the Backbench vast sums to get round and neutralise what Parliament Business Committee for giving me the opportunity to plainly intended in its Finance Bills is an open sore that raise this issue for debate. Tax avoidance and evasion is would infect any democratic and fair society. The fact a cancer in Britain’s society today. The Prime Minister that they are allowed to do it makes monkeys of the was right to condemn it as morally wrong and the Government. The fourth, and very important, point is Chancellor was right to condemn it as morally repugnant. that if most tax avoidance were stopped—I realise that The problem is that the Government’s actions to deal it will never stop completely—companies would be with it have been feeble and do not match those words, forced to compete not on the basis of who was best at if indeed they are not downright evasive, as I shall show. abusing tax law but on the quality of their goods and services. The benefit for the British economy would be The extent of tax avoidance and evasion is much substantial. disputed, but even the Government admit that, along What has been the Government’s response? Tomorrow with uncollected taxes, it reached £42 billion a year in is the last day of the Government’s consultation on 2009, which is equal to one third of the entire UK what they call their general anti-abuse rule, or GAAR, budget deficit. Spread over the past six years, it amounted for tax. The background to that repays some examination. to £228 billion. The Tax Justice Network believes that The Government commissioned the Aaronson group— the true figure might be up to three times higher. For the Graham Aaronson is a prominent lawyer—to advise on purposes of this debate and this argument, let us accept the construction of such a rule. The group reported last the Government’s figure at the moment—it is certainly November, I think. Extraordinarily, the report states big enough. right at the start that a broad anti-tax-avoidance rule is not necessary or desirable; it should apply only in the Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): Will the right hon. most extreme cases, so that for the overwhelming majority Gentleman give way? of cases circumventing taxes should continue as before. Mr Meacher: Iamalwaysreadytogivewaytothe I should point out that Aaronson has only ever hon. Gentleman on these issues. represented companies or persons against HMRC; he has always acted pro the tax avoidance industry and Steve Baker: I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman never pro tax. Appointing him is rather like putting a on securing the debate; it was an honour to join him in poacher in charge of the grouse moors. Aaronson chose bidding for it. as his adviser Lord Hoffman, the man who killed the Ramsay principle—the general anti-tax-avoidance principle, I wanted to check where the right hon. Gentleman or GANTIP—in the Westmoreland Investments case in was getting his figures from. I am looking at the 2011 2001. The Government’s two key advisers on anti-tax- tax gap document from Her Majesty’s Revenue and avoidance measures were carefully chosen in the sure Customs. It gives a figure of £35 billion for 2009-10. knowledge that they would never recommend any such Where did he get the figure of £42 billion from? action. Thus, of course, it has proved. The Aaronson report recommended that if a general anti-abuse rule Mr Meacher: I got it from the same source. I thought were accepted at all, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs that the figure for 2008-09 was £42 billion. I shall write should be obliged to consult and get the approval of a to the hon. Gentleman later. The average over the tribunal before it could be used against any particular period is, I think, £38 billion and I am sure that the level person or company. In other words, the Government’s reached £42 billion. official tax collection agency should have to get permission from an external body before it could exercise its legal The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David powers. That is an extraordinary proposal. However, it Gauke): To be helpful, I should say that I think the right gets worse. The Aaronson group proposed that the hon. Gentleman is citing the 2008-09 number, while my tribunal should have three members—fair enough—of hon. Friend is citing the 2009-10 number. whom two should be from the tax avoidance industry. That makes it an open and shut case: the general Mr Meacher: I thank the Minister for that helpful anti-abuse rule will certainly gather dust on the shelf. intervention. Once again, I find myself at one with the hon. Member for Wycombe (Steve Baker). Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): The right The haemorrhaging of tax revenues on the scale that hon. Gentleman is making a compelling case to suggest I have described matters a great deal. First, and obviously, that the Government are not fully enthused about this it is deeply unjust because tax avoidance and evasion kind of idea. Will he give me a sense of where his Front are heavily concentrated among the big corporations Benchers stand on the matter? I absolutely support his and the mega-rich. If they pay hugely less than their views, but I would love to know whether they are real liabilities, that must mean that, for any given behind him. expenditure, those on average and low incomes have to Mr Meacher: We have our representative on the Front pay more. That is always unjust, but it is particularly Bench who will speak about that, but I will come to unjust at a time of prolonged austerity. what I think should be done. 499 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 500

[Mr Meacher] expect the Government Whips to give it a fair run. It was prepared and drafted by Richard Murphy, one of The Government have said that they will accept the the founding members of the Tax Justice Network and, Aaronson proposals in full—what a surprise! So the I can say without any exaggeration, one of the country’s Prime Minister’s boast that he was cracking down on leading tax accountants. It would overturn the rule in aggressive tax avoidance turns out to be nothing more the so-called Duke of Westminster case in 1936, which than a paper aeroplane job devised in the certain knowledge has underpinned the tax avoidance activities of the that it will never fly. accounting, legal and banking professions ever since for After this tragic-comic charade, what will Government’s three quarters of a century. In effect, there is an economic Bill, scheduled for next year, achieve? If it is used at all, test at the core of my Bill that can be applied if, having other than as a fig leaf to cover the Chancellor’s nakedness taken into account all the relevant circumstances relating on this issue, I think that it will be drawn extremely to the economic substance of a transaction, it appears narrowly to include only the most egregious and extreme that tax is not being paid by the right person, in the cases of tax abuse. It will exclude national insurance right amount, in the right place, at the right time, or and VAT, which are a pretty large part of the tax at all system, and will not even regard the shifting of income, GANTIP is crucial, but other measures are also profit or gain from one tax category to another in order needed and I will address them briefly. The Government to gain a tax advantage as being within the definition of should seek an international financial standard that tax avoidance. I ask you, Mr Deputy Speaker! Indeed, requires country-by-country reporting by transnational the fact that the Government’s own economic impact corporations in order to block the immense loophole of assessment for the proposed general anti-abuse rule transfer pricing. The European Union savings tax directive, states that it will have little or no measurable impact which the UK Government have repeatedly tried to makes it absolutely clear that the anti-abuse rule is just a water down, should be strengthened to include offshore massive white elephant. trusts, which are a favourite tool of the tax-cheating industry. The non-dom rule was introduced in 1799—it Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): I congratulate is somewhat anachronistic—and the UK is now the my right hon. Friend on securing this important debate. only country in the world, apart from Ireland, I think, He is rightly making a powerful case about tax avoidance that does not tax worldwide earnings. It should be in the UK, but does he recognise that it is also a global abolished. problem? Recent OECD statistics show that the amount A much tougher line should be taken on closing of tax avoidance that takes place in developing countries down UK tax havens. The UK Crown dependencies is three times as much as the global aid budget, and the hold some $7 trillion of US bank deposits and probably Government’s recent legislation on controlled foreign dodge some £30 billion of tax. The Cayman Islands companies makes it easier for companies to avoid paying have just 30,000 inhabitants, but they are home to tax in developing countries. 457,000 shell companies. We should adopt the rule that Mr Meacher: I agree. That is a question to which the unless such territories provide full and automatic Minister should reply. What concerns me is that this information on all such funds that can be taxed, any Government, out of those in all the western countries, transactions with such tax havens should be declared particularly those in the EU and the OECD, have been illegal. dragging their feet the most on this issue. In conclusion, I do not often agree with the Prime Why are the Government introducing this measure? Minister and the Chancellor, but tax avoidance is morally That can only be a matter of conjecture, but I suspect, wrong and morally repugnant. It is high time that we as does the Association of Revenue and Customs, which had in this country a Government whose actions show represents senior officials at HMRC, that its real purpose that they actually believe and support that. is to stop almost nothing while allowing the vast amount Several hon. Members rose— of tax avoidance that it will never address to be deemed ethically and technically acceptable when of course it is Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): I am going nothing of the kind—in other words, to move the to introduce a 10-minute limit, so we should get everybody goalposts even further towards expanding the boundaries in. of so-called legitimate tax avoidance. I hope that the Minister will convince me and the House that that is not 3.58 pm so, but that is certainly how many people read it. Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): I congratulate the Turning to the point raised by the hon. Member for right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), what should be (Mr Meacher) on securing this debate. He has introduced done in place of this mealy-mouthed Government measure? it with the highest standards and in the finest traditions First and foremost, we need a general anti-tax avoidance of the House. I know that he feels he is on the moral principle—GANTIP—enshrined in statute. That would high ground, and in many ways he is. I hope that the allow HMRC to declare null and void any scheme whole House will join me in wishing him the speediest whose primary purpose was an artificial contrivance to of recoveries from his injuries. avoid tax rather than to act as a genuine economic On evasion, Parliament is absolutely entitled to expect transaction. I think that most people in this country the law to be obeyed and its will must be expressed in would agree that that is an extremely fair and reasonable law. If people are able to behave lawfully but other than proposition. in accordance with the spirit of the House, the law That is exactly what my private Member’s Bill, the should be changed, which is a point that my hon. General Anti Tax-Avoidance Principle Bill, would do. It Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Jacob is due to receive its Second Reading tomorrow and I Rees-Mogg) has made on numerous occasions. I am 501 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 502 prepared to accept the possibility that I am the only examples of enormous waste, partly through people not Member who does not know the tax code from one end being given adequate skills. I will not bore her with the to the other. I see that you are nodding, Mr Deputy technical details, but a job that I could have done in Speaker, so perhaps I am alone in that regard. about two days with software was going to be done over About 12 years ago, when I worked as a software the course of six months by a team of 20. That kind of engineer servicing HMRC, I recall setting up electronic nonsense has to stop. They were doing something by checking for certain pay-as-you-earn, end-of-year returns. hand that ought to have been done using software. The It simply was not possible to submit a valid expenses level of work that people were doing was almost degrading. and benefits return in 2001. We had to go to some People must be upskilled so that such nonsense can be lengths to persuade HMRC that it had to change its brought to an end. I therefore support the Government rules if it was to have an internally valid submission. in their drive to increase efficiency at HMRC. Since then, the tax code has lengthened infamously. I We all know why tax avoidance happens: people may be alone in not understanding the tax code, but it desire to pay less tax. The Government know that. appears that in some instances, HMRC has not understood Through forms of tax avoidance that are barely worthy it either. of the name, such as individual savings accounts and My first point is that Parliament’s will must be expressed pensions, the Government have always deliberately clearly in the law and that people should obey it. I incentivised certain behaviours by creating tax breaks. object to the most complex tax avoidance schemes for That is not really the subject of the debate. I mention it two reasons. First, as was set out by the right hon. only to demonstrate that we all understand that everybody Member for Oldham West and Royton, if people are would like to pay less tax. I would be grateful if the setting up sophisticated schemes to avoid the clearly Minister confirmed for anybody who is watching, listening expressed will of Parliament, they are shifting the tax to or reading this debate by what mechanism they can burden on to others who are less able to pay. I agree make voluntary payments to the Treasury, not because I with him about that. wish to make one, but because I think that it ought to be My second reason was not given by the right hon. established how one could make a voluntary payment if Gentleman. My most profound objection is that people one so wished. quit the moral high ground when they engage in such The heart of this debate is the question of altruism. schemes. They make it more difficult for those of us My feeling is that Members of all parties often feel that who believe that low taxes are in the general interest to people constructing sophisticated avoidance schemes make our case. They open the door to another industry— are insufficiently altruistic. There are a wide range of not merely the tax avoidance industry—that uses the perspectives on that. Rarely in this country do we hear complexity in our tax system, its opaqueness and its the cry, “All tax is theft”, but at one extreme there is the openness to various interpretations to construct a case rather childish hysteria of objectivism, which totally that discredits not only our tax system, but the rule of rejects all altruism, and at the other there is the altruism law. For those two reasons, I object to the sophisticated of the state collective. schemes that we all know so well. I will move on to the scale and the breakdown of the As it happens, I believe that having the state collective tax gap. We had an exchange earlier about the figures. as the basis of all altruism is extremely dangerous. I am The total tax gap in 2009-10 was £35 billion. Of that, a great believer in individual altruism, so I say to the £5 billion or 14% was due to avoidance and £2 billion wealthy that they should not only pay their taxes as due to error. The remaining categories were broadly Parliament intends but be altruistic and engage in equal. Criminal attacks, evasion and the hidden economy philanthropy wherever they can. Let us win the moral all involve breaches of the law and ought to be pursued high ground for lower taxes so that people can give in the usual way. I am grateful to the Minister for more voluntarily and demonstrate that voluntary individual acknowledging that. The other three categories were a altruism is a better basis for society than coercion. I failure to take reasonable care at £4 billion; non-payment, believe that liberty is the proper context for all virtue. which includes insolvency, at £4 billion; and legal There is very little virtue in obedience to an inescapable interpretation at £5 billion. Although those figures sound authority or in simply submitting to the pay-as-you-earn large, we need to bear it in mind that avoidance and tax system, but there is a great deal of virtue in someone legal interpretation, which is a potentially source of making their fortune and choosing to give it away. avoidance, make up £10 billion of the total of £35 billion stated by HMRC. There seems to be a suggestion inherent in the debate that people who are wealthy have in some sense done something wrong. If somebody in business has at every Caroline Lucas: I share the hon. Gentleman’s opposition step created value for other people without force or to the level of tax evasion and avoidance. Does he agree fraud, they are justly wealthy. If people believe that that it is therefore regrettable that his Government are wealth has been obtained by criminal acts of force or cutting the number of people working at HMRC by fraud, criminal prosecutions should be pursued. If people about 7,000? The very people who could be chasing are wealthy because they have made a just profit and after tax avoidance and evasion are being sacked by created value for society, they should be applauded. If his Government and we therefore do not have the we are to have a free, just and prosperous society, we resources to go after it. Is that not the worst kind of must reconcile ourselves to the notion that profit is a false economy? social good. Steve Baker: To return to my earlier remarks, having An enormous amount of damage is done by serviced HMRC as a technical consultant on and off for misinformation. The Tax Justice Network, which was a very long time, I could give the hon. Lady lengthy mentioned earlier, has been discredited in another report, 503 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 504

[Steve Baker] tax and putting so much time, energy and money into finding ways to avoid making their proper contribution. and we could go to and fro arguing about who is right It is a terrible sickness at the heart of our society that and who is wrong, but it is important that people do not too many well-heeled individuals and profitable discredit the tax system unnecessarily. corporations simply do not accept that they, too, have a My next point is about the rule of law and the general duty, coming from their legitimate wealth, to contribute anti-avoidance rule. I initially ranted about that to the according to their means to the society from which they Attorney-General, and he related a case—I cannot recall expect to take according to their needs and their which right now—indicating that there is a long-standing expectations. Too many rich individuals and profitable tradition of HMRC being able to interpret the law in a companies see tax avoidance as clever, cool and worthy particular way in order to apply Parliament’s will. I am of praise and admiration, whereas it is immoral and extremely sceptical of anything that allows the law to be wrong. applied retrospectively so that people cannot predict If we are to maintain public confidence in the tax how their actions will be interpreted. system, it is vital that everyone knows and sees that it is Having visited sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and Pakistan fair, with everyone paying their fair and proper share to since my election, I am absolutely convinced that the the collective purse. Tax avoidance and evasion are primary reason for poverty in those places is that they important because huge sums are involved. We have lack the rule of law. We interfere with the rule of law at had the HMRC estimates and I have seen a Tax Research our peril, and if we are really serious about the prosperity UK estimate that puts the tax gap at £120 billion. of the poorest, we must ensure that it continues to be Whichever argument we believe, we are talking about possible in our country to invest capital productively to many, many billions. A quarter of that sum is down to raise real wages. That requires certainty and the rule of tax avoidance and evasion, but we should also have law. regard to the fact that the Government, in figures published last year, admitted writing off nearly £11 billion What, then, is to be done? I will not even be able to of tax that HMRC called “uncollectable”. attempt in one minute and 50 seconds to enter into evidence the 2020 Tax Commission’s report on the When the Select Committee on Public Administration single income tax, but I encourage the Minister to considered how HMRC handled the large tax disputes proceed with radical tax simplification. I believe that with major corporations, we found that up to a potential much of what we are discussing could be dealt with if £25 billion of moneys were outstanding to the Exchequer, taxes were both simpler and lower. At this stage, with although I accept that that figure is not precise. That is the mess that we have been handed, it seems to me that a huge sum and we need to set it against the cuts the there is no chance of low taxes before the election. I Government have chosen to implement, such as the would be astonished if the Government were able to £24 billion per annum cuts in benefits, tax credits and deliver them. However, I encourage them to do everything pensions that hit the most vulnerable in our society. possible to simplify taxes so that they can be applied The PAC considered a range of tax avoidance issues, equally to all and we can end the discrediting of the law including how HMRC handles disputes with large and Parliament that happens when people engage in companies, the use of personal service companies and schemes that are obviously mendacious. I am grateful to how those who engage in business with and make their the right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton money out of the public sector arrange their affairs to for securing the debate and hope that we will have a avoid tax. This autumn, we will receive a report from productive exchange of views. the National Audit Office on the tax avoidance schemes exploited by wealthy individuals exposed by The Times, 4.9 pm which found that wealthy people were too often paying as little as 1% of their income on tax arrangements such Margaret Hodge (Barking) (Lab): I, too, congratulate as the K2 scheme used by people such as Jimmy Carr. my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West and Based on that work, I want to focus on four points on Royton (Mr Meacher) on securing the debate. I welcome which I think that the Government can take practical the growing public interest in these issues, which is steps to tackle and stop avoidance and evasion. First, perhaps not reflected in the attendance in the Chamber greater transparency is vital. We know so little and on a Thursday afternoon. An issue that is sometimes people get away with so much because the principle of seen as dry and complex and often portrayed as too taxpayer confidentiality is used and, in some cases, difficult or obscure for people to get their heads around abused to prevent proper accountability to the public by is now accepted as a matter of great public interest. I the tax authorities. We uncovered the scandal surrounding welcome the determination of the media in that regard, the Goldman Sachs settlement because of the brave and particularly that of The Times, which has done a good determined efforts of one whistleblower. Questions job of investigating the issues and identifying and exposing surrounding other deals remain, such as, in the case of what is becoming a plethora of tax avoidance schemes the Vodafone deal, whether the amount finally paid was that persist in the UK. correct and whether it was right for the company to be Hard-working British families, who have had to cope given extra time to pay. The Government should consider with a cut in their living standards and less money in full transparency on the tax negotiations for the FTSE their pockets because of the state of the economy and 100 companies. They are publicly quoted companies who pay their proper contribution in tax to fund all our that publish their accounts, and we know from their collective endeavours and ensure that we have the public accounts how much they pay, so we should also be able services and infrastructure on which we all depend, are to monitor how settlements are reached and why the rightly angry when they see a small elite in Britain—wealthy amounts are determined. People advising those companies individuals and profitable large corporations—avoiding use knowledge gained from negotiating one deal to get 505 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 506 a better settlement for other clients. The public should My third point is about the outrage caused by people also have that knowledge, so that we can consider whose income comes out of our taxes, but who fail to whether avoidance exists. make their rightful contribution. I applaud the way that the Government responded to the disclosure that some Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) civil servants have personal services companies, and I (LD): I agree with the right hon. Lady and I thank her hope that their work, and the work done by the Committee and members of her Committee for their diligent work. to support the report on that, will ensure that such First, have they considered looking at countries that practices no longer exist within the civil service. Evidence have a full transparency regime for publicly quoted from the BBC, however, was shocking. Some 25,000 people companies? Secondly, will they ensure that no company working for the BBC are on off-payroll contracts, including that does business with the Government can use offshore 13,000 so-called “talent individuals” who appear on our tax havens in any part of its ownership arrangements? television screens or on the radio. That is not an acceptable That is currently very common, particularly among practice—goodness knows how it evolved—and I urge public utilities such as water companies and others that the Minister to take action on that and in local government supply key, nationally important infrastructure. where personal service companies still exist. I should tell the Minister that in 2010-11, HMRC investigated only 23 cases of potential abuse of the use of the Margaret Hodge: The Committee tries to look at personal service company vehicle, which was down international comparators, but it does not do enough from 1,000 such cases in 2003-04. There is a resources such work. The right hon. Gentleman’s second point and priorities issue within HMRC. Those people should was to be one of my suggestions to the Government, set an example and show leadership in the fight against and I agree with him entirely.My final point on transparency tax avoidance, and we should be able to see that they are is that there is a belief in the country at large that bigger doing so. companies are not treated in the same way as small and Equally—this point was raised by the right hon. medium-sized enterprises, which are struggling and often Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon pursued relentlessly by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Hughes)—companies that benefit from public expenditure That belief will be shattered or broken only if we have and provide infrastructural services from the taxpayers’ full transparency and people can see that there are no pound should pay their proper tax to the Exchequer. sweetheart deals. That should be written into the contracts. The problem My second point concerns the proper resourcing of that the Committee has uncovered most is in relation to HMRC to tackle avoidance and evasion. Of course we private finance initiative projects. An assumption is want more efficiency from everyone employed at HMRC. made by the Treasury in the cost-benefit analysis of The Labour Government cut 3,000 jobs, but I think that whether to go ahead with a PFI project that income will was wrong because evidence shows that for every £1 invested come back to the Treasury through corporation tax, yet in pursuing tax avoidance, £10 is raised from the money all too often, the companies that take the PFI contracts collected. We should, therefore, be sensible about how or buy them subsequently take their interest offshore. A we cut the deficit and we should invest in those areas recent survey by the European Services Strategy Unit where we will get money back. found 90 firms in PFI contracts funded by the taxpayer I say to the Minister that it is worrying to see the that were based offshore for tax purposes. HSBC threshold at which HMRC intends to pursue fraud infrastructure unit, which has a lot of PFI deals, paid actions raised because it does not have enough legal only £100,000 in tax on £38 million in profit—a tax rate resources. It is also worrying that the extra money of less than 0.03%. released by the Government in the spending review is Finally, I agree entirely on simplification. Complexity not currently being used because HMRC cannot work breeds avoidance and evasion. All Governments are to out the training programmes that are required to get blame. They might introduce complexities with the best individuals up to speed for work on tax avoidance and of intentions, but they end up as wheezes for avoidance evasion. and evasion. Labour’s film tax credit was a classic example of that. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): One of the reports I urge the Government to stop talking—we all talk considered by the right hon. Lady’s Committee contained the same talk. We must now deliver on simplification an acknowledgment by the Treasury that £1.1 billion and on those simple ways to ensure that tax avoidance is was lost as a result of premature staff reductions. A not used as an excuse for cutting public services. report by the National Audit Office gives the figure of £1.1 billion losses to HMRC as a result of accelerating the cuts. 4.22 pm Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): It is a pleasure to Margaret Hodge: I accept that entirely and it was not follow the right hon. Member for Barking (Margaret a sensible way of proceeding. I also want to mention the Hodge) and I join the congratulations to the right hon. quality of staff in HMRC. When we carried out the Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) Goldman Sachs review, it was worrying to find that so on securing this important debate. I have spent a lot of few people at the heart of HMRC who were engaged in the last few months debating tax—it came up in the those negotiations had what was called a “deep knowledge” Finance Bill and at various other times—which shows of tax. They were up against highly skilled, knowledgeable how important it is. I promise that I will not list any and experienced—and highly paid—people, who were Take That songs to embarrass celebrities who seek advising companies and high-wealth individuals. We to avoid tax. I got enough flak for that the last time I must look at both quality and quantity of staff. tried it. 507 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 508

[Nigel Mills] general anti-abuse rule is that it allows the Revenue to say, “Okay, maybe you’re within the law, but we don’t I agree with hon. Members who have spoken that it is think the law should have said what it said, so you absolutely right that the Government do everything should’ve been outside the law, even though you weren’t, they can to minimise tax evasion and avoidance. All and so we’re going to punish you.” I am not sure that we hon. Members want everyone to pay the amount of tax would want to give that power to a state agency in any they fairly owe, because that reduces the burden on other field of the law—the power to enforce not the law everybody who does so. It is right that the Government as we set it but the law as it might think we ought to take every step they can within the legal powers they have set it. have to ensure that that happens. However much we stretch the general anti-abuse or Hon. Members have discussed how much the tax gap anti-avoidance rule, fundamentally we are saying that is. The last HMRC figures say that it is £35 billion. I the Revenue can tackle abuse that ought to be tackled have served on the all-party group on beer, which has by saying, “Ignore what Parliament says. Produce something inquired into measures to tackle beer duty fraud, so I that you think it should have said. And then enforce have been through in some detail the weakness of tax that.” I worry that that is a step too far—not that most gap calculations. The same issue came up in the Select of the people who would be caught would deserve Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs, which has had anything less than they get, but the Revenue would be an inquiry into fuel duty. There is a problem in calculating able to raise that stick against all manner of innocent how much revenue we do not have—we do not get the individuals and businesses as well. revenue, so it is quite hard to know what it would I worked as a tax adviser before entering this place. I be—but I suspect that £35 billion is not a million miles can assure hon. Members that I was drawing up advance off either way. I fear that the figure will have increased agreements on transfer pricing. I was not engaged in in the last tax year. I am told that if we look at the any naughty tax avoidance of any kind. Revenue Inquiries, difference between 2008-09 and 2009-10, the big reduction in using its powers, writes, “Please send me this information. was in the loss of VAT, which was probably caused by I think this doesn’t work as you say it does. By the way, the slight lowering of the VAT rate. Obviously, the rate if you don’t agree, I’ll have to use the general anti-avoidance has gone up since, so the tax gap will probably have rule.” And we have this stick being wielded in all manner increased slightly. of innocent situations in which businesses or individuals A report has shown that the UK tax gap is one of the have got themselves into a complex situation where tax lowest in the developed world—it is about 14% of tax law is not clear, especially if there are a lot of transactions revenue. I believe the gap in the US is somewhat higher, involving overseas parties. so it is not as if we are the worst in the world or have the Those individuals might be making perfectly sensible weakest regime. We might even have one of the best. commercial attempts to apply the law as they think it is. It is important to understand that the tax gap is not They might not be trying to avoid tax but might be entirely owing to complicated tax avoidance or deliberate trying to be fully compliant, so the possibility of having tax evasion. Much of it is innocent error and people that stick held over them and being told, “If you don’t lacking care in filing their returns—they do not actively pay up, we’re going to throw all these huge things at seek to get it wrong. Measures to tackle avoidance or you,” will rightly concern lots of businesses around the evasion will not close all £35 billion of the tax gap. country. We risk using a large sledgehammer, missing There is not much we can do to get tax off someone the nut and just increasing the burden on taxpayers. We who has gone bankrupt. Perhaps we could do more to have to look at the downsides of our tax regime appearing prevent the amount of tax they owe from building up too unfriendly and uncommercial. How much investment that high, but there will always be some loss when a will we lose, if international businesses and individuals business goes bust before paying its taxes. So we will not think that this is not a great place to do business? We get that £35 billion down to zero—this will not be the have to be careful, therefore, about how much power we panacea for the Government’s deficit problems—but it give the Revenue to apply its own interpretation of the is right that we seek to get it down as low as possible. law, rather than getting Parliament to do it. I commend some of what the Government have done. Only this week, we saw a press release from the high tax Simon Hughes: I understand all the arguments and unit showing that it was well ahead of its target and had have seen the reports about general anti-avoidance measures already saved the Exchequer £500 million. The Government and so on. Is there not the principle, however, that we have adopted the right strategy, building on that of the should expect everybody, whether individuals or corporate previous Government, to deal with tax avoidance: they bodies, to pay in tax at least a certain percentage of get in the disclosure of these ridiculously aggressive their profits every year to the Revenue—whether 20%, schemes, which ought to be closed down, and then they 25% or whatever—so that people know that they will close them down. Then the strategy is to improve and not be allowed, by clever ruses, to avoid a minimum tighten tax legislation for the areas most under threat, obligation to the state in which they live and work? so that those opportunities are not there. I am not convinced, however, that a general anti- Nigel Mills: I thank my right hon. Friend for his avoidance or anti-abuse rule is the right way to go. I intervention. Although that idea sounds attractive, and have concerns that it would contravene the rule of law. although various regimes around the world have minimum We, in Parliament, should pass laws that are clear, so profit taxes and things like that, it would add huge that everyone understands what the law is, and then we complexity to our already too complicated tax regime. can expect taxpayers to follow it. And if they do not, What we want is for people to be easily able to work out they can be severely punished. The problem with a what tax they owe and then to pay it. 509 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 510

I have tabled amendments to both Finance Bills while The report also sets out the need to simplify the I have been here to make the tax regime simpler, so that formalisation procedure. We need to make it simple for companies can get their tax profit much closer to their people to register their businesses for tax and to start accounting profit. It should be much easier for them to paying. It needs to be simple to work out how much tax know what tax they ought to pay, and if they have made is owed. Let us not have people making the excuse that an accounting profit, they ought to pay tax on it. That they did not pay tax because they did not know how kind of reform would be a far better way of going down much they were supposed to pay. this line and making the transparency agenda much My final point is that we are moving towards a clearer. We do not need most of the complicated cashless society. It ought to be harder for business to be adjustments, reliefs or allowances that were introduced, informal, because it is becoming more difficult for probably to support well-meaning ideas, over the last people to pay cash—indeed, I do not carry around a 150 years. Our regime is far too cumbersome. It incentivises large amount of cash to pay for things with. That things that we do not mean to incentivise and penalises should move us in that direction, but we should also say things that we probably ought to encourage. If we to consumers, “Don’t pay people in cash; don’t encourage moved to a much simpler, flatter regime, where what a tax avoidance.” business reports as its accounting profit is pretty much what it pays tax on, that would be in everyone’s interest. It would reduce avoidance and make it a lot easier for business to comply and a lot easier for the Revenue to 4.33 pm see that there was compliance, so that the Revenue’s Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): I congratulate resources could then be focused on tackling avoidance my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West and and evasion, which is what we ought to see. Royton (Mr Meacher) on initiating this important debate. I hope that I can take up one or two of the points made I would like to use my remaining time on a report by Government Members. published quite recently by the RSA called “Untapped Enterprise”, which I would recommend Members read. The overwhelming majority of people in this country It looks at how we can try to move people out of the pay tax through pay-as-you-earn, in the same way that informal economy and get them to be fully compliant as we in this House do. In my constituency, the average employers and taxpayers. The RSA’s research and the salary for full-time employment is under £23,000. I conclusions it reached are quite interesting. The report think we can proceed on the reasonable assumption says that a significant proportion of new entrepreneurs that my constituents are not making inquiries about feel that they need to stay in the informal economy how to set up personal service companies, let alone while they test out their business and see whether they make offshore tax arrangements. What is at stake, as my can make a profit on it, because they know that once right hon. Friends the Members for Oldham West and they get caught by all the tax compliance and other Royton and for Barking (Margaret Hodge) rightly pointed reporting requirements, that can take up so much time out, is fairness and justice. and money that they might not be able to get their It simply cannot be right for some of the richest business off the ground at all. Most of them do not stay individuals in this country significantly to minimise in the informal economy because they want to avoid their tax liability. My right hon. Friend the Member for tax; rather, they just want to focus on running their Barking also made the point that it cannot be right that business. those who receive a very high income—£500,000 or more—pay a lower rate of tax than my constituents Some of the ideas in the report for tackling the who are earning £23,000. It is Robin Hood in reverse. hidden economy are quite interesting. It makes the That is why this debate is so important, and I hope that point, which has been raised in the debate, that we need these discussions will not end without further action to nurture the concept that paying tax is right and being taken by the Government. moral, that we get proper value for public services from doing so and that everybody ought to be doing it. The The Prime Minister tried to make political capital out last thing we want to encourage is a situation where of the tax arrangements of a particular individual people think the Government are against them, that the during the recent mayoral election in London, but it taxman is an enemy or that avoiding tax is a perfectly was that same Prime Minister who appointed Sir Philip sensible, reasonable thing to do because they think, “It’s Green to examine Government spending—I suppose them versus us,” or, “Every penny I can save is a good we should be grateful that he was not asked to examine thing.” We need to make the case that paying tax is the tax avoidance. The hon. Member for Wycombe (Steve right thing and everyone should do it. Baker) said that we should not be unfair to those who create wealth, and that we should recognise their value. While I am on this subject, I agree that we need to I do not dispute that, but I do dispute the way in which reform the non-dom rules. I cannot see any justification those who are heavily involved in industry, commerce or now for saying that because someone’s father was born retail arrange their tax affairs in such a way that they outside the UK they do not have to pay full tax, even pay nowhere near the amount of income tax that they though they have lived here for 30 years. There should should be paying. be a cut-off at, say, 10 years, so that once someone has been here for 10 years as a non-dom, they lose their Steve Baker: I hope that the hon. Gentleman also non-dom status and have to start paying tax on their heard me say that one of my two reasons for objecting worldwide income. That would be a fair compromise to sophisticated tax avoidance schemes was that they between not discouraging people from coming here involve people quitting the moral high ground. In a in the first place and getting our fair share of tax out sense, I agree with him on this point but, ultimately, of them. what I want is lower taxes. 511 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 512

Mr Winnick: I take the hon. Gentleman’s point. If we attempt to evade the question, although I would have are all for fairness in income tax arrangements, perhaps used freedom of information facilities if need be—and I action can be taken. was told that there was only one such person. That is I want to illustrate my point about the tax arrangements one manager, but the different position regarding presenters of the very rich, and I shall return to Sir Philip Green. has arisen from the PAC. He is not a non-dom. He resides and works in the Some of the most prominent broadcasters—not confined United Kingdom, and he no doubt pays a fair share of by any means to those of the BBC, as there are the tax. That is not in dispute. However, the well-known commercial channels and others—and some other very shops with which he is associated are actually owned by prominent people in the media, including some who his wife, and she lives abroad, in Monaco, where apparently perhaps have liberal leanings, have arrangements whereby no tax is paid. That is an example involving one person— the amount of tax they pay is considerably less than it there are others—that illustrates the unfairness in the would be through PAYE. For all I know, there could be United Kingdom. A great deal of revenue is undoubtedly complications and administrative difficulties with personal being lost as a result of the arrangements of that very service companies, but it is unfortunate, to say the least, rich individual and others, and I do not believe that that that these highly paid individuals, perhaps receiving is fair. It seems that, few years ago, Sir Philip paid £500,000 or over £1 million a year—good people in himself a modest £1.2 billion bonus, a lot of which went many respects, I am sure, and very professional, as no through various offshore accounts and tax havens and one would doubt, irrespective of their private views—use finally ended up in Monaco, where his wife resides. an arrangement that substantially minimises the amount My right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West of income tax they pay. That is absolutely wrong. and Royton mentioned the amount of revenue that is lost as a result of such arrangements; I do not think Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): The hon. Member for that the figure he mentioned was disputed. Obviously, Wycombe (Steve Baker) complained earlier about we can imagine how that amount of money could be misinformation relating to tax avoidance. Was it not spent on hospitals and other essential facilities. In any misinforming for the Government, at a time of high case, it is absolutely wrong that there should be two or public indignation, to promise a “general anti-avoidance more different kinds of tax arrangements: one for the rule”, but then come up with something that is too vast majority of our constituents and others for those narrow and limited to be deemed “general”, too indifferent who are very well off. That is why these points are being and inert to be called anti-anything, and far too weak to made today, especially from this side of the House. be regarded as a “rule”? When the Prime Minister tried to score political Mr Winnick: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. points by mentioning a particular candidate in the Of course, I would not expect a Conservative Government recent mayoral election, he did not of course mention to take effective action, and it is most unlikely that they Lord Ashcroft, a long-time deputy Conservative party will do so. In fairness to my own side, we took some chairman. I know that some of the Ashcroft money action in some respects, although I would have liked helped to provide funds for Conservative candidates in bolder action. Like my right hon. Friend the Member marginal constituencies. Lord Ashcroft apparently gave for Oldham West and Royton and the hon. Member for a pledge to give up his non-dom tax status in order to sit Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), I certainly hope in the House of Lords. As far as we know, nothing was that the next Labour Government—may that come signed but a pledge was given, and the current Foreign about soon—will be far more stringent in dealing with Secretary, then leader of the Conservative party, was these matters, which really need to be dealt with. satisfied. We know now—it came out in the last weeks of the last Parliament—that no such arrangements This country’s tax arrangements seem peculiar and were made by Lord Ashcroft, who remained a non-dom. odd, so let me repeat my earlier point. Whereas the large majority of people—my constituents and, I would It is interesting to note that in the United States—the imagine, the constituents of nearly every Member in the least socialist country among all the democracies—no House—pay their taxes according to what has been offshore tax arrangements are in place for its citizens. agreed to by Parliament, there are those, be they billionaires Wherever US citizens work abroad or wherever their or those whom I have described who earn very large money goes, they are subject to US tax regulations. It is sums, who pay less than what the House has determined. very different from here. I must admit to being somewhat The sooner we end that position, the sooner we can be surprised when I learned that this was the position in satisfied that not just our constituents but those with America. All these offshore arrangements, tax havens very substantial wealth and those who earn large incomes and the rest simply need to be tackled, although whether pay their tax as they should. This issue should continue this Government will tackle them is another matter. to engage the House of Commons. Let me take up what my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking said. One issue relates to billionaires using 4.45 pm these arrangements; another is the matter of personal service companies. I must confess that until someone Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): I am very was appointed to a public institution—a very high-profile pleased that we are having this debate, and I thank the one—in 1993, I was not aware of personal service right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton companies, the purpose of which is to minimise one’s (Mr Meacher) for persuading the Backbench Business tax. I wrote to the director-general of the BBC before Committee to obtain the time for it. I have sat through the Public Accounts Committee took the matter up. I loads of debates on the general economy, Finance Bills asked how many of the BBC’s most senior managers—those and all the rest of it during my seven years in the House, earning £100,000 or more—had personal service companies. but we have never really engaged in a debate on the I received a prompt and courteous reply—there was no rights and wrongs of the tax system. We have started to 513 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 514 get there in today’s debate, although, if I may say so, I could tighten the bonded warehouse regime. There are did not think that the right hon. Member for Oldham currently very few restrictions on who can operate a West and Royton quite got there himself. I felt that bonded warehouse. Perhaps the Public Accounts Committee some of his opening remarks were a bit too aggressive could consider that as well. A large amount of tax is towards the Government. However, I am glad that he evaded through the misuse of bonded warehouses and, initiated the debate, because it is important to debate as a result, people consume more alcohol and cigarettes the definitions of tax avoidance and tax evasion, the and damage their health. perceptions of those quite different issues, and where While evasion should be a black-and-white issue—it the wrongdoing actually lies. is always wrong—in respect of avoidance there are This is not about the tax rates that we discuss quite many shades of grey, which is a big problem. At the often in the Chamber, and it is not about who is paying innocent end of the spectrum, tax avoidance is when their fair share, although I agree with my right hon. people plan to pay no more tax than we in Parliament Friend the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark intend them to pay under the schemes we lay out in (Simon Hughes) that there is an important debate to be Finance Bills every year. I assume most of us have an had about how much an individual and a corporation individual savings account. I opened a new ISA earlier should contribute to society, and whether there should this year with Triodos bank, the ethical bank that has be a floor below which no one who is making a profit its headquarters in my constituency. Some of us signed should drop in any given year. What we should be a joint letter urging all parliamentarians to set an example discussing today is payment of what is assessed and by moving our money into ethical providers of finance, what is legally due: no less and no more. such as Triodos and the Co-op bank. By investing in Tax evasion is always wrong. I do not think that that ISAs, however, we are, of course, avoiding some income is said clearly enough. It is illegal, and it is a fraud on tax on our surplus capital. the public and other taxpayers. It is always wrong, I support all the various enterprise incentive schemes whoever is doing it, and whether a person is squirreling to encourage entrepreneurs to set up new businesses. I away millions in a secret bank account, paying in cash should declare a former interest, in that before entering for work to be done on his or her own house, or paying Parliament I was a tax consultant working for some of a guest house owner. We shall all be going to party the large firms that the right hon. Member for Oldham conferences soon, and I hope that none of our delegates West and Royton (Mr Meacher) laid into, but what we will be tempted to pay guest house owners in cash. were doing was enabling people who were setting up Those who do so should know, and should own up to businesses to take advantage of the reliefs his Government themselves, that they are avoiding the obligation to pay had introduced, in order to encourage more such people VAT, and that it therefore follows that the person they to take up good ideas, transform them into a business, are paying for the service is not putting the transaction create wealth and employ people. That is a good thing; through the books and is evading income tax as well. that is good tax avoidance in the dictionary sense. Things go wrong, however, when such sensible planning Steve Baker: Does my hon. Friend agree that one of is stretched too far and there are egregious schemes of the reasons low-paid people evade tax is that taxes on avoidance, artificial transactions and contrived schemes. them are far too high? One of the things that we need to The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee mentioned do is continue the trend of lifting the lowest paid out of the very good exposés The Times did during the summer. tax altogether. As well as attacking Sir Philip Green and other fat cats, parliamentarians should make it clear that we condemn Stephen Williams: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. similar activities by those who are popular with the I am sure that he is delighted that his party is in a public—pop stars in Take That, premiership football coalition with mine, because we are indeed lifting more players or Formula 1 racing drivers whom we are asked of the low-paid out of tax completely by progressing to believe all live in Monaco. These people make huge towards a £10,000 income tax threshold. We should amounts of money because of the public enjoyment of make taxes simpler as well as lower for people on low what they do and they do not need to mitigate their tax earnings. below what the people who watch them perform think This is a moral as well as a legal issue, and I think that they have to pay. perhaps we should discuss morals more in the Chamber. What should we do about this? First, Her Majesty’s We all have a duty to pay, and cash in hand actually Revenue and Customs needs to focus much more on means cheating your neighbour. I think that, as Members tackling avoidance. The headline figure of the number of Parliament, we should be more courageous about of people who work in HMRC has been mentioned, but making that clear. I agree with what the hon. Member how many people work for a particular arm of Government for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) said about Sir Philip is less important than what they actually do when they Green, but he is an easy target. We should be clear are working. I hope the Minister will confirm that the about the fact that if you are evading tax, it does not efforts in the HMRC large business units and high matter who you are: it is always wrong. net-worth units will be ever more relentlessly focused. Health issues also arise, relating to tobacco and alcohol. The staff must have the appropriate training so they can My hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Nigel match the skills levels of the lawyers, bankers and Mills) mentioned beer duty. I am the chair of the accountants pitted against them, and they must also cross-party group on smoking and health, and later this have the necessary IT and other technical resources. year I shall chair an inquiry into the smuggling trade— We parliamentarians have a duty as well. We can particularly the trade in tobacco, but there are cross-over change the rates and rules, and we have done that in issues involving alcohol. There is a very easy thing that several Budgets since the 2010 general election. Last the Government could do about those problems: they year, the Government tightened the rules in order to 515 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 516

[Stephen Williams] Department for International Development to ensure that every time we change our tax law, we think through block a scheme of disguised remuneration, where individuals the implications that that will have abroad. In addition, were receiving loans from their employers that they had some of our expanding aid budget should be expended absolutely no intention of ever repaying, and thereby on training overseas Governments to build up their were avoiding income tax. However, the Labour Front- expertise to make sure that they are able to levy taxes Bench team at the time—I do not think its current effectively and collect them from the multinationals occupants were part of that team, so I do not hold them operating in their countries. I know that a coalition of personally responsible—instructed all its Back Benchers charities, including Christian Aid, is going to campaign to vote against that coalition Government measure. on this issue later this year. I have been working with Under this year’s Finance Bill, we are introducing them, and I look forward to continuing to do so throughout new stamp duty regimes in order to tighten up on the the rest of the year. move of people buying properties via corporate envelopes and thereby avoiding stamp duty. The Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes: Will my hon. Friend also encourage and in particular my right hon. Friend the Business the Government to examine anti-avoidance measures Secretary, called for that at the last election. Avoiding involving offshore territories such as those that have stamp duty in that way will now be almost impossible been started in countries such as Finland? unless people want to incur an enormous liability in the future. Stephen Williams: My right hon. Friend makes a I listened carefully to what the right hon. Member for good point. I think that there is a duty on Parliament to Oldham West and Royton was saying about the general make sure that we are clear about our intentions and anti-avoidance or anti-abuse regime. His words would clear about what is wrong, and on the Government to have had more force if he had at least acknowledged allocate the resources to catch the people who go beyond that this Government had commissioned a report by the rules. Graham Aaronson. He has been in the business for more than 40 years, so I cannot think of anyone better 4.58 pm to chair a committee looking at how we can tighten up Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): I on avoidance schemes. At least this Government are congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for introducing an anti-abuse regime. It may not be perfect Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) on persuading to start with, but a rule is being introduced. The right the Backbench Business Committee to put forward this hon. Gentleman’s Government had 13 years to do that, debate. It is clear that nobody really knows how much but it was persistently ruled out by the right hon. the rest of the tax-paying taxpayers are being swindled Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown). out of as a result of tax evasion, tax avoidance and late payment. All we know is that a huge amount of money Mark Durkan: Is that observation not a bit like is not being collected. The question is: whose fault is it? saying that if the Government were looking at creating One of the functions of the House of Commons is to an anti-strike rule, the person to put in charge would be identify who is to blame for waste and inefficiency. On Bob Crow? the failure to collect tax we need look no further, as it is mainly our fault as Members of the House of Commons. Stephen Williams: Would the hon. Gentleman say The rich and the big corporations do not pay what they that again, as I am not sure that I followed it? should, HMRC does not collect as much as it should, and Ministers and officials put forward laws and regulations Mark Durkan: On the logic that the hon. Gentleman that do not do what they should, but we pass those laws has just deployed about the most suitable person to be and regulations. It is our job to decide what tax should looking at anti-avoidance, given his skills and predilections be paid, but we tend to forget that it is also our job to in that area, would the equivalent for a Government put in place statutes and regulations to make sure that committing to an anti-strike rule not be to put Bob the tax we have voted for actually gets paid. Crow in charge of that exploration? We are pretty good at making sure that most working people pay income tax, national insurance, council tax Stephen Williams: It was the Bob Crow bit that I and, generally, VAT, but when it comes to dealing with missed. That may be a fair point, but I would not put large corporations and very rich individuals, our record Graham Aaronson on the same moral plane as Bob is, frankly, pathetic. We, the House of Commons, pass Crow; I do not think that Mr Aaronson has held the statutes and regulations that are simply not up to the public to ransom at various points. However, poachers job. Government after Government have announced do often make good gamekeepers. The Government that they are cracking down on tax avoidance and commissioned the report and are acting on it, and they evasion, but the experts in the City keep weaselling should be commended on doing so, given that the away, finding loopholes in the laws we have passed. It is previous Government did nothing to put that in place. probably true that we will usually be one step behind We have talked about the domestic scene, but I wish the City tax advisers, but at the moment we are not one to say something in passing about our obligations abroad step behind, but stumbling along several laps of the to the developing world. During debates on this year’s track behind those working the scams in the City. Finance Bill, I mentioned how the rules tightening up I believe that this House needs to get its act together. on controlled foreign companies—that is fine, as it is I am not suggesting that we change the way we decide our responsibility to secure our own tax base—will have what tax should be levied, but once that has been unintended consequences for developing countries. It is decided in the usual way, I believe that the practicalities for the Treasury to work in close concert with the of how it is to be collected should be subject to much 517 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 518 better scrutiny and final detailed approval by the House. businesses with regard to tax collection, and I want to I suggest that a taxation Select Committee should be rectify that today. Paying tax, being compliant and established to concentrate exclusively on ensuring that paying a fair amount is a two-way street. It is morally any tax we have voted for is actually collected. The right that we should pay our taxes; evasion and aggressive Committee should be able to hire expert advisers and avoidance are wrong. But just as the Government have require written and oral evidence from Treasury and a moral duty to spend taxes wisely and get good value HMRC officials and outside witnesses. from our public services, so, too, HMRC has a moral The taxation Committee would not need to trespass obligation to the taxpayer to ensure that its requests are on the wider aspects of economic and fiscal policy reasonable and fair. covered by the Treasury Committee. Its sole object HMRC has extraordinary powers, frightening in their would be to formulate new tax regulations and practices extent and enormity, that are enshrined in laws seemingly in order to give minimum scope for avoidance, evasion as complex and wide-ranging as the current tax code. and late payment. It should also monitor continuously Fifteen years ago, the relationship between taxpayer the effectiveness of any existing arrangements and so and tax collector was much more evenly balanced. Now keep up with the latest scams. Were the House of there are punitive penalties for failing to submit returns, Commons, by this approach, to give tax collection the even if no tax is due or if HMRC owes the taxpayer a priority it deserves, I believe it would result in much refund. The old tax tribunal system has been replaced more effective law and practice. Whatever the outcome, with one that is far more rigid and less even-handed, it could not possibly be less effective than the present and HMRC is able to issue completely unreasonable tax arrangements. assessments to force taxpayers, who may have a legitimate That is not the only problem. Parliament is being dispute, to pay tax that they might not owe while their denied the right to know what is going on at HMRC. case is being investigated. Most of us would agree that most of our fellow citizens I often think that all that is missing from HMRC is are entitled to keep their tax affairs confidential but, the uniform and that it could be argued that we live in a like my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking state of financial martial law. It is time that the debate (Margaret Hodge), the Chair of the Public Accounts on the morality of tax turned its focus on those Committee, I would argue that that anonymity should extraordinary powers, which often have a detrimental not apply to major corporations. I remind the House effect on precisely those citizens who have been absent that recently we had the ridiculous situation in which from this debate so far—those on low incomes, the our Public Accounts Committee was told that it could isolated, the vulnerable and older people. not be told the details and background of the deal that Our tax code is hugely complex. The most popular an individual HMRC official had come to with Vodafone edition of the tax guide now has over 17,000 pages; if because they referred to the affairs of an individual my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Steve Baker) taxpayer. Some people believed that the scam involved has not read it, he can comfort himself with the thought Vodafone being let off a tax liability of £6 billion. No that he would have had little chance of remembering one, apart from one or two people at the Inland Revenue what was in it if he had. and at the company, knows what the truth is. Can we The system is especially complex for pensioners. In tolerate that lack of transparency and affordability over the last year of the Labour Government, the National a sum that is roughly equal to the taxpayer subsidy to Audit Office estimated that some 1.5 million older the agriculture industry? people had overpaid tax. Those overpayments have I hope that colleagues in all parts of the House see at serious financial implications for the elderly, whose least some merit in what I am proposing and recognise income is about 25% under the national average. Although that we simply cannot go on as we have been doing. the elderly are generally more compliant than taxpayers Clearly any new arrangements would need to be very as a whole, they are often less aware of what they carefully thought through, but they really should not be should do to comply and what allowances they are the subject of party controversy. Two of the main rights entitled to and they are more likely to face massive life of a freely elected Parliament are to pass practical and changes such as retirement, bereavement or serious workable laws and to control the raising of tax. We have changes to their health that bring with them inevitable a duty to the people who sent us here to exercise those tax consequences. rights effectively and so make a better job of it than we Picture the confusion of the 91-year-old who after have been doing for decades. being widowed becomes a taxpayer for the first time, or the lady with inoperable cancer, whose husband has 5.4 pm Alzheimer’s, pursued for failing to provide tax returns that HMRC had been sending to an address she had not Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): Over lived at for nine years, despite its being clear that her the past few months we have heard much about the allowances exceeded her income. Imagine the chaos morality of paying tax, whether it has been through the caused to the life of a widow who received a tax pillorying of the rich and famous, scrutiny of the conduct demand for £3,500 as the Revenue had not been collecting of big business operating in the UK or through the tax on her state pension due to the fact her P161 was auspices of the Christian Aid tax fairness bus currently not sent to her when she retired at 60. Picture the touring the country focusing on the conduct of UK gentleman who was being chased for underpayment businesses operating overseas. wrongly, because neither he nor HMRC realised that he Today there has been much discussion about individuals’ was entitled to the blind person’s allowance. and businesses’ tax obligations to the state for the I applaud the work of Age UK, the Low Incomes benefit of one’s fellow citizens. We have not heard much Tax Reform Group and Tax Help for Older People. about the state’s obligations towards our citizens and With their help, all the examples that I mentioned were 519 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 520

[Penny Mordaunt] reducing errors, and supporting businesses in hard times. It is in its interests and everyone else’s that it does so. It resolved with a happy ending—evidence that the staff is better for the public purse that a business that has at HMRC are perfectly reasonable when these issues are been paying tax on time for decades but has fallen on pointed out. However, without that professional help hard times survives and those jobs are kept. It is better and advocacy, many people end up paying more than for the public purse that an older person has that little they owe, with substantial detrimental consequences to bit of extra income to which they are entitled in order to their quality of life. That situation is not acceptable. stay well and independent. It is better for the public The complexity of the tax code and the frequency of purse that HMRC’s resources are not taken up with HMRC errors mean that it is not reasonable to expect correcting silly mistakes and are focused on tackling the burden of responsibility for checking demands to lie high-value evasion and aggressive avoidance. entirely with those vulnerable people. HMRC must at I congratulate the Minister on the progress that he least have some responsibility for its own mistakes, has made in simplifying the tax code, promoting common especially if the consequence to the taxpayer of fulfilling sense, and lifting many people out of paying tax altogether. that underpayment would be great hardship and would May I urge him to go further, faster for the benefit of over the long term be detrimental to the public purse, as the Exchequer and the most vulnerable in our society? we saw with tax credit maladministration under the last Government. I would go further and say that HMRC 5.13 pm should have an obligation to ensure not only that codes are correct but that for those on low and fixed incomes Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab): Thank allowances are being used and people are as tax-efficient you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity as they can be. That should be a performance measure to speak in this very important debate. that we judge it against. We all know the context in which this debate takes place. We all speak to and listen to our constituents at Governments must take responsibility for their mistakes our surgeries and in our town centres, and we know that too. The Minister will be aware that I have had they are hurting as a result of an international financial correspondence with him on the principle of retrospective crisis caused by irresponsible bankers and made worse taxation. It obviously behoves the Government to close by a double-dip recession made in Downing street. The loopholes as they are revealed, or better still to anticipate majority are hard-working families and individuals who and remove them during the legislative drafting process. pay their fair share of taxes and play by the rules, and Nevertheless, when a loophole has been found in legislation, expect others to do the same. it is not illegal for it to be exploited—possibly morally repugnant, but not illegal. When clause 55 of the 2008 Given the budget deficit and strain on the public Finance Bill was discussed in Public Bill Committee, the finances, it is all the more important to ensure that Minister voiced the Conservative Opposition’s concern everyone pays their fair share of tax and that tax about its retrospective nature. If it was wrong to legislate avoidance—playing the system and looking for retrospectively in 2008, it cannot be right now. We must loopholes—and tax evasion by those who engage in work to close tax avoidance loopholes, but we must criminal behaviour to evade paying tax are vigorously consider whether it is morally justifiable to take retrospective clamped down on. action on tax avoidance in the case of relatively low The vast majority of those engaged in tax avoidance earners who signed up to schemes that were advertised are the rich and wealthy, and there is, rightly and openly and publicly and of which the Government and unsurprisingly, a public outcry when celebrities, senior HMRC were aware. civil servants, business men and others use tax avoidance Finally, I want to raise the subject of digital exclusion, schemes to avoid paying their fair share of tax like specifically in relation to HMRC’s policy which makes everybody else. It is morally repugnant and obscene for it compulsory for all businesses, including the smallest, a wealthy celebrity to pay only 1% in income tax. to file their business returns online. As a result, the The Government are right to consult on introducing proprietors of many micro-businesses who are unable a focused and targeted general anti-avoidance rule to to use a computer—for various reasons, including disability, stamp out such abuses. I fully support such a move. Tax age and lack of broadband access—have had to incur avoidance legislation has become ever more specific and often disproportionate costs to employ an agent to file complicated. A GAAR should reverse that situation online for them or face penalties for not being able to and allow a better use of HMRC resources to tackle file by electronic communication. Several proprietors avoidance across the board. have appealed their penalties, and those appeals are I part company with the Government on their current waiting to be heard by the First-tier Tribunal in November job-cutting at HMRC. I welcome the extra £970 million this year. The amounts charged are tiny—£100 for not that they have put into tax collection up to 2014, but it filing online—but the costs to HMRC and the public makes no sense to cut jobs when the Department has purse in pursuing these cases are significant. The three been successful in collecting more tax. Over the past lead cases involve older people, all with disabilities, who five years, HMRC has raised an extra £4.32 billion and are unable to file online, and there is no statutory the Public Accounts Committee’s report shows that an exemption for those with disabilities. There are many additional £1.1 billion could have been collected if examples of otherwise compliant taxpayers being pursued 3,200 job losses had been avoided. It cannot be right to relentlessly for small sums because of their inability to make job cuts when so much tax remains uncollected. move to a digital channel to transact with HMRC. The Public and Commercial Services Union is 100% The age of austerity and the recent focus on the right on that and the public will think it a very strange moral good of paying taxes should not give HMRC any thing to do when 11 times the extra investment that the respite from simplifying the tax code, publicising allowances, Government are putting into tax collection was collected 521 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 522 by hard-working HMRC staff over the past five years, intent of the law. The right hon. Member for Oldham and when even more could have been collected if the West and Royton has argued that the progress does not 3,200 jobs had been retained. Why are the Government look as though it will be enough. Other people have planning another 10,000 job losses? I ask the Minister argued that it goes too far. There are those who believe to think again. This is an investment that will result in that we should go only by the absolute letter of the tax billions for the Exchequer. law and therefore oppose a GAAR. There are Government One of the jobs that staff saved from redundancy Members who believe that. I call such people tax could do is work in my constituency, throughout London fundamentalists, because they argue that a GAAR would and other parts of the country to tackle the so-called create an element of tax uncertainty and that what is “beds in sheds” problem. A minority of unscrupulous not expressly prohibited should be allowed. They add to landlords are exploiting the vulnerable by renting out that the argument that if we had a GAAR, there would substandard outbuildings at extortionate rates and evading be other disbenefits, such as an increase in litigation and tax. My constituents regularly ask me, “Why should these a reluctance to make investment decisions. landlords get away with not paying tax like everyone More fundamentally, some people argue that it cannot else?” This problem is all part of the shadow cash be wrong to do what is not formally and expressly economy that denies the Exchequer billions in tax revenues. forbidden. That argument is astonishingly weak. It The Government have given one-off funding to help reminds me of the arguments that cropped up during councils tackle the problem with multi-partner teams the expenses scandal, when people argued that it was that include HMRC officers in addition to UK Border acceptable to buy duck houses or to flip homes because Agency, police and council officers; but to really tackle it did not breach a particular rule, even though it it, raise some revenue and disrupt the shadow economy, frustrated the intentions of the scheme. It is worth more consistent resources are needed in both financial noting that there is under-specification in other areas of and officer terms. law, not just in tax law. Disturbing the peace encompasses Billions of pounds of tax remains uncollected as a a number of scenarios, as does defamation in civil law. result of both avoidance and evasion. I urge the Government None the less, there are ways in which the operation to be braver and invest more in HMRC, not cut jobs. of a GAAR in tax law can be made more certain to The returns are clear, the public accounts are in need of address those concerns. The first is through the pre-vetting it and the public are calling for it. of tax schemes and disclosure. The previous Government went some way down the road to ensuring that that 5.19 pm could and should happen. The second is, during the passage of the legislation, to make clear the intent of John Pugh (Southport) (LD): I congratulate the right the law and what it is contrived to do. The objection hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) about uncertainty is slightly exaggerated. When Tesco on stimulating this debate. I also welcome the Exchequer set up a holding company in Liechtenstein for its properties, Secretary, who survived the ministerial cull. We all it received no commercial benefit, unless it was in welcome his dry wit and expertise. Indeed, I debated avoiding the property taxes that the Government expected this very subject with him in Westminster Hall about a it to pay. year ago. In a recent speech, the Exchequer Secretary spoke As other Members have said, we live in a society about things that would be covered: where the rights, benefits and privileges that people extract from society are often disconnected from the “Buying a house for personal use through a corporate entity to obligations that they feel towards it. That brings the avoid” spectacle of people benefiting from society and thriving stamp duty because of it, but avoiding contributing to the tax base “is avoidance. Channelling money backwards and forwards through through either evasion or, more commonly, avoidance. complex networks for no commercial reason…is avoidance. Paying Tax avoidance is a deliberate attempt to frustrate tax loans in lieu of salaries through shell companies is avoidance. law and the intentions of tax legislators. It differs radically And using artificial ‘losses’ deliberately accrued to claim back tax from tax evasion, whereby one deliberately ignores or is avoidance.” flouts the letter of the law. Those examples give a clear indication of the kind of There are various remedies for tax avoidance. One, as things that should be caught by a GAAR. As my hon. has been suggested, is to simplify the law to make Friend the Member for Bristol West (Stephen Williams) avoidance more evident and stark. That is what the said, we can contrast that with other things that would Mirrlees review was, in part, about. Another remedy, not be caught, such as charitable tax relief. In that case which has been very attractive to people in this place, is the Government encourage people to organise their tax to outlaw individual tax avoidance schemes piecemeal. affairs in a way that causes a loss to the Exchequer. That has been tried in Finance Act after Finance Act, only for further countermeasures to be needed for other We can speculate for as long as we want on the effects schemes. That exercise is a bit like a cat chasing its of a GAAR, but in some ways we do not need to, tail—it is endless. That is why I favour a general anti- because we have a certain amount of evidence to go on. avoidance rule and have argued for it consistently in this A lot of countries have GAARs in place, and not all Parliament and the previous one. That is also why the of them produce uncertainty and litigation, although Government are considering it and why it is in the some do. coalition agreement. I do not want to comment on Mr Aaronson’s specific Stephen Williams: I believe that the UK is actually proposals, but a GAAR essentially bans schemes that unique in not having a GAAR or a rule that is called have no commercial benefit other than to frustrate the something else but is effectively a GAAR. 523 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 524

John Pugh: Yes, and that indicates clearly that legal clearly not acceptable for those people to think that uncertainty and endless litigation are not central and they can get away with avoiding their obligations if they natural features of a GAAR. They do not happen in buy the right advice or pay for sophisticated tax avoidance other countries. products. We cannot excuse a poorly drafted GAAR, so we Like benefit fraud, tax evasion—and avoidance in have to get it right. We cannot console ourselves with some cases—undermines the confidence of ordinary the thought that the only victims of a poor GAAR are taxpayers in the legitimacy of the system. I think we all corporate bodies, high net worth individuals and so on. agree that the world has changed and that there should However, a GAAR is a very important tool, and there be no hiding place for tax cheats. The previous Labour remains no convincing general argument against it. Government had a record to be proud of in tackling avoidance, both domestically and internationally. Many Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Before I of the comments today have paid tribute to that. In call the Front Benchers, I remind them that it would be 2004, we introduced a requirement to disclose tax avoidance appropriate to give Mr Meacher a couple of minutes at products in advance, to, I remind Members, a storm of the end to wind up the debate. protest. In 2009, we strengthened the regime and that has transformed the fight against avoidance—I am sure 5.25 pm that the Minister and Members on both sides of the Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) House would agree with that. More than 2,000 schemes (Lab): I commend my right hon. Friend the Member for had been identified up to March this year, protecting Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) for securing more than £12 billion of revenue. this debate on a matter that we all agree has rightly risen In 2009, we also set up the high net worth unit and to a high place on the political agenda. There is much have received the good news this week that an extra that we can agree on today, and I think we all agree that £500 million in tax has been identified and recovered. Parliament is at its best when we agree on matters and When in government, we also introduced a code of stand together to improve them. conduct on tax for banks, as well as legislating on debt We have heard well considered and valuable contributions buy-back and credit loopholes that some companies from many respected voices in the Chamber, but I want were exploiting. I know that the Minister recognises the to pay particular tribute to my right hon. Friend the value of the steps we took in government to make Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge), whose work progress on this issue and over a 10-year period we with the Public Accounts Committee has helped to shed recovered more than £16.4 billion in particular targeted a lot of light on these issues. She made a powerful and tax avoidance measures. sensible speech. Internationally, as president of the G20 we led a The financial crisis of 2008 led to a radical domestic global clampdown on tax havens and offshore evasion. and international shift in the approach to tax evasion As many hon. Members have said, that is an important and avoidance. The lack of transparency in the international aspect of what we must do if we are to close the tax gap. financial system was rightly identified as a significant Similarly, I would be interested to hear comments from threat to global financial stability, and calls for change the Minister today about the measures he is considering rightly came from all sides. The crisis has also led to the to enter into international agreements along the lines of significant challenge of public expenditure reduction the agreement we negotiated with Liechtenstein and that we now face, which adds to the urgency of ensuring between the UK authorities and Belize. How much that every individual pays their fair share of tax and revenue does he consider has been saved through those contributes to that effort. agreements and what plans do the Government have in As many Members have said, among the majority of place to continue that work and to try to shut down hard-working people who pay all their taxes there is some of the avoidance measures and tactics that are understandably growing hostility towards those who being exploited? manage to avoid paying their fair share. Given that the In government, Labour also persuaded the OECD to Government are facing an increase in their borrowing—it develop best practice guidelines on country-by-country is up by a quarter on last year’s forecast, partly as a reporting, an excellent initiative that was put on the result of falling tax takes—I have no doubt that the agenda by international development organisations, issue has also risen high on the Government’s agenda. particularly Christian Aid, ActionAid and Oxfam. Tax The Government have measured the tax gap—the evasion costs developing countries billions of pounds difference between tax owed and collected—at about every year in lost revenues and is a barrier to social and £35 billion. There has been some debate about that economic development, but in the Finance Act 2012 we figure today, and there are other estimates. The TUC’s saw changes to the controlled foreign company rules estimate is much larger, as is that of the Tax Justice and many charities have expressed concerns that they Network, which puts the figure in the region of £120 billion. will make it easier for UK companies to avoid paying We all appreciate that it is not an exact science, but tax in developing countries in which they own subsidiaries. whatever the figure, we accept that a significant proportion ActionAid estimates the potential loss to developing of the tax revenue that is due is going uncollected. If we countries as up to £4 billion a year, whereas the Government closed the tax gap by half or even a quarter, we would estimate is £1 billion. Either way, that change raises avert real pain and suffering among the most vulnerable huge concerns; steps must be taken to improve transparency in our society, who rely on the services provided through and the Treasury must work with the Department for public expenditure. International Development to ensure its commitment Members have rightly drawn a clear distinction between to combining tax and development policy. What plans evasion and avoidance, and we need to remember that a does the Minister have in place to ensure that the new small minority of people are involved. However, it is rules will not damage developing countries’ tax revenues? 525 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 526

Has he had discussions with the new Secretary of State had been left in place, and it called on the Government for International Development or with her Ministers on to consider the true value for money of further cuts. a joint strategy on this point? If it becomes clear that Have the Government done that? What consideration the changes are enabling and facilitating tax avoidance, have they given to value for money in terms of personnel what action will he take? At what stage will he check, as and the proposed cuts? If cutting staff means missing this is a matter of some urgency for those who are out on billions of pounds of tax revenue it is a false concerned? economy, and I would be interested to know what Unfortunately, on a domestic level, the Government’s assessment the Government have made in the light of general anti-abuse rule is unlikely to take forward the the report by the Public Accounts Committee. battle against tax avoidance. It is disappointingly narrow, Ministers say that they want to eliminate tax avoidance, designed by its own admission to tackle only the most but with an incredibly narrow GAAR, weak international egregiously abusive tax avoidance schemes, whatever agreements, and without giving proper resources to that means. I would be grateful if the Minister could HMRC, the Government are not on track to succeed. clarify that point. The union representing top officials The nation’s books will be balanced on the backs of the at HMRC, the Association of Revenue and Customs— poorest in society, rather than on the rich who will ARC—has even suggested that it could encourage tax continue avoiding their taxes. avoidance by implying that anything outside its scope is legitimate tax planning and immune to scrutiny. Will 5.38 pm the Minister clarify what constitutes—I quote from the Government’s consultation document—a “wholly The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David unacceptable” tax avoidance scheme, and tell us how Gauke): It is a great pleasure to respond to this debate, “abusive” will be defined? I have read the consultation and I begin by congratulating the right hon. Member document and the definitions proposed within it shed for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) on securing little light. it. This has been a broad and wide-ranging debate, and In its draft legislation, the Treasury defines non-abusive over the past couple of hours we have discussed the schemes as anything that is “reasonably regarded as taxation of large businesses and wealthy individuals, reasonable”—I am paraphrasing for brevity.That provides taxpayer confidentiality, HMRC staff numbers, a general neither clarity on the matter, nor armour for HMRC, anti-avoidance rule, and the right hon. Gentleman’s which is more concerning. We know that one person’s private Member’s Bill, which I am sure the House looks tax planning is another person’s tax avoidance, and forward to debating tomorrow. even when it is entirely legal, it is considered by many— Tax simplification was raised by my hon. Friends the including the Prime Minister and the Chancellor—as Members for Amber Valley (Nigel Mills) and for Wycombe wrong or “morally repugnant”. Will the Government’s (Steve Baker), and my hon. Friend the Member for proposed legislation help to draw a clearer line? All the Portsmouth North (Penny Mordaunt) discussed standards moral indignation in the world will not bring in more of service in HMRC. My hon. Friend the Member for tax receipts, and clarity is essential. Bristol West (Stephen Williams) raised the topical matter Will the Minister confirm what proposals there are to of cash in hand, and perhaps went even further than I levy penalties on those found in contravention of the did earlier this year in his remarks about negotiating a new anti-abuse rule? There is widespread concern that discount for cash. I suspect all those matters could have the proposed legislation is nothing but a toothless tiger, filled a two-hour debate in themselves, but let me attempt or worse, to address as many of them—and others raised in the debate—as I can. “a Trojan horse, which suggests tough action while actually facilitating avoidance.” My first point is that the Government have a strong track record in addressing the full range of avoidance They are not my words but those of Graham Black, and evasion that results in the tax gap—the difference president of the Association of Revenue and Customs, between the tax that is collected and the tax that is due. which represents senior HMRC officials. We remain further committed to tackling the gap and to I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for reducing that sum over the course of this Parliament. Oldham West and Royton on his contribution to the Our intention is that the compliance yield of £13 billion debate and on laying his draft legislation before the a year, which we inherited, will increase to £20 billion a House tomorrow. His legislation takes a much broader year in this Parliament. approach, and seeks to tackle not only abuse but more It is helpful to distinguish between tax evasion and general avoidance, and it lays down the mantle at the tax avoidance. A number of hon. Members have done Government’s door for them to clarify what they deem so in the debate, but let me underline the point. Put to be legally acceptable. It also seeks to give HMRC simply, tax avoidance is the reduction of tax liabilities much wider powers than under the Government’s plan, by using tax law to get an advantage that Parliament and I would be interested to hear the Government’s never intended. As we have heard—not least from my response to the challenge posed by my right hon. Friend. hon. Friend the Member for Bristol West, who brings Finally, as many hon. Members have said, even with expertise to these matters—tax evasion is illegally a proper anti-avoidance or anti-abuse scheme in place understating tax liabilities. Evasion is fraud and means we will require a top-level agency to collect tax. HMRC breaking the law. There is striking unanimity in the has recently had a welcome public success in collecting House on the need to address both avoidance and revenue from top earners, but we know that it is struggling evasion, and that the Government should take them to maintain performance against huge job cuts. In May seriously. I shall discuss the different responses we have this year the Public Accounts Committee found that an in place for each, and the new directions on tax avoidance extra £1.1 billion could have been collected if personnel that we are considering through consultation. 527 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 528

[Mr David Gauke] point, but HMRC is making progress, and we all want to encourage it to make further and faster progress to I should first like to set out a few facts on compliance ensure that we get the right staff in the right places. generally. Last year, HMRC collected £474 billion in Compliance revenue has more than doubled in six years, tax. The tax gap for the last year for which authoritative and HMRC is on track to bring in about £7 billion in numbers were produced—2009-10—was £35 billion. Of additional tax each year by 2014-15. In addition, on that figure, tax avoidance constitutes around 14%, which avoidance, HMRC has closed down seven schemes in is down from 17.5% in 2007-08. The tax gap arising the past year alone and, since 2010, litigated about from tax evasion is also falling—from 17.5% in 2007-08 30 direct avoidance cases, with a high success rate. On to 12% in 2009-10. evasion, HMRC has secured 413 criminal convictions, I would make two observations on that, the first of resulting in more than £1 billion in additional revenue which was made by a number of right hon. and hon. and revenue-loss prevention. Those are significant Members, namely that the vast majority of UK taxpayers achievements, do not avoid or evade tax. The vast majority of taxpayers Anyone reading the papers recently might well think and our constituents expect us to ensure that as many that avoidance is rampant. I want to reassure right hon. people as possible pay the right amount in tax. Secondly, and hon. Members that that is not the case, and the vast although by international standards our tax gap is low, majority pay their taxes without trying to get around the Government are determined to do everything we the system. Nevertheless, where we and HMRC see can to improve those numbers. That is why we are people trying to exploit the system, we will take swift re-investing more than £900 million to transform the action. Currently, there are a minority of cowboy tax approach to compliance, to close the tax gap, and to advisers—small niche firms selling crude avoidance schemes enable HMRC to address the serious matters it faces. unlikely to be successful under challenge from HMRC. The investment is funding a range of measures to Many of those who sell those schemes use tactics that widen HMRC’s overall compliance coverage and target border on mis-selling, and their clients can end up the highest risks. It also includes funding for a highly shocked when they are later pursued by HMRC over skilled work force. We are increasing the number of their involvement. The Government recognise the need staff working on compliance by around 2,500 full-time to do more to target those who market such schemes to equivalent positions by 2014-15. Reference has been protect taxpayers and prevent them from entering into made to the Public Accounts Committee report that them. highlights concerns that cuts in the number of compliance staff resulted in revenue in the order of £1.1 billion not Mr Meacher: Given what is widely accepted to be the being collected in the previous Parliament. Hon. Members unacceptable narrowness of GAAR, why are the are correct that the number of HMRC staff will fall in Government not prepared to accept GANTIP? It would this Parliament, but the number of those focusing on achieve what the Exchequer Secretary wants, which will compliance activities will increase. There will, for example, not be achieved by GAAR. be more criminal investigators and people working in intelligence to tackle tax evasion and avoidance. Mr Gauke: If the right hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I will turn to that point later, although I am sure the House is looking forward to debating this matter at Margaret Hodge: I accept that it is the intention of greater length tomorrow—I know that he is. the Exchequer Secretary to increase compliance activity, but I would like him to address two issues that I raised: These aggressive tax avoidance schemes are the reason first, the fact that HMRC has raised the threshold for we recently launched our consultation entitled, “Lifting taking action on fraud, as a result of which less money the Lid on Tax Avoidance Schemes”, setting out ways will be collected; and secondly that, although he said we to improve the information on avoidance available to needed more highly trained individuals, such training is the public and making it easier for taxpayers to see not taking place, because of the Department’s inability whether their adviser has promoted failed avoidance to establish training provision and ensure that people schemes in the past. I have been encouraged by the benefit from it and get on with it. response of the professional bodies, which share the aim of addressing the small fringe of cowboy advisers who promote such schemes. Some of the criticism of Mr Gauke: I do not accept the right hon. Lady’s the tax profession as a whole has been unfair, but there point about the increase in the fraud threshold. When I is an issue with some aspects of it, which is why we are look at some of the work that HMRC is doing—for consulting on what we can do to address the problem example, to address inheritance tax fraud—I see a and also to expand the regime covered by DOTAS—the substantial increase in activity. It is addressing far more disclosure of tax avoidance schemes—which the hon. cases than ever. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine I know that the PAC takes a strong interest in training. McKinnell), speaking for the Opposition, touched on. It is important that staff are trained. People are being She is right that between its introduction in 2004 and moved from other parts of HMRC—for example, from the end of March 2012, it resulted in a total of 2,289 personal tax—into enforcement and compliance. It is avoidance schemes being disclosed to HMRC. That, in important that they are properly trained, however, and turn, has led to more than 60 changes in tax law to stop that process is going on—progress is being made and avoidance. the compliance yield is already increasing. Over the months and years ahead, we will increasingly see the Steve Baker: My hon. Friend makes his case powerfully, benefits of a large and better-trained compliance team. but I am concerned that we are locked into a paradigm It is absolutely right that the PAC scrutinises this specific of complexity and trying to deal with the consequences 529 Tax Avoidance and Evasion13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 530 of that complexity. Does he share my view that if only profiling tool, Connect, that helps to identify tax cheats we could find a route to tax simplification, we could by cross-matching data to uncover hidden relationships make some of the problems disappear at source? between people and organisations; campaigns and new policies—such as the contractual disclosure facility—to Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is right to say that tax encourage voluntary disclosure of evasion; specialist simplification has an important role. I do not think that staff to provide a single point of contact for the 2,000 it is a magic bullet or that it cures every problem, largest businesses and to address the growing risk of because there will inevitably be some complexity in a cybercrime; and taskforces carrying out intensive reviews modern economy. However, where we can remove some in high-risk trade sectors. of those complexities and boundary issues, that is clearly We are active in tackling offshore evasion activity. helpful. My point is that DOTAS is a valuable part of That concern was raised by a number of Members. We our tax regime, but we want to improve on it. There is now have a number of agreements with other tax scope for improvement, and more information could jurisdictions, including the Liechtenstein disclosure facility, and should be disclosed to HMRC to enable it to which the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North address tax avoidance. mentioned. That will require financial intermediaries to Let me turn to the GAAR. We are improving how we identify those who may have a UK tax liability, and it is counteract avoidance once it is detected, through the expected to raise £3 billion by 2016. More recently, the UK’s first general anti-abuse rule. I note the criticism Government have finalised a ground-breaking agreement made by Labour Members, but when they were in with Switzerland on tackling tax evasion. It will apply power—indeed, some of them were distinguished in the to UK-based Swiss account holders and is expected to former Government—they refused to bring forward a raise £4 billion to £7 billion a year. general anti-abuse rule. The GAAR will specifically target the most aggressive and persistent forms of avoidance Collectively, the avoidance and evasion measures that without undermining taxpayer certainty or adding undue I have set out today, along with our record on general compliance costs to the tax system. I am confident that, compliance, show how seriously this Government take unlike other suggested approaches, the Government’s any threat to our tax base. We are not complacent, approach strikes the right balance between protection however, and our plans to take a tougher stance on against avoidance and clarity for taxpayers. disclosure rules and the promoters of avoidance, to introduce a general anti-abuse rule, and continuously to I know that there is an alternative argument, based target those who illegally evade tax all help to demonstrate on the proposal from the right hon. Member for Oldham that fact. I hope that the House will appreciate the steps West and Royton, which was drafted by Richard Murphy, that we are taking. as he said. However, I would make this argument to him: “I…think that many appropriate checks and balances are built 5.56 pm in to the drafting. HMRC cannot use this”— the GAAR— Mr Meacher: With the leave of the House, I thank the “willy-nilly, and that’s right. This should be a tool of last resort Minister for his response. As he said, this has been a and not a battering ram for widespread use.” valuable and thoughtful debate. I also agree that there is general consensus on this matter. No one in the House Those words are from Richard Murphy, who was takes the view that tax avoidance is other than unacceptable. commenting on Graham Aaronson’s proposals. I know The only real question, which the Minister did not fully that Mr Murphy will be following this debate closely, answer, is how the measures to tackle it should be and I think it right that we quote his views thoroughly. undertaken. It is possible that the general anti-avoidance He also said: rules—GAAR—are an advance on the absence of any “Appropriate defences for action are built in. Safeguards to such rules. He quoted selectively from Richard Murphy, prevent HMRC over-using the provision are included. The result but he did not answer my question, which was why, if he is that the rule will be used against egregious cases, and not be aimed at all tax planning. That’s right: where the law provides for was so concerned to reduce tax avoidance as much as choice, planning is inevitable and right and I for one have never possible, he did not think that GANTIP would be far denied that fact.” more effective than GAAR. I hope that we shall return Finally, Mr Murphy said this in response to the Aaronson to that point tomorrow. proposals: The hon. Member for Wycombe (Steve Baker) made “Let’s have no doubt about it: this is a very big step forward for a thoughtful speech, as always, and I welcomed his tax justice and I warmly welcome this report and hope it moves saying that people should pay their full rate of tax. He rapidly towards becoming law.” even suggested that they should do so voluntarily and I entirely agree with those comments. I do not, in all altruistically. The trouble is that they will not do so. fairness, always agree with Mr Murphy, and he does not Warren Buffett is recommending that course of action always agree with me, but on this occasion he is absolutely in the United States, but I have not heard of a single right to set out the fact that there are safeguards. millionaire or billionaire in the UK who supports that I want to let the right hon. Member for Oldham West position. and Royton respond, but let me quickly deal with My right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret evasion. We encourage compliance, while making it Hodge) made an important speech, in which she said clear that if people do not take the opportunity, we will that the problem was that the rich simply did not see the find them and they will be subject to stringent penalties, payment of tax as a responsibility. I recall the words of and possibly prosecution. The measures that HMRC is Jon Moulton, a private equity partner, who complained taking include: 1,000 extra prosecutions a year for tax that his colleagues were paying less tax than their cleaning evasion by 2014-15; an enhanced, state-of-the-art risk ladies. That is the problem in this country. 531 Tax Avoidance and Evasion 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 532

[Mr Meacher] Colin Traynor Several proposals were put forward in the debate, but Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House the Minister did not respond to them. I shall return to do now adjourn.—(Karen Bradley.) them tomorrow if I get a chance. One was that there should be full transparency of settlements made by 6pm HMRC. We all know the aggravation that was caused by the settlement with Vodafone. That principle should Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) apply to all FTSE 100 companies. It was also suggested (Lab): Speaking in the House of Commons is rather that it was counter-productive to cut the number of tax like the apocryphal story of waiting for the 77 bus: you inspectors. Their numbers were cut under the previous wait a very long time, and then two or three opportunities Government—wrongly, in my view—and they continue come along almost immediately. to be cut now. The Association of Revenue and Customs I sought this debate in order to raise the case of one estimates that the amount recovered by tax inspectors of my constituents, Colin Traynor, who was epileptic. can amount to between 30 and 180 times their salaries, He was assessed as fit for work, yet died less than four so there is a strong reason for markedly increasing their months later. I raise the issue knowing that, tragically, numbers. this is far from a unique case, but I believe that there are The right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old some particularly disturbing aspects of Colin’s treatment Southwark (Simon Hughes) did not make a speech, but at the hands of Atos Healthcare and the Department he made two targeted and relevant interventions. He for Work and Pensions that deserve official attention said that any company that used tax havens should not and reform. be eligible to bid for a Government contract. He also Here are the facts of Colin’s brief life. He suffered suggested that everyone should pay at least a minimum from grand mal epilepsy from the age of 14 months. rate of tax—some people have suggested 32%—in order Although he was prescribed medication, his condition to prevent the situation in which some people pay just was never controlled. According to the detailed letter 1% or 2% as a result of the diligence of their City written by his parents a few months ago, which I have lawyers and accountants. with me, This has been an extremely useful debate. I welcome “he was unable to do normal things that some of us take for it and hope the House will take these matters further. granted such as go out to work, drive a car and even socialising with friends.” Question put and agreed to. Colin’s mental awareness was affected, as he Resolved, “found it very difficult to communicate verbally with others; it That this House has considered the matter of tax avoidance could take him a while to process a question that was put to him”. and tax evasion. In 2008, Colin, then aged 25, was asked to attend an interview at Oldham jobcentre, which was designed to “find out whether Colin would be willing to find employment.” Colin welcomed the interview because it gave him hope that he might actually find an employer who would be willing to take him on, which he very much wanted. However, according to his parents’ letter: “After doing everything possible to try and find employment for Colin, Remploy informed him that his condition was so severe that he was deemed unemployable. After 9 years of trying to find employment in the hope of living a little bit of normality in his life, Colin eventually came to terms with the fact that he would neverbeabletowork.” Then, in August 2011, Colin received a letter asking him to attend for a medical assessment on 4 November 2011. In his parents’ words: “Colin was confused as to why when 3 years before that he was deemed unemployable”. Let me quote at some length from a second part of the parents’ letter, which sets out exactly what happened: “The medical assessment works on a point scoring system. Colin was only given 6 points in total; he would need 18. On 19/12/11 Colin received a letter stating that because Colin had not scored enough points in the medical assessment, he would have his incapacity benefit cut by £70 a week. This caused Colin a lot of stress and anxiety. He was worried about losing his home, not being able to pay his bills and even worried about not being able to afford good food to eat. He was informed that the decision would have to go to an appeal and could take as long as 9 months. He was told there was nothing more they could do, and he would just wait for the outcome of the decision. From the period of December 2011 to April 2012 Colin’s health deteriorated, his seizures increased due to the stress and he also lost a lot of weight. On the 3rd of April 2012 the stress and anxiety that Colin 533 Colin Traynor13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Colin Traynor 534 was suffering from resulted in Colin having a massive seizure and of all the original decisions are reversed on further it took his life. Colin died at home on his own and he was only systematic examination at tribunals. Last year, some 29 years of age.” 1,100 claimants died under compulsory work-related The next day, Colin’s mother informed the DWP that activity for benefit, and a number of those found fit for he had died owing to his condition—as she put it, work and left without income have committed, or “the same condition that DWP were expecting him to work attempted, suicide. I simply say that a record of failure with”. of that magnitude clearly indicates that the system is so On or around 19 April, a fortnight later, Colin’s mother faulty that it needs wholesale replacement. contacted the DWP again to ask for a decision on Fourthly, it is unacceptable that those who are deprived Colin’s appeal. She was told that Colin’s file was at the of benefit, thus putting their life and well-being at risk, bottom of the pile. On being told that he was dead, the should have to wait six months or more for their appeal DWP official, very shocked, said that she would find to be heard. If Colin Traynor’s appeal had been heard the file and bring it to the adjudicating officer’s attention promptly, he would almost certainly be alive today. immediately. The following day, Colin’s mother received The least the Minister should confirm today is that a telephone call from the DWP saying that it had the Atos medical testing contract should be suspended—as overturned the decision in Colin’s favour, and that he the National Audit Office demanded last month—until should never have been assessed in the first place. new and more sensitive and discerning procedures are Many people, including me, would conclude on hearing put in place that end this dreadful catalogue of distress that story that this young man died at least in part and death, which shames the Government. I hope the owing to the procedural rigidity and heartlessness of a Minister will respond positively on each of these heartfelt Government Department and its agents. That is certainly points. the view of Colin’s parents, and I want finally to quote the end of their letter. It ends with just one sentence: 6.12 pm “We as a family” —it is signed by the mother, the father and the sister— The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban): I thank the right hon. Member for “hold the Government, David Cameron, Iain Duncan Smith Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) for raising personally responsible for the death of our son… and brother.” these important points on the handling of this case, and Nothing is going to bring Colin Traynor back to life, I assure him that we are committed to improving the but I believe that the Government owe it to his memory, work capability assessment, the incapacity benefit and that of hundreds of others who have lost their lives reassessment and the appeals processes. in similar circumstances, to make fundamental changes to the work capability assessment procedures which are I would like to start by restating our sincere condolences taking such a terrible administrative toll in fear, intimidation, to Mr Traynor’s family. The right hon. Gentleman will distress and death. be aware from his previous correspondence with the Secretary of State on this case of our plans to undertake First, the mechanistic nature of computer points-based a full internal review. This review has now been completed, assessment should be ended. It is reaching obviously and it confirms that we have correctly applied the wrong conclusions in a vast number of cases. The procedures for incapacity benefit reassessment in this Conservative hon. Member for Carmarthen West and case. The work services director for Jobcentre Plus South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart), to whom I pay North West and representatives from the Oldham benefit tribute, has established that 29,000 claimants who originally centre have arranged to meet the right hon. Gentleman scored zero in the test were later granted the benefit on and members of Mr Traynor’s family to discuss the case appeal. In his words: on 28 September. Let me deal with a few points in “it seems that some people are not failing by a couple of points. respect of Mr Traynor’s case before dealing with the They are failing completely—then going to a tribunal—then broader issues. passing completely.” Following a WCA, it was decided that Mr Traynor I simply say that a system that reaches such widely did not have limited capability for work, and he was wrong decisions in such a huge number of cases when it found fit for work with effect from 4 January. Prior to may be a matter of life or death does not deserve to this decision, Mr Traynor had been contacted by the survive, and should be scrapped. decision maker to establish whether there was any further Secondly, a revised and new system should be able to evidence that should be taken into account. No further distinguish at the outset, by means of a much more information was provided at that stage, and we wrote to personal and sensitive interview, those who, by any Mr Traynor confirming our decision. Mr Traynor submitted standard, cannot possibly be fit for work. It is highly an appeal against the decision on 12 January and continued significant that in Colin Traynor’s case the DWP finally to receive benefit throughout this period—albeit at a admitted that he should never have been assessed as basic rate—while his appeal was considered. being able to work in the first place. The tragedy, which Following the consideration of new information, in is unforgivable, is that that happened only after he had the form of evidence from Mr Traynor’s GP and an been dead for a fortnight. That alone ought to compel a epilepsy specialist nurse, the original decision was changed fundamental rethink of the procedures, so that this by a Department for Work and Pensions decision maker never happens again. and Mr Traynor was placed in the work-related activity Thirdly, that so many Atos assessments are overturned group. The right hon. Gentleman quoted from the letter at tribunal appeals shows that these procedures are from Mr Traynor’s parents and solicitor, which I have deeply flawed. We know the statistics: 40% of people read, and he suggested Mr Traynor was facing increased appeal against the decisions, and 38% of those appeals stress. That was not communicated to DWP during that are successful. That means that more than one in seven period. 535 Colin Traynor13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Colin Traynor 536

Mr Meacher: Irrespective of whether the distress, of That process is based on the Government’s fundamental which the parents were aware, was made known to the belief that many people with health conditions are able authorities, the crucial point in this case is: how can a to sustain and progress in employment. Indeed, evidence 29-year-old who had been subject to grand mal seizures points to the negative impacts of being without work since he was 14 months old, and for whom Remploy and suggests that appropriate work is generally good had desperately tried for three years to get a job and for people, regardless of whether they are disabled or could not do so, have been regarded as employable? have a health condition. In the context of Mr Traynor’s condition, the respected book “Fitness for Work”, published Mr Hoban: I do not want to get into the details of by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, clearly sets Mr Traynor’s case, because there is an opportunity for out that the right hon. Gentleman and Mr Traynor’s family to go through those with the regional director. I will come “most people with epilepsy are capable of normal employment without need for supervision or major restriction”. on to deal with the process in a bit more detail. Mr Traynor was asked questions during the course of his assessment That is supported by Epilepsy Action, which states on by an Atos employee, which led to that conclusion. As I its website that many people with epilepsy do go out to said a few moments ago, it was not until Mr Traynor work, that their epilepsy does not disrupt their work in submitted an appeal that he provided us with further any way and that nearly all jobs are open to people with evidence. The Department had asked for that evidence epilepsy. I pay tribute to the hard work of organisations earlier and it had not been supplied. such as Epilepsy Action, which work not only to support I wish to make a broader point that comes out of this their members but, crucially, to inform employers and and other cases, which is that it is important that tackle misconceptions about epilepsy. claimants provide information to support their claim at Of course, no two individuals are the same and it is the earliest opportunity, so that we make the right essential that the work capability assessment is capable decision first time around. I am sorry to say that we of looking at individual circumstances and dealing with often find that evidence to support an application is the wide variety of health conditions that individuals provided only at the appeal stage. Not only is it the may have. That is why the work capability assessment responsibility of all of us, as Members of Parliament, was developed in consultation with medical and other to help our constituents, but it is the responsibility of experts, alongside representative groups. The working groups advising people with complex conditions, be group, and that of a subsequent internal review carried they disability awareness groups or Citizens Advice, to out by the Department, includes an expert in neurological ensure that when they work with people they encourage disability and rehabilitation to ensure that it deals effectively them to submit the evidence at the outset, so that we get with conditions such as epilepsy. these decisions right first time. The right hon. Gentleman asked why Mr Traynor The right hon. Gentleman commented that Colin was referred for a work capability assessment. The was confused as to why he had been called back for reassessment of claimants entitled to the old-style incapacity reassessment. I will set out why we are going through benefit is a key part of our reform agenda to create and the reassessment process and say a little about the deliver a 21st-century welfare system by ensuring that process that happens when someone is called for assessment. those people who can work are given the correct help Guidance to staff refers to the fact that claimants are and support to do so. We do not believe that it is not already identified as vulnerable but might become acceptable to write people off to a lifetime on benefits so at any point during their IB reassessment process. because they have a health condition or impairment. A Following the letter to the claimant advising them that claimant on incapacity benefit may not have had to incapacity benefit is changing and that we will be assessing speak to anyone in the Department about their health their entitlement to ESA, we call them to ensure that condition or work options for as long as five years. they understand the process and provide them with the People are left on their own with no support or sense of opportunity to ask about anything about the process how and when they may return to work. that might concern them. The ESA50 and the accompanying letter encourage claimants to provide The employment and support allowance regime full details about their conditions and offer face-to-face recognises the importance of work and is designed to help to complete the form if they feel they need it. Once help claimants move towards employment with the returned by the claimant, the content of the ESA50 is right help and support. We therefore need to ensure that scrutinised by Atos, which can refer to a claimant’s GP people currently receiving incapacity benefits are supported for more information or advise departmental staff about in preparing for a return to work where some form of any vulnerability if it believes it is necessary to do so. employment is a possibility.The reassessment of 1.5 million existing incapacity benefits claimants started nationally The right hon. Gentleman suggested that the points in April 2011 and is expected to take three years to were awarded by a computer, but the medical assessment complete. Claimants are being reassessed using the work conducted by an Atos Healthcare professional is a capability assessment process. Claimants who are assessed confidential, face-to-face discussion about the claimant’s as having limited capability for work will be moved to condition that affords both parties the opportunity to ESA and will be placed in either the support group or identify and respond to any vulnerability that might the work-related activity group. The Department does prevent the claimant participating effectively in the IB not aim to reduce the levels of support for the most reassessment process. Prior to making a decision about severely ill or disabled people, so claimants in the support a claimant’s entitlement to ESA, the decision maker group will be paid a higher rate of benefit. Claimants in calls the claimant to provide them with an opportunity the work-related activity group will be expected to to offer any additional evidence. We recognise the concerns undertake activity to support their return to the labour that people called for reassessment might have, which is market. why we have tried to ensure that there are steps in the 537 Colin Traynor13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Colin Traynor 538 process to explain to them what is happening, reassure the additional stage in the process where a decision them and give them the opportunity to make their maker contacts the claimant to seek additional evidence points and express their concerns about the process. before they make a final decision. The introduction of Although we believe that the need for, and the principles mandatory reconsideration will build on that. We will of, the work capability assessment are right, the system continue our programme of reassessing existing incapacity we inherited from the previous Government contained benefit claimants over the coming years. flaws that undermined its effectiveness. We have therefore moved swiftly to put things right and are committed to Mr Meacher rose— improving the work capability assessment continually to ensure that it is as fair, accurate and efficient as Mr Hoban: I see that the right hon. Gentleman is possible. itching to intervene. We recognise that many people with a health condition want to work and can do so with the right Mr Meacher: I am grateful to the Minister for giving support. In June 2010 we appointed Professor Malcolm way. He has largely been talking about process. Clearly, Harrington, a highly respected occupational physician, the Government are trying to improve the process. to undertake independent reviews of the assessment. However, the fact that there have been three reviews by He has completed two reviews and is currently undertaking Professor Harrington suggests that the process is pretty the third. His reviews set out a series of recommendations flawed. for improving the assessment. We fully endorsed the May I return to my original question? Whatever recommendations and are committed to making the improvement there has been in the process, how can changes as quickly as possible. For example, we have: someone subject to grand mal epilepsy seizures virtually improved the standards and consistency of decision from birth have been construed, at any stage in his making through additional training and better use of 29 years of life, as able to work? He wanted to work; he evidence; improved the way we communicate with claimants probably came to the original work capability assessment by providing personalised statements, summarising key eager to work. But how could he be accepted for working advice clearly and implementing the customer charter; when Remploy and others considered that he was and made changes to the claims process to better support unemployable? the claimant at each step of the process and ensure that My last point is that Mr Traynor probably would not they understand what is required of them. have died if he had not received the deduction of £70 a Professor Harrington has also worked with charities week in his incapacity benefit. How would that get to propose alternatives for the majority of work capability someone into work? It simply produces extreme stress assessment activities, although I understand that, in and anxiety. relation to epilepsy, nothing has been received in relation to consciousness. We are confident that the improvements Mr Hoban: Let me deal with those points. The right we are making to the assessment following these reviews hon. Gentleman asked why Professor Harrington had will ensure that we increase the number of decisions done three reviews. The legislation, passed when his that are right first time and improve the service provided party was in government, actually required five independent to claimants. reviews to be carried out. Professor Harrington is now It is important to state that Atos does not make the conducting the third of those reviews. That is why it is decisions on benefit entitlement; decision makers in happening. The reviews also demonstrate a commitment the Department make the decisions after considering to learn, develop and listen to the experiences of claimants the advice Atos provides and any other appropriate and the groups that represent them. evidence, including information from GPs, consultants I will try not to go through the fine detail of Mr Traynor’s and so on. The Department makes millions of such case; I am not sure that Parliament is the right place social security benefit decisions each year, the majority for that. However, having looked at the assessment of which are not appealed. In fact, between October form that was completed through a conversation with 2008 and May 2011 the Department made more than Mr Traynor, I should say that it was clear that the 1 million decisions following receipt of a work capability number of fits that he had during the day were relatively assessment from Atos. Only 9% of those decisions were few across the course of the year. That was the information overturned. used to determine whether he was capable of working; Let me talk about what we are trying to do to it was then superseded by the letter from his GP and the improve the appeals process. We want to encourage epilepsy specialist nurse. Based on the original information claimants to provide all the evidence to support their supplied, the conclusion appeared to be right. Later claim at the earliest opportunity. The Department for information led to the reassessment of the conclusions Work and Pensions now interacts more with claimants made at that original assessment. I am sure that the at an early stage to ensure that decision makers get north-west director will go through that in more detail more decisions right first time. We are also introducing with the right hon. Gentleman and Mr Traynor’s family. a mandatory reconsideration process for benefits, so We will continue to learn lessons from employment that when a claimant queries a DWP decision, they will and support allowance, incapacity benefit reassessment be given an explanation by telephone and helped to and the work capability assessment. We are applying identify any additional evidence that could change it. those lessons to the introduction of the personal Claimants will still be able to appeal after the reconsideration independence payment, particularly around appeals and if they wish. reconsiderations, to encourage claimants to provide all This debate was initiated as a result of the unfortunate evidence to support their claim at the earliest opportunity. case of Mr Traynor and we extend our sympathy to his I reiterate that point. It would improve the whole process family, but it also highlights why we are right to introduce if we encouraged claimants to provide as much information 539 Colin Traynor13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Colin Traynor 540

[Mr Hoban] Question put and agreed to. as possible at the start of their application rather than leaving that to the appeal process. That is one of the 6.29 pm learning points to come out of the debate this evening. House adjourned. 143WH 13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 144WH

from all parts of the House have resulted in some Westminster Hall significant progress. Indeed, more than 70 parliamentarians went to the National Farmers Union’s dairy summit in Thursday 13 September 2012 July. Several retailers that were identified as not doing enough to support the dairy farmers took belated steps to address some of the unsustainable prices that they [MR CHARLES WALKER in the Chair] paid for their milk. That has helped processors either rescind or reverse the effects of their proposed August milk price cuts. Many of the same retailers have made BACKBENCH BUSINESS commitments to address their long-term pricing models for liquid milk. That is very welcome. Dairy Industry In recent days, Arla Foods has committed itself to a Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting 2.5p per litre rise, and today Müller-Wiseman has be now adjourned.—(Mr Evennett.) announced that it will raise its price to 29p per litre. Agreement has been reached between farming unions 2.30 pm and Dairy UK on a voluntary code of practice for dairy contracts. However, the industry still suffers from systemic Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): A lot of hon. problems that need to be addressed. As the NFU has Members want to take part in the debate, so I will make warned this week, if we do not take action, recent myself immediately unpopular by saying that, outside progress will be nothing more than a sticking-plaster the two opening speeches and the ministerial and shadow solution. ministerial speeches at the end, you will have a six-minute The milk supply industry is not made up simply of limitation. You can take less time, but you will have six producers and processers. Supermarkets also have an minutes. We will give you one injury time for one important role to play in ensuring fair prices. It is intervention. simplistic to portray all retailers as the villains of the piece; the situation is much more complex. Some retailers, Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, have taken progressive It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this steps in the liquid milk sector, with dedicated pools of afternoon, Mr Walker. To put a time limit on speeches producers, and they should be congratulated. was a courageous decision for someone who is currently running for office. The cheese market remains much more challenging for farmers, however. I hope that one outcome of the I welcome the new Minister to his post. He may know code will be to increase transparency in the pricing of that the last Liberal Minister to hold the farming brief milk going to make cheese. Last year, the Select Committee was Auberon Herbert, who was President of the Board took evidence from Tesco for our report on the dairy of Agriculture between 1914 and 1915. However, that industry. We found dishonest its arguments on why it does not bode well for the current Minister because does not provide the same support for farmers who Herbert only held his post for one year and did not produce milk for the cheese market. It is ludicrous to survive the forming of a coalition Government. None suggest that there is not enough stability in demand for the less, I wish the Minister well in the post. a workable contract for cheese. I am sure that hon. Members wish to pay tribute to The Select Committee was clear that if supermarkets the outgoing Agriculture Minister, the right hon. Member such as Tesco continue to rip off farmers, the Government for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice). While he should be prepared to step in. Tesco is by no means the and I may not always have agreed, he did his best and worst offender, and I am disappointed to have to report will be sadly missed by the farming industry and by that we are repeatedly told that the Co-op provides the members of the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. worst deal to dairy farmers. It is vital that customers I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Tiverton and and Co-op Members apply pressure to those retailers to Honiton (Neil Parish). We served together on the Select provide a fairer share of the retail value to their suppliers. Committee, and as many Members know, he is a mine The recent crisis was brought about by the reckless of information on agriculture. He and I have combined actions of Asda, which was selling milk at a loss-leading on more than one occasion to ensure that our farmers’ price of eight pints for £2, which is less than the price of voices have been heard in Parliament. He is a real bottled water. That in turn sparked a price war, which champion of Devon farmers and regularly makes the inevitably led to a cut in the price being paid to farmers. case that Devon cream is far superior to Cornish cream. While supermarkets have seen quarter on quarter rises With your permission, Mr Walker, he will sum up at the in their profits, many farmers have been pushed to the end of the debate. brink. Although I welcome moves by Morrisons, Asda A number of important debates are taking place in and the Co-op belatedly to increase their price, they the House today, and I appreciate that Members might have a responsibility to ensure that we have a sustainable not be able to stay for the whole of this debate. None dairy industry now and in the future. the less, I thank everyone for coming along. Members will know that despite the favourable market Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): I congratulate conditions, the UK dairy sector has been a source of the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate. Although dispute for a number of years. During the summer, the he has been making a good case, he made some rather public campaign led by dairy farmers to protest against strange assertions about cream, which we will brush large cuts in milk prices captured the British public’s over. Does he agree that when looking at how the price imagination. The profile generated by that campaign is passed on to the various people in the chain, the combined with the lobbying and overwhelming support trends that have emerged is that the processors’ share 145WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 146WH

[Dan Rogerson] We have urged Ministers in the Lords to keep open the option of extending the powers of the groceries seems to have been relatively static, the retailers’ share code adjudicator. I hope that when the Bill comes to the has grown and the farmers’ share has shrunk? Anything House of Commons, the Minister will consider talking that we do to look at the relationship between the to his colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation processor and the farmer must also take account of the and Skills about the potential of extending the GCA’s relationship between the retailer and the processor. powers if necessary. In closing, I have a few questions to put to the Thomas Docherty: The hon. Gentleman is correct. I Minister. will touch on the role that the groceries code may play in that process in the future. I did not say that I Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con): necessarily agreed with the assertions about Devon, but Before the hon. Gentleman finishes, I hope that he will they have been forcefully made on more than one give us an indication of what the Labour party’s position occasion. is with regard to bovine tuberculosis, which of course is I say well done to those retailers who have belatedly the other great threat to many of our dairy farmers. got on board, but why did it take them so long? The actions of the House and the dairy industry forced the Thomas Docherty: I do not speak for the Labour retailers to take those steps. Members on both sides of party; I think that my hon. Friend the Member for the House will look to the Minister to hold all elements Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) will have an opportunity of the supply chain to account. We all want the groceries to set out whatever issues he wishes to when he speaks, code and the voluntary code to work, but it is vital that if he has time to do so. he takes the lead on pushing through these issues. I am conscious that other Members wish to speak, so On the specific case of the adjudicator, the previous I will conclude very briefly by asking the Minister some Government gained cross-party support for a supermarket questions. If the voluntary code does not deliver, will he ombudsman to ensure a fair deal for farmers and food step in and consider regulatory action? Will he tell us producers from the major retailers. Following a Competition when he expects the code to be published? I understand Commission inquiry in 2008, Labour introduced a new that it is waiting for clearance from the Office of Fair groceries supply code of practice in August 2009, which Trading, but I am sure that he will try to ensure that it is came into effect in February 2010. The Competition published as soon as possible, so when will that be? Commission also recommended the creation of an What assurance has his Department been given about ombudsman to enforce and monitor the code of practice. the full implementation of the voluntary code by all milk processors? As the signatory to the code is Dairy This Government presented their Groceries Code UK and not all the players, how will the Department Adjudicator Bill in the House of Lords before the for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ensure that summer recess. However, the Bill grants only limited all the processors play fair? When do the Government power to the adjudicator to tackle the issues in the dairy expect to bring forward a consultation on the dairy industry. It will be limited to tackling the direct supply package? I would be grateful to him if he gave us an between the processor and the supermarket, or the indication of some of those timings. Finally, when will farmer if they have a direct contract with the supermarket, the Government publish the framework that will underpin and will not be able to deal with a three-party contract. the establishment of producer organisations? I hope that the Minister will reflect on that and listen to the Select Committee’s cross-party advice. I am very conscious that a large number of Members wish to speak today; I am sure that this will be an excellent debate; and I commend everyone who is taking Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): It would be highly part. desirable, would it not, if the milk that is used in the Houses of Parliament came from UK sources at a fair and sustainable price? Does the hon. Gentleman agree 2.41 pm that if we gave a lead in the Houses of Parliament, it Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): Thank would send out a big message? you, Mr Walker, for calling me to speak. It is a great pleasure to speak in this debate. Thomas Docherty: The House of Commons Commission I thank the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West has urged the catering and retail services to ensure that Fife (Thomas Docherty), because he and I have secured we operate within the European rules—I am conscious this debate. He has a great knowledge of the retail trade, that I am now setting off a whole new avenue for the so perhaps with that knowledge, my own knowledge of hon. Gentleman—but perhaps the Minister will set out farming and some cross-party support we can get a what steps he will take to ensure that all Departments really good price for milk. We want this debate to be buy their milk from British farmers. about the price of milk, and the fact that we have nearly The issue that we have faced time and again during 40 Members in Westminster Hall who want to speak in this dispute is that retailers have argued that the cuts on this debate shows how important the issue is to everyone farm-gate prices were being implemented by the milk in this House. In fact, I suspect that at the moment there processors and not by the retailers. The reality is that, as are probably more people in Westminster Hall than the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) there are in the main Chamber. I thank all Members mentioned earlier, the downward pressure has come who are present for coming, and the number of Members from the supermarket shelves, and that pressure is passed who are here shows the seriousness of this matter. I also on to the milk processors, who then pass it on to the thank the Backbench Business Committee for granting producers. this debate; it is a very important one. 147WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 148WH

Confidence in the dairy industry has been at an not forget that processors, especially when there is a all-time low this year, not only because of the prices for fixed price with the supermarkets, are very often the its products but because we have had probably some of ones that get squeezed, because there is a guaranteed the worst weather that we have ever seen in the UK. As price to the farmer and then the farmers enter into a a result, we have had some of the worst May silage, and trade war with their supermarket friends—or enemies—and all those types of things, coupled with the high price of at the end of the day it is probably the processor that cereals, have meant that farmers are being crushed actually pays the price. between low prices and the high cost of feeding animals. We must move more swiftly to make the Groceries Ten years ago, there were more than 26,000 dairy Adjudicator Code Bill law, so that supermarkets play by farmers; now we are down to less than 15,000 dairy the rules, producers have confidence that their complaints farmers. That shows how many dairy farmers have been will be taken up and third parties can also raise issues forced out of the industry, and how things have become with the buyers. If the supermarkets and other larger more and more competitive. retailers are not doing anything wrong, they have nothing It is good to see the new Minister here in Westminster whatever to fear from the groceries code adjudicator. Hall today and it is also good to see my hon. Friend the However, some supermarkets and other large retailers Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh), the are less than enthusiastic about the adjudicator, so I feel Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that there is much to answer for. Committee, here. It is also very important that third parties, such as The voluntary code of best practice on contracts unions and trade associations, are able to submit complaints between milk buyers and dairy farmers is an important to the groceries code adjudicator on behalf of producers, settlement. It will prevent producers from being trapped so that producers are able to benefit from the legal in unfavourable contracts and it will add much-needed advice and support that those third parties may be able transparency to milk contracts. I pay great tribute to to offer. my right hon. Friend the Member for South East All supermarkets can and should do more when it Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), who worked absolutely comes to responsible sourcing of all dairy products. tirelessly with all parties to reach that agreement. It is a The pursuit of ever greater margins, coupled with a great legacy and I know that Members from all parts of short-termist approach to sourcing British dairy products, the House are grateful to him for his profound knowledge is jeopardising the future of the British dairy industry. of farming and for his support. Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s should I welcome the new Minister to his post, and I hope be acknowledged for introducing more transparent pricing that he can pursue the voluntary code as quickly as mechanisms into their milk groups but, as the hon. possible. The contract between producers and purchasers Member for Dunfermline and West Fife said earlier, should set out a clear price. It should also set out that in they have got to do much more about the cheese market. future producers must receive at least 30 days’ notice of Retailers that have promised to do more, such as the a price change; that retrospective price adjustments will Co-op, Morrisons, Lidl, Farmfoods, Iceland and Spar, not be accepted; that dairy producers are allowed to have got to be brought to the table actually to do supply more than one processor when their primary something, rather than just promising to do something, milk buyer seeks to cap their production; and that because let us not forget that all the time they are supermarkets setting farm prices must engage meaningfully driving the price of milk down. with farmers and their representatives, rather than just The point that I want to make very strongly to driving farmers into a corner and every now and again everybody here in Westminster Hall today is that consumers adding a sop, when what farmers need is a long-term already pay enough money for their milk. The problem future. The code must be implemented and then monitored is that many of the large retailers are taking 16p in for compliance and effectiveness. If it is not working, profit out of that money. That is where the problem is, the Government must consider what statutory powers and therefore some percentage of that profit needs to go and mandatory powers can be added to it. back to the farmer. It is not just a case of farmers The Government have also made a very welcome and breaking even; they need to be able to make a profit to long-overdue move to introduce the Groceries Code reinvest. Adjudicator Bill. It was presented to the House of Lords only last week and we now look forward to its Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): On that point Second Reading. of reinvestment and making milk production more This issue is about fairness. It is also about supermarkets, efficient, does my hon. Friend think that there has been particularly the few large ones that dominate the retail an absurd situation in recent years whereby the regional market and that have been able to increase their profits development agencies have been distributing Government at the expense of food producers by using— funding to try to support farmers in that regard, but in Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) my constituency farmers on one side of the A5 have (Con): There is one issue that my hon. Friend forgot to been unable to access that funding whereas on the other mention just now. He lives in Somerset and I represent a side of the A5, and under a different RDA, farmers Somerset constituency. However, he forgot to mention have been able to access it? Does he agree that we need the Wiseman dairy at Bridgwater, which is one of the to have a more transparent system, a more level playing processors, and the processors are equally culpable in field and a sensible amount of funding from Government this matter. to try to help our farmers to become more efficient? Neil Parish: I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. Neil Parish: Yes. My hon. Friend raises an interesting I will be talking about processors shortly, but he is issue. It is not only a question of RDAs and which side absolutely right to make that point. However, we should of the A5 they are on; it is also a question of which side 149WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 150WH

[Neil Parish] The independent taskforce, set up by Richard—Dick— Macdonald, has been successful, but it means that the of the border people are on, because there are probably Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs different policies in Wales and Scotland too. At the end has revoked some 39 statutory instruments only to turn of the day, all these things distort the market and we around and introduce a further 41. We have, therefore, should not distort the market with public money. We to run a little faster to get rid of regulation. need a level playing field, so that farmers can compete Farmers have to spend a great deal of their time very well together. filling and refilling forms on everything from livestock I want to ask the Minister for an update on the milk movements to nitrates regulation. The cost of current package proposals, particularly on the establishment of regulation is upward of £5 billion a year, with 50% of producer organisations that will be able jointly to negotiate all DEFRA regulations coming from the EU. In particular, contracts, collaborate over price and adapt the production it is important that the Government look again at the of their members to market demands. I hope that the nitrate vulnerable zone, because I do not think that it is farmer-owned co-operatives will be able to work more scientifically based, and it costs the industry a huge together to drive the price up, rather than compete with amount. Ultimately, DEFRA must go further in cutting each other, which sometimes drives the price down in the barriers to growth domestically, and give Parliament the liquid market. more scrutiny over EU regulation coming in. It is also vital that farmers are given more bargaining Farmers are never going to get a good price while we power. Today, 87% of milk comes from just five companies, flood the UK market with liquid milk. The majority of resulting in an effective monopoly in some regions. milk produced in this country is for the liquid milk market, with only 49% of it going into processed products Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): The producer group such as cheese and yogurt, which is far less than in many question is really important, because it leads us on to other countries. For instance, in Eire—the Republic of the contracts. It is very important that contracts are fair Ireland—80% of the milk is exported. for farmers; they are already rather too prone to defend the position of the purchaser. Let us ensure that the Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Order. The hon. farmer gets a fair chance in the contract. Gentleman has had more than the allotted time. Out of deference to him, I will let him start to wind up now. I Neil Parish: I welcome my hon. Friend’s contribution. will give him one more minute. More producer organisations being able to negotiate decent contracts, and being able to cut the contracts Neil Parish: I am very close to the end. within three months, which is what the voluntary code We need, therefore, to get more milk into the emerging is all about, will help to drive the price up. In the past, markets of China and the far east, to ensure that we some contracts have done the reverse, and have driven take more milk out of the system and create greater the price down. competition, which can drive up the price. Currently, there are no formally recognised producer Finally, please can we ensure that the groceries code organisations operating in the dairy sector, nor is there adjudicator is given real teeth and comes in quickly? a definite interpretation of what the dairy package Please can we ensure that all the work that the previous regulation means for the establishment and recognition Minister did on the voluntary code is up and running of producer organisations known to the industry.Members immediately? When are the Government going to spend will hiss when I say that my experience is that producer the £5 billion earmarked for producer organisations? organisations are much stronger in many other countries Can we keep up the good work that we have done on across Europe and, dare I say it, probably get a better eradicating tuberculosis? Healthy livestock, healthy wildlife. price because of that. Let us not always shun what may be done across the channel, but endorse some of it if it Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Lots of colleagues improves the price to farmers. want to speak. I was slightly generous to the hon. Gentleman, but I really am going to do six minutes, Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con): Does with a minute for an intervention. my hon. Friend agree that if producer organisations are to have clout they have to represent everyone in the industry and not be dictated to by the large producers, 2.55 pm as we have seen happen in other industries, such as Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) fisheries? (PC): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Walker. I congratulate the hon. Member for Neil Parish: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Farmers’ Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on great strength is their independence, but sometimes they securing the debate. do not get together as much as they should. This is an Over the summer, much of my political work centred opportunity, with producer organisations, to do precisely on the dairy industry. I was invited by the National that. It is important that the Rural Payments Agency is Farmers Union to meet local farmers, a meeting hosted in a position to formally recognise groups of farmers by Mr and Mrs Thomas of Dolau Gleision farm near who wish to constitute themselves as a dairy producer Llandeilo. It was an extremely interesting experience. organisation before spring 2013. We have to stop talking I was chaperoned into a nearby barn, where the local about that, and do it. farming community sat on rows of hay. It was a bit like The Government must also continue their work in “Question Time”. I also had a detailed meeting with making farming and the dairy industry more competitive, the executive of the Farmers Union of Wales in through cutting regulation, waste and red tape. Carmarthenshire, in which we discussed policy options, 151WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 152WH and my Assembly colleague, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, and I have a few questions for the Minister on the voluntary I arranged an open meeting on the eve of the Royal code. How does he expect the code to affect the expected Welsh show in Llandeilo. To his credit, the Welsh Deputy legislation on the grocery ombudsman? What measures Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European will he use to judge the voluntary code’s effectiveness? Programmes, Mr Alun Davies, attended the meeting at How do British farming Ministers view the implementation extremely short notice. of the European Union recommendations for producer Feelings in all those meetings were running extremely organisations? How will they develop on these isles? high. Most farmers had just received news that they What is the potential threat of quotas ending in 2015? were facing price cuts of at least 2p. A large number of In informal meetings in Brussels we were led to believe farmers were threatening to spill their milk down the that the Irish are gearing up vastly to increase their drains, and many did not attend the meetings because production to flood the UK market. Will the Minister they were picketing processing units across the border. indicate his thinking on the potential threat of that Thankfully, and to his credit, the UK Minister at the future development? time acted, and during the Royal Welsh show announced progress on a voluntary code of best practice between Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): I have one last processors and producers. Together with the milk price notice. The Clerk will ring a little bell when a speaker cuts being postponed, that was enough to restore calm has a minute left. That is a new innovation. in the countryside and avoid a summer of discontent, which meant that I could enjoy the rest of my August 3pm holidays. Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): I congratulate the The process culminated with the announcement of a hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas finalised voluntary arrangement earlier this month, which Docherty) on securing this debate. is undoubtedly a step forward. However, the key question is whether it will result in a fair price for farmers for Staffordshire is one of the UK’s leading dairy counties. their product. At the end of the day, that is key, as well Dairy farming is important to my constituency; let us as creating a fair and transparent supply chain. Unless not forget how important it is to so many others. Some farmers are confident about the future prospects of the 70 trades and suppliers, possibly more, are estimated to industry they will not commit to dairy production. depend on each 400-acre dairy farm. I welcome the moves to equalise the relationship Another almost unique feature is that Staffordshire between producer and processor, specifically in the has kept its county farms, which were set up after the contractual arrangements. Previously, producers were first world war. Half of Staffordshire’s county farms, tied to a processor for periods of longer than a year, some 50 of them, are in my constituency of Stafford. whereas the processors could cut the price on a whim. Those farms provide a route into dairy farming for The voluntary agreement, as I understand it, will ensure young people, which is essential because the average age that processors have to give producers 30 days’ notice of farmers is between 55 and 65, depending on who we before dropping prices, but producers will have to give listen to. three months’ notice. Although the agreement is a step Last Friday, I attended a meeting at Church farm, forward, the balance will still be weighted towards the Coppenhall, at the invitation of the Madders family, processors. with many dairy farmers and the National Farmers There has been broad support for the voluntary Union. We discussed the problems they face. As time is code. NFU Cymru has always championed a voluntary brief, I will highlight three or four areas. agreement. The Farmers Union of Wales, which Clearly, the first area is milk prices and fair treatment. traditionally shares my more militant tendencies, has The common refrain was, “Give us the highs in prices also welcomed the announcement. I am not being and we’ll take the lows.”It is often said that the processors pessimistic, but I believe that it is incumbent on both and supermarkets are quick to put down the prices paid the UK and Welsh Governments to prepare a policy to farmers but are slow to raise them when the market response, if the voluntary code breaks down. goes up, and the market will surely go up because, if we During the public meeting in Llandeilo, the Welsh consider dairy production figures across Europe in August Deputy Minister said that he had the power to introduce 2012, in Germany production was 0.3% down, in France a Welsh dairy package. I was completely flat-footed by production was 1.7% down and in the UK production that suggestion, because I had always thought that such was 3.7% down. Those figures reflect a combination of things had to be introduced at member state level. the weather and low milk prices. So there will surely be However, during a visit to Brussels last week, the Welsh price rises, which must be passed on to farmers. Affairs Committee met with Hermanus Versteijlen, the The second vital area is marketing. Many of my European Commission’s director of agriculture and constituents are already taking up the challenge of rural development. I naturally asked him about that, adding value—Bertelin Farmhouse Cheese in Ellenhall, and he said that a dairy package could be implemented for example, which was previously in the constituency wherever the political competence lay, which seems to of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr Cash), indicate that it would be possible for the Welsh Government who will no doubt know the farm—but there is much to introduce one. I urge the Welsh Deputy Minister—I more potential. I have recently had to start buying hope that he is listening in Cardiff—and stakeholders in lactose-free milk, for which there is a huge market in the my country to at least begin to prepare the framework UK, yet the milk I buy is made in Denmark by Arla. for legislating on a Welsh dairy package. Having something concrete in draft form might even concentrate the minds Mr Cash: Does my hon. Friend agree that there are of processors, in relation to ensuring that the voluntary also enormous export opportunities for dairy farmers? code that was set out earlier this month works. I have just come back from India, from where people 153WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 154WH

[Mr Cash] My hon. Friends and I want a fair deal for both farmers and food manufacturers through a competitive will shortly be coming to see Staffordshire dairy farmers and equitable supply chain for producers, processors precisely to try to develop joint ventures. Is that not a and retailers alike. Hopefully, the voluntary dairy code, great opportunity? agreed between the previous Minister, the right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), to Jeremy Lefroy: As so often, my hon. Friend is a whom tribute has already been paid, Dairy UK and the prophet. I was just about to say that. National Farmers Union will positively address problems The previous Minister, my right hon. Friend the between members of the supply chain. The Government Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), have described the code as a who has rightly been applauded, was in China on a “robust and proactive basis for a more effective system of raw trade mission and saw no British dairy products, despite milk contracts that will provide greater certainty and clarity for there being many from the Netherlands, Germany, all parties.”—[Official Report, 4 September 2012; Vol. 549, c. 18WS.] Denmark and so on. We must do more, and the industry The question remains: is that voluntary approach enough? must do better. Should the Government strengthen the code with additional Supermarkets, too, can do more. On a holiday in the measures, including legislation? Will the Government Republic of Ireland a few years ago, I entered a Tesco consider Labour’s request for a strengthened regulator that was festooned with Irish tricolours promoting products across the whole supply chain, including the dairy sector, processed or produced in the Republic of Ireland. I to avoid the crisis we have seen affect dairy farmers welcome that great idea. I want to see far more Union during the past year? flags in UK supermarkets promoting British foods. Although DEFRA has engaged with the farming The UK Government, too, can do more, but, first, a industry and retailers to develop the code, the Department word of praise from the farmers. They say to me, and I of Health, in considering the future administration of do not know whether hon. Members agree, that the the nursery milk scheme, is possibly putting at risk Rural Payments Agency has improved considerably in prices paid to farmers. Concerns have been raised with the past two or three years, and due credit should go to me by the School and Nursery Milk Alliance, a group the RPA and the ministerial team. of organisations, including from the dairy sector, committed As the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr to promoting the benefits to children’s health and well-being (Jonathan Edwards) said, the current EU negotiations of drinking milk in schools and nurseries. are vital. I am concerned to hear that British representation The Department of Health is considering four options, is not as strong as sometimes it should be. In a debate one of which would create a national contract for the last year, I stressed the continued importance of single supply and delivery of milk to all early years settings. farm payments, particularly to the small farmers who That option would involve consortia taking part in a continue to be the backbone of the UK dairy industry. competitive tender for the direct supply and delivery of The UK and Portugal are currently the only countries milk at an agreed price to all child care providers applying voluntary modulation from pillar one to pillar registered with the scheme. The Department of Health two. The concentration on environmental measures has seems to favour that option, as it is the most cost-effective clear benefits, but we should not go any further in that measure. The alliance, however, has serious concerns modulation if it puts us at a competitive disadvantage that that delivery system may have a detrimental effect with our European neighbours. on the dairy sector if the Department of Health uses I want to allow time for others to speak, so I will the supermarket price as a benchmark for the provision conclude by saying that I welcome this debate. The time of milk. is right for fair prices. I worked for many years in the The alliance urges the Government to consider the coffee industry, in which I saw the impact of fair trade impact of a national contract on the dairy supply chain, and fair prices. I would like to see a similar approach in especially the potential pressure on farmers to reduce the dairy industry, based on the voluntary code of prices further. There are further concerns that a national practice, with supermarkets, processors and farmers contract may also reduce local purchasing, affecting working together. retailers and dairies alike. Finally, I pay great tribute to those dairy farmers who On behalf of the alliance, I ask the Minister to make work day in, day out, week in, week out, rising before the case to his colleagues in the Department of Health dawn and going to bed late at night, to put those regarding the implications of the proposed changes to products on our tables. the administration of the nursery milk review for dairy farmers. It is good that DEFRA should work with the 3.6 pm dairy industry and farming unions to ensure an equitable Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): It is an system of pricing, but that work must not be undermined honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Walker. by any other Departments looking to make savings in I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for their budgets. Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on I said at the beginning of my speech that I was securing this timely debate. concerned about the value that we as consumers place I speak not only as someone who has the honour of on what we eat and drink. It is time we looked at serving on the Select Committee on Environment, Food the real cost of the items we all take for granted in our and Rural Affairs under the able chairmanship of the shopping baskets. Support for the dairy industry and hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh) other food producers should come from the Government but as someone who cares about fairness and the value and other bodies, but until the consumer fully understands that we as consumers should place on the items we buy the effort and dedication by our food producers that to eat and drink. goes into each pint of milk or unit of food, and voices 155WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 156WH that understanding to retailers and others, will a fair figures on compensation that are much lower than he price ever be achieved for commodities, including milk thought. He is worried that he will not have enough and dairy products? In the meantime, I hope that the money to replace the cows he has had to send to voluntary code is successfully implemented, but I urge slaughter. I would be grateful if the Minister looked at the Government to prepare to legislate for the fairest that case. system possible. I reiterate the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr Cash) regarding exports. I feel 3.10 pm passionately about exports to north Africa and the middle east. Libya, Egypt and Tunisia are full of Dutch Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con): and Danish cheeses, yoghurts and other dairy products, I, too, pay tribute to the outgoing Minister with yet there are none from the United Kingdom. I hope responsibility for farming, my right hon. Friend the that the Minister will work closely with his colleagues in Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice). I the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to had the immense privilege and honour of being his try to help the dairy sector find new markets in those Parliamentary Private Secretary for a year and a half. countries. With his experience and expertise, he was one of the best farming Ministers this country has ever had. His Finally, I would like to put on the record that we now departure is a great loss to the Government. have a new Waitrose supermarket in Shrewsbury—the first one has just opened. My daughter and I go every I set up the all-party group on dairy farmers in 2006, Saturday to Waitrose, because it is the supermarket that in the previous Parliament, because of the terrible crisis pays most to dairy farmers. my Shropshire dairy farmers were going through. An important statistic to remember is that in 1997, 47 cows were slaughtered in Shropshire as a result of bovine 3.15 pm tuberculosis; last year, that figure was more than 2,000. Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I am I repeat those figures: from 47 to more than 2,000. The pleased to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Walker. I misery that that disease has caused many of my constituents thank my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline is appalling. When I set up the all-party group, 170 MPs and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) for securing the joined it. Uniquely, the then Leader of the Opposition, debate. now the Prime Minister, joined the group. I believe that that was the only all-party group he joined in the It has been a difficult summer for the farming industry, previous Parliament. and for farmers in general. It has been a challenging number of months for dairy farmers, and I welcome Our group produced a report in which the two this parliamentary time to debate the issue. The dairy recommendations were that we needed a limited cull of industry is critical to the farming community and the badgers and a supermarket regulator. At the time, we broader agricultural industry in my constituency of were told that it would be impossible to get either. We South Down, where different conditions appertain to pleaded with the Labour Government to introduce a how prices are set for the dairy industry. regulator and to take action on bovine tuberculosis. Our pleas fell on deaf ears. I am therefore slightly I am more than aware of the problems that exist for bemused to hear Labour MPs calling for us to support English producers. I attended the recent rally in Methodist their actions on an adjudicator, because we pleaded on central hall where that case was put strongly. In fact, we bended knee for years and no action was taken. One took evidence in the Environment, Food and Rural reason why the situation is so perilous at the moment is Affairs Committee, under the chairmanship of the hon. the inactivity of the previous Labour Government. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh), on the issue. From that evidence session, it was quite clear Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): On the point about a that dairy farmers here were financially challenged and supermarket or groceries code adjudicator, I have been looking for a better deal. chair of the Grocery Market Action Group for the past However, I would like to take this opportunity to six years. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that it concentrate on issues encountered by dairy farmers in was only just before the 2010 general election that we Northern Ireland, who face similar problems combined had agreement from all three main parties that an with other potentially more pressing difficulties and, as adjudicator or ombudsman should be put in place. the Minister will know, a different operating regime whereby prices for milk are set by the auction system. Daniel Kawczynski: Indeed. I pay tribute to my hon. Raw milk prices are more volatile in Northern Ireland Friend, who is one of the leading proponents of the when compared with prices for the same commodity Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. I look forward to here due to the exposure of the Northern Ireland dairy working with him to get that proposed legislation through industry to world commodity markets. Approximately Parliament. 80% of milk production in Northern Ireland is exported I want other hon. Members to be able to speak, so I in one form or another, the majority of which is sent will just briefly say that I have sat with dairy farmers at outside the European Union. The price volatility of their kitchen tables, and seen those grown men burst global commodity markets has contributed to milk into tears. The emotion involved in seeing their herds prices that are still 3p per litre behind last year’s higher slaughtered is profound. I hope to hear from the Minister figure. about what steps the Government will take to address Like producers in England and Wales, the industry in this appalling issue. Northern Ireland has suffered from the drought in I will write to the Minister specifically with regard to America and Russia, combined with an extremely wet a constituent of mine, Mr Jones of Pontsbury, who summer, all of which has had a decisive impact on recently lost a lot of his herd. He has been given new silage-concentrate prices across the market, and the 157WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 158WH

[Ms Margaret Ritchie] success of a staple native industry. In that respect, I hope for some collaborative governance in advance of resulting milk production rise has been calculated at the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill, which I hope will approximately 4p per pint. The extremely wet summer have teeth. I hope it will have the regulatory power to has further increased the reliance on more expensive deal with the issues in question. I urge the Minister, imported food concentrates as local silage and hay whom I welcome to his new post, to talk to the appropriate supplies become depleted. This is likely to continue into Minister in the devolved Administration in Northern autumn and winter. Such conditions have largely negated Ireland about the need to give the Northern Ireland the recovery in prices witnessed in the last few weeks at dairy industry a fair wind. the most recent milk auction in Northern Ireland. The milk price at the latest milk auction in Northern Ireland Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Hon. Members was between 25p to 26p, with the price falling as low as may have noticed that the bell is broken. I apologise to 22p back in June. Notably, despite the slight rally, this the hon. Lady. remains markedly lower than the cost of production, which can run 4p to 5p higher, and is 3p lower than the price this time last year. 3.23 pm That cost of production has risen because of the wet Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It is summer and rising feed prices, and the situation is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for South Down exacerbated in Northern Ireland as so much of our milk (Ms Ritchie), and to see so many colleagues from the is exported, which makes our industry particularly prone Select Committee here. I welcome you to the Chair, to outside pressures and volatility that are quickly reflected Mr Walker, and I give heartfelt congratulations to the in the auction system. In fact, I understand that price hon. Members who secured the debate, the hon. Member volatility is likely to remain a feature of the dairy for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty), industry in Northern Ireland. New ways will have to be and my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and found to minimise its impact on the industry. Honiton (Neil Parish). They have thus given the issue A parallel issue is the price reductions in milk offered an audience wider than just those of us who have the by some small independent retailers, which can also honour of serving on the Select Committee. leave farmers vulnerable to market conditions. Milk is I draw your attention, Mr Walker, to my entry in the often used as a loss leader, with prices being dropped to Register of Members’ Financial Interests. May I also a level that is not sustainable for the industry. They can mention, hesitantly, another interest: I am half Danish, be significantly lower than the price of production. It is although I shudder to declare it before this afternoon’s also notable that market research has shown that customers audience. Perhaps I can use my language skills to make are willing to pay up to an additional 5p per litre to representations beyond these four walls. ensure that farmers get a fair deal, especially when that I welcome the new Minister to his place. It is a is explained in terms of the sustainability of the dairy pleasure to see him there. I know that he will build on industry. the excellent work done by the outgoing Minister, my Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): The right hon. Friend the Member for South East hon. Lady is making a powerful case. Is she as confused Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice). It is poignant that the ink as I sometimes am by people insisting on fair trade was hardly dry on the dairy industry voluntary code coffee and tea, but not fair trade milk? before my right hon. Friend was moved. Many hon. Members have already described the problem: Ms Ritchie: I am with the dairy industry and with the the volatility of the market and the imbalance in the hon. Gentleman on that issue. I live in the countryside supply chain, which the voluntary code is intended to and am well aware of how the situation affects not only address, between producers and purchasers of milk. I dairy farmers, but those involved in beef and sheep yield to no one in my admiration of those who work in production. They feel that they do not get a fair price at the dairy sector—not least those in the hills and uplands the farm gate. Farmers in Northern Ireland feel that of the UK, especially in the inclement weather that we they get a lower price than those in Britain. often suffer in North Yorkshire. The hon. Member for In the light of all that, I note with interest the recent South Down alluded to the poor weather pushing the voluntary code of practice agreed between processors cost of feedstuffs up dramatically, and the cost of and non-aligned producers in England and Wales. In keeping cattle indoors for longer this year has increased such a context, there is a need for a commitment by all production costs. We are all aware of the other debate sides to reach a similar agreement in Northern Ireland, today, on fuel prices and the general cost of living. I where no such voluntary code of practice currently acknowledge that production in the uplands has been exists. I understand that the dairy industry in Northern reduced to the bare bones, and those now working on Ireland decided to wait on the outcome of discussions farms, particularly in the uplands, are strictly family in Britain before deciding whether the code would be members. appropriate to its circumstances, and that different industry I draw hon. Members’ attention to the Select Committee groups will meet later this month to consider their report of July 2011, on what should be included in the position. However, I am in no doubt that the achievement EU proposals for the dairy sector contract. We noted of a resolution in Northern Ireland is particularly pressing, that, despite having one of the most efficient production as farmers there are less likely to be aligned with large systems in the world, UK dairy farmers are unable to supermarkets. recover their costs, and dairy producers are out-competed All sides and interests in the situation must recognise by imported products. We recommended that that their relationship is symbiotic and we must find a “raw milk contracts should include the four elements specified by path that ensures a fair settlement to guarantee the the Commission—price, volume, timing of deliveries, and duration.” 159WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 160WH

I am delighted that under the voluntary code, contracts supermarkets that are the problem; in my view, it is the between producers and purchasers must set out either a processors. If dairy farmers were not being squeezed clear price or a clear pricing mechanism. enough—hon. Members have said that they get up at It is unacceptable that every time we deal with the the crack of dawn and go to bed late at night, trying to issue, the purchasers add another 2p, and, when our keep their business running—the three processors, Arla, backs are turned, or we take our eyes off the ball, prices Wiseman and Dairy Crest, cut the farm-gate milk price, are reduced. Even at 29p per litre, the price of producing first in April by 2p and then in July by 1.5p and 2p per the milk is not being covered. What is the result? As litre. Hon. Members must ask themselves, how are the recently as the Farndale show at the end of August, I farmers carrying on? It is a real problem. met yet another dairy producer who was selling his It is important to note that, in the drive to produce dairy and his sheep, for that reason. milk for the retailer, the processor will squeeze the price The elephant in the room, to which I hope the Minister and, unfortunately, the producers suffer and are not will turn his attention early, is the push for large units. heard. They are locked into contracts and cannot negotiate The Government should say what their view is on large out; they have no real voice. I pay tribute to the former dairy units. They should acknowledge the public concern. Farming Minister’s good idea of introducing the voluntary There are welfare issues about dairy cattle being kept code. Unfortunately, although some might say that the indoors with no access to fresh air and no room for code has worked, other responses say that that has been exercise; and there are large-scale environmental issues done before but has failed time and again. Having heard concerning how to dispose of the slurry. That is a hon. Members say that the voluntary code will probably separate debate, which must happen. However, it is fail, we should ask ourselves, when will we introduce a unacceptable and unsustainable that purchasers of milk code with real teeth and give the producers a voice? continue to offer dairy producers less per litre that the When are we going to introduce legislation? I think that cost of production. That cannot continue. we should do so. A cheese producer has brought to my attention a I welcome the new Farming Minister to the Chamber. worrying development in North Yorkshire, which is I am sure that he will enjoy having a real policy to get that local suppliers are threatening not to provide cheese involved in, rather trying to manage hon. Members and producers and others with the milk they need. The the business of the House. He is on the record saying Government must tackle that. that we need legislation. I agree. However, we need an ombudsman—the groceries code adjudicator—and we I congratulate the outgoing Minister on securing the must give him or her real teeth. We can do that with two dairy package. We must recognise the fact that many things. First, we could fine retailers for unfair practices. dairy farmers are being pressed to abandon milk production, If we can do that in the banking world and in respect of because they cannot secure a break-even price. That energy, why cannot we do it in the farming world as must be tackled. I urge the Government to respond to well? Secondly, there have been past instances, including our earlier report on upland farming. We welcomed the the tragic case of Hillsborough, as we heard yesterday, rural statement this week, but in addition to that I want of things being covered up on a mass scale. So there the Government to present an uplands action plan, must be an element of whistleblowing, and the NFU setting out the policy area and retaining farming as the and other organisations must be allowed to blow the primary activity in the UK’s uplands. whistle on practices that they see happening and action We need to know where the £5 million that the must be taken. The Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill Government are allocating to producers will be sent. must state that processors should be fined for unfair We want contracts awarded to dairy farmers that cover practices; the Select Committee on Business, Innovation their production costs. I hope that the Select Committee and Skills asked for that, so let us push it forward. recommendations on the groceries code adjudicator The dairy coalition has produced a 10-point plan. will ensure that the adjudicator has the power to investigate The hon. Member for Stone (Mr Cash) said that we on his or her own initiative, and to impose fines. should market our milk better, including cheese as well Let the message go out today that we will not accept as liquid milk. That starts with the Government: every the behaviour that has been shown towards dairy producers. Department, the House and every council and local I welcome this debate in that spirit. authority should focus on selling British milk. If we cannot promote our own products, what hope have we 3.29 pm of exporting them at all? Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op): I congratulate my I hope that the Minister gives hope to those dairy hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline and West farmers who are being squeezed. I have spoken to so Fife (Thomas Docherty)on securing this debate, which many of them. They say that the problem is not just the is important for dairy farmers throughout the country. weather, but production costs. Dairy farms have been in I join other hon. Members in paying tribute to the families for generations. It would terrible for a great former Minister, the right hon. Member for South East British tradition to fall away because of the greed of Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), with whom I attended a those in the market. National Farmers Union rally in a room over the Methodist hall, where angry farmers were shouting and asking 3.34 pm him why Tesco was running the country. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): Cheshire has a long On speaking to farmers, it is clear that, more than tradition of dairy farming. Few hon. Members in this anything else, they want fairness rather than favours. Chamber will have failed to enjoy the taste of Cheshire Dairy farmers are getting a raw deal. It might have been cheese. May I also recommend to hon. Members the a bit of fun asking at that NFU meeting whether Tesco delightful Cheshire ice cream and invite them to enjoy is running the country, but it is not Tesco or the that in Cheshire, on one of our farms? 161WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 162WH

[Fiona Bruce] The letter from the leader of East Cheshire council says that he wants me Dairy farmers are hugely respected in Cheshire. They “to raise the Council’s very serious concerns over the plight of are appreciated not only for the essential staple foods dairy farmers across Cheshire East. By early August a significant that they put on the table, but for the contribution they number of our farmers have seen the price they receive for milk make to our communities and landscape and for the reduce by 15 per cent over recent months, leading to severe hard work that they undertake all year round, at all economic hardship and, in some cases, decisions to go out of milk times of the day and night and in all weathers, to production altogether, losing a heritage which goes back many generations. The impact on the wider rural economy could be produce that food, often with a smile on their face. I can devastating. testify to that because I live among the Cheshire farming Many farmers will be receiving significantly less for their milk community. than it cost to produce. No business can continue to produce a When a number of those farmers came to see me product if the price they receive for it is consistently lower than earlier this summer to talk about their anger, frustration the cost of production. Over the last twenty years dairy farmers and distress at the cost of milk and the fact that they across the county have striven to become ever more efficient, they have been successful…but there is a point beyond which they were having to produce milk and sell it for less than cannot go.” their basic costs, I had to take that seriously. They entered the room without their usual smiles and were He goes on to ask me to encourage the Government to angry and distressed. Wendy Radley, who works at “Lighten the load of farm regulation to prevent unnecessary Holly farm in Congleton with her family, said: extra regulatory costs…Put pressure on all major buyers of milk and dairy products to commit to pay fair prices that cover “this situation gets worse on a daily basis. Our industry has seen production costs”— yet another shattering fall in milk price which is simply not not only should prices cover costs, but a fair price of sustainable…something must be done about the need to provide protection for the primary producer. Currently vast swathes of more than production costs should be provided. Finally, dairy farmers are being forced to sell at around 20% below the he asks the Government to ensure that acknowledged cost of production of a litre of milk.” “the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill…currently before Parliament becomes law as quickly as possible. This is important legislation That is unacceptable, unsustainable and unjust, especially as an adjudicator could stamp out unfair practices at the retailer when retailers are making as much as 16p per litre of end of the supply chain.” milk. Yet farmers are losing money on a litre of milk. Finally, I received a letter from another local farmer, One farmer said, “Not only can we not cover our costs. Barry Dale, who urged the Government to tackle TB, How are we supposed to provide for a pension?” because the rules surrounding it Knowing that this debate was coming up and about “have now become so restrictive and complex that even DEFRA’s the concern in the community, I invited other farmers own staff struggle to understand them… The supporting computer to write to me. I received a number of letters—I cannot technology is also very inefficient and causes many delays and read them all—from farmers and non-farmers and some problems. Despite this I am very optimistic about the future of unsolicited letters, including two from church leaders, our dairy industry”, who were concerned about members of their congregations and he hopes that the Government will continue to play and communities affected by this situation, and one their part. from the leader of Cheshire East council. Although those letters were received before the most recent 3.40 pm developments, they highlight the concerns in our local community. One recent development is the voluntary Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I, code of best practice on contractual relationships, which too, congratulate the hon. Member for Dunfermline has been mentioned. It is important that that is effectively and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on securing the implemented and monitored and that the Government debate. ensures that this happens. I hope that the Minister will A belated announcement this morning from Robert deal with that point when responding. Wiseman Dairies that it will increase the farm-gate price to 29p a litre, as well as use the new voluntary code Before dealing with the letter from the leader of of practice as a framework, is a timely reminder that the Cheshire East council, I should like to mention a public scrutiny that we offer in the House remains a communication that I received from Stuart Yarwood of powerful tool to make processors and retailers who Lower Medhurst Green farm, who is an NFU representative value their reputations behave more responsibly towards in Cheshire, a parish council chairman and a great their suppliers and customers. I welcome the new voluntary member of the community—I have hardly ever seen code of practice for the dairy sector and the progress on him without a smile on his face—just to highlight the pricing that we have seen in recent weeks, but we must anger among our local community. He says: not lose sight of the fact that 29p per litre is still less “I have attended a milk producers meeting at Stafford today than the production cost, and until the prices paid to with 500 to 600 other farmers. Our message to the processors who producers exceed the cost of production, we will not have cut milk prices again this week is clear. have a sustainable dairy industry. 30p a litre or you do not get the milk. As others have said, the problem is not new. There We are ready to either dump the milk or shut down the have been concerns about the way that the dairy supply distribution centres… I never thought I would be distributing this chains operate for years, and it is worth bearing in type of language, but when you see how the supermarkets have mind—a point perhaps a little eclipsed today—that not ruined our industry and…government has watched, it is time to only dairy farmers are squeezed by processors and oil the plough and grub up the Cheshire Plain to plant some retailers. The inspiring action of our dairy farmers over wheat.” recent months may give a lead to other farmers and That would be a tragedy. food producers, many of whom run small, family businesses. 163WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 164WH

They find themselves caught in supply chains in which Many farmers are unwilling to speak out publicly they have little negotiating power and in which a handful about how they are treated by retailers, but privately of large retailers and processors reap all the profit. they will catalogue the costs and pressures of doing business. We need greater transparency, and we need to Earlier this summer, I joined dairy farmers from my be able to hold the retailers accountable. Too many constituency on the streets of Peterhead to highlight the supermarkets are still using business models that are intransigence of some retailers on paying a fair price for completely unsustainable, and they are pushing producers milk. We stood outside one supermarket that had a out of business or to the brink of viability. poster in the window advertising four pints for 99p. That encapsulated for me how milk prices have become Whatever steps we take to mitigate the worst excesses completely dislocated from production costs or any of irresponsible corporate behaviour, we also need to market reality. Milk simply cannot be produced that address the underlying problems. A window of opportunity cheaply if we want to ensure the welfare of the animals has been created by the actions of dairy farmers and the or that they are fed properly and if we want to maintain high profile that they have generated this summer, allowing a viable business. Ministers to grasp the nettle of supply chains. I hope that the new Minister will seize that opportunity to Farmers are angry, and it is heartbreaking for people bring transparency and fairness to the dairy pricing who get up at 4.30 every morning to milk their cows to regime and take action to ensure fair prices for all our be working for nothing. They are seeing their livelihood food producers caught in over-concentrated and and way of life destroyed, so that supermarkets can uncompetitive supply chains. post multi-billion pound annual profits. The dairy farmers in Banff and Buchan have little 3.46 pm choice about where to send their milk for processing—most of it goes to Wiseman because there is no other large Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): I congratulate my processor locally. That lack of competition compounds hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton the inherent imbalance in the relationship between suppliers, (Neil Parish) and the hon. Member for Dunfermline processors and retailers. The suppliers are in an invidious and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on securing the position: they simply do not have enough negotiating debate, which is essential. muscle. As my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) said, Staffordshire has one of the largest dairy Perhaps the most egregious symptom of the prevailing farming industries in the country. I used to be the regime is discretionary pricing: the ability of buyers to Member of Parliament for Stafford—now I am the vary the terms of contracts without negotiation is Member for Stone—but I remain a Staffordshire MP. unacceptable. I am glad that the new voluntary code of Dairy farmers work incredibly hard, and I was pleased practice will tackle the issue, although I seek assurance to meet my dairy farmers at the Central hall rally a few from the Minister, whom I am happy to welcome to his weeks ago. I have had several meetings with them over new role, that the Government will look seriously at the the past few weeks and I entirely agree with all their introduction of legally binding measures, so that we are arguments, which extend not only to the cost of milk not debating this again in a few months’ time, next year and the price that they get for it but to TB and how, as a or the year after. result of the legal decision in the High Court this week, The large supermarkets that dominate the retail market we will be having further progress on that shortly. I also have the biggest share of responsibility. They have the regard the ombudsman in the Groceries Code Adjudicator margins, as others have said, and they need to take a Bill, which I am glad that the Government have brought long, hard look at their business models and to understand in, as important. that sustainable sourcing is not only about environmental It must be 10 or 15 years ago that I spoke to the impact, but about the sustainability of the livelihoods Office of Fair Trading, calling for fair competition in and communities that depend on food production. milk prices, so I have some history on the issue. As long Earlier this summer, Tesco advertised for a buyer to ago as 1984, the by-election that got me into Parliament operate in the Scottish islands. That advert let the cat for the first time was completely dominated by milk and out of the bag on how that company views its agricultural that has lived with me ever since. I have had great suppliers and goes about its business. The job advert pleasure working with dairy farmers, who are wonderful asked for candidates who would people and work incredibly hard. I congratulate the Minister, whose constituency of “achieve your savings/income target through the 4 ways of buying…Buy for less…Someone Else Pays…Use Less…Re-Engineer”. Somerton and Frome includes the villages that my wife’s family comes from, and the Secretary of State for For too long, scrutiny of the way in which large retailers Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. push the costs and risks of food production down the Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), supply chain has been inadequate. That is a global on their new posts. I welcome them to tricky problems problem, not only a UK one. Tesco posted profits this on such things as nitrate vulnerable zones, as mentioned year of £2.5 billion in the UK—apparently, its worst by my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton, results in two decades—and yet it thinks that it is okay or the potential for compulsory codes and various other to squeeze margins from some of the most peripheral European Union measures—people will be familiar and marginally profitable producers, in the islands. with my concern over those. It is one thing to hope, as in That makes a complete mockery of any of its statements the notes that we received today, that people might be on corporate responsibility. It is incumbent on all hon. able to amend grassland derogation, to promote the Members to highlight such instances because they are principles of better regulation and to deal with and by no means isolated. reverse the nitrate vulnerable zones, but there is only 165WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 166WH

[Mr William Cash] the value that we as politicians and as a nation attach to that. That is the context of this debate, and the price of one way of reversing them—as my right hon. Friend the milk has crystallised our thoughts and brought us here. Minister will acknowledge—which is by negotiating, It has also brought our union farming friends to this which might be almost impossible, or by applying the building to champion their members. notwithstanding rule, the use of which I have advocated I want to speak only briefly about milk prices, because for many years to override European legislation. That is other hon. Members have covered the matter so well. what the National Farmers Union is calling for, which I An interesting observation during the summer about am pleased to commend, because we have reached a the dilemma facing supermarkets was whether we protect point at which much European legislation—the call for the brand against an interesting and developing public federation and all the rest of it—has now become campaign, or simply protect the bottom line. That was utterly absurd. There is also the question of public summed up by the fact that nothing changed economically procurement contracts. I said that it would be a good for retailers from the day when the price drop was idea if we in Parliament ensured that we paid a sustainable announced to the day when it was reversed. The only and fair price, because that would give a lead, and thing that happened during that period was that a would demonstrate our commitment to our dairy farmers. coalition of farmers led a very effective and at times I believe strongly—and I commend my hon. Friends aggressive public campaign, which resonated with the the Members for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel public and the press. For the first time, people realised Kawczynski) and for Stafford for joining me—in that something sinister was going on, and good people encouraging the prospects for dairy farming activity in who were trying to make a good living in difficult export markets, and joint ventures. In India, I met an circumstances were being shafted by people with no real Indian businessman who is running a company called regard for the way in which those businesses were being Milky Moo. He is coming over to see Staffordshire farmers, conducted. and I am happy to invite my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford to join us if Milky Moo needs experience Let us not be too cynical, but suddenly supermarkets and knowledge. Believe it or not, its milk production and retailers started to change their narrative and their includes contracts with 10,000 farmers, and it expects argument, not on the back of any economic arguments that to rise to 100,000 farmers in that part of India in a or developments, but purely because the nation was few years. It is a huge business, and we can offer a lot of beginning to clock on to the fact that there was a great expertise. Some of the briefings we received contain injustice. It is a credit to all those who were involved in sound advice, and the naming and shaming of those the public campaign, and who drove down to Somerset who are not prepared to co-operate in the new voluntary in the middle of the night and lawfully picketed processors’ code is an important aspect of where we need to go. establishments. It is a great credit to them that they did so lawfully, and attracted great public sympathy. I will That is all I need to say. I agree with so much that has not say more about that, but it shows how effective such been said by hon. Members on both sides of the House. campaigns can be if they are done properly. The brands This is a very good demonstration of the fact that of the supermarkets are nearly as important as their Parliament is working very hard for the dairy farming bottom line, and we must not let them forget that. industry, and the fact that so many hon. Members have turned up is a great tribute to their determination to do The voluntary code has been covered quite a bit. It is the best for their farmers. a first step. The processors must—not should—co-operate. It must be seen to be transparent, it must ensure good Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): We are making governance, it must provide bargaining power for producers fantastic progress. If we maintain discipline, I hope that in a way that is not currently available, and it must—I we can get all hon. Members over the line. underline this several times—be subject to stringent and regular review by Ministers in the Department for 3.51 pm Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Without all that, we will come back here shortly for another Westminster Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Hall debate to discuss the effectiveness, or perhaps the Pembrokeshire) (Con): There was a time during the lack of it, of the voluntary code. post office closure programme when post offices were described as places that did a little more than just sell We can have an effective code, and as my hon. Friend stamps. Dairy farmers are people who do a great deal the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) more than simply produce milk. I want to focus, as said, supermarkets in the top division have nothing to other hon. Members have done, on the social and worry about from that, but people at the other end who economic contribution of dairy farming, particularly in are quietly and knowingly shafting the farming industry west Wales. The context of this debate is interesting. It have every reason to be worried. That is why we want it, has been triggered by and has focused on milk prices, and that is why we will not take the spotlight off them but it is also about fuel prices; food labelling; procurement; until they co-operate with the spirit as well as the letter the final eradication of TB; diversification in the of the voluntary code. countryside; the ability of farmers to plan and planners On contracts, I hope that the Minister will confirm to co-operate with farmers in so doing; and bank lending that if there is any failure in the voluntary code, legislation and the availability of credit. It is also about the one will follow promptly, and I hope that he will make the issue over which we have precious little influence—the time scale clear. The contracts today are grossly one-sided, weather and its impact on input costs. and only the Independent Parliamentary Standards We should be discussing a great deal more than just Authority would be proud of presenting such contracts. the nub of the debate, and that can be summed up in We have a little experience, and sympathy with our one phrase—farming and farmers’ place in society—and farmers, on that score. 167WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 168WH

What can the Government do? They can monitor the I applaud the good work done by Ministers from the code, and legislate if necessary.They can give the Groceries Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Code Adjudicator Bill big, sharp teeth. Let us not who worked tirelessly throughout the summer recess. mince our words, but put it in place. They can make The huge improvements secured are due to the clarity of greater progress with Government procurement and their campaign, and I thank them for what they did. I food labelling, and be absolutely resolute on the eradication also congratulate the Women’s Institute on the campaign of TB—let us have no truck with it. Let us get on and that it is running. do it, and do it efficiently. Above all, let us ensure that whenever we, and our lords and masters, get to our feet [MR CLIVE BETTS in the Chair] we champion the farming industry with every ounce of There is scope for the future. The new dairy code energy we possess. could do much to resolve the issue of cost among farmers, processors and retailers. The code will be voluntary, 3.57 pm and I hope that the £5 million in additional funding Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): It is a announced by the Prime Minister for a rural economic pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Walker. grant, for which farmers can apply in the autumn to I congratulate the hon. Member for Dunfermline and increase their competitiveness, will be another element West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on securing the debate. of solving this long-term problem for our farmers. With 370 farmers operating in Derbyshire, and a major I will cut down enormously what I wanted to say, as it milk producer, Dairy Crest, based in my constituency, it is important that colleagues from around the country is clear that the dairy industry is very important to us should be allowed to have their say. I look forward to locally. During the summer recess, I met several local hearing the Minister’s comments on the industry as a farmers. They are a community of hard-working individuals whole and his recommendations on what steps my who believe that they have been ganged up on, and forced farmers in South Derbyshire can take to ensure that to accept opportunistic price cuts. They want to ensure they get a fair price for a pint of British milk. that the dairy industry is put on a sustainable footing 4.2 pm for them, their children and their children’s children. Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): I will be brief. If we I have been told that the minimum cost of producing are not a nation of farmers, what are we? The way of a pint of milk is about 30p. However, many farmers up life that we enjoy derives its origin from the countryside, and down the country are not getting a fair price for a and this Government, if they are about anything, must pint of British milk. I understand that Arla Foods has be about supporting the rural economy. announced a new standard price of 29.5p from 1 October, Northumberland used to have one of the biggest and we have heard about Wiseman coming through collections of dairy farms in the United Kingdom; we with 29p. It is clear that more needs to be done to put now have very few. On 17 July, I met National Farmers milk and the dairy industry as a whole on a more Union representative Dennis Gibb and other dairy farmers. sustainable footing for the long term. It was probably the saddest and most depressing meeting I have here a picture showing how the price of a pint I have conducted in two and a half years as a constituency of milk is split, and it is clear that there is a real MP. One said that he could weep for the state of dairy problem. The farmer receives 14p a pint, the processors farmers. One farmer, William Huddlestone from Allendale, have a 3p mark up, making 17p per pint, and when it explained to me how there used to be 30 dairy farmers gets to the shop floor it retails at between 30p and 50p. in his dale, but now it is just him. The price of a pint in a Westminster corner shop is over I underline everything said by colleagues in support 50p. None of that mark-up goes to my farmers. Although of farmers. I welcome the Government’s efforts to promote my good friends in the National Farmers Union have fair competition and support dairy farmers. I also suggest informed me that those figures will have changed a bit that there is scope for a call to action, which must come since August for different companies, they provide a from the other end of the spectrum. Many have talked sense of the state of play for farmers during the past about what Government and individual local organisations few months. can do, but the harsh reality is that the large supermarkets Over the summer, two things became clear. The first, are controlled by shareholders and pension funds, which on the rowback in prices by the big names from 24.5p to can be shamed into what is now termed corporate social 27p—we are now hearing 29.5p—is that those prices responsibility: in other words, acting fairly. Pressure are guaranteed only for farmers with aligned contracts, must be applied not just at the bottom end of the scale which is about half of them. It does not sort out the by farmers, the NFU, Members of Parliament and problem at all, and could be seen as window dressing. county councils but at the top end, so that supermarkets The second is that the price reverted to is only for liquid know that if they continue to price British dairy farmers milk consumption; a lesser price may still be paid for out of existence, their business will not be welcome and milk that goes to cheese or other types of production. they will suffer the consequences of the campaigns Again, that will not really sort out the problem. waged over the summer, which I suggest will get a great My farmers would like us to push a campaign for a deal worse for them. fair price for a pint of British milk. They are keen for I support entirely the actions taken by the NFU and me to see how they can get fair trade status for British individual farmers, and I welcome boycotts of individual milk. They are convinced that the British public would supermarkets that fail to play ball and support the not be happy if they knew about the standards of farm farmers whom they assiduously say they support but to production in many parts of Europe from which milk is whom they do not provide the prices deserved. I will imported. We need to build a fair supply chain that happily lead a boycott of my local supermarkets in gives the farmer, the processor, the retailer and the Northumberland that fail to do so for any particular customer a fair price for a pint of British milk. farm. 169WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 170WH

[Guy Opperman] We got to this point because dairy farmers felt that they had no choice. They were faced with a further This debate is also about how we treat the rural way 2p cut in their prices, and that was a cut too far. They of life. As my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen would not have been able to survive. Dairy farming West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) made would not have been sustainable at that level. It is clear, it touches on everything from bank lending to almost unique that having had the 2.5p reinstated in rural broadband to how we treat the uplands and what many cases, many dairy farmers are still only meeting the local community’s role is in supporting organisations. the cost of production. In what other industry do we I note, for example, that Tesco makes hundreds of expect producers to sell their product at the cost of millions of pounds a year from dairy products. Although production? We do not say to Toyota that we want to we would all love a return to the Milk Marketing buy a Prius at the cost of production or to Apple that Board—my farmers would certainly welcome it back we want to buy the iPhone 5 at the cost of production, with open arms—I urge the Minister to consider the yet we expect our dairy farmers to survive by selling Government’s ability to sanction and support the coming their product at the cost of production. That is absolutely together of large regional collectives of producers, so unsustainable, which is why it is so important that we, that they can have some collective clout when negotiating. as Parliament and as a society, get behind our dairy I am conscious of the time. I apologise, Mr Betts, that farmers. If we do not, we will lose the industry for ever. I was unable to be here for the start of the debate. In We need to be aware of why we got ourselves in this those circumstances, I will draw my remarks to a close. situation: it was a case of supermarkets using milk to tempt people in, just as they have with my other beloved 4.5 pm product, beer. They have driven down the price, and milk processors, to chase supermarket contracts, have Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): It is a pleasure to put pressure downwards on to our farmers to the point serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I am absolutely at which the pips are beginning to squeak. delighted that so many Members have chosen to take I shall make a few quick points to close. First, we all part in this debate. I am a new Member—I was elected recognise that more than 90% of the milk for the liquid just two and a half years ago—and during the time that market is produced here in the UK, but just a third of I have been here, I have never seen such a well-attended the butter and half the cheese products on our supermarket Westminster Hall debate. It speaks volumes about how shelves are produced from British milk. We must do important the plight of the dairy industry is to Parliament. more to get into that very lucrative market, which could The supermarkets and processors must be left in no save our dairy industry. Secondly, we have heard a lot doubt how seriously we intend to take the issue. The about the groceries code adjudicator and the idea that it phrase was used at one point that journalists were must have teeth. The industry is setting so much store drinking in the last chance saloon. I suggest that the by what the groceries code adjudicator can deliver in supermarkets and processors are drinking in the last future, and we must make sure that we arm it with the chance milk bar, because I think that we all recognise tools that it needs to do its job. Thirdly, some £5 million how serious the issue is. I pay tribute to the hon. has been made available to dairy farmers under the Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas rural economy grant. There are rumours and concerns Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton among farmers in my constituency that, although that and Honiton (Neil Parish) for securing the debate. money would help them to survive, not all of it will I speak today to represent my farmers in Burton and reach dairy farmers, so I would be grateful for clarification Uttoxeter, who played a little part in getting us where on how the scheme will operate. we are today. Many Members will know that the SOS We recognise that the land that we live in is green and dairy campaign kicked off with a meeting in Staffordshire. pleasant because it is farmed and because our farmers The brainwave for that meeting came around a farmer’s make such a massive contribution. [Interruption.] The kitchen table in my constituency with Mr David Brookes, phrase “for whom the bell tolls” comes to mind. It tolls Mr Philip Smith and Mr Trevor Beech from the NFU. now not only for me, but for our dairy industry, and it is They came up with the idea of being more vocal and imperative that we, as Parliament and as a society, offer taking the campaign forward. When they rang me with a lifeline and support to the great British dairy industry. their original idea, I had to tell them that I did not think that it would work. They said that they wanted to milk a cow in Downing street to make their case. I had to Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair): To make sure that dissuade them from doing so, but I think that we all everyone can contribute, I will now limit speeches to six recognise how important the SOS dairy campaign has minutes absolutely, with no injury time. been in uniting farmers. 4.12 pm Daniel Kawczynski: One of the best campaigns over the past few years has been from the Women’s Institute, Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con): Thank whose work I acknowledge. WI members came from all you, Mr Betts. It is a pleasure to serve under your over the country, and one of them sat in a bathtub in a chairmanship today, and I will try to beat the bell, like bikini and had milk poured all over her. That got a lot any true Cornish girl. of publicity for the campaign. I would like to say a big thank you to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Andrew Griffiths: I thank my hon. Friend. I am left Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton with a marvellous image of him up to the navel in milk. and Honiton (Neil Parish) for securing the debate, as I know that he has done his best to support dairy well as to the Backbench Business Committee. I would farmers in his constituency. also like to make colleagues aware that because of the 171WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 172WH actions of my hon. Friend before the summer recess, and discuss the wider conflicts in the industry today, there was a tremendously well-attended meeting of the but I must also put on record my declaration of interest, Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Mr Betts, as I am a farmer, albeit not a dairy farmer. Affairs. I do not think I have been to such a well-attended As has been outlined powerfully this afternoon, for meeting, and it shows how committed my hon. Friend is some time, our dairy farmers have found their backs to to the well-being of our dairy farmers. the wall. To be honest, that is putting it quite politely. It In South East Cornwall, a number of small dairy is fair to say that farmers have been unfairly penalised farms are vital to the local economy and to the livelihoods through contracts that, frankly, have sought to take of their owners and the people who are employed there. advantage of the product’s perishable nature. As such, I I know that we, as a Government, have a will to support was delighted to learn last week that UK dairy farmers those farms. In the past, there has been a trend of and processing firms had agreed a new voluntary code supermarkets driving milk prices down to a level that is of practice for future milk supply contracts. I pay unviable for our farmers. The dairy industry has proposed tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for South positive action to resolve the problem, and I hope that East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice) for all his work in the Government will support that. getting the code of practice set up. That agreement was Last Saturday, when I visited my local agricultural the result of significant negotiation, and the new voluntary show in Liskeard, I learnt first hand how our dairy code will require plenty of scrutiny from both the farmers are suffering economically. How on earth can industry and Government. anyone expect dairy farmers to be paid a price for their Before discussing the path forward, it is important to end product that falls below the production cost? It is understand the context of farmers’ concerns. The dispute just not common sense. I also know exactly how it feels has centred on frequent reductions in the price paid by to get up at stupid o’clock in the morning and work processors to milk producers. Combined with the rising such long hours for a product on which there is no cost of feed and distribution, the pressure on dairy viable return, because dairy farming can be likened to farmers is taking a sad toll. To give a local example, the fishing industry, which I have extreme knowledge of. Arla, based in Leeds, reversed its planned 1p price cut In recent days, it was encouraging to hear that Arla for August. It actually went further, raising its price to Foods and other processors are increasing the price to 29.5p a litre, as has been mentioned. However, in the 29.5p a litre, but that is not really enough. As my hon. same month, production costs for dairy farmers jumped Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Heather by 1.5p, so the costs of production were still not being Wheeler) said, that is not sufficient to provide a genuinely covered, which is the crux of the problem facing those sustainable dairy farming industry. farmers. I want to mention the Clarke family and Trewithen The dangers of failing to act now and in favour of dairy in my constituency. The Clarke family were dairy milk farmers are stark. Quite simply, if dairy farming farmers who diversified into processing. They source does not pay, we will witness an increasing decline in the their product from the local dairy farms around them number of UK-based dairy farmers and an increasing and work together to ensure that everybody secures a dependence on dairy imports. The farmers with dairy in fair share economically of the end result. It would be their blood may continue to champion the industry out encouraging if other co-operatives could be formulated of love—I know many who would do that—but, more to secure similar deals. worryingly, what are the incentives for the next generation It is encouraging that the dairy coalition has produced to do likewise? The danger, therefore, is not just the a voluntary code of practice, but will the Minister say immediate threat of dairy farmers going bust, but the threat when he will endorse it? If the code does not work, what to the viability of UK-based dairy farmers in the long action will he propose to ensure that we do not see any term. more dairy farmers going out of business? Will the At this stage, I praise the work, research and general Minister also say more about the timetable for the lobbying provided to farmers by the NFU. I agree with Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill, as it does not currently the NFU’s dairy board chairman, Mr Raymond, who seem to be published? said only last week that dairy farmers require I would like to endorse all the points that my colleagues “equitable and trusting relationships with their milk buyers and have made today. I shall not repeat those arguments, as this can only be achieved by putting in place fair and transparent they have been made on many occasions, but I would milk supply contracts.” like to tell the Minister that last week, I heard even his The recently agreed code certainly seems to address local farmers on Radio Cornwall, my local radio station, the problem of trust, with the document set to include a saying that they know he is a man of the land and that range of positive measures. However, I believe that he has promised to support the farming industry. I hope dairy farmers are entitled to be cautious as well as that now he holds the position of Minister of State, he optimistic. As with all such codes and agreements, will continue the good work that his predecessor was words on paper must be translated into practical action. renowned for. We want to see strong decisions and firm I put it to the Minister that the Government must help from him for our farming industry. ensure that the situation is kept under constant review, with an understanding that further work and perhaps even legislation might be required—and that is not 4.17 pm something that I would often say. Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): As ever, it is a Finally, I want to focus on the Groceries Code privilege to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. Adjudicator Bill. Like many other hon. Members, I Like many hon. Members here, I represent a constituency have been calling for some form of supermarket with strong rural links and I have had regular meetings ombudsman since my election to the House. I know with local dairy farmers. I want to voice their concerns that supermarkets play an important role in local economies 173WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 174WH

[Julian Sturdy] island milk. I thank it for that. I have written to the other island supermarkets, asking them to do the same and communities throughout the country. However, in and give their customers the choice to support local such a competitive market, squeezing prices in the back farmers. So far we have had interest from Waitrose, office to the detriment of standards and of producers, Southern Co-operative, Morrisons and Bookers. I am such as dairy farmers, is a constant risk, requiring some still waiting to hear from others. I am glad to say that manner of independent monitoring. Like many, I look last weekend Waitrose told me of its intention to sell forward to the Bill’s Second Reading. I believe that a Isle of Wight milk very soon. There is a way through strong groceries code adjudicator—I emphasise the word this. “strong because it must have teeth—will build on the We have had generous support from processors David new code to offer dairy farmers a bit of light at the end and Jenny Harvey of Rew Valley Dairies—so much so of what has been a very long and pretty dark tunnel. that we plan to introduce within a matter of weeks a new line of milk produced and processed on the island. 4.22 pm It will be marketed and sold by the Isle of Wight dairy farmers. The aim will be to pay local farmers a fair and Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): I welcome sustainable price for the milk that they produce. the new Minister to his post and wish him well in his We have had great support, so I would like to say a efforts to save the UK’s dairy industry. His predecessor, few thanks. Caroline Knox and John Heather of the my right hon. Friend the Member for South East island’s branch of the NFU, Liam Thom of Island Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), fought hard for farmers Webservices and Judi Griffin of Briddlesford Lodge and has our thanks and respect. farm—the island’s milk queen—have given advice and People pick up milk from the supermarket or village support. I also thank Rachel Dangerfield, Brian Marriott shop without really thinking about it. If they consider it and David Holmes. Genus, C&OTractors and David at all, many assume that it comes from cows in local Coombes, a local vet, have provided some sponsorship. fields cared for by local farmers, but that is usually Rapanui produced stylish T-shirts, which are bound to wrong. Let us take the Isle of Wight as an example: 80% be a collector’s item. Very importantly, the island’s of island milk is ferried across the Solent to the mainland; NHS has asked us to tender when its milk contract is to meanwhile, milk from the mainland is being ferried be renewed. across the Solent to the island. That is the economics of I ask the Minister to give us his support, because, in the madhouse. the words of David Harvey, It is well known by all islanders that separation from “If this doesn’t succeed, I don’t see any realistic future for dairy the mainland costs. Andy Turney, who owns farms on farming on the island.” both sides of the Solent, calculates that milk produced Once we have achieved our aim of getting more milk on the island costs an extra 1.5p a litre, and he is a larger into island shops, hotels and restaurants, I would like producer; for smaller farms it is more like tuppence a the Minister to visit, enjoy the holiday atmosphere, litre. Island farmers are not on a level playing field. taste our delicious Isle of Wight milk and, importantly, Processing giants, such as Robert Wiseman, part of the see whether there are any lessons that can be taken and German multinational Müller group, bring milk to the used elsewhere in his work to support our nation’s dairy island, but it is believed that they bring more than their farmers. contracts allow in order to sell some milk below cost. I am writing to large processors, asking whether that is 4.28 pm true. If it is, it may be a form of market distortion, which should be referred to the Office of Fair Trading, Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): It is but even if it is not, the island’s dairy farmers are in a great pleasure to take part in the debate. I should crisis. perhaps declare an interest, in that I am still involved in In the 1950s, there were more than 600 dairy farms farming—though not in dairy farming for the last 50 years, on the island. Today, there are fewer than 20, and we and even then not on a scale that would have caused any cannot afford to lose any more. The whole of the over-production. island’s economy depends heavily on tourism. After the I thank the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West national dairy summit on 12 July, we called a meeting of Fife (Thomas Docherty) and all the other members of the island’s dairy farmers. We know that we cannot the EFRA Committee for their contributions today and solve all the country’s problems, but we resolved to do their work on this matter. I look back fondly at the time what we can to help ourselves. If more island milk was that I spent on that Committee, but if I remember sold locally, that would cut out those unnecessary food correctly, we were also doing then the work that is being miles, carbon emissions and costs and help our farmers, done at the moment. so a campaign was born called “I love Isle of Wight I welcome the Minister to his place; as an MP, he has Milk”. The island has independently owned press and always had an interest in agricultural matters, and he radio, and we have their full support. The Isle of Wight comes from Somerset, which is right at the heart of the County Press, Isle of Wight Radio, the Isle of Wight west country milk-producing region. Beacon, Island Life, The Island Advertiser and the popular I pay tribute to the previous Minister, the right hon. blog On the Wight have all played an important part. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), In August, we launched a public awareness campaign. who has now moved away from his post. He had a long Justin Birch, chairman of the dairy farmers group, took apprenticeship in Opposition and perhaps too short a it on with Louise Hart and Jeremy Fisk—all youngsters. time in power. He delivered for British agriculture and I Many local shops on the island already sell local milk, know that farmers think the world of him. I was at the but Tesco is the only supermarket that currently sells Methodist central hall meeting, which was probably 175WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 176WH one of angriest farmers meetings I have ever attended. I what other more experienced hon. Members have said. am a veteran of farmers’ demonstrations, but that one My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton was exceptional. On that occasion, the right hon. Gentleman (Neil Parish) is rapidly becoming my farming guru— handled it very well. Only so much can be done at a alongside the Minister, I hope. political level, but politicians can work with the industry Probably two-thirds of my constituency, Lancaster to change public perception and public opinion on such and Fleetwood, is rural—upland and lowland. I will matters, which has certainly happened. not repeat the points that my hon. Friend the Member It was a year of unrest for those in the dairy sector. for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh) made extremely They are feeling the effects of the increase in the cost of well about the particular issues for upland farmers. The inputs—fuel, fertiliser and other oil-based products—but dairy farms in my area are not very big, probably unlike other agricultural sectors, such as red meat and mixed, with about 40 head of cattle maximum—that cereals, they have seen the price of their commodity kind of scale. To be honest, in the middle of all the decreasing, whereas other sectors have seen some erudition today, I am extremely new to the topic—a compensation in the form of increasing prices. new MP and new to farming, particularly dairying. In terms of price, the supermarket industry looks on I would like to promote Lancashire cheese—my hon. milk as one of those staple foods that consumers judge Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) mentioned supermarkets on, and as such, it has always been the Cheshire cheese. I thank the individual farmers in focus of price wars. Even this morning in Tesco, eight Lancashire who educated me. They have small-scale, pints were still selling for £2. In some ways, I do not family-run farms that have gone on for generations. The criticise the supermarkets selling the milk—they can sell Hewitts from Poplar Grove farm in Cockerham, the Joneses it for what they want—but they should not penalise from Sand Villa farm in Cockerham, and the Whitakers farmers in their competition with other supermarkets. from Park Lane farm in Winmarleigh, all educated me We have very high animal welfare standards. The public in this process. demand it. If that is to continue, farmers have to get a decent price. My father ran a small business that was so small it Naming and shaming has made a difference—some was sometimes a one-man business, or a two-man business of the processors have certainly increased their prices. if my grandfather was working. My father was an The former Minister told us in July that the voluntary asphalter by trade. When the farmers showed me some code of practice was coming and was only “days away,” of the contracts that milk producers sign, I could not and I am pleased to say that it was announced at the believe it. My father would never have been in a position Royal Welsh show. It was a great fillip to not only to run a business based on deals with such exclusivity, Welsh, but UK dairy producers. I have looked at the with the inability to transfer what is produced, and the voluntary code: person being supplied able to vary the price on a whim. On that point, I want to return to what the hon. “It offers a number of benefits and protection to farmers, including: 30 days’ notice of cut to a farmer’s price or other Member for Dunfermline and West Fife said. He made significant change to contractual terms”. an important point that others have made before and When we compare that with the investment that farmers farmers have made to me: it is about not only the retail have made in their farms and milk producing businesses, end, but the milk buyer in the middle, who is becoming what are we talking about? Thirty days. Farmers have the issue. The farmers are grateful, as others have said, invested for years and years, and the profitability of for all that the previous Minister, my right hon. Friend their business can be changed just like that. I welcome the Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice) the voluntary code—it is a good start—but both the has done—the adjudicator and so on—but they now milk-processing sector and the supermarkets need to be want that middle bit policed and to see how it is going committed to the total food chain. If people are going to be policed. They have raised specific issues. to invest in and produce milk and other products of the The previous Minister, in a written statement earlier quality that they have produced in the past, they need this month, stated that the Department for Environment, confidence that the milk chain will be there and will give Food and Rural Affairs would consult on the arrangements them a fair return. needed to implement dairy producer organisations. Is Certain milk processers have told me that a reason the Minister able to tell us now when the consultation is for the reduction in milk prices was that the wholesale likely to be under way? In reference to my hon. Friend price of cream dropped from £1,800 a tonne to £1,200 a the Member for South East Cornwall (Sheryll Murray), tonne. The last time I went to buy skimmed milk, they whom I call my fishing guru for South East Cornwall, charged the same for the skimmed as they did for the will we learn from the history of the fishing industry full-cream. Some of the arguments that the milk processing and the producers, both the good and the bad? companies have presented should be looked at again. There was a DEFRA written statement from Lord The milk industry has been the basis of British farming. Taylor in July about marketing, which other hon. Members We need to ensure that the supply chain is made firm have mentioned. Lord Taylor said that there would be and secure, so that people can continue to invest in it discussions between the Department and the industry and consumers can benefit from it. about greater sourcing and promotion of British dairy products, which we have all been on about. Has there been any progress? Has the Minister considered, or is he 4.35 pm willing to consider, what others have said about common Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): I sense? We all campaign for fair trade, which many congratulate the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West others have mentioned, and it is common sense to have Fife (Thomas Docherty). He made some important points, fair trade milk, as I think my hon. Friend the Member which I would like to come back to, without repeating for Burton (Andrew Griffiths) said. 177WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 178WH

[Eric Ollerenshaw] Crisis Network with financial difficulties, depression and even family breakdown, for whom bovine TB was I am new to the subject, but I recognise that generations at the heart of those problems. are involved. I remember a particular farmer who, when Other Members have mentioned the impact of TB on I wandered over and asked how long she had been farming families, but over the next few months, we will there, said, thinking me a townie, “Oh, only 300 years.” see many people—particularly celebrities—queuing up As other hon. Members have said, some farmers are to protect the badger. I would like them to be very now considering whether it is worth passing the farm on careful about how they talk about farmers and farming any more. That tragedy seems to be happening. Next families. We know that farmers and their families are at Tuesday, I will speak to the Wyreside young farmers’ great risk from vandalism and direct action, and what dinner, which can apparently be quite an event. I want people say can inflame such situations. I hope that all to be able to say to them—and, as a result of what hon. Members will join me in calling for them to act responsibly Friends and hon. Members have said, I hope to say—that and to consider that there is another aspect to this there is concern and there is support for getting the debate. industry moving, so that they will have a future, because We do not have enough time to go into a detailed they are considering whether it is worth while. critique of the problems of the randomised badger My hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr Cash) culling trial, but I want to make a few points relating to mentioned 1984, and I, too, am a little older than some that debate. We cannot cure an infected badger through here. To me, it seems that dairying continually goes vaccination. We can no more cure an infected badger through these spasms, to the extent that it is has got to with vaccination than we can cure an infected person the point where farmers are considering whether dairying with vaccination. Treatment takes months of complex is worth while. antibiotic regimes, and everyone would agree that that As others have mentioned, if we get to such a point, is just not feasible in wildlife. Another point is that, in the greenery that is Lancashire will be no more and the regard to protecting badgers themselves, TB is spreading nature of this country will be no more. I hope that the remorselessly across the countryside to previously TB-free Minister will reassure both me and other Members, and areas. In 1998, 599 cattle were slaughtered in Devon as a particularly my Wyreside young farmers, so that I can result of TB; by 2010, that had risen to 5,761. Perhaps tell them next Tuesday that there is a future in dairying an even more valid marker for spread is the number of that this Government will protect. new herd breakdowns, which rose from 191 in 1998 to 797 in 2010. That remorseless spread will continue across the countryside, so it is wholly appropriate for 4.40 pm the Government at least to look at some of the issues Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): I will not repeat raised by the randomised badger culling trial in relation the powerful arguments that have been made by the to geographical areas, edge effects and the length of hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas time of the cull. Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton I actually support the move to have further field trials and Honiton (Neil Parish). I just want to ask the of vaccination, but we must be realistic. An oral live question: who cares for the people who actually feed the bait vaccine will not be available for some time, and it is nation and care for our countryside? not reasonable to extrapolate from the results of an In this House, we know that farming families are injectable vaccine trial to an oral bait trial; they are not suffering. I used to be a GP in a very rural area, and I equivalent. In my view, it is perfectly reasonable to have know that farmers work the longest hours and never a further trial that will consider such issues. Farmers seem to take a day off or take holidays. All of us are themselves, and certainly I, will be the first to say, “Let’s prone to depression—one in four of us will have it at not carry on with it, if it isn’t shown to be effective.” some time in our lives—but it is particularly difficult Nobody is suggesting that vaccination should have a and risky in farmers. Members may know that farmers wide roll-out until we know whether it is starting to are two and a half times more likely than the general work. population to die as a result of suicide. In the week that I call on members of the wider community at least to the Government have launched their suicide strategy, I consider the other side of this debate and the effect on am very pleased that that has highlighted the especially farming families, and to join me in paying tribute to the high risk to farmers. We all have a responsibility to call people who, as I said at the start, actually feed the on everyone to make it as easy as possible for farmers nation and care for our countryside. to come forward and talk about being in distress. Many people will be aware that farmers are particularly 4.45 pm stoical—they have a fine tradition of just getting on with it—and we must make it clear that when they seek David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): It is an honour to help, there will be people who are ready to take them serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts, although I seriously. must confess that, with the new technology here, this I draw the House’s attention to the fact that help is debate has sometimes felt as though we were participating out there. I ask the House to join me in paying tribute to in “Just a Minute”. the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Farm I thank the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Crisis Network and the Addington Fund for the work Fife (Thomas Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member that they do to support our farmers. I particularly draw for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) for securing this attention to the report published in 2009 by the Farm debate. The enthusiasm of so many Members shows Crisis Network entitled, “Stress and Loss”. It highlighted how important the issue is to so many of us and, most the number of farmers who presented to the Farm importantly, to the farmers in our communities. I welcome 179WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 180WH the new Minister, who has probably had to spend a lot ensure that, like the groceries adjudicator, the code has of time absorbing all this new information. Hearing us teeth. I pay tribute to colleagues and to the NFU for today will, I hope, reinforce how important the issue is their hard-fought campaigns. I have said enough. We to our farmers. I want to put on the record my tribute to need to hear from the Minister. Again, I thank the hon. my hon. Friend—now my right hon. Friend—the Member Member for Dunfermline and West Fife for securing for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice) for his tireless this debate. work in opposition before he became a Minister, and also as a Minister. He helped many of us and he helped 4.50 pm many farmers. In preparing for this debate, I took a look at that Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): I have waited well-known agricultural journal—“Lonely Planet”. Its two and a half years for this moment. It is really sad guide to Cheshire states, obviously authoritatively, that that, as a nation of tea drinkers, we cannot organise a the fair price for the milk that goes into it. Even more sad is “largely agricultural Cheshire is a very black-and-white kind of the fact that in 2003 and 2004, we compiled a Select place—if you focus on the genuine half-timbered Tudor farmhouses Committee report on milk pricing, and very little has and the Friesian cows that graze in the fields around them.” changed. As my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton Cheshire is great dairy country. We have heard about and Honiton (Neil Parish) rightly said, it is wrong that other counties, but Cheshire is supreme as far as I am the middle men take the lion’s share of the profit from concerned. [Interruption.] Did my hon. Friend say the milk market. Cheshire? I am not sure whether it is on the record, but I own and breed Hereford cattle, and one big problem for Daniel Kawczynski: Shropshire. dairy farmers is knowing that the product that they work so hard to produce is grossly undervalued by their David Rutley: Okay, fine. customers. There is also another problem. Imagine how From speaking to my local farmers’ forum, our local Robert Wiseman would feel if one of his beautiful black NFU branch, it is clear that farmers are facing extremely and white lorries was crushed every time it failed its challenging times. It is worth while pausing on the MOT, or Sainsbury’s or Tesco had their building bulldozed degree of consolidation that they have gone through. if it failed a health and safety inspection. That is what According to DairyCo figures, there are 609 farmers in happens when a farmer fails a TB test. dairying in Cheshire, but just 10 years ago there were Probably no hon. Member has taken a TB test, so I nearly double that number—1,007. That amazing change will explain what it is like. It is quite easy on day one is because of the extreme challenges that they are going when a farmer puts his cattle through the crush because through. Of course, that is due to the power of the the cattle do not know what is going to happen. The vet supermarkets, as we have heard, and to the fact that the comes along and very carefully and professionally gives cost of production is going up, while others have mentioned the cattle two injections, one for avian TB and the other broadband—many of us are campaigning for improved for bovine TB. The cows do not think much of that. broadband services in rural areas—and my hon. Friend Three days later, the vet comes back to feel whether the the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) has made an bovine bump is larger than the avian one and whether important point about TB. Those are all huge challenges the cows have been exposed to tuberculosis. The cows for our farmers and for our rural communities that do not know that they are not going to get jabbed, so depend on farmers’ well-being, so we of course want to they do not want to go through the crush and will fight support them. to dodge it, and that, I am afraid, makes the whole It is also important to say that farmers have responded process extremely dangerous. to such conditions. They have not sat back; they have My little boy, Jack, who is only seven, got kicked. My faced into these headwinds. Yields are up; farmers have cows weigh 900 kilos, which is quite a lot more than me, adopted innovative farming methods; they have added and when they want to go somewhere, they will go. It is value to their milk; and they have diversified. Just look tough for farmers, and they get hurt. At least two of at Blaze farm in Wildboarclough, with its world famous them have been killed in the time that I have been a Hilly Billy ice cream—it has an extraordinary taste. Member of Parliament. It is extremely difficult for Blaze farm now also has ceramic pottery painting and people who do not see this sort of activity to understand even hosts wedding receptions. That is diversification: why the milk price has to reflect the risk that these farmers are facing into these headwinds and responding people take, why it is so important that the Government to market pressures. They do not want to defy the laws continue with their agenda to fight this disease and to of gravity or the laws of the market. When I speak to beat it, and why the Minister should go further than we farmers in Gawsworth and Siddington, and such great are at the moment and allow the badger culls to go places, they want to be able to compete on a level ahead and be trialled. I support the culls, because I have playing field, in a fair market with fair prices. heard the misery of the farmers. They used to ring me Many of us attended the protest at Westminster and, up and cry down the phone when they started shooting with 2,000 farmers there, it was clear that they need their bull calves and I completely sympathised with action. I shall summarise my words quickly, because I them. want the Minister to be able to reply. It is good that I have worked with the Royal Society for the Prevention processors and retailers have responded—keep the pressure of Cruelty to Animals, Compassion in World Farming on. The voluntary code is incredibly important, and the and all sorts of other people in the efforts to stop the fact that farmers can now give 30 days’ notice and export of live calves. Blade farming has now done a terminate contracts with three months’ notice is vital. It great deal of good in providing a market for those dairy is amazing that that has not been the case before. Let us bull calves. When I was elected in 2001, we had the smell 181WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 182WH

[Bill Wiggin] has been a large degree of consensus on the way forward, on how to learn the lessons not only from this summer of burning flesh from the foot and mouth outbreak. but from where we have been before, especially at the Farmers have been through absolute hell. I urge the producer end, and on how to reach a long-term solution. Minister to use all his charm, skill and wit to persuade I thank all Members for that, especially my hon. Friend the European Commission to allow vaccination for the Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas cattle as soon as possible. Even if badger culling succeeds, Docherty) and the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton we can do more both for the people and for the cattle. (Neil Parish) who introduced this debate. At the moment, farmers who live in a four-year I want to say something that no one has said so testing area do not have to test for pre-movement. That far—milk is a fantastic and delicious product. I know is good, because the process is dangerous and unpleasant that from having three boys who are all mad keen on for both the farmer and his cattle. We need to recognise, rugby and football. It is their after-training drink, so it too, the economic disadvantages of the process. It costs is not only delicious but nutritious. Perhaps we should about £100 to do a pre-movement test for a cow. If the resurrect that old saying, “Drink a pint of milk a day.” cow leaves a farmer’s property, it must be done and it We should also find an equivalent saying for yoghurt, lasts only for up to 60 days. A farmer may also wish to cheese and all the manufactured products that we should bring in a bull to see his cows. There is a lot more to this be producing in the UK as well. than just producing milk. I have some fantastic dairy farmers, although they Mr Cash: I raise my glass because it did have milk in are smaller in number now. They are buying their cows it until I was told by the policeman outside that I could from France because they are scared stiff of having not bring it in. Downstairs in the cafeteria, a small glass TB on their farms. If they are shut down, their cattle of milk costs 70p. will continue to produce calves and their sheds will become full. Calves need proper ventilation otherwise Huw Irranca-Davies: Perhaps the Administration they get pneumonia. They have to be looked after Committee will look at the rules and allow us to bring properly. If a farmer is shut down they cannot do that, in good UK products. I thank, too, the Select Committee so their sheds fill up and they have more and more cattle for its recent and long-standing work. The detail and on their property. The chance of a respiratory infection forensic analysis that it has applied to the subject will be being passed through is increased and they are in a real of help to us and to the Minister. I welcome the new mess. Again, that is more risk for the dairy farmer that Minister to his position and tell him that we want to is not reflected in the price. work with the Government to strengthen future policies. Worse, farmers will be given the DEFRA compensation I hope that he will be open to some of our suggestions. table, which has two sides—pedigree and non-pedigree. This is a welcome opportunity to debate the industry, Hon. Members must urge their constituents to buy especially after our dairy farming sector—I apologise to pedigree cattle because the compensation and the way hon. Members for saying this in the Chamber—took on in which it is calculated are significantly better. Moreover, a slightly French flavour. We had protests, blockades it is taken over a six-month period instead of a one-month and threats of direct action that were not carried through. period. A pedigree heifer is worth £1,798 and a non-pedigree The hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Roger only £895, so a farmer will lose a great deal of money if Williams) said that the former Agriculture Minister they do not have pedigree stock. If they do not buy their fronted up a very heated session within the Methodist pedigree stock from the UK, there is no market for hall, which he did. He did what a Farming Minister those heifer calves that are being reared. Again, the should do, which is to front up the debate and earn his vicious circle goes on. It is even worse than that because salary. It was an immensely difficult and confrontational if the Government are paying more compensation, the meeting, but he earned his stripes. Although not everything price to the taxpayer goes up—we are heading now he said was welcome, he really earned his salary that towards £100 million. day and, as a Minister, he did the right thing—he did The dairy industry is racked not only by the price that not hide. we receive for milk but by the disproportionate risk that We now have a very good chance to examine not only these people are taking, which is why the speech of my what has been going wrong, but more importantly what hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) on can be done to resolve the situation. In fact, I returned the risk to the families was so important. I urge the this morning from a meeting with farmers just outside Government to do everything they can to support this Corby. That is no coincidence; people will probably vulnerable group of people. know that we have a tremendous Labour candidate there, Andy Sawford, who was with me today. We were Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair): I thank hon. Members out meeting people, but we discussed in detail some of for their co-operation and for ensuring that everyone the issues that arose from the dairy crisis and the got to speak. There are now 15 minutes for those on the long-term solutions that are needed for the future. Front Bench, then I will ask Mr Neil Parish to wind up. I have already welcomed the new Minister to his portfolio, but I also pay tribute to his predecessor, the 4.56 pm right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice). He and I did not agree on everything. If we Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): This has been a had, not only would he be a Conservative but I would tremendous debate. If my arithmetic is correct and I be a Conservative, or perhaps a Liberal Democrat—I include the Front-Bench speakers, we will have had am not sure. I regard him as a very decent man who 26 contributions, plus interventions. That is quite something. wanted to do the right thing for agriculture. Reshuffles We have heard from all parts of the Chamber, and there are a brutal affair, and his successor, the new Minister, 183WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 184WH will want to strive to avoid any dairy crisis in the future, Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): My hon. Friend as we all do, and we will try to work with him to prevent has spoken a great deal about fairness and equity in this another crisis. industry. Although I think that we would all welcome the Let me put on the record some of Labour’s bottom voluntary code, I am reliably informed by certain farmers lines. We want a fair deal for farmers, food manufacturers in the Ceiriog valley that there is a chance that it might and retailers, but we should not forget consumers. We not work and that if it does not work Her Majesty’s want a fair deal for them, too—a point made by the Government here in Westminster should carefully bear hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh), in mind the words of the relevant Minister in the Welsh the Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Government, who said that we might have to take statutory Affairs Committee, in her contribution to the debate. action. We want a competitive and equitable supply chain that delivers not only profitability all along that supply Huw Irranca-Davies: Indeed. I will return to that chain, but affordability for the shopper. That is not a lot important point shortly; the hon. Member for Carmarthen to ask, although sometimes this summer it seemed like East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) raised it earlier, a huge task to achieve. To that end, we welcome too. It is absolutely right that the Welsh Government wholeheartedly the dairy coalition’s 10-point plan. We are already considering what will happen if the code want the consultation on the EU dairy package to be does not work. I will raise the point with the Minister, too, carried out this autumn without fail, so that producer because we need to ensure that a discussion takes place organisations can gain formal recognition. across the UK about having an approach that, if it is It is perhaps not surprising for a party that was born not universal, respects both devolution and the fact that from one parent within the co-operative movement that we need to work on behalf of all our farmers—not only Labour wants to see more producer-based organisation farmers in the Principality, but right across the nation. within the dairy sector. However, that is not simply about strengthening bargaining power—bargaining power I say to farmers who may be tempted to pause for has been referred to repeatedly today—or seeing some breath because they think that the summer storm is now new imbalance that might be to the detriment of the passing that they should not do so. I say to them, consumer. It is vital not only that farmers can balance “Organise yourselves; invest in producer organisations power in the supply chain, which is not in equilibrium, and in the value of the raw product, and do it now. And but that dairy producers come together, transfer right keep the pressure on us as parliamentarians and on the up the value chain by investing in food production, as Government to deliver, as the groceries code adjudicator well as food processing, and develop higher-value products comes to the House.” for both the domestic and export markets. We should One of the last acts of the former Minister was to not forget the export market, although it has not had sign off on a voluntary code for best practice between much attention today. milk processors and suppliers. That was good, and the code has been broadly welcomed. However, as night Andrew Griffiths: The hon. Gentleman speaks about follows day, or in this case—please excuse my pun—as the proud tradition of his party and its relationship knighthood followed that day, the announcement was with the co-operative movement. Will he today speak welcomed but with some caution. The chairman of the out and condemn the Co-op supermarket’s inability to National Farmers Union, Peter Kendall, said that although pay a fair price to their farmers? the announcement “gave some hope for the long term, it did not solve the dairy Huw Irranca-Davies: I do not know whether the hon. farming issues of today”. Gentleman is trying to make this debate party political; I am trying not to do so. Let me again put on record So we must keep up the pressure to ensure that those something that I have already said publicly and to the processors that are not paying a fair price announce—as media repeatedly: I condemn all those retailers and we have heard today—that they are rescinding their milk processors that are squeezing the price down. I former announcements. Peter Kendall went on to say: condemned them, and I have named them to shame them. “This agreement will give us the architecture we need to make The retail sector and the milk processors have taken a sure that we don’t end up with the same dysfunctional markets heck of a kicking this summer, and they have taken a that are responsible for the dairy crisis we have today”. heck of a kicking today. The hon. Gentleman will have We now have the architecture there in front of us, as noted that I have already made the point—I am sure long as we can make it work. that the Minister will make the same one—that we do not want to turn this situation around completely, whereby Let me make it absolutely clear that Labour supports the consumer loses out because we have strengthened so the voluntary agreement if it can be made to work and much another part of the supply chain and its bargaining once the legal niceties have been ironed out, but we also power that the poor old shopper walks into shops and is seek assurances from the Minister that the Government fleeced for a different reason entirely. What we want is a do not rule out additional measures, including legislation, fair and equitable supply chain. So, yes—in answer to should they prove necessary. the hon. Gentleman—I will speak out against anybody We are not alone in seeking that assurance, as the Minister that is abusing the supply chain, because what we want has already heard today. Conservative parliamentarians— is a healthy, thriving and open supply chain that is including the hon. Members for Bridgwater and West competitive but that has some form of co-operation, Somerset (Mr Liddell-Grainger), for Burton (Andrew because it is in the interests of UK plc that we have a Griffiths) and for Tiverton and Honiton, who have strong supply chain and not an imbalanced one, whereby spoken in this debate, and many others who have spoken somebody is badly hurt. At present, the farmers and elsewhere—have queued up to express caution. As I was producers are being hurt very badly. saying to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline 185WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 186WH

[Huw Irranca-Davies] “an ombudsman with teeth, who can deal with the iniquities of the food supply chain”—[Official Report, 20 January 2009; Vol. 486, and West Fife a moment ago, that does not sound like c. 165WH.] the party of regulatory bonfires. This must be one of He said that the sooner that was established the better. those good bits of regulation that some people talk We note the phrase “with teeth”, to which I will return about, while others jeer at the very idea. in future debates. I will express one word of caution to the Minister, to Today, we particularly note the reference to the food urge him not to rush headlong down the Stalinist end of supply chain. In 2009, the Minister said, with wisdom the spectrum of views on this issue. Such views have and foresight, that we need been expressed by the hon. Member for Bridgwater and “a sustainable price that allows our producers to get a return on West Somerset, who has stated: their investment in milk”.—[Official Report, 18 June 2009; Vol. 494, c. 501.] “There is no way it”— He also talked about the voluntary code— “a regulator who will be able to regulate the whole supply chain “is going to work—it is just another rather sad red herring—it has effectively, and ensure that the relationships are fair and been tried I don’t know how many times and it is always a transparent”.—[Official Report, 20 January 2009; Vol.486, c. 165WH.] disaster”. That refers not to a limited part of the supply chain, He says that the code, which the Government support, such as a direct link between retailers and suppliers, but is “nowhere near sufficient” and that Parliament needs to the whole of it, which would include intermediaries to set a minimum price for such as milk processors. However, that is not what the “a strategic resource like milk.” Government propose in the Groceries Code Adjudicator I urge the new Minister to avoid capitulating to the Bill. Now that he is Minister in charge—the man with old, central, statist control-and-command tendency in the levers of power who will stamp his own authority the Conservative party—next thing he will be arguing on the Department—I know that he will want to amend for a price set at a European level. Give the voluntary the Bill in line with the proposals. agreement some time to work, but as those in the less I have run out of time. We will have to debate the red-in-tooth-and-claw tendency of the rural Conservative matter again. I welcome the new Minister, and I hope party argue, keep the legislation ready to hand in case it that he can confirm that his imprint will now be on the is needed. Alternatively, as the Minister’s own Liberal proposals for the groceries code adjudicator. Democrat party president, the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron), has said, although the voluntary code is fine for now, the Government 5.12 pm must The Minister of State, Department for Environment, “commit to back that up with legislation if needed.” Food and Rural Affairs (Mr David Heath): I am grateful to the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) That point has been made consistently today by many for his welcome, and for the welcome from other Members MPs from all parties. here today. I am grateful also to the Backbench Business Committee and to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Daniel Kawczynski: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) and my hon. Friend for giving way, as he is running out of time, but I hope the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) for that he will not finish speaking without giving an up-to-date making this extremely timely debate happen. explanation of the Labour party’s views on a limited Before I go any further, I want to pay tribute to my cull of badgers, following the decision of the courts. predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), and, I hope, my Huw Irranca-Davies: I will try, but I might well run personal friend. I have enormous respect for him. He out of time. We need another debate, and following that did an excellent job for the agriculture industry during decision, I suspect that we will have one on that matter his tenure of this post, and I regret that I am able to take in the near future. I will try to get to the issue. I want to on the responsibilities only by his leaving them. Nevertheless, draw on some of the points that have already been raised. I thank him for everything he has achieved over the past I seek assurance from the Minister that he will keep two and a half years. the voluntary agreement under extremely close scrutiny, This is a very important debate, which is evidenced by that he will report back to Parliament on its operation the number of Members, from every corner of Great with genuine urgency and that legislation is being kept Britain and Northern Ireland, who have wished to as an option. I assume that he will be open—more contribute and are here representing the interests of open, in fact, than his predecessor—to the suggestion dairy farmers in their constituencies. I want to say that the groceries code adjudicator should be given a straight away that the dairy sector is hugely important few more teeth than the Government seemed willing to to the United Kingdom, and to me. It is important to countenance formerly. In fact, I am confident that he me because there are, arguably, more dairy cattle in my will want to do an about-turn, because he is rightly an constituency than in any other constituency in the openly professed friend to good sense, to farmers, to a country. We make some of the greatest and best cheeses healthy and prosperous supply chain and, by default, to in not just the United Kingdom but the world, and I am the position that is being expanded upon today. There is not afraid to say so. cross-party consensus; let me explain. Roger Williams: Will the Minister give way? The new Minister, not without some background or expertise in the farming and food sector, including in Mr Heath: If my hon. Friend is going to argue about dairy production, is on record as saying that he favours that statement, no, I will not. 187WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 188WH

Roger Williams: I am sure that now the Minister is in they desperately want quotas removed now. We have a post he will be travelling right the way around the chance to get in first—otherwise we might lose out. world. Will he commit to keeping a bit of Caerphilly in That is why some of the things that my hon. Friends his briefcase, so that he can bring it out as an example have talked about are so crucial to the future of the of wonderful Welsh cheese? dairy industry—promoting the industry around the world, promoting exports and import substitution, and increasing Mr Heath: That will get me into some very interesting the efficiency and competitiveness of our industry. They discussions with border officials in a lot of countries. I are all opportunities for the British dairy industry. will take the concept of Caerphilly, Cheddar, Lancashire It is not my business to tell people how to run their and Cheshire around the world with me, wherever I go. farms, but we need to look at the vast range of production The dairy sector is enormously important to the costs on dairy farms and see if we can learn from best United Kingdom. It is the largest agricultural sector, practice, helping farmers to recognise the difference and we should remember that it is worth £3.7 billion that efficiency and profitability can make, and the annually. It is iconic in our countryside, and is identifiably improvements that can be achieved on the farm. There British. There are good things to say about the industry. are things that dairy farmers can do on their own. For We have some very advanced and efficient processing instance, I encourage them to sign up for Dairy Pro. plants, particularly for fresh drinking milk, and in the Dairy Pro is the industry’s first integrated continual past year there has been a lot of wider investment in professional development scheme, which provides training processing, which shows real promise and confidence and development to improve both standards of business in the future. Yet, let us not get away from the fact that performance and recruitment and retention within the in the past two months we have seen rallies and protests. industry. There was the meeting in Methodist Central hall, which There are things that dairy farmers can do together. I, too, was at, and there is genuine worry about the Several hon. Members have mentioned the EU dairy inequity between farm-gate prices and production costs. package, which increases the already significant potential A significant proportion of farmers may struggle to for collaboration through producer organisations. The make ends meet this year, particularly in the context of timetable has not yet been agreed by the European the price changes, but also because of the rising input Council and European Parliament, but we do not expect costs and the monsoon conditions that many of us have any problems. We expect to be able to start consulting in had to survive this summer. October, and we hope the legislation will bring the There is nothing new in much of that. I seem to have package into effect in spring 2013. I hope dairy farmers been dealing with the issue throughout my political recognise the wider benefits that producer organisations career, and I have always been consistent regarding the may offer. Such organisations are not only about negotiating matter. I am actually grateful to the hon. Member for prices. A well organised producer organisation can make Ogmore for mentioning some of the things that I have a significant difference to the success of its members said in the past, because I have consistently said that we by sharing best practice, increasing efficiency and must have arrangements in the dairy sector that are fair competitiveness and opening up new markets. to the farmers, to processors, to retailers and to consumers. Those are not incompatible objectives; they are all on a Sheryll Murray: Does my hon. Friend agree that, par. To be fair to at least one processor and retailer, the Europe-wide, only a certain percentage—30%, I think—of Co-operative has been mentioned several times. No, it producers can become members of a producer organisation? did not do terribly well over the summer, but it has Does he really think that the shortfall we will see today announced that it is increasing milk prices to between Europe and the UK will solve the problem? 30p a litre from 1 October. That is good news indeed. Members have raised matters that are slightly away Mr Heath: I think it can make a contribution. All of from the economic conditions of the dairy sector. They these things are cumulative, but we should encourage have talked about the improvements in the Rural Payments collaboration within our dairy industry because it would Agency, for which I am grateful, because it is absolutely make a significant difference. right to say that the agency’s performance has improved. The biggest single factor, and many Members have We have discussed TB eradication. Unfortunately, we talked about this, is the voluntary code of conduct. This are still none the wiser as to the position of the hon. is the dairy industry’s first code of practice on contracts Member for Ogmore and his party on that, but I am and it is a significant step from the beginning of the clear. I thought that my hon. Friend the Member for chain. I congratulate the industry, and I congratulate Totnes (Dr Wollaston) spoke more sense about TB my predecessor on bringing the industry together. The eradication in her contribution than I have heard for a agreement on the code’s detail is potentially momentous long time, and I am grateful to her for that. We also and provides all parties with greater clarity on contractual talked about the groceries code adjudicator, for which I terms and conditions, particularly on farm-gate prices. I certainly have argued for many years, and I am proud hope the code will start to open trusting relationships that we are now putting through the House the legislation between the parties, because they need each other. We that will make that a reality. cannot have war within a mutually dependent industry. Let us return to the economic position. We import a I have been asked many times what happens if the quarter of our total dairy needs. We have a £1.2 billion code does not work. That is the wrong question; I want trade deficit. There is a growing demand for food at the to ask what happens when the code does work, because global level, and an opportunity to fulfil some of it. I am strongly optimistic that this is the best way forward Milk quotas will be gone from 2015, but we are not for securing a sustainable arrangement. Under the EU restricted by them now. We have room to expand already, dairy package, we have the option of legislating on while other member states are held back until 2015 and contracts. I make it clear that I will seriously consider 189WH Dairy Industry13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Dairy Industry 190WH

[Mr Heath] work strategically with the industry, with a clear focus, particularly in the dairy supply chain forum, on delivering making contracts compulsory if the code fails to deliver the vision of an the necessary changes. I have already announced that “ambitious strategy for the UK dairy industry’s future without we will be consulting so that, if such changes are EU milk quotas, which takes full advantage of growing domestic necessary, we can make swift progress. Having said that, and global demand for dairy products.” it is vital that the industry gives the code its full support I want to promote British dairy products overseas and and the time needed to take effect. remove barriers to trade through the joint Government- I confirm that additional funds are being made available industry export action plan, under which DEFRA is to dairy farmers. We are opening the skills and knowledge researching markets and products that have the biggest transfer framework specifically to provide workshop potential for export. events for dairy farmers from late autumn this year. I want to talk directly to businesses and to understand That should help dairy farmers identify and access what they really think about their prospects, what barriers emerging market opportunities such as exports; strengthen they struggle with and what they need to grow and take their position in the supply chain through more effective advantage of export opportunities. I want to encourage co-operation and collaboration; develop new products collaboration and new approaches and to make the best and add value; and establish benchmarking. use of the £5 million boost to dairy businesses through The £5 million rural economy grant scheme for high- the rural efficiency grant scheme. I want to push marketing, quality projects in the dairy industry should continue joint ventures and new facilities, which are central to that focus and add, in the new year, the development of enabling the industry to diversify and increase exports. I a capital investment programme to target infrastructure want better information and advice, and I want to work projects. That is a significant advance in Government with experts to provide the information and advice that support to the industry, which should reap dividends. dairy businesses need, particularly on exports. We need a sustainable dairy industry. I cannot do Thomas Docherty: Will the Minister give way? everything, but I am determined to do all I can to support that ambition. I simply do not believe that the Mr Heath: I will, but this is possibly the last time. consumer buys milk from the supermarket on price, a Thomas Docherty: I am most grateful to the Minister. point that has been raised several times. There is an Will he clarify whether the two funds will be open only artificial market for milk and milk products in this to English farmers or will all four nations be able to country. If we can break free, and if we can unleash the benefit? British public’s enthusiasm for buying British products in British supermarkets, which this summer has shown, Mr Heath: I am responsible only for farming in England. we will have done well by the industry. However, I have already contacted the analogous post I am grateful for the support of so many hon. Members. holders in the devolved Administrations. I am keen to work with them to establish, as far as possible, common 5.28 pm practice across the nations of the United Kingdom to Neil Parish: In the short time I have left, I thank ensure we do the best for our farmers. everyone for their contributions this afternoon. There I will continue the work of my right hon. Friend the have been more than 30 contributions, which shows the Member for South East Cambridgeshire in the dairy strength of feeling across the country. I will not enter supply chain forum, which is a crucial element in keeping into whose milk is the best, whose cream is the best or a secure domestic market as a strong base from which to anything else, but this debate has shown that dairy innovate, explore and expand the horizons. There are farming is important to this country, and not only for opportunities for replacing imported goods with British dairy—the industry produces 70% of beef animals, too. dairy products. I am glad that the hon. Member for Isle I am an optimist. I believe there is a future for of Wight (Mr Turner) has done such work in his agriculture, and I believe young farmers will go into constituency. agriculture. I was a young farmer many moons ago, and There are clear openings for sending out British dairy I have milked cows for 25 years. I have seen prices go up products for the world to enjoy. I have already started and down. We have marched up and down this hill that process. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of before, so we have to ensure that this time we get the State and I are committed to opening those markets, code in place and make it bite. which I hope will expand the interests and reach of the I welcome the Minister’s comment that he will legislate British dairy industry to all parts of the world, including if the code does not bite. If there is such a threat to emerging markets. legislate, the code will work. There is enough money out Dan Rogerson: Will the Minister give way? there from what consumers are paying for milk, but the money is not getting back to the farmer. Mr Heath: Unfortunately, I do not think I can give I thank everyone for their contribution. This debate way, although I would love to do so. has shown the House at its best. Finally, I am looking I will continue supporting the Dairy 2020 project and forward to hearing the Labour party’s view on tuberculosis the dairy roadmap, which we want to continue producing and the badger cull, because we have to be united to get positive change. I wish we had another hour so we rid of that disease. could carry on talking about what the dairy industry Question put and agreed to. means to the country and how we can support it, but I will summarise my support for the industry.I am committed 5.29 pm to a dairy industry that delivers for the future. I want to Sitting adjourned. 11WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 12WS Written Ministerial BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Statements Estate Agents Act/Property Misdescriptions Act

Thursday 13 September 2012 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Jo Swinson): I am today publishing the Government’s response to consultations on amending the Estate Agents Act 1979 (EAA) and repealing the ATTORNEY-GENERAL Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 (PMA). A limited deregulation of the EAA to take private sale intermediaries out of scope of the Act will provide clarity which the Guidelines for Prosecutors (Cases Affecting the Media) Government expect will also promote competition and potentially innovation, while retaining adequate consumer protection. Repeal of the PMA will remove duplication The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): The Director with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today published his Regulations 2008 (CPRs). final guidelines for prosecutors on assessing the public Amending the Estate Agents Act 1979 interest in cases affecting the media. The publication of The amendment to the EAA arose from the disruptive the guidelines follows a public consultation on the business models theme of the red tape challenge process. interim guidelines which was launched on 18 April It will end the perceived uncertainty, confirmed by the 2012, Official Report, column 21WS. The DPP undertook range of views in the consultation about the scope of to produce the guidelines when he gave evidence on the legislation, about whether the activities of intermediary 8 February 2012 to the inquiry being conducted by businesses such as private sales portals fall within the Lord Justice Leveson into the culture, practices and strict legal definition of “estate agency work” in the ethics of the press. EAA. Such portals provide a platform for private sellers The final guidelines are broadly the same as the to display property details, some provide information interim guidelines but they have been amended in a about the buying and selling process and some provide number of sections to reflect views and comments tools to allow the buyer to communicate with the seller. received during the consultation process. The guidelines The Government’s view is that some private sale set out the additional considerations which are relevant portals may currently be in scope of the EAA, if they when prosecutors assess whether a prosecution is required act on instructions of the prospective seller or buyer in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors. and provide a means for the prospective seller and Each case will be considered on its own facts and on its buyer to make initial contact or to continue to communicate own merits before a decision is made whether to prosecute. with one another. This is because although publishing The DPP’s Principal Legal Advisor, Alison Levitt advertisements and disseminating information is exempted QC, has looked at all current prosecutions and is satisfied from the scope of the EAA, facilitating such communication that they are consistent with the approach set out in the goes beyond this even though it may not amount to any final guidelines. Copies of the guidelines and the summary of the services traditionally associated with estate agents. of responses will be placed in the Libraries of both Taking the consultation responses into account, the Houses of Parliament. Government believe that a limited deregulation of the EAA would bring benefits to consumers and to the industry without reducing consumer protection. It should provide confidence to existing private sales intermediary businesses TREASURY and potential new entrants, thereby stimulating competition and innovation leading to more consumer choice and better standards of service. The Government recognise Small Charitable Donations Bill that property sales are significant and occasional transactions for consumers with a risk of consumer detriment if businesses which influence or are directly involved transactions are not regulated. The Government The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): believe that a limited amendment to legislation, combined HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is publishing for with guidance, will provide clarity and draws the appropriate consultation today draft regulations under the Small balance between the interests of businesses and consumers. Charitable Donations Bill, together with a supporting technical note. The Government have therefore decided to amend the EAA to take out of scope intermediaries such as The draft regulations set out the legal framework private sale portals which merely enable private sellers needed for HMRC to administer the new gift aid small to advertise their properties and provide a means for donations scheme and applies, with appropriate sellers and buyers to contact and communicate with one modifications, most of the legal framework under which another. The Government recognise this is a limited gift aid is administered. amendment—many respondents have commented that The draft regulations and the technical note can be the choice for consumers to sell property privately already found on the HMRC website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ exists—but the Government are concerned by the drafts/small-donations.htm. uncertainty and range of views as to the legal position The consultation will close on 5 December 2012. of private sales portals that the responses demonstrated. 13WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 14WS

This amendment will enable the intermediary to provide that repealing the PMA would not significantly reduce a means for the seller and prospective buyer to contact levels of consumer protection. This is disputed by some one another, for example online, a branded for sale stakeholders but not others and the Government do not board to the seller to assist this process, and to pass on find the arguments for a loss of consumer protection to a buyer solely the information provided by the seller convincing. in their advertisement, by whatever channel of The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and communication. If, however, the intermediary offers Skills will therefore lay an order under the European any personal advice to a seller or a buyer or other Communities Act 1972 to repeal the PMA. The current ancillary services such as preparing property particulars intention is that this will come into force not before or photographs or an energy performance certificate, October 2013. then the intermediary will be in scope of the EAA and Revised guidance for businesses and consumers will bound by its obligations. be produced to cover these changes. Businesses outside the scope of the EAA will also be out of scope of the PMA (although see below). The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations HOME DEPARTMENT 2008 (CPRs) apply to all businesses that deal with consumers. They could therefore be relevant where a private individual uses a private sales portal to advertise Surveillance Cameras (Regulation) a property. The degree of due diligence that the CPRs require from such businesses is proportionate to the The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy level of service offered. Browne): I am today announcing arrangements for the The definition of “estate agency work” is also implementation of provisions within the Protection of incorporated in other legislation. The Money Laundering Freedoms Act 2012 for the regulation of surveillance Regulations 2007 require estate agents to guard against camera systems. and report any suspicion of money laundering. The The Government support the use of surveillance Terrorism Act 2000 and the Proceeds of Crime Act cameras in tackling crime. It is committed to ensuring 2002 incorporate the definition from the EAA in applying that any deployment in public places of surveillance particular standards to “regulated sectors” which include cameras, including close circuit television (CCTV) and estate agents. The limited amendment will also apply to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), is appropriate, these pieces of legislation. proportionate, transparent and effective in meeting its The Government believe this limited amendment will stated purpose. This is why the Protection of Freedoms strike the right balance between deregulating low risk Act 2012 now requires Government to put in place a services which do not actively involve the business in the regulatory framework for surveillance camera systems property transaction and retaining the consumer protections comprising a code of practice and a surveillance camera of the EAA where agents act on behalf of a party to the commissioner. transaction. The code of practice will contain guidance for system The next step will be for the proposed amendment to operators. Relevant authorities specified in section 33(5) be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and the Government of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 have a duty to intend to bring forward the amendment as soon as the have regard to the code, and other system operators will parliamentary timetable allows. be encouraged to adopt it on a voluntary basis. Preparatory Repealing the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 work on the code of practice is under way, ensuring it is positioned appropriately alongside existing regulatory The PMA makes it an offence to make false or arrangements under the Data Protection Act 1990 and misleading statements in the course of an estate agency the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. We or property development business about property offered anticipate a period of statutory consultation over the for sale. The CPRs which came into force in 2008 draft code of practice in the autumn of 2012 in advance implemented the EU unfair commercial practices directive of laying the draft before Parliament for approval. in the UK. These regulations provide similar protections Subject to parliamentary approval, we aim to bring the for consumers in a wider range of sectors and their code of practice into force from April 2013. introduction meant that consumers were protected by A key element of the effectiveness of surveillance two broadly equivalent pieces of legislation. camera systems is their ability to provide images and The Government’s consultation elicited responses both associated information of an evidential standard which for and against repeal. The Government understand the supports both the investigation of crime and bringing reasons why opponents to repeal of the PMA favour it perpetrators to justice. We are therefore continuing the over the CPRs. The PMA deals specifically with property arrangements that have seen the role of interim CCTV and as such is easy to apply. The CPRs by contrast are regulator combined with that of the forensic science not specific to the sector and, being principles-based, regulator, and are appointing Mr Andrew Rennison require traders to consider how they apply to their who currently holds both these appointments as surveillance particular circumstances. camera commissioner with immediate effect. This will The Government remain of the view, however, that enable him to build the necessary capacity to fulfil his the CPRs provide broadly similar protection to the statutory functions in full when the code of practice PMA. The queries and concerns raised are similar to comes into force. those that were raised when the CPRs were first proposed The term of appointment has been synchronised with and these fears do not seem to have materialised in that of the forensic science regulator and will run until other sectors. The Government believe this situation 10 February 2014. An open competition will be held in will continue so long as the PMA remains in place and due course to fill both posts from that date. 15WS Written Ministerial Statements13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 16WS

The functions of the commissioner are set out in JUSTICE section 34(2) of the Protection of Freedoms Act. In advance of the code of practice being brought into force the commissioner has been tasked with: delivering Boundary Commission for Wales (Appointment of a three-year business plan setting out how these functions Deputy Chairman) will be fulfilled; reaching an agreement over the operation of gateways with both the Information Commissioner The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and the chief surveillance commissioner who also have (Chris Grayling): I should like to inform the House that regulatory responsibilities relating to surveillance cameras, I have made the following appointment under schedule and then making that agreement publicly available; 1 to the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986: and, establishing an advisory council with a suitable The honourable Mr Justice Wyn Williams appointed range of skills and experience to support him in his as Deputy Chairman of the Boundary Commission for work. Wales effective until 30 September 2015. The Home Office is making a small team of civil servants available to support the commissioner in carrying LEADER OF THE HOUSE out his functions, along with accommodation within its offices at 2 Marsham Street, London, SWIP 4DF. e-Petitions The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 provides for an incremental approach to regulation which will secure The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew continued public confidence in the use of surveillance Lansley): Since my predecessor launched the Government’s cameras in what is a complex area of practice. It gives e-petitions site in July 2011, the site has received more the commissioner no powers of enforcement or inspection, than 6.4 million signatures, shared across more than nor any powers for the investigation of complaints. The 16,000 petitions. A total of 11 e-petitions have passed commissioner is, however, charged with reviewing the the 100,000 signature threshold, making them eligible operation of the code of practice and providing advice, for debate. All 11 of these have been debated, or in the including advice to Government on its effectiveness and case of the west coast main line e-petition have been on any changes which may be necessary.The commissioner scheduled for debate in the new Monday afternoon is, therefore, empowered to make independent and allocation in Westminster Hall. transparent recommendations to Government on the development of the regulatory framework. e-petitions have been an important part of increasing public understanding of Parliament. To improve The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 also requires engagement with petitioners, I am today announcing a in section 35 that the commissioner publishes a report new threshold of 10,000 signatures to trigger written about the exercise of his functions on an annual basis Government responses to e-petitions, in addition to the and presents a copy to the Home Secretary, which must existing threshold of 100,000 signatures that makes then be laid before Parliament. e-petitions eligible for debate. Through these arrangements, we intend to ensure Once an e-petition has passed 10,000 signatures, that surveillance camera systems continue to be an Departments will provide a response that will appear on important tool available to communities to help tackle the website and be e-mailed to all signatories who opted crime and prevent terrorism while balancing public in to receive updates on that petition. Responses will safety objectives with the individual’s right to privacy. include a statement of the Government’s policy on the issue, and details of any relevant parliamentary processes Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act (Public Consultation) that are ongoing. All e-petitions currently open for signature on the site, which have more than 10,000 signatures, will receive The Secretary of State for the Home Department a response from Departments; we expect most of these (Mrs Theresa May): I am today launching a public to be published before the House returns from the consultation inviting views on potential changes to the conference recess. Responses to e-petitions that subsequently counter-terrorism border security powers contained in pass the 10,000 signature threshold will be published on schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000. a rolling basis on the relevant page of http:// Individuals who engage in terror-related activity travel epetitions.direct.gov.uk. across borders to plan, finance, train for and commit attacks. Examining people at ports and airports is necessary TRANSPORT to protect public safety and an essential part of our border security arrangements. However, the operation Bus Subsidy System (Reform) of these powers must not erode the freedoms which terrorists seek to undermine. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport We would welcome a wide response to the consultation (Norman Baker): In March, the Government published to support us in ensuring the changes address these “Green Light for Better Buses”, in which we set out our principles, particularly from those who may be affected plans for improving local bus subsidy arrangements and by the use of these important powers. A copy of the regulations in England outside London. We undertook consultation document has been placed in the House to consult on these proposals and I can inform the Library and is available on the Home Office website at: House that the consultation has been launched today http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/ and will last for eight weeks. Copies of the consultation consultations/schedule-7-review document are available in the House Library.

3P Petitions13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Petitions 4P

work, and cannot strike. The Government are committed Petitions to ensuring that this important role is recognised, by treating officers fairly and paying them well. Thursday 13 September 2012 The total savings from Part One of the Review will be around £150 million per annum once fully implemented, or around 2% of the total police officer pay bill. This OBSERVATIONS money will be ploughed straight back into policing for chief officers to use as they see fit, reducing the need to find savings from elsewhere, and helping to protect frontline service to the public. The proposals in Part Two would not reduce the overall pay bill in the short HOME DEPARTMENT term. Police officers will continue to earn more than other Policing (Winsor Reforms) emergency services, to retire earlier than most in the The Petition of residents of Stalybridge and Hyde and public sector, and to benefit from pensions that are the Greater Manchester area, among the best available. With the exception of the recommendation regarding Declares that the proposals made in the second part the normal pension age for police officers, no decisions of the Winsor Review will have devastating effect on the have yet been taken on Tom Winsor’s Final Report, but morale of frontline officers, and risk a detrimental the Government have said that it provides a good basis effect on the quality of service the Police provide to the for discussion and consultation, including through the public. formal police negotiating machinery.We remain committed The Petitioners therefore request that the House of to constructive engagement with the service throughout Commons urges the Home Secretary to reject the this process. recommendations contained within the Winsor Review. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jonathan Reynolds, Official Report, 16 July 2012; Vol. 548, c. 812.] TRANSPORT [P001103] Bus Services in Teesside and East Cleveland Observations from the Secretary of State for the Home The Petition of residents of East Cleveland and Department: Middlesbrough, The petition from the residents of Stalybridge and Declares that the Petitioners believe that bus services Hyde raises concerns about the impact that proposals in in Teesside provided by Arriva have been second rate the second part of the Winsor Review will have on for too long; that buses do not run on time, services frontline policing in their area. As the recent report have been cut back and rising fares are threatening to from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) price out vulnerable, elderly and young people from sets out, the frontline of policing is being protected using public transport for educational purposes, as a overall and service to the public has largely been maintained. means of transport for work and for accessing health The proportion of officers on the frontline is increasing, services; and further declares that the Petitioners believe crime is down, victim satisfaction is improving and the that Government cuts to subsidies for local bus services response to emergency calls is being maintained. are making this already poor situation worse, It is important to note that one of the key objectives The 490 Petitioners therefore request that the House of these reforms is to reward those officers who work on of Commons urges the Government to reverse cuts to the frontline. Indeed, the Winsor Review’s terms of local bus subsidies and take all possible steps to ensure reference asked for an analysis of how remuneration that improvements are made to bus services in East and conditions of service could be used to maximise Cleveland and Middlesbrough. officer and staff deployment to frontline roles where their powers and skills are required. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tom Blenkinsop, Official Report, 4 July 2012; Vol. 547, c. 1029.] Existing police pay and conditions were designed more than 30 years ago which is why Tom Winsor was [P001104] asked to carry out his independent review. Police officers Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: and staff deserve to have pay and workforce arrangements Bus services are vital to the health of the economy, to that recognise the vital role they play in fighting crime connecting people to services and jobs, and to cutting and keeping the public safe, and enable them to deliver carbon. Despite the pressure on the public finances, the effectively for the public. These recommendations are Government continue to provide significant funds for about reforming pay and conditions so that they recognise local bus services in East Cleveland, Middlesbrough the hardest-working officers and reward professional and elsewhere through bus subsidy for operators, albeit skills and continued development. reduced by 20% since 1 April 2012, and via the national As the majority of the policing budget is spent on concessionary travel entitlement, which was protected pay, we must ensure that pay and conditions are fair in the budget. and sustainable for both officers and the taxpayer. The The Coalition Government does not control local whole country has been affected by the downturn, with bus services, which are generally provided by commercial a public service-wide pay freeze, and jobs lost in both bus operators in a market environment, community the public and private sectors, including in police forces. transport operators or procured by Local Transport However, police officers do difficult and often dangerous Authorities as “tendered services”. 5P Petitions13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Petitions 6P

However, we recognise that not every area has the Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: local bus services that residents need and expect. To The coalition Government continue to provide significant improve matters, we are implementing the Competition funds for local bus services in Darlington and elsewhere Commission’s recommendations for local bus markets, through bus subsidy for operators and via the national to increase the threat of competition to incumbent, concessionary travel entitlement, which was protected dominant operators, reforming the way we subsidise in the budget. local bus services, and incentivising partnership working In addition, the Government have recently made between commercial operators and local councils. significant amounts available to support bus services, In addition, the Government have recently made providing £115 million of funding to local bus companies available £115 million of funding to local bus companies and local transport authorities to provide better, cleaner and local transport authorities to provide better, cleaner and greener bus services. This considerable sum underlines and greener bus services. This considerable sum underlines the Government’s firm commitment to investment in the Government’s firm commitment to investment in transport infrastructure and so tackling congestion and transport infrastructure and so tackling congestion and decarbonising transport. decarbonising transport. In many rural areas, community transport can play a Rural Transport (Sadberge, Darlington) valuable role in preventing isolation. I therefore strongly encourage local councils to work in partnership with The Petition of residents of Sadberge, operators and local communities to examine how more Declares that the Petitioners believe that in order to flexible services might be provided. maintain a reliable rural transport network in Darlington To facilitate this, my Department has, in the past year Borough additional funding needs to be provided for alone, allocated £20 million of funding for community rural bus services. transport in rural areas, of which Darlington Borough The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Council received a £37,100 share. Commons urges the Government to ensure that there is I recognise that local councils are making difficult funding in place to maintain the provision of reliable decisions in the light of reductions in revenue support rural bus services in the Darlington Borough. from Government, but they do have almost total discretion And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Phil about which services to value when budgeting for the Wilson, Official Report, 4 July 2012; Vol. 547, c. 1029.] future. These are decisions which must be made locally, [P001105] in consultation with the public. 293W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 294W

including a widening community of small and medium- Written Answers to sized enterprises (SMEs), in the skills challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Questions Apprenticeships have an important role to play, and engineering apprenticeships include pathways specifically Thursday 13 September 2012 designed for marine engineers. Frameworks cover a wide range of different job roles from operator to senior marine engineer and were designed in consultation with ATTORNEY-GENERAL the sector. Final data for 2010/11 academic year show Disciplinary Proceedings that there were 210 apprenticeship starts in the “Marine Industry” Framework by apprentices aged 16-24. David Simpson: To ask the Attorney-General A University Technology College specialising in marine whether any staff in the Law Officers’ Departments engineering is planning to open in Plymouth in 2013. It have been (a) disciplined and (b) dismissed for will cater for students aged 14 to 19, offering technically inappropriate internet usage in the last 12 months. oriented study in a school equipped to industrial standards. [120414] The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service European Patent Court (CPS) has disciplined one member of staff for inappropriate internet usage in the last 12 months. No staff have been Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for dismissed for inappropriate internet usage in the last Business, Innovation and Skills if he will commission 12 months. research to establish what effect the creation of the No staff in the remaining Law Officers’ Departments European Patent Court will have on economic growth have been disciplined or dismissed for inappropriate in the UK. [120621] internet usage during this period. Jo Swinson: The European (Unified) Patent Court is part of a package of proposed measures to establish a BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Unitary Patent system within Europe. The Government Dairy Farming is working to ensure that the package delivers real benefits for UK businesses and the wider economy and Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State the Prime Minister recently secured political agreement for Business, Innovation and Skills what effect the from heads of other participating member states to agreement of a voluntary code on contractual locate a vital part of the court in London. This will help relationships between milk buyers and dairy farmers to secure highly skilled jobs in the legal sector and will have upon the provisions of his Groceries Code associated professional services within the UK. Adjudicator Bill. [120095] We will continue to review and update our data on Jo Swinson: The voluntary code of practice for the potential economic benefits to the UK as the detailed dairy sector is distinct from the Groceries Code, and arrangements relating to court costs and funding will not change the provisions of the Groceries Code arrangements evolve. There are no plans to commission Adjudicator Bill. The Bill establishes an adjudicator to external research on the Patent Court proposals. enforce and oversee the Groceries Code, which addresses contractual relationships between large supermarket Exports retailers and their suppliers. Engineers: Training Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his made of the total value of British exports to other Department is taking to assist with marine-based Commonwealth countries in each of the last five years. training for engineers aged between 16 and 24 years. [120824] [118935] Michael Fallon: The information is as follows: Mr Willetts: The Government’s reforms of the skills system are helping to ensure that the system is demand-led, UK exports to the Commonwealth enabling businesses and individuals to take the lead and £ billion access the training they need. The Government are Goods Services equipping them with funding, support and information, 2007 19 18 so that they can shape the skills system. 2008 22 20 The Government and industry published a Marine 2009 20 22 Industry Growth Strategy in September 2011. This 2010 24 23 work is being taken forward by the Marine Industries 2011 29 25 Leadership Council which the Minister for Business Sources: and Enterprise my right hon. Friend the Member for HM Revenue and Customs ″Overseas Trade Statistics″ (goods); Office Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon) chairs jointly with Richard for National Statistics ″Pink Book″ (services)—″Pink Book 2012″ Sadler (CEO Lloyd’s Register). As part of this work we Table 9.5 was used for Australia, Canada, Cyprus, India, Malaysia, have formed a Marine Sector Skills Group which works Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, and South Africa, which collectively account for over 80% of exports to the Commonwealth. closely with Semta, the sector skills council for the For other Commonwealth countries, Table 9.13 in the Pink Book advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors. This 2009 (2007 data), 2010 (2008 data), 2011 (2009 data) and 2012 (2010 work is helping to engage a wide range of stakeholders, and 2011 data) editions was used. 295W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 296W

Due to differences in methodology, data are shown £ billion separately for goods and services. 2007 4.7 Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008 5.9 Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has 2009 4.7 made of the total value of British exports to other 2010 6.2 member states of the EU in each of the last five years. 2011 8.3 [120825] Source: ONS Balance of Payments—Pink Book.

Michael Fallon: The total value of British exports of Farepak goods and services to the EU-27 over the last five years was as follows: Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the review into £ billion the lessons learnt from the Farepak disqualification proceedings will be made public in its entirety. [119312] 2007 191 2008 213 2009 194 Jo Swinson: I intend to publish as much of the report 2010 211 of the review into lessons learnt as possible except for any aspects that may be subject to data protection and 2011 234 legal professional privilege issues. Source: ONS Balance of Payments—Pink Book.

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Investment in UK: Barnsley Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the value of British exports to Russia in each Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for of the last five years. [120826] Business, Innovation and Skills how many inward investment companies have located in Barnsley Central Michael Fallon: The total value of British exports of constituency in (a) the last 12 months and (b) each of goods and services to Russia over the last five years was the last 10 years. [120592] as follows: Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment records £ billion the number of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects entering the UK each year. 2007 4.9 (a) there are no recorded FDI projects in the Barnsley Central 2008 6.5 constituency in the last 12 months; 2009 4.3 (b) The following table shows the number of FDI projects in 2010 5.3 Barnsley Central recorded for financial years 2003-04 to 2010-11. 2011 7.3 Information on projects before 2003 is not available centrally and Source: ONS Balance of Payments—Pink Book. could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. FDI projects in Barnsley Central Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Projects Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the value of British exports to China in each 2003-04 1 of the last five years. [120827] 2004-05 1 2005-06 1 Michael Fallon: The total value of British exports of 2006-07 0 goods and services to China over the last five years was 2007-08 1 as follows: 2008-09 5 2009-10 4 £ billion 2010-11 1 Total 14 2007 5.4 Source: 2008 7.6 UKTI database 2009 7.6 2010 10.3 Innovation 2011 12.5 Source: ONS Balance of Payments—Pink Book. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the status is of the Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Government Innovation Growth Strategy; and if he Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has will make a statement. [120846] made of the value of British exports to India in each of the last five years. [120828] Mr Willetts: The Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth was published in December 2011. We are Michael Fallon: The total value of British exports of intending to report on the progress made in our annual goods and services to India over the last five years was innovation report due approximately a year after publication as follows: of the original report. 297W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 298W

London Metropolitan University and use of low emission vehicles. For example, on 5 September I announced £9 million funding for the Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for creation of a new ‘UK Energy Storage R&D Centre’ to Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has support the advancement of electric and hybrid vehicle had with UK universities on the harmonisation of fees batteries. The centre will help the UK to capitalise on or financial support in respect of overseas students the growing electric and hybrid vehicle battery market, being transferred from London Metropolitan University. worth an estimated £250 million for the UK by 2020. [120482] Overseas Students: Entry Clearances

Mr Willetts [holding answer 11 September 2012]: A Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for taskforce led by the Higher Education Funding Council Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer for England (HEFCE) is now working with London of 30 April 2012, Official Report, columns 1086-7W, on Metropolitan University to support appropriately qualified overseas students, what assessment he has made of the genuine students to find another institution where they implications of the revocation of the licence of London can continue their studies in the UK. The Department Metropolitan University to authorise visas on (a) the for Business, Innovation and Skills is represented at financial situation of London Metropolitan University official level on that taskforce. and (b) the international reputation and success of the With the support of the taskforce, London Metropolitan UK’s further and higher education sector; and if he University is putting in place a clearing house from will make a statement. [120559] 17 September which will allow students to find comparable courses, with comparable fees, at other institutions locally. Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council There are a number of London institutions with similar for England (HEFCE) is working closely with the university and in some cases lower fees to London Metropolitan to help determine the potential financial impact of the University so it is not expected that fees will be a barrier licence revocation. This is a developing situation which to successful transfers. is being closely monitored. The initial priority is to ensure that the interests of the university’s students are We have also created an emergency fund of up to protected. £2 million to allow affected students to claim back fees This Government does appreciate the important for reapplying for visas and discretionary payments to contribution that international students make to the cover, for example, lost deposits on accommodation UK’s economy in terms of the economic benefits and due to having to move somewhere else to study. wider enrichment students bring to the UK and genuine Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries students will continue to be welcomed. The revocation of London Metropolitan University’s Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for licence reflects a problem with one university, not the Business, Innovation and Skills (1) if he will bring whole sector. This situation has no bearing on the forward proposals to make it easier to recruit, train and quality of education our institutions provide. Our retain factory managers in the automotive industry; universities are among the best in the world—the UK and if he will make a statement; [119963] remains open for business and is a top class destination (2) what plans he has to (a) maintain and (b) for international students. enhance the competitiveness of the UK automotive Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for industry; and if he will make a statement. [120080] Business, Innovation and Skills what support and assistance he has put in place to help educational Michael Fallon: BIS is working with the industry, institutions comply with the UK Border Agency through the Automotive Council, on strategies for guidelines; and if he will make a statement. [120587] sustainable growth of the sector and supply chain. The Council published a report on 10 August identifying at Mr Willetts: The Department has regular meetings least £3 billion worth of new supply chain business with educational institutions to discuss a range of issues opportunities for UK based companies. Major global including compliance with visa regulations, and engages investors including BMW,Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan with the UK Border Agency to influence policy, outcomes have committed over £6 billion to the UK in the last two and guidance in support of the UK’s higher education years. sector. The Department supports the UK Council for To strengthen the UK’s competitive position with International Student Affairs (UKCISA), a registered some of the most productive plants in Europe, BIS charity, to provide independent advice to assist foreign plans to provide support through its Regional Growth students, including on immigration matters, and works Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative with the British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth for the industry on research and development (R&D), Office (FCO), and Universities UK to promote the training grants, the safeguarding of engineering jobs UK’s international higher education ambitions to students and the recruitment of new workers. A new Talent looking to study in the UK. Retention Solution programme has also been developed Post Offices: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to provide an online resource to enable employers and individuals to share information in a confidential Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for environment and preserve key skills in the automotive Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he and other sectors across the UK. has made of the potential loss of income to post offices The industry intends to remain at the forefront of from the loss of the provision of Driver and Vehicle research and technology. This Government is committed Licensing Agency services; and if he will make a to actively supporting the development, demonstration statement. [119318] 299W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 300W

Jo Swinson: Post Office Ltd currently provides a The following successful bids have had a local newspaper number of services on behalf of the Driving and Vehicle as one of its partners: Licensing Agency (DVLA), and received approximately 1. Birmingham Post Business Growth Fund—a fund of last £40 million of revenue for these services in 2011/12. resort for SMEs and start-ups in the Birmingham, Solihull and DVLA is currently procuring a wide range of counter Coventry—managed by Bournville College. services, including those currently provided by Post 2. The Liverpool Aspire Fund (Liverpool Echo)—a project to Office Ltd. As I am sure you will appreciate, it would stimulate SME growth through media Advocacy—managed by not be appropriate to comment further on the commercial Liverpool City Council. details of a live procurement which is the responsibility 3. The South West Aspire Fund (Western Morning News)—a of the DVLA. project to stimulate SME growth through media and higher education advocacy)—managed by University of Plymouth. Postal Services 4. Lets Grow Campaign SME Package (NCJ Media)—package bid to support 13 individual SME, predominantly manufacturing, projects all based in the North East of England Assisted Area— Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for managed by 13 SMEs. Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the ongoing additional costs to (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) Royal Mail as a result of the Research and Development Tax Credit decoupling of the businesses; [120541] (2) what (a) current and (b) projected costs are Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for estimated to directly arise from the decoupling of Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd. [120543] he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on research and development tax credits and small Michael Fallon [holding answer 11 September 2012]: businesses. [120847] The transfer of Post Office Ltd (POL) from being a subsidiary of Royal Mail Group Limited to a direct Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, subsidiary of Royal Mail Holdings plc became effective Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for from 1 April this year. This completes the operational Twickenham (Vince Cable), regularly meets the Chancellor separation of the two companies. The associated transfer of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for costs were borne by POL and Royal Mail Group. I have Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a range of business therefore asked the chief executive officer of Royal issues. Mail, Moya Greene, to respond to your questions direct and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of Science the House. Publications Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for science budget has been allocated to life sciences in the Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer last three years. [120845] of 13 June 2012, Official Report, column 514W, on publications, how much his Department has spent on Mr Willetts: The allocations for 2011-12 and 2012-13 (a) circulars, (b) consultation documents and (c) for science and research funding were made in December publications since May 2010. [117917] 2010, details of which are provided in the following publication: Jo Swinson: Costs for production of circulars, http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/science/docs/a/10-1356- consultation documents and publications are not centrally allocation-of-science-and-research-funding-2011-2015.pdf held and could be provided only at disproportionate This also includes figures for 2010-11. cost. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Regional Growth Fund funds the UK Research Councils and Higher Education Funding Council for England to support science and research, with higher education equivalents funded by Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for devolved Administrations. The Research Councils most Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the associated with life sciences are the Medical Research Growth Fund is being handed to local newspapers to Council (MRC) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences manage; and which local newspapers have won Research Council (BBSRC). Funding allocated to them Regional Growth Fund bids. [120844] in the last three years is as follows:

Michael Fallon: No Regional Growth Fund (RGF) £000 monies are being managed by local newspapers. 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 From the first two bidding rounds, four bids from consortia where a local newspaper was one of the Resource partners were successful, but in all of these cases the MRC 545.585 536,172 546,243 “accountable body” that actually holds the funding is BBSRC 362,341 370,306 359,471 one of the other partners (e.g. a university or a local authority). The role of the local newspaper in these Capital programmes is to promote the local RGF programme MRC 134.517 33,000 29,000 to ensure that as many high quality bids as possible BBSRC 66,480 38,000 29,700 come forward. 301W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 302W

MRC and BBSRC combined received 21.5% of science of these estimates. Published estimates on the Top 10 countries of and research funding from 2010/11 to 2012/13. This is next residence for emigrants who are British citizens can be found only part of the picture as other Research Councils in our Series 3 tables (3.20b) on the ONS website at: fund the life sciences, examples include Natural http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/long-term- Environment Research Council funding of £126 million international-migration/november-2010/long-term-international- in 2011/12 and the Engineering and Physical Sciences migration-from-international-passenger-survey--ips--tables- 1991---latest.zip Research Council funding of £117.3 million in 2010/11 in life sciences. In line with the Haldane Principle, prioritisation of an individual Research Councils’ spending Offences Against Children: Charities is not a decision for Ministers. In addition, it is up to universities to decide how to use Quality Related research Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet funding. Office how many charities registered in England and As well as the 2010 allocations, additional capital Wales have been (a) investigated or (b) the subject of a funding has since been allocated for major research regulatory inquiry by the Charities Commission for infrastructure projects, many of which are of relevance allegations of child sexual abuse in the last three years. to the life sciences. Capital projects, announced since [120713] 2010, include: £97.7 million to complete Diamond Phase III; Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked £28.5 million for the Birth Cohort Facility; the Commission’s Head of Business Services to reply. £21 million for four further instruments @ ISIS TS2 Phase II; Letter from Nick Allaway, dated 12 September 2012: £2.5 million for accelerator technology development at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus; I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question regarding how many charities registered in England and £26 million to develop the Norwich Research Park; Wales have been (a) investigated or (b) the subject of a regulatory £44 million to develop the Babraham Research Campus; inquiry by the Charity Commission for allegations of child sexual £165.5 million in e-infrastructure and High Performance abuse in the last three years. Computing; Information about our investigations is published annually in £80 million for the Institute for Animal Health; our Back on Track publication, on our website. The Commission’s role is ensuring trustees comply with their legal duties and £6 million for a National Structural Therapeutics Facility; responsibilities, including making sure trustees take appropriate £75.1 million for the European Life-Science Infrastructure for steps to protect their charity and its beneficiaries from harm. The Biological Information (ELIXIR) project. Commission is not responsible for safeguarding matters or dealing with incidents of actual abuse and we do not administer the legislation on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, as explained in our Safeguarding Strategy. All suspected criminal activity is passed to the police. CABINET OFFICE In 2010-11, there were 57 investigations into charities where issues concerned vulnerable beneficiaries, of which 3 were statutory British Nationals Abroad inquiries. In 2009-10, there were 25 investigations into charities where issues concerned vulnerable beneficiaries, of which 3 were statutory Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet inquiries. Office what estimate he has made of the number of In 2008-09, there were 38 investigations into charities where British citizens living outside the UK. [120474] issues concerned vulnerable beneficiaries, of which 4 were statutory inquiries. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Please note that “vulnerable beneficiaries” includes vulnerable responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have adults and the elderly as well as children, and can relate to other asked the authority to reply. forms of abuse or complaints as well as sexual abuse. The number Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2012: of cases within each year relating specifically to child sexual abuse will vary, but form only part of the figures above, but it is not As Director General for the Office for National Statistics possible to specifically break this down. (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of British I hope this information is helpful. currently estimated to be living outside the UK. 120474 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not collect information regarding British citizens resident outside the UK. However, Eurostat publishes figures on population by citizenship COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT for EU countries, these are available at: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/ Audit Commission population/data/database In 2006, the Institute for Public Policy Research produced a report on the British citizens living outside the UK ‘Brits abroad: Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for mapping the scale and nature of British emigration’. This report Communities and Local Government what the monetary can be accessed via the IPPR website on: value was of the (a) basic pay including responsibility http://ippr.typepad.com/brits_abroad/2006/12/ allowances, (b) bonus, (c) employer pension contribution, brits_abroad_pu.html (d) hotel costs in London, (e) travel expenses, ONS produces estimates of Long-Term International Migration (f) hospitality expenses, (g) standard class return rail flows which are primarily based on the International Passenger ticket each week to and from London and (h) other Survey (IPS). Detailed information on countries of next residence benefits in kind for the chief executive of the Audit of emigrants from the UK is available using the IPS component Commission in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12. [119170] 303W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 304W

Brandon Lewis [holding answer 5 September 2012]: In the new audit framework, some of the costs of This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission regulating the system will fall to the National Audit and I have asked the Controller of Audit at the Audit Office, with others falling to the Financial Reporting Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct. Council and recognised supervisory bodies. The impact I would add that the programme to end routine assessment therefore assigns £2 million to the National inspection and assessment, disband the Audit Commission Audit Office for their regulatory role, including the and introduce a new local audit framework will save preparation of the code of audit practice. My Department £650 million over the next five years. is working with the National Audit Office to refine this estimate for the updated impact assessment, which will Letter from Marcine Waterman, dated 13 September accompany the final Bill. 2012: Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. I Correspondence have extracted the information requested from the audited remuneration report included in the Audit Commission’s annual Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for report and accounts for 2011/12 laid before Parliament on 4 July Communities and Local Government what the average 2012. I have summarised the information requested in the following table. time taken was by his Department to reply to correspondence from hon. Members and Peers in the £ last 12 months; and for what proportion of letters the Item 2010-11 2011-12 time taken to send a response was longer than (a) one month, (b) six weeks, (c) two months, (d) three (a) Basic pay including 183,000 182,000 months and (e) six months in that period. [118656] responsibility allowance (b) Bonus — — Brandon Lewis: The average time taken by the (c) Employee’s and employer’s 44,000 44,000 Department to reply to correspondence from hon. Members pension contributions and Peers during this period was 11.7 working days. (d) Hotel costs in London 17,140 11,506 Between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 the (e) Other travel expenses 307 3,202 department received 9,407 letters from hon. Members (f) Hospitality expenses — — and Peers. As at 6 September, the Department has (g) Standard rail costs 8,438 6,786 responded to 9,173 of the letters received during this (h) Other benefits in kind 0 0 period. The following table sets out the length of time (i) Transport allowance 4,070 4,070 taken to respond. Total 256,955 251,564 On (a), for both years, staff contribute to the Audit Commission Number Pension Scheme through a salary sacrifice scheme called 1 SMARTpensions. This means that basic salaries are reduced in Answered within one calendar month 8,545 lieu of an increased employer contribution to the Pension Scheme. Answered between one calendar 332 For 2010/11, the Chief Executive’s salary was reduced by £13k. month and six weeks For 2011/12, the reduction was £14k. These amounts are included Answered between six weeks and 170 in the pension contribution figures, but have been removed from two calendar months the basic salary figures. Answered between two calendar 91 The commission also paid £27,428 tax and NI in 2011/12 months and three calendar months (2010/11 £32,512) for the Chief Executive’s travel and subsistence Answered between three calendar 30 costs. months and six calendar months The Chief Executive and Managing Directors are eligible for a Answered between six calendar 5 lease car or a transport allowance of £4,070 (shown as (i) in the months and 12 calendar months table). The Chief Executive opted for the transport allowance in 1 93% answered within one calendar month. 2010/11 and 2011/12. The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’ and Peers’ correspondence. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Communities and Local Government what estimate he Official Report, columns 31-33WS. had made of the costs to the National Audit Office of preparing the code of practice to be followed by Council Tax auditors of public bodies following the abolition of the Audit Commission. [119536] Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment Brandon Lewis [holding answer 6 September 2012]: he has made of the maximum amount which could be The programme to end routine inspection and assessment, raised by changes to second home discounts and empty disband the Audit Commission and introduce a new property discounts by each local authority; and on local audit framework will save £650 million over the what calculations that assessment was based. [120742] next five years. The Government considers that the regulatory costs Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer in the new framework will be no greater than those given on 12 September 2012, Official Report, column present in the current Audit Commission framework. 246W, where the information was placed in the Library The impact assessment published alongside the draft of the House. Local Audit Bill estimates that the regulatory costs in The estimated cost of the second homes discount the current audit framework are approximately £4 million, uses data from DCLG’s Local Authority Council Tax including the cost of preparing the code of audit practice. Base 2011 England returns, published at: 305W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 306W

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/ Dividing an authority’s council tax support allocation 203045312.xls (prior to managing funding pressures) by 0.9 gives the to calculate the number of Band D equivalent second council tax support allocation had a 10% reduction in homes by discount rate band. This number is multiplied funding not been introduced. The notional reduction by the mid-point of the band (where applicable), the in a local authority’s council tax support is equal to the Band D council tax and the collection rate, as published difference between this figure and their allocation after in DCLG’s 2012-13 council tax levels set by local authorities managing funding pressures. in England return (2012-13 CT Levels), published at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/ 2141741.xls Emergencies The sum of these costs of discount by discount rate band gives the total estimated cost. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for The estimated cost of council tax exemptions for Communities and Local Government what the role and vacant and unoccupied dwellings (the cost of exemption responsibilities of his Department’s resilience and classes A, C and L) uses data from the Council Tax emergencies division is; and what work is carried out Base 2011 return to calculate the number of Band D in the division’s offices in London, Leeds and equivalent non-student exemptions by local authority. Birmingham. [118595] This is multiplied by the Band D council tax and the collection rate, as published in the 2012-13 CT Levels Brandon Lewis: The Resilience and Emergencies Division return, to calculate the total cost of non-student exemptions is responsible for the interface between national and for each local authority.The cost of non-student exemptions local level in emergency planning and response and, in by exemption class is found by multiplying this cost by many cases, recovery as well. The Division works closely the number of dwellings in receipt of the exemption with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet (published in the Council Tax Base 2011 return) and Office and other Government Departments with leads dividing by the number of non-student exemptions in for aspects of resilience policy and emergency response, the local authority.The published figures relate to exemption as well as the 38 local resilience forums in England. classes A, C and L. The Division has four key roles: This Government is taking action to keep council tax 1. Enable resilient localities: down, confirmed there will be no council tax revaluation helping places to identify for themselves the risks they face, and helped freeze council tax for two years. By treating mitigate those risks, and manage the impact of risks that materialise, everyone equally and fairly and removing the special including through barrier busting with central Government tax breaks for empty homes and second homes, councils Departments; have the potential to cut £20 a year off families’ council 2. Ensure preparedness for emergencies: tax bills. supporting localities to understand the potential impact of Council Tax Benefits different types of emergency, especially those having a multi-locality impact, facilitate the design of a response capability that strikes an appropriate balance between risk of the emergency materialising Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for and its potential impact, and facilitating liaison between local Communities and Local Government what estimate he responders and central Government; has made of council tax benefit subsidy reduction in 3. Discharge our responsibility as the lead Government each local authority area in the next financial year. Department for particular emergencies: [118711] identifying and mitigating the risks, threats and vulnerabilities within the Department’s fields of responsibility, sustaining a Brandon Lewis: The information requested has been capability to manage for Government the response to and recover placed in the Library of the House. from wide area and national emergencies, and taking responsibility From April 2013, our reforms will localise council tax for post-event inquiries and identification of lessons learned; support and give councils stronger incentives to support 4. Provide Government support when emergencies occur: local firms, cut fraud, promote local enterprise and get operating for Government a 24/7 liaison officer service to local people back into work. Spending on council tax benefit responders and providing a 24/7 information service on the doubled under the last Administration and welfare impact of emergencies and their management. This role is defined reform is vital to tackle the budget deficit we have in the Central Government’s Concept of Operations, which sets inherited. out the UK arrangements for responding to and recovering from emergencies, irrespective of cause or location and requiring Council tax support allocations for local authorities co-ordinated central Government action. The Division provides in 2013-14 and methodology are published in the ‘Localising the link between central and local resilience functions in respect Support for Council Tax: Funding arrangements of planning for and responding to emergencies, as well as the Consultation’ at: recovery from particular types of emergency. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ localgovernment/2146644 This sets out a possible approach for managing funding European Regional Development Fund pressures, for illustrative purposes. For those authorities whose council tax support allocation is subject to an Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for adjustment in order to manage a funding pressure, their Communities and Local Government what proportion allocation can be found on page 33 of the consultation. of the total funding allocated under the European For all other authorities, council tax support allocations Regional Development Fund between 2007 and 2012 is can be found in the spreadsheet that accompanies the currently contractually committed in (a) each English consultation. region and (b) England. [120850] 307W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 308W

Brandon Lewis: Historically, the fund programme has On issues such as matched funding, I also refer the been plagued by the legacy of poor administration and right hon. Member to the written evidence submitted financial corrections that dates back to the 2000-06 by my Department to the recent Select Committee programme administered under the last Government. inquiry (HC 81), which can be found online at: By contrast, the coalition Government have overhauled www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/ the management of these schemes, bringing them in-house, cmcomloc/81/81we07.htm and minimising the liabilities inherited from the last Administration. Family Intervention Projects All English programmes for 2007-2013 met their Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 spend targets, and the programmes are on course Communities and Local Government how many and on track, and exactly where we would expect to be troubled families were helped by family intervention at this point in the seven-year programme. Funds can be projects in each of the last five years in England and allocated until the end of 2013, and funds should be Wales. [119340] spent by 2015. Overall, an average of over 100%1 of the 2007-13 Brandon Lewis [holding answer 5 September 2012]: English European Regional Development Fund allocation Families supported by family intervention projects over has been either contractually committed or is awaiting the last five years are not necessarily troubled families, contracting, with match funding in place. which were defined for the purposes of the national Troubled Families programme in March 2012. The following table sets out the current rates of contractual commitment in each of the 2007-13 European Fire Prevention Regional Development Fund programmes in England, and the total for England: John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the budget Proportion was of his Department for advertising for its Fire Kills of ERDF campaign in 2011-12. [118698] allocation Proportion contractually Total Amount of of ERDF committed Brandon Lewis: The total budget for the Fire Kills operational ERDF allocation and campaign for 2011-12 was £1 million. programme contractually contractually awaiting ERDF operational allocation committed committed contracting The campaign’s main message last year was to encourage programme (£ million) (£ million) (%) (%) people to test their smoke alarms when they changed their clocks to and from British Summer Time. Our Cornwall 357.21 309.02 86.5 112.9 (convergence) research showed that one in seven people tested, and Regional this successful result was probably reflected in the 12% competitiveness reduction in accidental fire deaths in the home compared East midlands 228.44 142.58 62.4 75.2 with the year before—from 213 to 187. East of England 94.90 74.22 78.2 93.0 London 158.24 114.89 72.6 92.8 Fire Services North-east 324.56 221.51 68.2 93.3 North-west 625.90 489.90 78.3 93.7 Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for South-east 21.34 12.97 60.8 80.1 Communities and Local Government what the South-west 99.58 65.26 65.5 126.2 percentage change is in his Department’s grant to each West midlands 341.02 217.49 63.8 91.4 precepting fire and rescue authority between 2011-12 Yorkshire and 455.10 295.71 65.0 132.4 and 2012-13. [119806] Humber Brandon Lewis [holding answer 6 September 2012]: Details of 2011-12 and 2012-13 Formula Grant and Totals/average 2,706.29 1,943.55 71.82 101.8 proportion overall spending power for all local authorities are committed available on our website at: 1 Some of the operational programmes have accepted projects in the pipeline http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/grant.htm totalling more than the allocation, on the basis that some will not come to fruition. This has been the case under previous programmes as well. Formula Grant changes for fire and rescue authorities are available at: As outlined in the answer of 23 January 2012, Official http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/chng.xls Report, column 50W, during the 2000-06 programme, In terms of overall spending power combined shire the benefits of European Regional Development Fund fire and rescue authorities saw an increase of 0.2% were put at risk by poor management under the last between 2011-12 and 2012-13. Government. Poor administration resulted in liabilities totalling £236 million on the 2000-06 programmes and Housing Benefit a payment suspension by the European Commission on the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for programmes. Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the National Landlords Association on Since the management of these programmes was changes to housing benefit regulations. [118670] brought in to the Department in 2011 we have succeeded in reducing the 2000-06 liabilities to less than £50 million Mr Prisk: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external and the error rates during 2011 for the 2007-13 programmes organisations can be found online at: to significantly below the European Commission’s material http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/ threshold of 2%. transparencyingovernment/ministerialdata/ 309W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 310W

Local Government: Procurement sector opportunities. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), State for Communities and Local Government how has also made clear on several occasions that he expects much was spent by local authorities in procuring pre-qualification questionnaires to be removed for contracts goods, works and services in each of the last five years; under the European threshold of £173,000. and if he will make a statement. [117415] I welcome the Federation of Small Businesses’ report on local government and procurement. One of its key Brandon Lewis: Local authority procurement expenditure recommendations was that local authorities should measure in England in each of the last five years is as follows: and monitor where their procurement spend goes and the impact it has. The Code of Recommended Practice Procurement (£ million) for Local Authorities on Data Transparency encourages local authorities to publish copies of contracts and 2006-07 51,868 tenders and also expenditure over £500, (including costs, 2007-08 54,594 supplier and transaction information). By increasing 2008-09 57,536 transparency in local authority spending, citizens and 2009-10 61,907 others are now much better placed to hold their local 2010-11 61,520 authorities to account in this regard, including on the Source: Department for Communities and Local Government Revenue proportion of contracts being awarded to small firms in Outturn (RO) returns. their area. These updated procurement expenditure data have To support better procurement and commissioning, been calculated as the running expenses component of the Government and the Local Government Association service expenditure net of administration recharges within are also opening up access to high quality training the authority. products for local authority officers, starting with the It is clear that there is significant scope for major Commissioning Academy. savings in local authority procurement from the £62 billion We will be undertaking steps to promote best practice, spent each year. By making these savings, we can enhance given the significant scope for major savings in local front-line services, save taxpayers’ money and help to authority procurement from the £62 billion spent each pay off the deficit. To encourage that, we are cutting red year. tape to open up procurement, especially to small and medium-sized firms. While it is up to a local area to Members: Correspondence decide from whom to procure, local authorities clearly have significant spending power, which should be used Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for to help drive local growth. Communities and Local Government when he expects to answer the letter dated 6 July 2012 on asset transfer Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for sent by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent North Communities and Local Government (1) what and transferred to his Department for reply. [120556] assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Federation of Small Mr Foster: I replied to the hon. Member on 10 September. Businesses report on local authority procurement practice; and if he will make a statement; [120509] Parks (2) what steps his Department has taken to encourage and improve best procurement practice by Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for local authorities; [120513] Communities and Local Government if he will take (3) what steps his Department has taken to steps to create a body to assess the effect of reductions encourage local authorities to measure and monitor the in Government spending on urban parks. [120640] proportion of contracts being awarded to small firms Brandon Lewis: We have no plans to create a new in their area; [120514] quango to oversee local government spending; we are (4) what recent steps his Department has taken to reining in top-down inspection and micromanagement encourage local government to make procurement of local government, such as by abolishing the Audit opportunities accessible to small and medium-sized Commission. Quangos divert resources away from frontline enterprises; [120515] services, as evidenced by the fact that the abolition of (5) what recent steps his Department has taken to the Audit Commission will save £650 million of taxpayers’ reduce the barriers in accessing procurement opportunities money over the next five years. faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. [120560] Instead, we are increasing local accountability of local government, such as through the new Transparency Brandon Lewis: Procurement in local government is a Code, and by opening up more council executive meetings matter for local discretion but the Government is committed to members of the (hyper-local) press and public. This to encouraging a more open and level playing field for will empower local people to scrutinise the spending small and medium enterprises and has taken steps to decisions of local councils, and help councils identify improve opportunities for them. wasteful spending to make sensible savings and support Last year the Prime Minister launched a new, free-to-use, frontline services and community facilities. online Contracts Finder portal and simplified pre- I would add that the National Planning Policy qualification questionnaire to make it easier and cheaper Framework has increased planning protection for for small and medium enterprises to bid for public community facilities. The new guidance asks local councils 311W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 312W to consider the availability and viability of community tropical training techniques, of which three such company facilities as part of the plan-making process and to level infantry exercises have taken place since mid- develop policies to safeguard against their unnecessary July 2011. loss. Defence Equipment The framework has introduced a new designation to protect valued local green spaces, which has the potential to provide additional planning protection to parks, Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for playing fields and other open green spaces. Defence when he expects to make a decision on the Maritime Indirect Fire System; and what estimate he This is also complemented by the new community has made of the unit cost of such a system. [120292] rights introduced by the Localism Act to allow for greater community ownership and management of Mr Dunne: A decision on the Assessment Phase for important local assets. the Maritime Indirect Fire System (MIFS) project is likely to be taken by the end of the year, but the main Regional Resilience Forums investment decision point for the whole Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, of which MIFS is a constituent Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for part, is not expected until the middle of the decade. Communities and Local Government what assessment Given the status of the project, I am withholding the he has made of the effectiveness of the regional information regarding unit cost of the MIFS system as resilience forums in relation to level 1 incidents; and if its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. he will make a statement. [119127] Military Aircraft Brandon Lewis: The Department wrote to local resilience forums and responders in March 2011 to explain that Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Government supports a flexible, localist and risk based Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the approach to cross-boundary working and relationship SC-130J aircraft’s suitability as a maritime patrol building rather than prescribing arrangements based on aircraft; [119550] arbitrary regional boundaries. (2) what assessment he has made of C-295 aircraft’s ability to collect and process (a) magnetic anomaly Riots Communities and Victims Panel data, (b) bathymetric data and (c) specific sonar data collected from sonar buoys; [120294] Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) what discussions he has had with European Communities and Local Government what the total Aeronautic Defence and Space Company on the cost to the public purse was of the Riots Community procurement of the C-295 maritime patrol aircraft; and Victims Panel and its report. [118803] [120298] Brandon Lewis: Members of the Riots Community (4) what assessment he has made of the C-295’s and Victims Panel served in a voluntary capacity to suitability for anti-submarine warfare including the (a) (b) undertake this role and have been reimbursed for the delivery of stand-off weapons and sonar travel and subsistence costs incurred in their role as buoys. [120299] panel members. Further costs include office supplies and services, the commissioning of research and the Mr Dunne: Aircraft such as the SC-130J and C-295 production and publication of the panel’s reports. The are not currently being actively considered as we have final cost was £171,500. not defined our requirement for a future Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability. A decision on any future The panel were supported by a secretariat comprised requirement will not be made until the strategic defence of officials from my Department temporarily reassigned and security review in 2015. to the role, incurring no additional cost to the Department’s agreed pay budget for the relevant period. Syria

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) the US DEFENCE military and (b) other US authorities on military intervention in Syria using (i) USAF Lakenheath and Belize (b) other US bases in the UK; and whether the UK must give permission for the bases to be used for such Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for purposes. [120317] Defence what training has taken place at British Army Training Support Unit Belize since July 2011; and if he Mr Robathan: The United Kingdom continues to will estimate the cost to the public purse of such work with other countries to achieve a diplomatic solution training. [119541] to the situation in Syria. The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede Mr Robathan: Following the cessation of infantry and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has not had any specific training exercises on 15 July 2011, routine training discussions with the US military or other US authorities activities in Belize have been temporarily suspended as on the use of USAF Lakenheath or other US bases in planned. However, other training has and will continue the UK for military intervention in Syria. He has, to take place in Belize on a much reduced basis as however, discussed the situation in Syria with US required by units, for example in individual and collective counterparts in the course of normal ministerial business. 313W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 314W

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Mr Hayes: In the June edition of Quarterly Energy Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Prices DECC published annual bills for 2011 for both Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond electricity and gas based on fixed consumptions of (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 3 September 2012, Official 3,300 kWh/year and 18,000 kWh/year respectively. Bills Report, column 53, in which he said that our objective are published for the three main payment methods. remains an end to the violence and a transition to a more democratic and stable Syria. That is the only way £ to avoid protracted civil war, the collapse of the Syrian Pre-payment state, an even greater exodus of refugees, and further meters Standard credit Direct debit appalling loss of life. That is not just our view or the Electricity 479 472 434 view of other western countries; it is the view of the Gas 743 749 697 Arab League and the vast majority of UN member states. The following table splits the direct debit data between offline and online tariffs. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE £ Carbon Emissions: Agriculture Offline direct debit Online direct debit John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Electricity 438 419 Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to Gas 705 660 reduce carbon emissions from farming. [119106] Mr Heath: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Energy and Climate Change what estimate his DEFRA recognises the important role of soil Department has made of electricity price differentials management practices in maintaining soil organic carbon (a) outside and (b) within suppliers’ former monopoly and soil organic matter to enhance soil productivity and regions. [119961] function, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These practices are currently encouraged through the Cross Mr Hayes: DECC do not publish data by company. Compliance Guidance on soil management and Soil The following data taken from table 2.2.1 of Quarterly Protection Review 2010 which all farmers must complete Energy Prices (QEP) June 2012 shows average bills by where they are subject to cross compliance. payment method split between home and non-home In addition, DEFRA is taking a number of steps to suppliers (bills are estimated based on fixed consumption protect peatlands, which are an important store of of 3,300 kWh for electricity and 18,000 kWh for gas): carbon, including providing specific incentives for peatland restoration through agri-environment schemes. £ Emissions from livestock and agricultural soils of Home Non-Home methane and nitrous oxide represent a loss of valuable Standard Credit 489 457 carbon and nitrogen resources and reduce the efficiency Direct Debit 454 424 of agricultural systems to produce food and feedstuffs Pre-Payment Meters 490 469 for industry. The UK Government and the devolved Administrations The range of bills/prices paid by payment type within have developed a joint research programme to improve a given region are published in table 2.2.3 of QEP for the evidence on the on-farm practices which can reduce electricity and table 2.3.3 for gas. These tables show the these emissions in a cost-effective way. maximum, average and minimum bill/price for selected In England, the UK Government is working in cities which are taken as representative of a region. partnership with stakeholders, including the Greenhouse Gas Agriculture Industry Partnership, to disseminate the evidence and promote the uptake of efficient on-farm Energy: Meters practices. The UK Government also has a number of incentive schemes in place for low carbon energy, which farm businesses may access. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for DEFRA is currently undertaking a review of our Energy and Climate Change what steps his approach to reducing emissions of methane and nitrous Department took to encourage responses to its oxide from agriculture in England, including progress consultation on the consumer engagement strategy made by industry and Government action in other before the smart meter roll-out. [118833] relevant policy areas. The final conclusions from this review will be published this autumn. Mr Hayes: Ministers and officials in the Smart Metering Energy Implementation Programme regularly meet stakeholders through formal working groups and in bilateral meetings Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for to discuss their views on the. programme, including on Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his the consumer engagement strategy and during the Department has made of the average tariff differentials consultation took these opportunities to encourage between (a) pre-payment meters, (b) standard credit, responses. Workshops were also held with stakeholders (c) direct debit offline and (d) direct debit online. while the strategy was out for consultation to discuss [119953] their views and encourage responses. We informed more 315W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 316W than 100 stakeholder contacts of the publication of the Nuclear Risk Insurers strategy and publicised it through our website, including in my blog, a tweet and in a Press Notice. I also wrote to Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for MPs, Lords and the chairs of relevant Select Committees Energy and Climate Change what (a) hospitality and to raise awareness. (b) sponsorship Ministers and officials in his The consultation closed on 1 June and we received 55 Department have received from Nuclear Risk Insurers responses. We are currently reviewing the strategy in Ltd since May 2010. [120699] light of these and will respond later this year. Mr Hayes: No Ministers in the Department have Freedom of Information received hospitality or sponsorship from Nuclear Risk Insurers Ltd (NRI) since May 2010. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Two officials attended the International Nuclear Pools Energy and Climate Change what role Ministers in his Chairmen’s Conference dinner on 18 June 2012 which Department have in taking decisions on requests made was organised by NRI. No officials have been sponsored to his Department under the provisions of the by NRI. Freedom of Information Act 2000. [120740] Procurement

Mr Hayes: Decisions on requests under the provisions Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Freedom of Information Act are handled in Energy and Climate Change what the name is of each accordance with the provisions of the legislation with company with which his Department has a contract; day-to-day responsibility for handling requests delegated what the monetary value of each such contract is; and to officials. what is provided to his Department under the terms of the contract. [120772] Nuclear Energy Agency Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Climate Change has devolved procurement and contract Energy and Climate Change from what sources management to its divisions with all contract requirements funding is drawn for the Government’s participation in being managed independently. The procurement function and membership of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the is an advisory service being provided by the centre. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and information requested is currently unavailable. Development; what (a) financial and (b) in-kind The procurement section is currently working to provide support has been provided by each supporting a central contracts register. Contracts of the Department company since May 2010; and on what dates. [120700] are published on the Cabinet Office website which can be found at Mr Hayes: Until the end of 2011, the Department of www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk Energy and Climate Change funded the UK’s participation in and membership of the Nuclear Energy Agency of Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Energy and Climate Change what his Department’s Development. For the 2012 calendar year, funding was policy is on taking into account when assessing tenders drawn from the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the submitted for departmental contracts the (a) apprenticeship Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and the Department schemes, (b) policies on employment of paid interns of Energy and Climate Change. For the next calendar and (c) policies of payment of at least the living wage year, funding will again be drawn from the Office for of each bidding company. [120795] Nuclear Regulation and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, with the remainder to be contributed by the Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Nuclear Industry Association on behalf of industry. Climate Change policy for all tenders issued is to comply with the Government Procurement Service best practice guidance. Nuclear Power Procurement staff seek opportunities to promote skills training, qualifications and apprenticeships in contracts Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy wherever appropriate. and Climate Change what procedures he is putting in place to ensure maximum transparency in the setting of The Department’s standard terms and conditions contain clauses within contracts to ensure suppliers the strike price for new nuclear generation. [119128] provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and legal requirements. Should a breach of Mr Hayes: There will be full transparency over the these conditions occur, the Department has the ultimate terms of any investment instruments or Contracts for option to terminate the contract. Difference offered to developers of low carbon electricity generating projects, including new nuclear generation. Public Expenditure The Government is currently considering its response to the recommendations for additional measures contained Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for in the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee’s Energy and Climate Change how much his report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Energy Department has spent on soft furnishings, plants, Bill, and will provide further details in its response to artwork and other office improvements since May that report. 2010; and what items were purchased. [120853] 317W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 318W

Gregory Barker: DECC has not spent anything on Table 2: RO support costs soft furnishing, plants or artwork since May 2010. A Nominal, £ million number of other office improvements have been carried Actual spend Estimated expected spend out over the period, primarily to redecorate after wear 2011- and tear or to increase the capacity and efficiency of the 2009-10 2010-11 121 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 estate. These are shown in the following table: Onshore 388 401 430 514 679 679 wind Item Cost (£) (ex Offshore 145 262 329 534 782 796 VA T ) wind Re-painting of 5th floor at 3 Whitehall Place 3,740 Solar 0.6 0.1 0.1 1 2 2 Re-decoration of basement of 3 Whitehall Place 4,182 PV after flooding Hydro 113 97 86 79 90 84 Re-painting of lower-ground floor, ground floor 39,801 1 2011-12 figures are based on modelling, and may be different from and stairwells at 3 Whitehall Place, including new actual figures which are expected to be available in December. flooring in coffee/meeting area Source: ROCs register, Poyry modelling and DECC calculations. Re-carpeting of lower-ground and ground floors of 14,718 3 Whitehall Place Third Sector Full re-decoration of 55 Whitehall before occupation 90,949 by DECC Capacity increase of meeting room at 55 Whitehall 8,367 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Installation of hot-desk area at 55 Whitehall 15,145 and Climate Change what steps his Department has Installation of coffee/meeting area at 55 Whitehall 8,931 taken to implement the recommendations of the Capacity increase of meeting room at 3 Whitehall 4,627 National Audit Office report, Central Government’s Place implementation of the national Compact. [120629] Installation of new office space on ground floor of 3 8,566 Whitehall Place Gregory Barker: DECC has strong working relationships Installation of new shower rooms at 3 Whitehall 86,773 with many civil society organisations. These relationships Place and 55 Whitehall to provide increased capacity for cyclists respect the Compact principle of a strong, diverse and independent civil society. For example, DECC recently Total 285,799 established an informal advisory Community Energy Contact Group to advise the Department on community energy issues. In public consultation exercises, DECC follows the Renewable Energy Government Code of Practice on Consultation and if unable, provides a clear explanation as to why that was so. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for DECC has a nominated Civil Society Liaison Officer. Energy and Climate Change what funds his Department spent on energy subsidies for (a) wind, Training (b) solar and (c) hydro-electric power in each financial year since 2009-10 to date; and what estimate he has Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for made of such spending in each financial year to Energy and Climate Change what (a) media and 2014-15. [120548] (b) public speaking training Ministers in his Department have received since May 2010; and what the (i) date and (ii) cost was of each session. [120738] Gregory Barker [holding answer 11 September 2012]: The following tables provide figures for spend on energy Gregory Barker: Since May 2010, one Minister has subsidies in the financial years since 2009-10 to date, received media training. It took place on 31 July 2012 at and an estimate of spend in each financial year to a cost of £2,160.00 inclusive of VAT. 2014-15. Table 1: FITs support costs Warm Front Scheme: Coventry Nominal, £ million 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Solar PV 140 460 570 710 Energy and Climate Change how many households in Non-solar 20 40 70 100 (a) Coventry and (b) Coventry North East PV constituency who applied for help through the Warm AD 5 14 26 41 Front scheme were turned down in each of the last five Hydro 5 10 17 24 years. [120705] Micro 0000 CHP Gregory Barker: The number of households that Wind 7 15 24 32 applied to the scheme but did not meet the eligibility Note: Non-solar PV total is rounded and does not match sum of components. criteria for Warm Front assistance in the Coventry and Source: Coventry North East constituencies in each of the last FITs 2B Government Response IA five years is set out in the following tables1: 319W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 320W

Coventry LA and other pollinators. We hope to be able to be in a Applications not accepted position to respond in detail to Friends of the Earth shortly. 2007-08 269 2008-09 249 2009-10 259 National Income 2010-11 100 2011-12 121 Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 998 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition of gross domestic product-plus his Department uses. Coventry North East [119783] Applications not accepted

2007-08 124 Richard Benyon: GDP+ is a proposal to encourage 2008-09 102 countries to move away from using gross domestic 2009-10 109 product (GDP) as the sole indicator of progress, by 2010-11 50 taking account of the full range of factors which contribute 2011-12 98 to economic activity and societal well-being (for example, Total 483 social exclusion and non-market goods and services 1 Prior to scheme year 2011-12 applications not accepted are recorded such as those provided by the environment). The precise as non-qualifying applications. Data for 2011-12 include applications measures have yet to be defined. that were not accepted at survey stage due to failing to meet the Within the UK, we are building on the commitment required benefit or SAP criteria. in the Natural Environment White Paper to take the value of natural capital into account in our economic thinking. We are doing this by working with the Office ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS for National Statistics on measuring well-being and on including natural capital within our National Accounts. Advisory Committee on Pesticides We are also working with the European Commission to take forward the ‘beyond GDP’ agenda and on Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for measures of resource efficiency as part of the Roadmap Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish to a Resource Efficient Europe. DEFRA and the Deputy full details of the background, expertise, previous and Prime Minister promoted the concept of GDP+ in the current employment, and commercial interest, of all run-up to the Rio+20 Earth Summit. At the conference, members of Advisory Committee on Pesticides. the participating countries requested the UN Statistical [120526] Commission to launch a programme of work, which the UK will be engaging with. Richard Benyon: Full details of the members of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) are published Scallops in line with the provisions of the code of practice for scientific advisory committees. These details can be Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for found on the ACP pages of the following website: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress www.pesticides.gov.uk the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and All members declare interests in line with the code of Aquaculture Science project to obtain scallop data for practice both on an annual basis (these are published in modelling recruitment and management has made; the ACP annual report), and at the start of discussion what funding has been made available for this project; of each item during meetings. Interests of members and how much has been spent so far. [120008] joining the committee in 2012 will be published in the annual report for 2012. Declarations of interest made at Richard Benyon: This five-year project, due to report each meeting are published with the minutes and detailed shortly, will provide DEFRA with a clearer understanding records of those meetings. of scallop larvae settlement in the English channel. This information will identify important juvenile scallop grounds, Bees and will help meet our commitments under the marine strategy framework directive. It will also inform the Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for management of these grounds to achieve wider stock Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to benefits. the statement in the letter of 23 July 2012 from Lord The project has been allocated funding of £742,064, Taylor of Holbeach, reference MC 278501, on the of which £683,799 has been spent so far. Friends of the Earth report on Reviving British Bees, that the Government would respond to the report as Third Sector soon as possible after the summer, when the Government plans to respond to the call for a national bee action plan; and if he will make a statement. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for [120506] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations Mr Heath: We are continuing to consider the detailed made by the National Audit Office in its report, Central recommendations in the Friends of the Earth report, Government’s implementation of the national Compact. alongside a range of other evidence on the state of bees [120563] 321W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 322W

Richard Benyon: We have discussed the Department’s pose a threat to regional partners and UK interests in approach to Compact implementation with DEFRA’s the region, and have issued public threats against Kenya Civil Society Advisory Board (CSAB) and we are now because of its military intervention in Somalia. working with the Board on a range of ways in which Buildings DEFRA can work more effectively with civil society. The Board’s input will underpin our future implementation Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Compact, including consideration of the National Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the name Audit Office’s recommendations. and address is of each building owned by his Department; and what the estimated book value is of each such building. [120498] Mr Lidington: The following table details all owned FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE offices in the UK and overseas. Residential accommodation is not included as there is a security risk to our staff associated with releasing such information into the Al Shabaab public domain. The total book value of our owned properties is David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for £2.1 billion. Individual valuations are not provided as Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent this information is commercially sensitive. assessment he has made of the activities of Al Shabaab The Foreign and Commonwealth Estate is a platform in East African countries. [120413] for delivering the FCO’s main priorities of security, prosperity and support for British nationals overseas. Mark Simmonds: Despite Al Shabaab’s withdrawal Within the Diplomatic Excellence programme, we will from Mogadishu in August 2011 and other significant deliver an estate that is flexible, safe and secure, low cost locations, they continue to pose a threat to the people of and good value for money, modern, functional, smaller, Somalia, as demonstrated by the bomb attacks in sustainable and, increasingly, a platform for all of the Mogadishu on 12 September. They also continue to Government.

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

Angola Luanda BE Office. 4 Rua Diogo 4 Rua Diogo Cao (Caixa Postal Luanda Cao 1244) Angola Luanda New Visa Office. 4 Rua Caixa Postal 1244 Luanda Diogo Cao Angola Luanda New Commercial Office. 4 Esplanade of San Miguel Luanda Rua Diogo Cao Botswana Gaborone British High Commission Plot 4712 1085 & 1838 Gaborone Central Mall Ethiopia Addis Ababa British Embassy Fikre Mariam Abatechan PO Box 858 Addis Ababa Street Ethiopia Addis Ababa Tukuls Fikre Mariam Abatechan PO Box 858 Addis Ababa Street Ethiopia Addis Ababa Commercial and Fikre Mariam Abatechan PO Box 858 Addis Ababa Information Office Street Ethiopia Addis Ababa FCO Management Office Fikre Mariam Abatechan PO Box 858 Addis Ababa (part) Street Ethiopia Addis Ababa Offices Fikre Mariam Abatechan PO Box 858 Addis Ababa Street Ghana Accra British High Commission Plot 27, Osu Link (PO off Gamel Accra Box 296) Abdul Nasser Avenue Ghana Accra Visa & Consular Offices Gamel Abdul Nasser Osu Accra Avenue Gambia Banjul British High Commission Ogden House, 48, Fajara (PO Box Banjul Atlantic Road 507) Gambia Banjul BHC Visa Section Bray House, 48, Atlantic Fajara (PO Box Banjul Road 507) Gambia Banjul Two Offices & Store British High Commission 48-52 Atlantic Fajara Banjul Compound Road Gambia Banjul Kenya Nairobi British High Commission Plots 109/110 87 Upper and Nairobi Lower Hills Road Mauritius Port Louis British High Commission Les Cascades Building, 33 Bis Edith Port Louis 7th Floor Cavell Street Malawi Lilongwe High Commission Offices Plot 40/3 Lilongwe Mozambique Maputo British High Commission Avenida Vladimir I Caixa Postal 55 Maputo, Mozambique Lenine 310 323W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 324W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

Nigeria Lagos British Deputy High 11 Walter Carrington Victoria Island Lagos Commission Crescent Nigeria Lagos 11 Walter Carrington Victoria Island Lagos Crescent Namibia Windhoek British High Commission 116 Robert Mugabe Windhoek Namibia Avenue Rwanda Kigali Parcelle No 1B1, Kacyira-Sud, Kigali Rwanda. Boulevard de l’Umuganda, South Africa Pretoria British High Commission 255 Hill Street Arcadia 0002 Pretoria South Africa Pretoria BHC Projects Office Hill Street/Schoeman BHC Pretoria Street Compound Republic of Khartoum British Embassy Off Baladiya Street Khartoum 1 Sudan Sudan Senegal Dakar British Embassy 20 Rue du Docteur Dakar Guillet Sierra Leone Freetown British High Commission Spur Road Freetown Sierra Leone Freetown BHC Clinic Spur Road Lower Freetown Compound Sierra Leone Freetown French Office. Annex 2 BHC Compound Spur Road Freetown Sierra Leone Freetown Tanzania Dar Es Salaam 3rd Floor & part Ground Umoja House Garden Avenue Dar Es Salaam. PO Box Floor 9200. Tanzania Dar Es Salaam 5th Floor & part Ground Umoja House Garden Avenue Dar Es Salaam. PO Box Floor 9200. Uganda Kampala BHC Office. BHC Windsor Loop Road Kitante Kampala Compound PLOT 4 Uganda Kampala Cons / Visa office BHC Windsor Loop Road Kitante Kampala Compound. Plot 4 Democratic Kinshasa British Embassy Avenue du Roi Baudouin, Gombe Kinshasa Republic of 83 the Congo Zimbabwe Harare New British High 3 Norfolk Road Mount Pleasant Harare Commission Office Zimbabwe Harare Harare: Visa/Consular BHC Compound 3 Norfolk Road Harare Office Zambia Lusaka 5210 Independence (PO Box 50050) 15101 Ridgeway Lusaka Avenue Argentina Buenos Aires British Embassy Dr. Luis Agote 2412/52 (1425) Buenos Aires Barbados Bridgetown Lower Collymore Rock St Michael Bridgetown Bolivia La Paz British Embassy Avenida Arce 2732 La Paz Brazil Brasilia British Embassy Avenida das Nacoes,Setor Ses Quadra 801, CEP 70.408-900, de Embaixadas Sul Conjunto K Brasilia-DF Belize Belmopan British High Commission Embassy Square No. 772, Block Belmopan 20, PO Box 91 Canada Ottawa British High Commission 80 Elgin Street Ottawa Ontario K1P 5K7 Canada Ottawa 2nd Floor 80 Elgin Street Chile Santiago British Embassy 3rd/4/5th Floors, Avenida Casilla 72-D or Santiago El Bosque 0125 Casilla 16552 Chile Santiago British Commercial 2nd Floor, Avenida El Casilla 72-D or Las Condes, Santiago Section Bosque Norte 0125 Casilla 16552 Ecuador Quito Citiplaza Building Naciones Unidas Ave and Salvador 14th floor,PO Box 17-17- Republica de El 830,Quito El Salvador San Salvador 14th Floor Torre Futura Edificio World Trade San Salvador El Salvador Center San Salvador Guatemala Guatemala BE Office Part 11th Floor 16 Calle 0-55, Zona 10, Edificio Torre Guatemala City City International, Nivel 11, Guatemala Guatemala BE Office Part of the 12th 16 Calle 0-55, Zona 10, Edificio Torre Guatemala City City Floor, Internacional, Nivel 12, Office 1202, Guyana Georgetown British High Commission 44 Main Street Georgetown Jamaica Kingston British High Commission Trafalgar House 28 Trafalgar Kingston 10 Road 325W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 326W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

Jamaica Kingston British Council Offices, Trafalgar Park 28 Trafalgar Kingston BHC Compound Road Jamaica Kingston TWS Office/Works BHC Compound Kingston Complex Mexico Mexico City British Embassy Rio Lerma 71 Col 06500, Mexico City Cuauhtemoc Mexico Mexico City Management Section Rio Usumacinta 30 Col 06500, Mexico City Cuauhtemoc Mexico Mexico City British Consular Section 26 Rio Uscamacinta, Mexico City. Mexico Mexico City New Office. Rio Mexico City Usumacinta 24 Peru Lima 22/23 Floors Torre Parque Av. Jose Larco No 1301, Lima Mar Building Miraflores. Panama Panama City British Embassy MMG Tower, Calle 53, Box 0816-07946 Panama City Floors 4 & 5 Uruguay Montevideo British Embassy Calle Marco Bruto 1073 Pocitos, (PO 11300 Montevideo Box 16024) United States Washington British Embassy. 3100 Massachusetts NW Washington DC Avenue United States Washington Old Chancery - Formerly 3100 Massachusetts NW Washington DC Apartment no. 1 Avenue United States Washington Old Chancery - Formerly 3100 Massechusetts NW Washington DC Apartment no. 2 Avenue United States Washington Consular and Visa 19 Observatory Circle NW Washington DC Sections Venezuela Caracas Av. Eugenio Mendoza con Calle Jose Angel Lamas 11th Floor, La Carcas Castellana Venezuela Caracas Av. Eugenio Mendoza 12th Floor (Office 12-C La Castellana con, Calle Jose Angel and 12-D), Lamas, Australia Canberra BHC Office Yarralumla ACT 2600. Commonwealth Avenue Burma Rangoon British Embassy 80 Strand Road Box No. 638 Rangoon (Yangon) (Yangon) Fiji Suva British Embassy 47 Gladstone Road SUVA Hong Kong Hong Kong British Consulate General Colvin House Site, Inland No.1, Supreme Central Hong Kong (PO Lot No 8675 Court Road Box 528) Hong Kong Hong Kong British Council Building No.3, Supreme Court Central, Hong Road Kong Indonesia Jakarta British Embassy Jalan M.H Thamrin 75 Jakarta 10310 Japan Tokyo British Embassy - 1 Ichiban-cho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Chancery Office Japan Tokyo British Commercial & 1 Ichiban-cho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Consular Sections Malaysia Kuala Lumpur BHC Office 185, Jalan Ampang (Lot 258, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Section 89A, Town of KL) New Zealand Wellington British High Commission 44 Hill Street Wellington 1 Philippines Manila BE Office 120 Upper McKinley McKinley Town Taguig City. Manila Road Centre. Fort Bonifacio Papua New Port Moresby BHC Office (Allotment 2 & 3), Section Kiroki Street, Port Moresby Guinea 411 Waigani NDC 131 Singapore Singapore British High Commission Tanglin Road Singapore Singapore Singapore Pavilion Offices Tanglin Road Singapore Korea Seoul British Embassy Office Taepyeongno 40 4 Jeong-dong. Seoul. South Korea Jung-gu Solomon Honiara BHC Office Tanuli Ridge Honiara Islands Thailand Bangkok Chancery Building 2. 14 Wireless Bangkok Road Thailand Bangkok British Embassy Consular Building 4. 14 Wireless Bangkok 10330 Offices Road Thailand Bangkok Adjoining Visa Office BE Compound Wireless Road Bangkok Vietnam Ho Chi Minh BC Office 25 Le Duan District 1 Ho Chi Minh City City 327W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 328W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

Georgia Tbilisi BE Office 51 Krtsanisi Street. Tbilisi 0114 Armenia Yerevan 34 Bhagramian Avenue 34 Bhagramian Avenue Yerevan Russian Moscow British Embassy Smolenskaya Moscow Federation Naberezhnaya Russian Moscow EMS Office Smolenskaya Smolenskaya Moscow Federation Naberezhnaya Tajikistan Dushanbe Mirza Tursunzade 65 Dushanbe Tajikistan Austria Vienna British Embassy Jaurésgasse 12 1030 Vienna Austria Vienna Consular Office Jauresgasse 10 1030 Vienna Belgium Brussels UKDel NATO. Bld Evere 1140 Brussels Belgium Leopold III Belgium Brussels UKREP Ministers Offices ″Justius Lipsius″ 175Ruedela Brussels Loi Cyprus Nicosia BHC Office Alexander Pallis Street (PO Box 1978) Nicosia Cyprus Nicosia Office - 29 Shakespeare Nicosia Avenue Cyprus Nicosia Nicosia: Amenity Land Cyprus Nicosia BHC Commercial Office Alexander Pallis Street Nicosia Cyprus Nicosia BHC Consular Office Alexander Pallis Street Nicosia Cyprus Nicosia BHC Management Office Alexander Pallis Street Nicosia Cyprus Nicosia Visa Office. Shakespeare Nicosia Avenue Czech Prague BE Office Thunovska 14 118000 Prague Republic 1 Denmark Copenhagen British Embassy Kastelsvej 38 DK-2100 Copenhagen 0 Denmark Copenhagen UKTI Office Kastelsvej 38 DK-2100 Copenhagen 0 Denmark Copenhagen British Embassy Kastelsvej 36 DK-2100 Management Section and Copenhagen 0 Consular Visa Office Denmark Copenhagen BE Chancery Office BE Kastelsvej 40 DK 2100 Copenhagen Irish Republic Dublin British Embassy 29 Merrion Road Ballsbridge Dublin Estonia Tallinn 6 & 6a Wismari Tallinn Finland Helsinki British Embassy Itainen Puistotie 17 00140 Helsinki France Marseilles British Consulate-General Prado Castellano 24-26 Avenue 13006 Marseilles Building Du Prado France Paris British Embassy 35 Rue du Faubourg St. 75383 Paris Honore Cedex 08 France Paris British Consulate-General 16 Rue d’Anjou 75008 Paris Germany Berlin Wihelmstrasse 70 10117 Berlin Greece Athens British Embassy 1 Ploutarchou Street Athens Italy Rome British Embassy Office Via XX Settembre 80a Porta Pia 00187 Rome Italy Rome Office 2 Stable Block Porta Pia Office Rome Compound Latvia Riga British Embassy 5, Alunana Iela Street Riga LV 1010 Lithuania Vilnius British Embassy Ground Floor & first Antakalino Vilnius floor Gatve 2 Lithuania Vilnius Commercial/Know How Antakalino Gatve 2 Vilnius Fund Depts Netherlands Amsterdam British Consulate-General Koningslaan 44 1075 AE Amsterdam Netherlands The Hague British Embassy 10 Lange Voorhout 2514 ED The Hague Norway Oslo British Embassy Thomas Heftyesgate 8 0244 Oslo Poland Warsaw British Embassy Ulica Kawalerii 12 Warsaw Portugal Lisbon British Embassy Rua de Sao Bernardo Santa Isabel 1200 Lisbon 33A-33D Portugal Portimao British Consulate Largo Francisco A 1st Floor, Flats 8500 Portimao Mauricio 7-10 D1 and E1 Portugal Portimao New BC Office Fabrica Complex Avenida Portimao Guarane Romania Bucharest 24 Strada Jules Michelet Bucharest Romania Bucharest VISA OFFICE, 24 Strada Bucharest Romania Jules Michelet 329W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 330W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

Romania Bucharest First Floor, Annexe Str.Jules Michelet Nr.24 Bucharest Building Slovakia Bratislava British Embassy Panska 16 81101 Bratislava Spain Alicante British Consulate Plaza Calvo Sotelo, 1 & 2, Apartado De 03001 Alicante 1st Floor Correos Spain Alicante 1&2 Plaza De Calvo Alicante Spain Sotelo Spain Bilbao British Consulate- Alameda de Urquijo Building 2, 8th Bilbao General, 2-8 Alameda de Floor Urquijo, 48008 Bilbao Spain Ibiza Isidoro Macabich 45-1 Appt E Spain Las Palmas British Consulate 3rd Floor, Edificio Corner Luis 35080 Las Palmas, (Gran Cataluna Morote 6/Calle Canaria) Albaneda 87 Spain Palma British Consulate Plaza Mayor 3D, 07002 Palma de Balearic Islands Mallorca Spain Palma New BC Office Orisba Edificio 4B Orisba Spain Barcelona British Consulate-General Edificio Torre de Avenida 08036 Barcelona Barcelona, 13th Floor Diagonal 477-13 Switzerland Berne British Embassy Thunstrasse 50 3005 Berne Sweden Stockholm British Embassy Skarpogatan 6-8, (Box 115 93 27819) Stockholm Turkey Ankara BE Office (upper Sehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A Cankaya Ankara compound) Turkey Antalya British Consulate Office No 6 324 Street Gursu. Antalya Konyaalti. Turkey Istanbul British Consulate- Mesrutiyet Caddesi No.34 Pera House Istanbul General, Pera House Compound Turkey Istanbul TWO complex Mesrutiyet Caddesi No.34 Pera House Istanbul Compound Turkey Istanbul New Visa/ Interview Pera House Compound Office Holy See Holy See VIA XX Settembre 80A Flat B Via XX Settembre Porta Pia Rome 80A Serbia Belgrade British Embassy Resavska 46 11000 Belgrade Serbia Belgrade Management Section British Embassy Generala Office Zdanova 44 United Hanslope Park Office. Old Gatehouse Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Site Security Office Hanslope Park Kingdom United Hanslope Park Engineering Purchasing/ Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom Service Office United Hanslope Park RMG/Training/Finance Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Park House Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Office DDM/ Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom Reprographics United Hanslope Park Fitness Centre/TUS Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom Office United Hanslope Park TSS/IS Building Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park ES/TG Office/Workshop Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park IS - Information Services Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park IS - Information Services Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park IS - Projects Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park : Acoustics/Microcircuits Milton Keynes Kingdom Acoustics/Microcircuits United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park : HMGCC Main Administration Milton Keynes Kingdom Main Administration Office Office 331W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 332W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park : HMGCC South East Block Milton Keynes Kingdom South East Block United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park : HMGCC Access Control Milton Keynes Kingdom Access Control United Hanslope Park Medical Welfare - Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom Building 70 United Hanslope Park RPD/RHS Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park HES/Support Group/IAU Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park IS/Information Services Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Site Maintenance Facility Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park HMGCC New Office Kingdom United London King Charles Street London Kingdom (Main Building) United London Old Admiralty Building The Mall London Kingdom United Hanslope Park Hanslope Park: ICT Formerly Part of Car Hanslope Park Milton Keynes Kingdom Office Adjoining Bldg 70 Park To West of Bldg 70 Algeria Algiers Old British Embassy 6 Avenue Souidani Algiers Boudjemaa Algeria Algiers 3 Rue Capitaine Hocine Hydra Algiers Slimane (ex Chemin Des Glycines) Bahrain Bahrain British Embassy 21 Government Avenue Manama 306 Bahrain Egypt Alexandria British Consulate-General 3 Mina Street Roushdy Alexandria Egypt Cairo Chancery Building British Embassy Ahmed Ragheb Cairo Compound Street, Garden City Egypt Cairo Visa Office British Embassy Ahmed Ragheb Cairo Compound Street, Garden City Iraq Baghdad BE Office. Sharia Haifa Al Salhya Karkh BAGHDAD (Haifa Street) Iran Tehran British Embassy Offices 143 Ferdowsi Avenue, Tehran Iran Tehran House S (Site) Ferdowsi Compound Tehran Israel Tel Aviv British Embassy 192, Hayarkon Street Tel Aviv 63405 Jerusalem Jerusalem British Consulate 19 Nashashibi Street, Sheikh Jarrah East Jerusalem. General, Quarter, Jordan Amman British Embassy Office, Damascus Street (Olive PO Box 87, Amman, Jordan. Chancery Building, Grove Site) Jebel Abdoun, Jordan Amman New Visa Office Plot at Front, Embassy Damascus St Amman Compound Kuwait Kuwait British Embassy Offices The Old Building Ground Floor, Arabian Gulf Street. (Chancery) Main Building Kuwait City Kuwait Kuwait The Management Arabian Gulf Street Kuwait City Building Morocco Rabat British Embassy 28 Avenue S. A. R. Sidi Souissi Rabat Mohammed Oman Muscat British Embassy Jame’eat Al Duwaal Al Al Khuwair Muscat Arabiyya Street Qatar Doha New BE Office BE Compound West Bay Doha Saudi Arabia Riyadh British Embassy Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh Saudi Arabia Riyadh TWS Office & Workshops British Embassy Diplomatic Riyadh Compound Quarter Tunisia Tunis BE Office, ’Salma’, Berges Du Lac, TF 85357 Tunis (Parcel 153 of TF 74661) United Arab Abu Dhabi Office British Embassy PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi Emirates Compound United Arab Abu Dhabi British Embassy PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi Emirates Compound United Arab Abu Dhabi Visa Office BE Compound PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi Emirates 333W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 334W

Country name Post name Address line 1 Address line 2 Address line 3 Address line 4

United Arab Abu Dhabi RAFLO Office BE Compound Abu Dhabi Emirates United Arab Abu Dhabi CS HQ british Embassy Abu Dhabi Emirates Compound United Arab Abu Dhabi UKTI Offices British Embassy PO Box 248 Abu Dhabi Emirates Compound United Arab Dubai British Embassy Office, British Embassy Dubai, UAE. Emirates Compound, United Arab Dubai Conference Centre & British Embassy Dubai Emirates BBG Office Compound United Arab Dubai New RTC Office BE Compound Dubai Emirates Yemen Sanaa New BE Office 938 Dahir Humair St 5A Ring Road Sana’a Bangladesh Dhaka British High Commission UN Road (9-10 Dutabash Baridhara Road) Bangladesh Dhaka British High Commission UN Road (9-10 Dutabash Baridhara Road) India Mumbai BDHC Office Naman Chambers Plot C32 G Bandra East. Mumbai Block. Bandra Kurla Complex India Kolkata British Deputy High Ho Chi Minh Sarani Kolkata 700 071 Commission India New Delhi Supply Solutions Office Block 50C, Chanakyapuri New Delhi British High Commission Plot 3 India New Delhi IPSO Office British High Commission Block 50C, New Delhi Plot 3 Chanakyapuri India New Delhi BHC Office Plot 3, Block 50C, New Delhi Chanakyapuri India New Delhi Immigration & Visa Plot 3, Block 50C, New Delhi Office Chanakyapuri India New Delhi ALO Office Plot 3, Block 50C, New Delhi Chanakyapuri India Chennai BDHC Office 20 Anderson Road Nunqambakkam Chennai Nepal Kathmandu British Embassy British Embassy Plot No’s 1,2,5 Kathmandu Compound & 6, Lainchaur Nepal Kathmandu New Visa Office British Embassy Kathmandu Compound, Plot No’s 1,2,5 & 6, Lainchaur Pakistan Karachi British Deputy High York Place Karachi Commission, Acton House Pakistan Karachi Visa Office Antrim House British Deputy High Karachi Commission Pakistan Islamabad British High Commission Diplomatic Enclave Ramna 5, (PO Islamabad Box 1122) Pakistan Islamabad Visa Office Building British High Commission Diplomatic Islamabad Compound Enclave Pakistan Islamabad Chancery Annex British High Commission Islamabad Residential Compound Pakistan Islamabad British High Commission Diplomatic Enclave Ramna 5, PO Islamabad Compound Box 1122 Sri Lanka Colombo British High Commission 190, Galle Road Kollupitiya, Colombo 3 (PO Box 1433) Sri Lanka Colombo BHC Office Compound

Burma As I set out in the Westminster Hall Debate of 11 September 2012, Official Report, 20-24WH, on the treatment of Rohingya communities in Burma, the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for United Kingdom has long been one of the most active Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the and vocal members of the international community in Government is assisting the Government of Burma raising the issues affecting the Rohingya with the Burmese with technical and other assistance on repealing and authorities and has consistently called for discrimination replacing that country’s 1982 citizenship law. [120450] against the Rohingya to end and for their rights to be recognised. Mr Swire: The Burmese Government have not initiated any action in regards to repealing or replacing its 1982 We continue to raise these concerns in international citizenship law. institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council, 335W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 336W where in March of this year we strongly supported a Mr Lidington: The Government is currently considering resolution which made clear to the Burmese Government this issue and we will be listening carefully to the views the urgent need to resolve the issue of nationality for of interested parties before taking a final decision. We the Rohingya community. have taken note of the interests of the European and We continue to urge the Burmese Government to Departmental Select Committees. We are committed to respond to the international community’s calls to address a vote in Parliament and we will consult with the the issues affecting the Rohingya, including a permanent Committees on the arrangements for that vote. and inclusive solution to the issue of their citizenship. European Union

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the requirement has received that ethnic Rohingya are being forced out for a referendum under the European Union Act 2011 of the town of Sittwe in Burma. [120451] would apply should the UK opt in to measures covered by Protocol 36 of the Treaties of the European Union. Mr Swire: We continue to receive reports from a [120760] range of sources that suggest that people from both Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities, though Mr Lidington: The UK’s decision on whether to mainly Rohingya, were removed from Sittwe into temporary continue to be bound by those measures covered by shelters in recent months. Article 10 of Protocol 36 does not involve the transfer An official from our embassy in Rangoon visited of new powers to Brussels because it flows from the Sittwe and Rakhine State as part of a government-organised existing treaties and does not require any amendment to tour for the diplomatic corps on 31 July/1 August and those treaties. This decision would not therefore trigger saw some of the aftermath of the violence in Sittwe. We a referendum under the 2011 Act. However, the understand that violence has mostly subsided though Government has committed to a debate and vote in tensions remain high and that the response to the both Houses on its decision. humanitarian situation is ongoing. India We continue to monitor the situation in Rakhine State closely and press Burmese authorities to put in Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for place a long-term solution to the problem which does Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment not leave communities permanently displaced. he has made of India’s response to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review; what assessment he has made of the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for level of respect for human rights in India; and if he will Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he make a statement. [120733] has made of how many people have been internally displaced by conflict and human rights abuses in Mr Swire: We welcome the steps India has taken Burma since Thein Sein became President of that since the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and are country. [120452] encouraged by their engagement with the UN process as well as consultations with civil society leading up to Mr Swire: The two most notable outbreaks of violence the review in May. We look forward to the Indian in Burma since President Thein Sein was inaugurated in Government’s response to all the recommendations April 2011 are the conflict in Kachin State which erupted made during its UPR, including those from the UK, in in June of that year and the recent outbreak of inter- due course. communal violence in Rakhine State. Human Rights The rights of India’s citizens are enshrined in the Watch estimate that 75,000 people were displaced as a country’s constitution. As the world’s largest democracy result of conflict in Kachin State and the UN estimates we recognise the efforts of the Indian Government to that 90,000 have been displaced in Rakhine State. Given address human rights issues, and continue to encourage the restricted access to the areas affected, and that India to address the challenges that remain. displaced persons have often fled into bordering countries for safety, it is difficult to verify these numbers with Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for certainty. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment We continue to call for unrestricted humanitarian he has made of progress in India since the last EU access to all areas affected by conflict in Burma. The human rights dialogue; and what his priorities are for UK, through the Department for International the next dialogue with India. [120734] Development’s bilateral programme, is committed to assisting 155,000 people affected by conflict by 2014. Mr Swire: Last year’s EU/India human rights dialogue enabled the discussion of a range of human rights issues, including the death penalty, the rights of minorities EU Justice and Home Affairs and efforts to tackle human trafficking. We welcome India’s continued de facto moratorium Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for on the death penalty, and call for this to be maintained. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations We also support the Indian authorities’ actions to bring he has received on Protocol 36 of the Treaties of the the perpetrators of communal violence to justice, and European Union regarding the UK’s ability to opt out continue to encourage them to provide assistance to the in the field of Justice and Home Affairs; and if he will victims. The recent ethnic violence between communities make a statement. [120762] in Assam, and subsequent displacement of hundreds of 337W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 338W thousands of people, highlights some of the challenges Mark Simmonds: We have for many years and will that remain. We also recognise India’s recent efforts on continue to make representations, through our embassy combating people trafficking, including ratification of in Harare, to the Government of Zimbabwe on the the United Nations convention against transnational importance of fulfilling their legal responsibilities to organised crime (and its convention on people trafficking), former public servants who are entitled to a Zimbabwe and the establishment of integrated anti-trafficking units Government Pension. across India. British embassy officials have met with the relevant We are, however, disappointed that India has not Zimbabwean authorities approximately seven times since made progress in adopting three key pieces of human May 2010, most recently on 2 August 2012. We will rights legislation which are currently with Parliament: continue to press the Zimbabwean authorities to ensure the Prevention of Torture Bill (and the subsequent that this process is taken to its conclusion. ratification of the UN convention on torture), the Communal Violence Bill, and the Women’s Reservation Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Bill. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Our priorities for the next dialogue with India include his Department has had with countries of the African follow up to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of Union on the payment of civil service or military India, prevention of torture, minority rights, and the pensions to UK citizens by the Zimbabwean death penalty. government. [120417]

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mark Simmonds: We have had no discussions with Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent any African Union country except Zimbabwe on the representations he has made to authorities in India on payment of civil service or military pensions to UK the treatment of the Sikh community in that country. citizens by the Zimbabwean Government. [120735] We will continue to make representations to the Government of Zimbabwe to remind them of their Mr Swire: While we have not discussed specifically legal responsibilities to former public servants who are the treatment of the Sikh community with the Indian entitled to a Zimbabwe Government Pension. authorities, the UK is active in encouraging equal treatment of all religious communities in our representations to the Indian Government through our high commission in New Delhi and the annual EU/India human rights dialogue. Our high commissioner in New Delhi also HEALTH regularly visits Punjab and meets with political leaders from the Sikh community. Abortion Nigeria Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for what his policy is on his Department’s proposed Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most consultation on abortion counselling; and when he recent assessment is of the security situation in Nigeria. plans to publish the consultation document. [120410] [120420] Anna Soubry: The priority for sexual health is to Mark Simmonds: The security situation in Nigeria publish the sexual health policy document this autumn. remains serious. There is a high threat from terrorism in The document will cover issues relating to improving Nigeria: in particular from a group commonly known contraception and abortion services. as Boko Haram. Over the last 24 months they have launched a series of attacks against the Nigerian Government and security forces, Christian and Muslim Accident and Emergency Departments communities including their places of worship, and the international community. These attacks have included assassinations, commando-style attacks and suicide Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for bombings. Extremists associated with Boko Haram have Health how many NHS patients in (a) Coventry, also targeted westerners for kidnapping, which tragically (b) the West Midlands and (c) England waited longer led to the deaths of a British and Italian national(s) in than four hours for accident and emergency treatment northern Nigeria in March 2012. in each of the last five years. [120703]

Zimbabwe Anna Soubry: The Accident and Emergency Clinical Quality Indicator (CQI) for time to treatment was launched Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for in April 2011, therefore 2011-12 is the only full year for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations which data is available. the Government has made to the Zimbabwean government The number of A&E attendances with a recorded on the public sector pensions of UK citizens entitled to time to treatment of 241 minutes (four hours one minute) a Zimbabwean civil service or military pension; and on or more in Coventry, West Midlands (excluding Coventry) what dates since May 2010 any such representations and England for 2011-12 is presented in the following have been made. [120416] table: 339W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 340W

A&E attendances with recorded time to treatment of 241 minutes or more, in Coventry, West Midlands and England 2011-12 Coventry 1West Midlands England

Total A&E attendances with a time to treatment recorded 151,432 1,351,432 15,286,562 A&E attendances with a time to treatment of 241 minutes or more 1,062 20,711 328,644 Percentage of A&E attendances with a time to treatment of 241 minutes or more 0.7 1.5 2.1 1 Excluding Coventry which is presented separately. Source: A&E Hospital Episode Statistics 2011-12 provisional year end (M13).

These figures are taken from provisional year end These indicators were also considered for inclusion in data, which will be finalised in January 2013. the Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF) when These figures are for A&E attendances, rather than the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence individual patients. In any year, a single patient could (NICE) published a list of potential measures for public have had more than one A&E attendance. consultation in February 2012. However, following the consultation and a public meeting of NICE’s independent These figures exclude A&E attendances where the advisory committee on 21-22 May, these indicators time to treatment was left blank. There were 1.2 million were not included in NICE’S final recommendations blank records for England, 165,000 for the West Midlands for the COF, published on 1 August. We understand and 15,500 for Coventry in 2011-12. that NICE was unable to include any cancer survival rate measures in its recommendations because it had Alcoholic Drinks: Young People not, at that stage, been possible to develop an appropriate methodology. Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for The Information Centre for health and social care is Health what steps his Department is taking to tackle working with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical the problem of binge drinking by children and young Medicine and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) teenagers. [118781] to develop a methodology for composite one-year and five year survival rate indicators for all cancers for Mr Timpson: I have been asked to reply on behalf of potential inclusion in the NHS Outcomes Framework the Department for Education. and Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF). These The Government believes that investing in high quality are complex measures that require linkage of ONS education and in early years provision will ensure that population statistics with cancer registry data and attribution children and young people have high ambitions, stay to clinical commissioning groups, as well as testing the engaged, behave well and reach high levels of educational robustness of the measures. It is likely to take some attainment. These factors all have a positive impact on months to complete this work. the risk factors for substance misuse. The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) will The effects of alcohol are currently covered within decide on the content of the COF and is expected to personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education publish the list of measures for 2013-14 in the autumn. and as part of the statutory National Curriculum for If not included in the 2013-14 framework, the board Science (both currently under review). Within PSHE, may choose a separate publication route for the data pupils are also taught about the personal and social that does exist, to ensure the information is available consequences of misuse for themselves and others. transparently to the public. Public health and the national health service will In addition to this general support and provision for both have a role to play in delivering the improvements children and young people, the Department has contributed to survival rates. Within the NHS, some services will be to the development of the Government’s 2012 Alcohol commissioned by the NHS CB (primary care and specialised Strategy. One of its aims is to achieve a sustained services) and some by clinical commissioning groups reduction in both the numbers of 11 to 15-year-olds for their populations. The role of clinical commissioning drinking alcohol and the amounts consumed. The Strategy groups (CCGs) will therefore be to ensure the includes plans to work with the Advertising Standards commissioning of appropriate services to deliver against Agency to improve further the protection of children the areas for which they will be responsible. These will from the impact of alcohol advertising and to introduce include, for example, commissioning of surgery for a minimum unit price for alcohol. cancers that are not covered by the specialised commissioning arrangements and commissioning of Cancer follow-up care for most cancers. CCGs are also responsible for supporting the board in improving the quality of Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for primary medical care. It is not possible to separate out Health (1) what timetable he has set for development of what proportion of the 5,000 additional lives to be one and five-year cancer survival rate indicators; saved are the responsibility of the different organisations, [120574] but they are all responsible for working together to (2) what steps he is taking to ensure clinical deliver the improvements. commissioning groups can be held to account for Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for improving cancer survival rates. [120598] Health how many NHS patients in (a) Coventry, (b) the west midlands and (c) England waited longer Anna Soubry: One and five year survival for breast, than one month from an urgent referral for suspected colorectal and lung cancers are already included in the cancer to the beginning of treatment in each of the last first domain of the NHS Outcomes Framework. five years. [120704] 341W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 342W

Norman Lamb: A maximum waiting time of two However, from 1 January 2009 the definitions and months (62 days) between an urgent referral for suspected methodology used to calculate these statistics are no cancer from the patient’s general practitioner (GP) and longer directly comparable to those used previously. the start of first definitive treatment for cancer is included Historic data and an assessment of the impact of the within the Operating Framework for the National Health change in methodology are available at: Service in England for 2012-13 and the NHS is expected www.transparency.dh.gov.uk/cancer-waiting-times/ to meet an operational standard of 85%. While statistics on patients treated within one month of an urgent GP The following tables set out the numbers of patients referral for suspected cancer are published, there is no commencing first treatment for cancer within one month specific requirement in the Operating Framework for of referral and the performance against the two-month patients to begin first definitive treatment within one maximum waiting time requirement included within the month of an urgent referral for suspected cancer from Operating Framework. Statistics in this format were their GP. published for the first time from Q4 2008-09. Statistics on cancer waiting times between referral All statistics are provider based, and may include and treatment have been published since January 2005. patients whose care was commissioned by the Welsh NHS.

University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Period Number of patients Number of patients Number of patients Percentage of patients treated following an treated within one month treated within two months treated within two-month urgent GP referral for of an urgent GP referral of an urgent GP referral (62-day) maximum suspected cancer for suspected cancer for suspected cancer waiting time

Q4 2008-09 209 63.5 182.5 87.3

Q1 2009-10 227.5 77.5 203 89.2 Q2 2009-10 213.5 73.5 187 87.6 Q3 2009-10 223.5 75.5 199.5 89.3 Q4 2009-10 209.5 71.5 188 89.7

Q1 2010-11 229 63 204 89.1 Q2 2010-11 242 52 208 86.0 Q3 2010-11 266 80 237.5 89.3 Q4 2010-11 221.5 71 196 88.5

Q1 2011-12 263.5 68 228 86.5 Q2 2011-12 258 74 224.5 87.0 Q3 2011-12 242.5 71 211 87.0 Q4 2011-12 255.5 85 225.5 88.3

Q1 2012-13 263.5 74 226 85.8

All NHS providers in the west midlands Period Number of patients Number of patients Number of patients Percentage of patients treated following an treated within one month treated within two months treated within two-month urgent GP referral for of an urgent GP referral of an urgent GP referral (62-day) maximum suspected cancer for suspected cancer for suspected cancer waiting time

Q4 2008-09 2,188 741.5 1,904 74.2

Q1 2009-10 2,565 813.5 2,189 85.3 Q2 2009-10 2,626.5 901.5 2,242 87.4 Q3 2009-10 2,576.5 928 2,235 86.7 Q4 2009-10 2,600.5 850.5 2,198 84.5

Q1 2010-11 2,862 909 2,446.5 85.5 Q2 2010-11 2,933.5 888 2,487.5 84.8 Q3 2010-11 2,918.5 877.5 2,510 86.0 Q4 2010-11 2,804 960.5 2,421.5 86.4

Q1 2011-12 3,012.5 967 2,564.5 85.1 Q2 2011-12 3,110 994 2,691.5 86.5 Q3 2011-12 3,158.5 1,068 2,756 87.3 Q4 2011-12 3,214.5 964.5 2,767 86.1

Q1 2012-13 3,118 939.5 2,722.5 87.3 Note: Data are for all NHS providers within the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority area 343W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 344W

All English NHS providers Period Number of patients Number of patients Number of patients Percentage of patients treated following an treated within one month treated within two months treated within two-month urgent GP referral for of an urgent GP referral of an urgent GP referral (62-day) maximum suspected cancer for suspected cancer for suspected cancer waiting time

Q4 2008-09 20,282 6,866 21,387 85.7

Q1 2009-10 23,516 7,440 20,218 86.0 Q2 2009-10 24,955 8,330 21,387 85.7 Q3 2009-10 24,686 8,390 21,388 86.6 Q4 2009-10 24,486 8,215 21,223 86.7

Q1 2010-11 25,590 8,225 22,392 87.5 Q2 2010-11 27,588 8,823 24,024 87.1 Q3 2010-11 26,023 8,382 22,694 87.2 Q4 2010-11 25,834 8,529 22,306 86.3

Q1 2011-12 27,575 8,671 23,890 86.6 Q2 2011-12 28,902 9,409 25,239 87.3 Q3 2011-12 28,467 9,256 25,027 87.9 Q4 2011-12 28,236 9,062 24,640 87.3

Q1 2012-13 28,791 8,792 25,180 87.5 Note: Statistics on waiting times and activity for the two month maximum waiting time between an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer and first definitive treatment are presented on an ‘accountable basis’. Within this, where the patient’s pathway of care involves more than one NHS provider the activity statistics are shared equally between the provider where the patient is first seen in clinic following referral and the provider where the patient receives their first definitive treatment (if different). This results in some provider based statistics showing ‘half patients’.

Drugs: Rehabilitation General Practitioners

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether local commissioning bodies are required to what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the comply with the local health requirements of their NHS of care for (a) Class A, (b) Class B and (c) Class C health and wellbeing boards. [120617] drug users; and if he will make a statement. [120750]

Anna Soubry: Health and wellbeing boards provide Anna Soubry: Information on the health costs of the forum for local authorities, the national health class A drug use is given in the following table and is service and communities to work together to develop a taken from the Home Office publication, ‘Measuring joint understanding of local needs through joint strategic different aspects of problem drug use: methodological needs assessments (JSNAs), a shared set of priorities developments’, published in 2006, and available at: and a strategy to address these in joint health and well-being strategies (JHWSs). The key local health and www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- social care commissioners (clinical commissioning groups statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/ (CCGs) and local authorities) will be represented on hoor1606?view=Binary each health and wellbeing board with the NHS Commissioning Board also expected to appoint a Health costs £ million representative to participate in the preparation of JSNAs and JHWSs. In-patient care 198 The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduces a In-patient mental health 88 new statutory obligation on these key health and social care commissioners to have regard to the relevant JSNA A&E 81 and JHWS in exercising their functions. This means that in making any decisions to which a JSNA or JHWS Community mental health 61 is relevant (for example a commissioning decision), the Primary care—GP visits 32 body must take account fully of the relevant provisions of the relevant JSNA and JHWS, and consider them Neonatal effects 3 properly and seriously, not dismissively.

Infectious diseases 25 CCGs, the NHS Commissioning Board and local authorities will be expected to develop their commissioning plans in line with any relevant JSNA or JHWS, and We do not have equivalent estimates for the health must be able to justify any parts of their plans which are costs of Class B and Class C drug use. not consistent. 345W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 346W

A good JHWS will need to reflect those areas that of whom are older people—to be to be treated with matter most to local people and where the NHS and dignity and respect was a key message from the engagement, local government can make most impact through joint and this has been reflected within the White Paper. working. As such, each JHWS should be jointly owned Kindness and compassion, dignity and respect must by the key commissioners and local communities and it be central to care, whoever provides it and wherever it is will be in the interests of all parties to ensure that it provided. Many of the solutions lie with the local NHS, does form the basis of commissioning plans. social care providers and other key partners. But Government has a part to play too. By sharing best Health Services: Older People practice, bringing people together, and putting in place the right system incentives, the Department can encourage Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for providers to increase the quality of their services to Health (1) what assessment his Department has made older people. of differences in the use of intermediate care services across the NHS; and how many strategic health A good example is the NHS Operating Framework authority areas offer patients at the end of life access to for 2012-13, which establishes the issue of high quality, intermediate care services; [120422] dignified and compassionate care as one of four key priorities for the NHS. In January 2012, the Department (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that local areas also announced a package of initiatives aimed at improving (a) commission and (b) provide services in line with the standard of nursing care in this country. This includes the latest intermediate care guidance; [120423] the creation of an independently chaired Nursing and (3) what assessment he has made of the effect on the Care Quality Forum, the introduction of hourly ward number of people who are able to die at home of the rounds, and the freeing up of nurses so that they can provision of intermediate care services for people at the spend more time with patients. end of life. [120424] On 26 March 2012, the Prime Minister launched his Norman Lamb: Current guidance on intermediate Challenge on Dementia, which will increase diagnosis care provides support and encouragement to service rates, raise awareness and understanding and double commissioners, providers and practitioners on developing funding for research by 2015. The Challenge sets out and implementing intermediate care services to meet renewed ambition to go further and faster, building on the health and social care needs of their local communities. progress made through the National Dementia Strategy, It sets out the definitions, service models, and responsibilities to secure greater improvements in dementia care and for provision, charges and planning. research so that people with dementia, their carers and families get the services and support they need. From 1 April 2013, health and wellbeing boards will be the forum for the national health service, local authorities In addition to improving the quality of care delivered and communities to exercise shared leadership in arriving to older people, the Department is also supporting the at a joint understanding of local needs, and a shared wider system: strategy to address those needs. This will include health to keep older people well and out of hospital and care homes; and social care commissioners making an assessment of to help older people regain their independence after a period of the provision of intermediate care services to best meet support; local needs. This will include access to the provision of to provide older people with advice and choice around their intermediate care services for people at the end of life. end of life care; and Audit data from the National Audit of Intermediate to give older people a greater say in their care. Care, which was published on 12 September 2012, will provide the Department and others with independent Hospitals: Fires information on the differences, variation and models of intermediate care services. Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many fires have occurred in NHS hospitals in each Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of of the last five years. [120943] State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the care system for elderly people; and if he will make a Dr Poulter: The information requested is shown in statement. [120831] the following table. Number of fires reported in the national health service by year Norman Lamb: The changes brought about as a Number result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 will benefit older people, and other users of the health and 2006-07 2,083 care system. These changes will: 2007-08 1,550 improve quality and choice of care for patients, and increase 2008-09 1,402 transparency for taxpayers; 2009-10 1,323 give GPs and other clinicians the primary responsibility for 2010-11 1,046 commissioning health care; create a coherent system, of regulation for providers, to drive Data for 2011-12 is currently being collected and will quality and efficiency; and be published in October 2012. limit Ministers’ ability to micromanage, while ensuring they The Department collects data on the number of fires remain ultimately accountable. annually, as specified by FIRECODE—HTM 05-01: The Social Care White Paper, ‘Caring for our Future: Managing healthcare fire safety, from the national health Reforming Care and Support’, was published in July service trusts through its estates returns information 2012 following a public engagement in 2011. The need collection (ERIC). Provision of this data was compulsory for people who receive care and support—the majority for NHS trusts but voluntary for NHS foundation 347W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 348W trusts. The data collected has not been amended centrally Anna Soubry: The data is not available in the format and its accuracy always remains the responsibility of requested. the contributing NHS organisations. Hospitals: Liverpool Information showing the mean and median time Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for waited, and eligible finished admission episodes for Health what the average waiting time was for (a) heart heart and eye operations, for national health service and (b) eye operations in Liverpool, Walton constituency providers in the local area, is shown in the following in each of the last 10 years. [120695] tables.

Table 1: Mean and median time waited, and eligible finished admission episodes, for selected providers for heart operations 2001-02 to 2010-11 Mean time Median time Eligible finished Provider code Provider name waited (days) waited (days) admission episodes

2001-02 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 8.3 6 7 Trust 2002-03 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 11.2 1 13 Trust 2003-04 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 51.1 47 525 Trust 2004-05 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 36.5 30 877 Trust 2005-06 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 34.1 26 912 Trust 2006-07 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 29.0 21 964 Trust 2007-08 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 18.6 14 861 Trust 2008-09 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 13.9 12 681 Trust 2009-10 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 15.6 14 710 Trust 2010-11 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation 17.8 14 639 Trust

2001-02 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 118.8 80 309 2002-03 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 122.0 98 287 2003-04 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 112.9 89 355 2004-05 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 90.5 67 ^ 315 2005-06 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 73.9 48 236 2006-07 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 71.4 36 226 2007-08 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 60.1 40 190 2008-09 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 64.7 36 69 2009-10 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 63.6 27 135 2010-11 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 56.5 41 128

2001-02 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 79.7 36 6,254 Trust 2002-03 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 98.9 61 7,049 Trust 2003-04 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 93.8 70 6,737 Trust 2004-05 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 81.8 64 5,807 Trust 2005-06 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 70.1 59 5,473 Trust 2006-07 RBO Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 52.4 41 4,647 Trust 2007-08 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 47.0 38 5,003 Trust 2008-09 RBO Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 40.1 34 5,089 Trust 2009-10 RBQ Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 38.2 32 4,787 Trust 2010-11 RBO Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation 41.2 34 4,760 Trust 349W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 350W

Table 1: Mean and median time waited, and eligible finished admission episodes, for selected providers for heart operations 2001-02 to 2010-11 Mean time Median time Eligible finished Provider code Provider name waited (days) waited (days) admission episodes

2001-02 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 117.9 111 390 Hospitals NHS Trust 2002-03 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 85.8 78 466 Hospitals NHS Trust 2003-04 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 73.9 65 424 Hospitals NHS Trust 2004-05 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 89.6 67 409 Hospitals NHS Trust 2005-06 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 95.3 92 426 Hospitals NHS Trust 2006-07 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 84.8 73 583 Hospitals NHS Trust 2007-08 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 42.0 35 656 Hospitals NHS Trust 2008-09 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 32.4 29 548 Hospitals NHS Trust 2009-10 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 31.0 29 454 Hospitals NHS Trust 2010-11 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 43.3 40 484 Hospitals NHS Trust

Table 2: Mean and median time waited, and eligible finished admission episodes, for selected providers for eye operations 2001-02 to 2010-11 Mean time waited Median time waited Eligible finished Provider code Provider name (days) (days) admission episodes

2001-02 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 133.5 83 3,024 Foundation Trust 2002-03 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 101.9 68 2,806 Foundation Trust 2003-04 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 87.3 64 2,757 Foundation Trust 2004-05 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 53.5 43 2,496 Foundation Trust 2005-06 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 53.4 51 ¦ 2,541 Foundation Trust 2006-07 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 50.2 49 2,850 Foundation Trust 2007-08 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 39.2 36 3,581 Foundation Trust 2008-09 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 34.5 35 3,312 Foundation Trust 2009-10 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 44.3 41 3,328 Foundation Trust 2010-11 REM Aintree University Hospitals NHS 53.8 53 2,960 Foundation Trust

2001-02 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 64.7 48 423 Trust 2002-03 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 58.3 46 374 Trust 2003-04 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 75.6 63 423 Trust 2004-05 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 63.0 51 358 Trust 2005-06 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 57.6 46 329 Trust 2006-07 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 56.3 41 431 Trust 2007-08 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 46.3 38 456 Trust 2008-09 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 57.7 53 207 Trust 2009-10 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 63.4 55 .407 Trust 2010-11 RBS Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation 61.6 54 431 Trust 351W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 352W

Table 2: Mean and median time waited, and eligible finished admission episodes, for selected providers for eye operations 2001-02 to 2010-11 Mean time waited Median time waited Eligible finished Provider code Provider name (days) (days) admission episodes

2001-02 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 130.1 72 5,684 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2002-03 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 136.7 81 4,515 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2003-04 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 128.2 101 4,889 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2004-05 R06 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 75.1 65 4,523 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2005-06 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 68.6 62 4,745 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2006-07 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 68.0 68 5,316 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2007-08 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 59.5 53 5,948 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2008-09 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 51.4 50 5,683 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2009-10 R06 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 43.7 42 5,395 University Hospitals NHS Trust 2010-11 RQ6 Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen 47.7 40 4,874 University Hospitals NHS Trust Notes: 1. Data is not available at constituency level. 2. Time waited (days) statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as published Referral to Treatment (RTT) time waited statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients between decision to admit and admission to hospital within a given period. Published RTT waiting statistics measure the time waited between referral and start of treatment. 3. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. FAEs are considered eligible for the time waited measure when the admission is booked or elective, i.e. emergency admissions are excluded. 4. The first recorded procedure or intervention in each episode, usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedures. Heart operations are identified as those records with a main operative procedure code starting with K. Eye operation are identified as those records with a main operative procedure code starting with C. 5. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, Hospital Episode Statistics, activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector

Hospitals: Swindon Hospitals: Waiting Lists Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what percentage hospital admissions in Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Swindon are forecast to change over the next 20 years. Health (1) how many NHS patients in (a) Coventry, [120488] (b) the West Midlands and (c) England waited for more than a year for treatment in each of the last five Anna Soubry: The information requested is not held years; [120702] centrally. This is a matter for the national health service locally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact NHS (2) what the average waiting time was for NHS Swindon who are still responsible for commissioning treatment in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and services for his constituents. NHS Swindon are working (c) England in each of the last five years. [120849] with the emerging clinical commissioning group about the planning assumptions being made about acute Anna Soubry: The information is shown in the following admissions in Swindon. tables.

Number of patients who waited over 52 weeks

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Admitted Non-admitted Admitted. Non-admitted Admitted Non-admitted Admitted Non-admitted

Coventry PCT 261 742 13 53 6 12 9 3

West Midlands 2,791 7,667 408 2,261 445 2,167 1,147 1,960 SHA

England 21,819 53,819 5,151 14,993 4,160 11,191 7,389 13,045 353W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 354W

Average (median) wait in weeks 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Admitted Non-admitted Admitted Non-admitted Admitted Non-admitted Admitted Non-admitted

Coventry PCT 7.7 3.4 7.2 3.4 7.3 4.0 6.2 3.6 West Midlands 8.1 4.0 8.0 4.0 8.2 4.1 8.5 4.0 SHA England 8.1 4.2 8.1 4.3 8.4 4.2 8.3 4.0 Note: Information relates to the whole financial year in each case. Data for the full year 2007-08 is not available as admitted adjusted figures are only available from March 2008 and non-admitted figures from August 2007. Source: Departmental referral to treatment waiting times statistics (Unify2 data collection).

Mesothelioma: Merseyside We are committed to improving outcomes for all cancer patients, including those with mesothelioma. Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’, published Health how many patients in each hospital trust in on 12 January 2011, set out actions to tackle preventable Merseyside were diagnosed with mesothelioma in each cancer incidence; improve the quality and efficiency of of the last five years; what plans he has to provide cancer services; improve patients’ experience of care; funding for improved treatment of mesothelioma; and improve quality of life for cancer survivors; and deliver if he will make a statement. [120694] survival outcomes that are comparable with the best in Europe. To support delivery of the strategy, we are Anna Soubry: Information cannot be provided in the providing more than £750 million of funding over a format requested. In the following table, we have provided period of four years until 2014-15. incidence of mesothelioma in each primary care trust (PCT) in the metropolitan county of Merseyside in each of the last five years for which data are available. Pay PCT 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Halton and St Helens 11 19 7 9 11 Knowsley 42779Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Liverpool 20 15 18 17 19 who the 10 highest paid staff are in his Department; Sefton 13 8 12 12 14 and what the annual salary is of each such member of Wirral 13 23 29 35 26 staff. [120427] Notes: 1. Mesothelioma is coded as C45 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10). Dr Poulter: The details of the 10 highest paid staff 2. Figures are based on boundaries as of 2012 and exclude non-residents. 3. Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. employed by the Department as at the end of August Source: 2012 and their annual salaries are presented in the Office for National Statistics following table.

Name Role Basic salary in range Total salary in range

David Nicholson Chief Executive National Health Service £210,000-£215,000 £210,000-£215,000 Sally Davies Chief Medical Officer £200,000-£205,000 £200,000-£205,000 Duncan Selbie Chief Executive Designate Public Health England £180,000-£185,000 £180,000-£185,000 David Salisbury Director of Immunisation £110,000-£115,000 £170,000-£175,000 Paul Johnstone Regional Director of Public Health £85,000-£90,000 £170,000-£175,000 Rashmi Shukla Regional Director of Public Health £90,000-£95,000 £160,000-£165,000 Una O’Brien Permanent Secretary £160,000-£165,000 £160,000-£165,000 David Harper Seconded out to World Health Organization £130,000-£135,000 £155,000-£160,000 Mahmood Adil Quality Improvement Programme and Productivity Adviser £85,000-£90,000 £150,000-£155,000 for Clinical and Finance Engagement Judith Jones Deputy Director Public Health Intelligence, Leadership £90,000-£95,000 £140,000-£145,000 and Workforce Development Notes: 1. Non-consolidated performance related pay is excluded from the table. 2. Employees seconded out to other organisations are included where the Department meets their full salary. 3. Individuals seconded into the Department are excluded as their salary information is not held centrally.

Procurement value of each such contract is; and what is provided to his Department under the terms of the contract. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for [120770] Health what the name is of each company with which his Department has a contract; what the monetary 355W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 356W

Dr Poulter: The information is not readily available Football-related arrests inside stadia in England and Wales 2003-04 and to examine the many thousands of commercial season to 2010-11 season transactions held on the Department’s central procurement Football season Number systems and government procurement card transactions 2003-04 1,732 and extract the specific information requested for current 2004-05 1,491 contracts could be obtained only at disproportionate 2005-06 1,655 cost. The Department uses the central Government 2006-07 1,642 procurement portal, Contracts Finder, to publish information and contract documentation for many new 2007-08 1,555 contracts with a value above £10,000. 2008-09 1,495 2009-10 1,454 Third Sector 2010-11 1,548

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Civil Disorder what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of the National Audit Office’s report, Central Government’s implementation of the Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many payments have been national Compact. [120558] made under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 to date; and Norman Lamb: We welcomed the National Audit how much in total has been paid out. [120505] Office review of implementation of the Compact in 2011 and the subsequent report published in January Damian Green: While decisions and payments on the 2012. The Department has already taken the following Riot (Damages) Act 1886 claims are entirely a matter actions to ensure the Compact is being implemented: for police authorities, the Government has worked closely reviewed and monitored consultation lengths, to ensure with affected authorities to ensure victims are fully consultations with the CSO sector are 12 weeks, where possible; compensated. As of early September, police authorities incorporated the Compact in its own cross-departmental guidance have now settled the majority of uninsured claims: on matters like grant funding and procurement; and 95% of all active valid uninsured individuals’ claims originally monitored departmental Compact compliance, via the number received have now been dealt with by police authorities. of complaints received about the implementation of the Compact. The Metropolitan Police Service also received a number of The Department does recognise the need to take further claims for compensation after insurers had repudiated forward those recommendations within the report that claims. Decisions have been made on 85% of these cases. will help it further embed Compact principles into its activities. These actions are laid out in the Department’s Drugs: Crime Business Plan. Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which countries with capital punishment for drugs offences does the UK provide HOME DEPARTMENT bilateral assistance on drug enforcement; and what Anti-slavery Day steps she has taken to ensure that such assistance is not provided in cases which might result in the imposition of the death penalty. [120858] Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to mark Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October 2012. [120584] Mr Jeremy Browne: Her Majesty’s Government provides bilateral assistance on drug enforcement to a range of Mr Harper: The Home Office is currently finalising a key international partners with a focus on reducing the range of co-ordinated activities for members of the drugs threat posed to the UK. Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on human We cannot give a detailed response regarding the trafficking to mark Anti-Slavery Day and to raise awareness. location of resources overseas, as the effectiveness of our work with international partners can be reduced by Arrests: Football disclosing specific locations. However, the deployment of resources in relation to drugs is focused on locations Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the that enable us to reduce the supply of drugs to the UK Home Department how many people were (a) arrested and is done so in a manner that promotes, rather than at and (b) ejected from football stadiums by the police undermines, human rights and democracy. in each year since 1990. [120468] We take human rights issues very seriously in our counter-narcotics work. In December 2011, the Government Damian Green [holding answer 11 September 2012]: published the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance Data on arrests in connection with football matches is (OSJA) Guidance. The guidance provides a clear framework collated and reported annually on the basis of club to help officials identify the human rights risks, propose supported and type of offence. The location of each appropriate measures to mitigate these risks and produce football-related arrest was not recorded centrally prior a final assessment. It also sets out when the decision to to the 2003-04 season. Data on ejections from football provide assistance should be taken by senior personnel stadia is not recorded centrally. or Ministers. This helps to ensure that our overseas Information in answer to part (a) is presented in the assistance supports our values and is consistent with following table: our domestic and international human rights obligations. 357W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 358W

Drugs: Misuse Human Trafficking: Children Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether her Department has Home Department what plans she has to ensure all made an assessment of the effectiveness of the global local authorities set up a local multi-agency war on drugs; [120435] information sharing process to share information on (2) whether her Department has made an assessment patterns and cases of child trafficking in their area. of the effectiveness of the UN Single Convention on [120756] Narcotic Drugs in achieving its stated aims. [120436] Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 11 September Mr Harper: Child trafficking is a form of child abuse. 2012]: The Home Department has not made any formal In addition to the existing statutory arrangements in assessment of the impact of any global drug policies. place to enable information sharing among partners on This includes the UN Single Convention on Narcotic child protection issues the Home Office is funding a Drugs and what is referred to as the Global War on local multi-agency safeguarding project to support local Drugs. areas to develop their partnership and information sharing arrangements to safeguard and manage the Entry Clearances: Overseas Students risks to children and vulnerable people in their area.

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for London Metropolitan University the Home Department what assessment she has made of whether the UK Border Agency has fulfilled its commitment to an holistic approach in assessing Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the colleges under the highly trusted status procedures of Home Department how many overseas students the Tier 4 points-based immigration system; and if she studying at London Metropolitan University have been will make a statement. [119877] contacted by the UK Border Agency concerning their status in the UK since 29 August 2012. [120484] Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency has applied an holistic approach in the consideration of highly trusted Mr Harper [holding answer 11 September 2012]: The sponsor licence applications on a case by case basis. The UK Border Agency will not be contacting students who holistic approach is applied when there are exceptional have current leave to remain until 1 October 2012 at the circumstances in a specific case, such as when the numbers earliest. The Agency will then contact those students of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that who have not submitted an application for further leave a sponsor has issued are so low as to have a disproportionate to remain or who have left the country to inquire about effect on the numeric assessment. their status. The UK Border Agency has contacted, or attempted contact with the 26 students identified as Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for having studied at London Metropolitan university that the Home Department how many educational had no leave to remain in the United Kingdom. institutions had their highly trusted status licence refused, suspended or downgraded prior to April 2011 Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the on the basis of failure to report a visa refusal. [119878] Home Department how many officials of the UK Mr Harper: It is not possible to provide figures on the Border Agency have been deployed to the task force for number of institutions that have had their highly trusted London Metropolitan university; and what their remit is. sponsor (HTS) status refused, prior to April 2011 based [120486] on failure to report visa refusals. The number of educational institutions that had their Mr Harper [holding answer 11 September 2012]: The HTS status suspended or downgraded based on the UK Border Agency has two members of staff working failure to report a visa refusal is zero. with the Government taskforce created to assist London Metropolitan university to find alternative education Human Trafficking for legitimate overseas students.

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Ministerial Ethnic Minority Steering Group the Home Department what plans her Department has to make the National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Trafficking a responsibility of the National Crime Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Agency. [120711] Home Department whether the Ministerial Ethnic Minority Steering Group is still constituted; on how Mr Harper: The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) many occasions it has met since May 2010; and how is a multiagency framework for identifying and protecting many such meetings were chaired by a Minister. victims of human trafficking. The UK Human Trafficking [118838] Centre (UKHTC), part of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), is responsible for administering Damian Green: The last meeting of the Ministerial data gathered through the NRM. We plan for SOCA’s Ethnic Minority Steering Group was held in December NRM responsibilities to transition to the National Crime 2009. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Agency (NCA) along with other capabilities of SOCA my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead at vesting. We are currently conducting detailed design (Mrs May) and Ministers hold regular discussions with work on the structures of the NCA, including where the representatives from police forces on a wide range of NRM would be most effective within the Agency. issues, including on matters of equality and diversity. 359W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 360W

Police and Crime Commissioners police officers as covert human intelligence sources is required to be necessary and proportionate and to be Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the closely monitored and managed by the force concerned. Home Department what plans she has to publish data The personal conduct of any police officer is a matter providing comparable national statistical information for the force concerned. on police and crime commissioner performance in Police: Uniforms different geographical areas in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement. [120729] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received representations Damian Green: The Government will not be centrally on possible confusion between the uniforms worn by monitoring police and crime commissioners’ (PCCs) Newham law enforcement officers and those worn by performance. Police and crime commissioners will be police officers. [120861] held to account by their local communities, not by central Government. Damian Green: No such representations have been Police.uk will provide people with local and comparable received. I understand that a number of Newham council crime information which they can use to hold PCCs to officers have been accredited under the Community account. Safety Accreditation Scheme, which enables the police to accredit individuals with limited powers to assist in Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the responding to the needs of their community. Accreditation Home Department when she expects to publish the under the scheme within the Metropolitan police area is Welsh Forms Order for police and crime commissioner a matter for the Commissioner, who must also approve elections. [120852] any uniform worn by accredited persons. Guidance on the scheme is provided by the Association Damian Green: We plan to lay the order on 15 October; of Chief Police Officers. the earliest date that both Houses of Parliament are sitting. Police: Conditions of Employment HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Postal Services Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 July Nick de Bois: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, 2012, Official Report, column 662W, on police: Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of conditions of employment, what the involvement was Commons Commission, how much the House spent on of other members of Tom Winsor’s firm with forces Royal Mail unpaid postage fees in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and on what dates that involvement began; and on and (c) 2011; and what steps are being taken to reduce what date and by what means Tom Winsor was these costs. [120923] informed of that involvement. [119033] John Thurso: Unpaid postage costs in the last three Damian Green: Decisions to engage external advisers financial years have been as follows: to support specific procurement exercises or change 2009-10: £10,397.33 programmes are a matter for chief officers, working 2010-11: £10,627.94 with their police authorities, and, from November, police 2011-12: £11,811.22 and crime commissioners. This includes the terms and Following the 30% increase in the cost of most postage conditions of any such contracts agreed between the in April 2012 a variety of proposals were considered to force or authorities and its contractor. reduce costs. These proposals included the House As set out in the answer of 17 July, Tom Winsor administration ceasing to meet the costs of surcharges worked independently of his firm to produce a incurred through non payment of postage on comprehensive set of proposals which should be debated correspondence addressed to Members at Westminster. on their own merits. He made no recommendations After consultation with the Administration Committee relating to the use of the private sector in policing. and the Finance and Services Committee the Commission decided to continue to meet these costs as not to do so Police: Surveillance would have a direct impact on the conduct of Members’ parliamentary business and might disadvantage vulnerable Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the constituents. Home Department whether her Department has issued any guidance to chief constables on the circumstances in which authorisation should be given to an JUSTICE undercover police officer to (a) start and (b) continue Driving Under Influence a sexual relationship with someone who is the target of undercover surveillance; whether any such guidance Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice includes making provision for appropriate supervisory how many (a) women and (b) men were found guilty arrangements to ensure that officers do not start or of drink driving, in each region in each of the last five continue relationships without authorisation; and if years. [119344] she will make a statement. [121107] Damian Green: The number of persons found guilty Damian Green: No. The Regulation of Investigatory at all courts for drink driving offences by sex and Powers Act 2000 and its associated statutory code of region, in England and Wales for the period 2007 to practice make it clear that deployment of undercover 2011 can be viewed in the following table. 361W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 362W

Persons found guilty at all courts for drink driving offences1, by sex and region, England and Wales, 2007-112, 3 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Male North-east 3,051 2,845 2,620 2,131 1,884 North-west 8,375 7,136 6,813 5,697 5,189 Yorkshire and Humberside 5,266 4,573 4,890 3,955 3,537 East midlands 4,692 4,280 4,045 3,510 3,218 West midlands 7,041 6,051 5,702 4,298 4,392 East of England 6,206 5,519 5,203 4,468 4,091 London 8,957 8,077 7,464 6,465 5,646 South-east 9,294 8,158 7,051 6,377 6,111 South-west 5,126 4,679 4,268 3,685 3,729 Wales 4,016 3,253 3,331 2,599 2,558 Total 62,024 54,571 51,387 43,185 40,355 Female North-east 562 545 533 479 454 North-west 1,492 1,518 1,588 1,320 1,252 Yorkshire and Humberside 791 730 848 713 677 East midlands 652 671 674 623 618 West midlands 941 882 966 811 806 East of England 1,032 985 1,025 961 851 London 1,125 1,125 1,302 1,145 994 South-east 1,567 1,495 1,446 1,353 1,315 South-west 940 859 864 768 778 Wales 673 639 639 593 624 Total 9,775 9,449 9,885 8,766 8,369

Total4 North-east 3,613 3,396 3,154 2,612 2,347 North-west 9,867 8,737 8,432 7,032 6,463 Yorkshire and Humberside 6,057 5,318 5,747 4,675 4,228 East midlands 5,344 4,966 4,724 4,137 3,844 West midlands 7,982 6,966 6,691 5,120 5,213 East of England 7,238 6,526 6,246 5,442 4,959 London 10,082 9,284 8,807 7,648 6,684 South-east 10,861 9,699 8,511 7,739 7,441 South-west 6,066 5,568 5,149 4,468 4,520 Wales 4,689 3,897 3,976 3,196 3,184 Total 71,799 64,357 61,437 52,069 48,883 1 Includes the following offences: Road Traffic Act 1988, S.4(1)—Driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit to drive through drink Road Traffic Act 1988, S.4(2)—Being in charge of mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit to drive through drink Road Traffic Act 1988, S.5(1)(a)—Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having a breath, blood or urine alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit Road Traffic Act 1988, S.5(1)(b)—In charge of a motor vehicle while having a breath, blood or urine alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit Road Traffic Act 1988, S.6(6)—Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen of breath for a preliminary test 2 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 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. 4 The gender of a defendant proceeded against may not have been reported. These data have been included in the persons only totals. Therefore, males and females age group totals and sub-totals may not agree with the totals given under persons. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Hospitals: Crimes of Violence Damian Green: Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the Court Proceedings Database does not contain information about the circumstances behind each case, beyond the description provided in David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the statute under which proceedings are brought. It is Justice how many people have been (a) prosecuted and not possible therefore to separately identify how many (b) convicted in relation to assaults on hospital staff in cases were brought in respect of assaults specifically on each region in the last two years. [120448] hospital staff. 363W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 364W

Pay which proceedings are brought but not all the specific circumstances of each case. It is not possible to identify Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for from this centrally held information if a vehicle involved Justice what estimate he has made of the likely (a) in the committing of a criminal offence is foreign registered. highest, (b) median, (c) median full-time equivalent Trials and (d) lowest full-time equivalent salary to be paid by his Department in 2012-13. [120834] Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse was of the Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice and its agencies legal action brought by Mr Berezovsky against Mr effectively operate three sets of pay structures and Abramovich. [120367] arrangements. One set covers senior civil servants (SCS) within the Department; another set covers staff below Mrs Grant: Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service the SCS in the core Department and two of its executive recovers the cost of civil cases from users, in line with agencies (Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service the fee charging requirements set out in the Treasury’s (HMCTS) and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)); ‘Managing Public Money’. On that basis, there was no and a third set covers staff below the SCS in the cost to the public purse from the legal action brought by remaining executive agency, the National Offender Mr Berezovsky against Mr Abramovich. Management Service (NOMS). Because the levels of salary under each pay structure LEADER OF THE HOUSE differ, the information requested, which is for the 2012-13 House Business Committee remit year, is provided separately for each in the following tables: Simon Hughes: To ask the Leader of the House what Senior civil servants (SCS) steps he is taking to introduce a House Business £ Committee. [120668] (a) Estimated highest salary 180,000 Mr Lansley: As I informed the House during oral (b) Estimated median salary (i.e. reduced from full time 78,245 questions today, I look forward to continuing discussions equivalent (FTE) to reflect part-time working) about the Government’s commitment to a House Business (c) Estimated median FTE salary 80,000 Committee in the Coalition programme for government. (d) Estimated lowest FTE salary 58,200

Ministry of Justice (including HMCTS and OPG) excluding SCS NORTHERN IRELAND £ Pay (a) Estimated highest salary 130,000 (b) Estimated median salary (i.e. reduced from full time 19,029 Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for equivalent (FTE) to reflect part-time working) Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the (c) Estimated median FTE salary 20,050 likely (a) highest, (b) median, (c) median full-time (d) Estimated lowest FTE salary 13,638 equivalent and (d) lowest full-time equivalent salary to National Offender Management Service (NOMS) excluding SCS be paid by her Department in 2012-13. [120836] £ Mike Penning: Following the devolution of policing (a) Estimated highest salary 150,000 and criminal justice functions to the Department of (b) Estimated median salary (i.e. reduced from full time 24,203 Justice (NI) in April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office equivalent (FTE) to reflect part-time working) adopted Ministry of Justice (MOJ) terms and conditions, (c) Estimated median FTE salary 25,915 including pay. The current pay freeze across MOJ remains (d) Estimated lowest FTE salary 13,002 in place until August 2013 and therefore no estimates have been made in relation to changes in full-time Road Traffic Offences salary equivalents. Public Order Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many foreign registered vehicles from Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for each country of registration were the subject of Northern Ireland on how many occasions she has prosecutions for road traffic offences in each of the last issued certificates stating that an act has been done for five years; [120197] the purpose of safeguarding national security or (a) (2) how many drivers in foreign registered vehicles of protecting public order under regulation 53ZA Sex each licence nationality were prosecuted for road traffic Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (as amended), (b) article 80 of the Fair Employment and offences in each of the last five years; [120199] Treatment Order 1998, (c) article 41A of the Race (3) what the total value was of fines for road traffic Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, (d) regulation offences levied against foreign registered vehicles and 30 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations uncollected in each of the last five years. [120198] (Northern Ireland) 2006 and (e) regulation 27 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations Damian Green: The Ministry of Justice Court (Northern Ireland) 2003 in the latest period for which Proceedings Database holds information on defendants figures are available. [120693] proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. This database holds Mike Penning: No such certificates have been issued information on offences provided by the statutes under since the current government came into power. 365W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 366W

PRIME MINISTER Michael Moore: Scotland Office Ministers and officials regularly meet counterparts at the Department for Transport to discuss cross-border transport issues affecting Scotland. Departmental Responsibilities Bidders for the West Coast Mainline franchise were told to use the planning assumptions from the 2010 Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister if he will spending review, as updated by the autumn statement, publish the details of his meetings on 4 September 2012 as the basis for their bids. This caps average increases with the Secretary of State for International Development for regulated fares at RPI+3% for 2013 and 2014, and in connection with her appointment to the position. RPI+1% for all other years. [120743] Winter Fuel Payments The Prime Minister: It is longstanding Government practice not to disclose information relating to ministerial Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for meetings, including the proceedings of Cabinet and Scotland how many people who live in Scotland are Cabinet committees, as to do so would put at risk the eligible for winter fuel allowance. [120539] public interest in the full and frank discussion of policy by Ministers. David Mundell: In the most recent year for which data is available (2010-11) 1,113,920 people received winter fuel payments in Scotland. SCOTLAND The information for 2010-11 is provided in the documents ″ Infrastructure: (Financial Assistance) Bill Winter Fuel Payment recipients 2010-11 by Parliamentary Constituencies and Gender (All)″ and ″Winter Fuel Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Payment recipients 2010-2011 by Local Authority and Scotland pursuant to his answer of 6 September 2012, Gender (All)″. These are available in the Commons Official Report, column 397W, on the Infrastructure Library and on the following link: (Financial Assistance) Bill, what criteria will be used to http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wfp assess applications for the Infrastructure Guarantee The number of recipients in winter 2011-12 is expected Programme. [120749] to be broadly similar to last year, although in future a Michael Moore: Eligible projects will be subject to slight reduction in the number of people receiving winter charges, due diligence and as a minimum must meet five fuel payments each winter is likely as the qualifying age key tests. An eligible project must be: increases in line with women’s state pension age. nationally significant; Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for ready to start construction within 12 months; Scotland how much his Department paid out in winter financially credible; fuel allowance to people in Scotland in each of the last dependent on a guarantee to proceed; and three financial years. [120540] good value to the taxpayer. The Government will consider the most effective David Mundell: In the last three financial years the form of guarantee on a case-by-case basis using a Department for Work and Pensions paid the following robust assessment and approvals process. amounts to recipients of winter fuel payments in Scotland:

Pay £

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 236,000,000 Scotland what estimate he has made of the likely (a) 2009-10 240,000,000 highest, (b) median, (c) median full-time equivalent 2010-11 240,000,000 and (d) lowest full-time equivalent salary to be paid by his Department in 2012-13. [120835] The information is available in the document ″Winter Fuel Payment recipients 2010-11 by Parliamentary David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ Constituencies and Gender (All)″. This is available in staff directly. All staff join the Office on a secondment the Commons Library and on the following link: type arrangement, mainly from the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice, which remain the employing http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wfp Departments. Not all bodies have set their pay levels for Working Tax Credit 2012-13 so full-time equivalent salary information cannot be provided. Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for West Coast Railway Line Scotland pursuant to the answer of 6 September 2012, Official Report, column 398W, on working tax credit, Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for what the monetary value was of payments made Scotland pursuant to the answer of 6 September 2012, through the childcare component of working tax credit Official Report, column 398W, on the West Coast in Scotland in each of the last five years; and what railway line, what discussions he has had with the estimate he has made of the monetary value of such Secretary of State for Transport on the effect on payments in each year to 2015. [120748] Scotland of the decision to allow new franchisees on the West Coast Mainline to increase fares by eight per Michael Moore: Information on annual awards of cent above the retail price index in 2013 and 2014. the child care element of working tax credit in Scotland [120763] and the UK in past years is provided in the series 367W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 368W

″Personal Tax Credits: Finalised Award Statistics— Heathrow Airport Geographical Statistics″, which is published by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and is available online Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for at: Transport how many airport slots are used for flights http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm from Heathrow to Manchester; and what proportion of The estimated1 monetary value of the payments for the total number of slots this figure represents. [121020] the UK for 2011-12 is £1,430 million. The forecast2 monetary value for the UK for 2012-13 is £1,490 million, Mr Simon Burns: The number of air transport for 2013-14 is £1,560 million and for 2014-15 is movements from Heathrow to Manchester airport in £1,650 million. There are no figures available for Scotland 2011 was 4,671. This figure accounted for 2% of all for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15. departures from Heathrow. 1 Finalised award statistics not yet available for 2011-12. UK estimate produced using the average number of families benefiting High Speed 2 Railway Line from the child care element and the average monetary value of the help they receive with child care costs based on monthly snapshot statistics. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State 2 Forecasts for 2012-13 onwards are drawn from the Budget 2012 for Transport what assessment his Department has Tax Credits expenditure forecast. Forecasts are not produced at a made of local traffic effects arising from the proposed sub-UK level and so the forecast expenditure for Scotland is not HS2 Old Oak Common interchange. [120723] available. Mr Simon Burns: HS2 Ltd are undertaking local traffic assessments to inform the design of the proposed Old Oak Common interchange station. These assessments TRANSPORT cover all the expected transport modes including bus, taxi, bike, pedestrian and car. The methodology being Airports: Thames Estuary used for the assessments have been discussed with our stakeholders and follows recognised industry practice. The assessment work concludes in December (12) and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State the results will be shared with our stakeholders and for Transport what powers he has to direct any windfall their own assessments. The conclusion of this comparison gained from a sale of the Heathrow site into funding will then be included into the design and environmental the construction of an airport in the Thames Estuary. statement in support of the hybrid Bill process. [120720] Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: The Government has no financial Transport with reference to the March 2012 advice his stake in Heathrow and any hypothetical sale of the Department received from HS2 Ltd, when he plans to airport would be a commercial matter for the airport announce the route and station option for Leeds, operator. Manchester and Heathrow. [120732] The Government believes that maintaining the UK’s status as a leading global aviation hub is fundamental Mr Simon Burns: The advice received from HS2 Ltd to our long term international competitiveness and we is currently being considered objectively and in detail. have appointed Sir Howard Davies to chair an independent The Department’s business plan indicates that we intend commission tasked with identifying and recommending to publish for consideration the Government’s preferred to Government options for maintaining this country’s route and station options by December. status as an international hub for aviation. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State Bus Services: Visual Impairment for Transport with reference to the High Level Output Specification, whether the cost of the western connection to Heathrow will be included in High Speed Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for 2 cost estimates. [120758] Transport whether he plans to encourage greater use of talking buses to assist blind passengers. [120613] Mr Simon Burns: The cost of the western connection to Heathrow airport will not be included in the High Norman Baker: The Government recognises that many Speed 2 cost estimates. The western connection is being people find audio and visual announcements useful. I built as an expansion of the existing rail network from have recently written to bus operators to encourage the Great Western Main Line to improve airport access them to work in partnership with their local authorities, from the Thames Valley and the west. to see if the uptake of these systems can be increased. In June, I chaired a Department for Transport summit Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for on how best to improve door to door journeys for Transport (1) for what reason a different methodology disabled people. As a result of this, and as part of the was used to assess the value of the Chilterns Area of Government’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy, we are Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Preliminary currently looking at a number of ways of improving the Landscape Assessment study undertaken by HS2 in accessibility of public transport. The outcome of this 2010 and the Economic Case for HS2: Value for work will be included in the Department’s Disability Money Statement published by his Department in Action Plan, to be published by the end of September. January 2012; and if he will make a statement; [120805] 369W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 370W

(2) for what reason the Preliminary Landscape Case for HS2: Value for Money Statement published Assessment study undertaken by HS2 in 2010 into the by his Department in January 2012; and if he will make effect of HS2 on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding a statement; [120839] Natural Beauty was not included in the Economic Case (3) what meetings he has planned with the Secretary for HS2: Value for Money Statement published by his of State for Communities and Local Government to Department in January 2012; and if he will make a discuss the land value categorisation of the Chilterns statement; [120809] Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Economic (3) if he will publish the methodology used to assess Case for HS2: Value for Money Statement published the land value categorisation of the Chilterns Area of by his Department in January 2012; and if he will make Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Economic Case for a statement. [120840] HS2: Value for Money Statement published by his Department in January 2012; and if he will make a Mr Simon Burns: In the area between the M25 and statement. [120810] Amersham the railway is judged to have a relatively low effect on the landscape because the vast majority of this Mr Simon Burns: The assessment made by HS2 Ltd section is proposed to be in underground tunnel. in 2010 was early internal work designed to give a broad indication of the potential monetary value of the landscape The area between Amersham and the Chilterns northern that might be affected by the railway. It was deliberately edge was given the highest landscape valuation per conservative and did not factor in many of the mitigation hectare along the entire HS2 route from London to measures such as tunnelling and cutting that had not Birmingham. This valuation reflects the character of yet been developed at that time. It also assumed the the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and remains highest possible valuations of land and did not account high even after accounting for the high levels of mitigation for areas where existing development has already reduced such as tunnelling and deep cuttings that were judged to the value of the landscape. be appropriate for an AONB. In line with departmental practice, a more detailed A breakdown of the monetary valuation that was assessment of the potential value of landscape was attributed to landscape by area and methodology used carried out before the Secretary of State took a decision is already available on the Department’s website at to proceed with HS2. This assessment published in www.dft.gov.uk/foi January 2012 was therefore based on more accurate under FOI reference e0008944. route and land type information including the additional mitigation measures such as tunnelling and cutting I have no plans to meet the Secretary of State for introduced following consultation. The DFT assessment Communities and Local Government, my right hon. was therefore considered more robust and formed part Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), of the economic case. to discuss land value categorisation in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, officials The methodology used by the DFT to assess landscape in the Department for Transport have regular discussions is already available on the Department’s website at: with their counterparts in other Government Departments www.dft.gov.uk/foi regarding economic appraisal methods on a variety of under FOI reference e0008944. topics including landscape valuation. Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about Transport if he will review the land value categorisation the effect of the High Speed Rail 2 project on tourism of non-urban land in the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Natural Beauty; and if he will make a statement. [120841] and if he will make a statement. [120807] Mr Simon Burns: Since taking up my post, neither I Mr Simon Burns: The approach to land value nor my Ministers have had any meeting with the Secretary categorisation undertaken by the Department for Transport of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. is based upon the Department for Communities and Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller). Local Government (DCLG) document “Valuing the However the Department for Culture Media and Sport, External Benefits of Undeveloped Land” which was along with English Heritage, have been involved with originally published in 2001. A copy of this document the HS2 scheme from its inception, inputting into the can be obtained from the DCLG website. There are Appraisal of Sustainability and providing cross-Government currently no plans to update the Department for Transport’s clearance as appropriate. As the scheme develops they work. However, my officials have regular discussions will be instrumental in providing advice on the associated with their counterparts in other Government Departments environmental impact assessment. regarding economic appraisal methods on a variety of topics including landscape valuation. Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what methodology he used to assess the Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for value of the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Transport what discussions he has had with the Beauty in the Economic Case for HS2: Value for Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Money Statement published by his Department in on the lower landtype categorisation of non-urban land January 2012; and if he will make a statement; [120838] in the Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (2) for what reason non-urban land in the Chilterns included in the Economic Case for HS2: Value for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty was valued at Money Statement published by his Department in January the lowest land value categorisation in the Economic 2012; and if he will make a statement. [120842] 371W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 372W

Mr Simon Burns: Since taking up my post, neither I Funding nor my Ministers have had any discussions with the budget (£) Outturn (£) Staffing Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and 2001 1,354,400 1,398,785 27 Ongar (Mr Pickles), on land type categorisation. 2002 1,793,000 1,695,000 30 2003 1,981,000 2,033,000 32 Large Goods Vehicles: Working Hours 2004 2,301,000 2,560,000 34 2005 2,697,000 2,937,000 37 Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006 3,216,000 3,368,000 39 Transport if he will review his Department’s decision 2007 3,532,000 3,522,000 39 on the rights of large goods vehicle drivers to an 2008 4,046,000 3,808,000 39 employment tribunal claim if they are prevented from 2009 4,172,000 4,009,000 39 taking daily rest breaks and weekly rest periods by their 2010 4,173,000 3,832,000 39 employers. [120678] 2011 3,632,000 3,627,000 34 2012 3,629,000 — 33 Stephen Hammond: We have no plans to review the Department’s decision, as drivers’ working time rights are already protected by a criminal law regime which Motorcycles: Driving Tests the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) enforces.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many accidents took place during module one motorcycle tests between the introduction John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for of the test and September 2012; and how many of these Transport how many investigations the Maritime involved injuries which required medical attention; Accident Investigation Branch conducted in each year [120674] since 1998. [120801] (2) how many serious injury accidents there were Stephen Hammond: The number of investigations during module one motorcycle tests between the conducted1 by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch introduction of the test and September 2012. [120675] in each year since 1998 is as follows: Stephen Hammond: Incidents on Module 1 practical Year investigation Preliminary motorcycling tests: 24 April 2009 to 10 September 2012. started MAIB investigation examination Number/percentage 1998 38 — 1999 39 — Number Module 1 practical tests 1201,901 2000 50 — conducted 2001 42 — 2002 24 13 Total incidents 750 2003 15 24 Percentage of total tests conducted 0.37 2004 31 34 2005 25 40 RIDDOR reportable incidents 134 2006 30 43 Percentage of total tests conducted 0.06 2007 21 40 2008 26 49 Medical attention or first aid 73 2009 20 26 required 2010 23 18 Percentage of total tests conducted 0.03 2011 41 — 1 Includes an estimate of the tests conducted between 1 and 10 20122 20 — September 2012, based on the number of tests booked. Actual 1 Based on start date of investigation. numbers of tests conducted for that period cannot yet be verified. 2 To 12 September 2012 The Driving Standards Agency does not record incidents John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for using the definition ’serious injury’, as used by the Transport what the (a) funding and (b) staffing levels Department for Transport for the purposes of Road were for the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch in Safety Statistics. The Agency records incidents occurring during Module 1 tests under three categories: RIDDOR each year since 1998. [120802] reportable incidents (those reportable to the Health and Stephen Hammond: The funding and staffing levels Safety Executive); incidents requiring either first aid or for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in each medical attention; and incidents requiring no or self year since 1998 are as follows: treatment.

Funding Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for budget (£) Outturn (£) Staffing Transport (1) what progress the learning to ride groups have made as part of the motorcycle test review; and if 1998 967,000 1,579,266 20 he will make a statement; [120676] 1999 1,014,000 1,205,183 23 2000 1,158,400 1,450,562 26 (2) when he expects to introduce a fully on-road, single-part motorcycle test. [120715] 373W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 374W

Stephen Hammond: The Motorcycle Test Review and 2010, to discuss the Road Transport (Working Time) Learning to Ride are two different projects. The Motorcycle Regulations 2005. The Department does not have any Test Review focuses on proposed revisions to module 1 plans to meet URTU to discuss these regulations and of the Motorcycle Test. Learning to Ride focuses on no request for a meeting has been received. ensuring that motorcycling instructors have the appropriate Rolling Stock: Procurement skills and qualifications to deliver effective training. As part of Learning to Ride, the Driving Standards Agency continues to discuss with motorcycling stakeholders Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of how to ensure that motorcycling instructors have the State for Transport what information his Department appropriate skills and qualifications to deliver effective holds on the sums spent by train operating companies training. The latest industry proposals are due to be on the purchase of new rolling stock in each of the last submitted for consideration by the end of October 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will 2012. make a statement. [120832] Subject to the findings of the research being undertaken Mr Simon Burns: The majority of rolling stock purchased as part of the Motorcycle Test Review, the aim is to over the last 10 years has been bought by the rolling introduce a single event test that can be carried out stock leasing companies and the actual price paid is a on-road as far as possible, during spring 2014. commercial matter for them. Train operating companies Motorcycles: Training work closely with the leasing companies but any costs incurred by the train operators is commercially confidential; the Department does not hold this information. Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety recommendations the Shipping: Channel Islands motorcycle Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) group has made in relation to improving CBT. [121019] John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on Stephen Hammond: The Compulsory Basic Training how many residents of the Channel Islands hold a (CBT) Group has made the following safety British Seamen’s Card. [120803] recommendations in relation to improving CBT: align the existing CBT syllabus with the National Rider Training Stephen Hammond: The Registry of Shipping and Standard ™; Seamen, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, restructure the sequence of elements of CBT that must be has records of 18 British Seaman’s Cards issued in the completed, to enable greater flexibility in the way training is last 10 years, the validity period of the card, to residents delivered and move towards a more client centred approach; with postcodes in the Channel Islands. consider removal of the entitlement to ride a geared motorcycle if CBT has been completed on an automatic motorcycle; Stansted Airport: Railways align the qualification arrangements for CBT and Direct Access Scheme instructors with those of approved driving instructors; Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for successful completion of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Transport whether he has recently discussed with Cross assessment course to become the only route by which instructors Country Trains and Greater Anglia the possibility of can be certified to deliver CBT; introducing a half-hourly service between Cambridge enhance the role of approved training bodies in assuring their and London Stansted Airport. [120860] instructors’ training standards. DSA continues to work with industry stakeholders to Mr Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, review and develop proposals. my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), has not entered into any discussions Ports: Channel Islands with either Cross Country Trains or Greater Anglia concerning the prospect of introducing half hourly John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for train services between Cambridge and London Stansted Transport whether ports in the Channel Islands are airport. classified as overseas ports. [120804] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Stephen Hammond: The Channel Islands are Crown Transport if he will take steps to encourage Greater dependencies and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey Anglia to improve journey times from Cambridge and are responsible for policy in relation to their ports. London Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street. [120862] Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 Mr Simon Burns: In the current short Franchise Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Agreement for Greater Anglia the train operator is Transport if he will list the meetings his Department required to deliver the timetable that was introduced in has had with the United Road Transport Union to December 2011, which included improved journey times discuss the Road Transport (Working Time) to morning peak Cambridge to Liverpool Street services. Regulations 2005; and when he next plans to meet that organisation. [120677] Unmanned Air Vehicles: EU Action

Stephen Hammond: The Department’s records show Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State that since May 2010, the Department has met once with for Transport what his policy is on the proposals in the United Road Transport Union (URTU), on 13 October the European Commission working document SWD 375W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 376W

(2012) 259 final of 4 September 2012 entitled Towards Greg Clark: It is for individuals to make an assessment a European strategy for the development of civil of the risks they face when they travel, and to decide applications of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems; and whether to take out insurance and which products are if he will make a statement. [120821] most suitable to them. Advice on which risks to consider can be found at: Mr Simon Burns: The UK recognises the importance http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying- of the emerging Civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems safe/travel-insurance sector and the many challenges to be overcome to ensure the safe integration with other aviation traffic. Revenue and Customs The UK supports this European Commission initiative to develop a clear understanding of the issues and take Nick de Bois: To ask the Chancellor of the a harmonised approach to addressing them across Europe Exchequer how many investigations were carried out and with other global regions through ICAO. The UK by HM Revenue and Customs into (a) public limited is closely engaged, in the various work streams involved companies, (b) sole traders and (c) partnerships with in harmonising these requirements. a turnover of (i) less than £100,000, (ii) more than £100,000 but less than £500,000, (iii) more than £500,000 West Coast Railway Line but less than £1,000,000, (iv) more than £1,000,000 but less than £5,000,000, (v) more than £5,000,000 but less than £10,000,000 and (vi) more than £10,000,000 per Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for annum in (A) 2007, (B) 2008, (C) 2009, (D) 2010 and Transport how the West Coast Main Line bid was (E) 2011. [120132] assessed in relation to deliverability of projected passenger numbers; and if he will make a statement. Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available [120487] in this format. HM Revenue and Customs compliance activity—from policy making, through support and Mr Simon Burns: Bidders for the InterCity West education, to audits and investigations—covers all aspects Coast franchise were required to submit a set of delivery of compliance behaviour from error through to organised plans and financial and operational models to demonstrate criminal attack. how they would deliver their operational, financial and HMRC targets its compliance activity based on risk passenger demand projections for the franchise. rather than by direct reference to the legal entity or These plans and models were evaluated by the turnover. Therefore, this information could be collated Department with the support of its technical advisers only at disproportionate cost. and we satisfied ourselves on the deliverability of these plans when determining the award of the franchise. Shareholders: Loans As my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), set out in a written Exchequer what his policy is on the treatment of ministerial statement to this House on 3 September shareholder loans for tax purposes; and if he will make 2012, Official Report, columns 12-14WS, I will continue a statement. [119950] to keep the House updated, subject to the constraints of legal or commercial privilege. Mr Gauke: A shareholder should not be in receipt of company money in an untaxed form. Where a close company (broadly a company controlled by five or fewer participators (shareholders)) makes a loan to a TREASURY shareholder or his associates a tax charge is raised on the company of 25% of the amount of the loan. This tax charge can be repaid if the loan is repaid. Enterprise Zones: Lancashire Additionally, an income tax charge will be raised on a shareholder who is also an employee or director where Mark Menzies: To ask the Chancellor of the he pays little or no interest on a loan exceeding £5,000. Exchequer what assessment his Department has made The charge will be on the amount of the difference of the potential economic benefits to the Lancashire between the interest paid and what would be chargeable economy of the Warton enterprise zone. [120441] at the official rate.

Sajid Javid: The potential economic benefits of the Taxation: British Nationals Abroad Lancashire Enterprise Zone proposal, submitted by the Lancashire Local. Enterprise Partnership, were assessed Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer against the same criteria as all other zones. These included what plans his Department has to use the registration the strength of the economic growth strategy, likely of an individual overseas voter in its revenue value for money and ease of implementation. investigations. [119899] Mr Gauke: HMRC has no specific plans at present to Insurance: Travel acquire this data. However, exploitation of data is one of the key tools used by HMRC to inform its compliance Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Chancellor of the and education based activities. HMRC keep under regular Exchequer if his Department will investigate the potential review the datasets which they already acquire and the benefits of making insurance compulsory for people costs, benefits, priorities and opportunities surrounding travelling abroad. [118869] the acquisition of further data sets. 377W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 378W

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Vaizey: The Government recognise the concerns what use his Department makes of information on the of those who live in areas with little or no mobile phone registration of overseas voters. [119900] coverage. Last autumn the Chancellor announced plans to invest up to £150 million in improving mobile phone Mr Gauke: At present HMRC does not acquire or reception in areas of the UK where homes and businesses make use of the information contained in the Overseas have poor or no coverage. We are in process of procuring Voters List (i.e. UK citizens living abroad who are a supplier for this mobile infrastructure project (MIP). registered to vote in UK parliamentary and European elections). Tourism 14. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what priority she whether HM Revenue and Customs (a) uses and (b) gives to tourism policy in England. [120647] plans to use appearance on the UK electoral register as a criterion for assessing the tax status of Britons living Hugh Robertson: Tourism is a key priority for my overseas. [120211] Department and a major driver for growth, contributing £115 billion annually to the economy. The Government Mr Gauke: One of the range of factors that HMRC will continue to maximise the tourism benefits of hosting can consider when looking at an individual’s UK residence the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will status is whether or not they are registered to vote in the invest a further £2 million in domestic tourism marketing, UK. However, appearing on the UK electoral register with match funding from industry, to build on the does not on its own mean an individual is UK resident. success of the £6 million VisitEngland 20.12 per cent The Government is currently consulting on the details ‘Holiday at Home’ campaign. of a Statutory Residence Test which will be introduced from 6 April 2013. Appearance on the UK electoral Listed Buildings register is not a factor in the current proposals for the 15. Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Statutory Residence Test. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress she has made on her consultation on improvements to the Taxation: Business system of listed building consents; and if she will make a statement. [120648] Ms Gisela Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses HM Revenue and Mr Vaizey: The consultation on listed building consents Customs has selected for local compliance with tax and closed on 23 August. We received 419 responses to the national insurance contributions in each of the last five consultation. I am currently considering these and my Department will publish the Government’s response years. [120829] shortly.

Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs selects cases Competitive Sport: Disabled People for compliance activity based on a number of risk factors rather than by reference to a particular tax or 17. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for contribution. Therefore it is not possible to provide the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans she information in the format requested. The total number has to increase participation in competitive sport by of cases selected by Local Compliance, for a compliance people with disabilities. [120650] intervention, for each of the last five years are: Hugh Robertson: Sport England’s YouthSports Strategy, Number underpinned by the Community Sports Legacy ‘Places, People, Play’, will deliver a year on year growth in 2008 194,951 participation in sport by disabled people by 2017. 2009 151,273 In addition, 5,000 young disabled people in 486 schools 2010 118,136 have already been given the chance to take part in 2011 103,737 competitive sport as part of the new School Games 2012 245,546 programme.

2011 saw the introduction of a new risk based technology Television Reception: Thanet system and so the data shown above for 2012 is not directly comparable with earlier years. Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if she will assess the adequacy of television reception in Thanet. [120649] CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Mr Vaizey: Indications from a number of coverage investigations have shown that digital terrestrial television Mobile Phone Coverage: Argyll and Bute coverage in Thanet is in line with post digital switchover predictions, however Ofcom are currently leading an 13. Mr Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for assessment of digital terrestrial television reception in Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans she the Thanet area and will report shortly. Satellite and has to improve mobile telephone coverage in Argyll cable television platforms are also available in the Thanet and Bute constituency. [120646] area. 379W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 380W

Broadcasting Revenue sharing ranges: (084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers—where a portion of the retail charge is passed back to the receiver of the call) are to have a common simplified structure. Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps her The issue of capping access charges is still subject to Department is taking to ensure that broadcasters retain the consultation process. Ofcom presented a number of and share audience data with producers to enable proposals in April 2012, recognising that it was a finely product involvements. [120272] balanced decision but ultimately they proposed that the access charge should not be capped in the first instance, Mr Vaizey: Broadcasting audience data is collected because they considered that allowing it to be subject to by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, in the competition was more likely to result in prices which case of television, and for radio by the Radio Joint reflected consumer preferences. Respondents to the April Audience Research. This data is usually made available consultation have provided comments on this point, via a subscription service to the relevant organisation. with some in favour and some against a cap. Ofcom are As such the use and availability of this data is the therefore considering those arguments before making a subject of commercial agreements between the relevant final decision in December. Given the complexity of the parties and is not a matter for Government. changes there will need to be at least 18 months transition time, which will start when the proposals are finalised Sports: Schools by the end of this year.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect that the removal of EDUCATION ring-fenced funding for school sport will have on the Sportivate programme. [120635] Abortion: Health Education

Hugh Robertson: Sportivate is not a school-sport Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for scheme, but a community sport initiative that is part of Education whether the Government monitors the Sport England’s £135 million Places People Play legacy accuracy of information on abortion provided to programme. In its first year, 80,870 young people aged schoolchildren; if he will contact the campaigning between 14-25 have taken up the chance of six-eight organisation Lovewise to request data on (a) the week coaching sessions in a sport of their choice. names of all schools where it has given presentations Telephones: Fees and Charges on abortion and (b) the total number of presentations given; and if he will make a statement. [120586] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions Elizabeth Truss: We do not monitor the accuracy of she has had with Ofcom on whether access charges for information provided to children as part of their sex numbers beginning (a) 08, (b) 09 and (c) 118 will be and relationship education (SRE) since we believe teachers subject to a limit when new regulations are brought in are best placed to make this judgment. The Department does not investigate or request data from organisations by Ofcom in 2014. [120859] providing SRE information unless there is evidence that Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media a school may be in breach of the Secretary of State for and Sport has had no discussions with the Office of Education’s SRE guidance, or pupils are receiving an Communications (Ofcom) on whether access charges unbalanced and prejudicial sex and relationship education. for numbers beginning (a) 08, (b) 09 and (c) 118 will be subject to a limit when new regulations are brought Children in Care in 2014. The matter is an operational issue for the independent regulator. Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Currently, under General Condition 14, Ofcom requires Education (1) how many (a) children and (b) black communications providers to publish transparent pricing and mixed-heritage children were looked after by local information for non-geographic calls, including in their authorities in each of the last five years; [118722] advertising and promotional material. Providers must (2) what proportion of (a) all and (b) black and also ensure that those charges are given the same mixed-heritage children looked after by local authorities prominence as other call charge information. However, were (i) adopted and (ii) fostered in each of the last five Ofcom recognises that the current system around non- years. [118723] geographic numbers does not work for consumers, with confusion around call pricing and concerns about revenue Mr Timpson: The number of children looked after in sharing. Therefore, it is proposing to simplify the number England in the last five years is contained in the following ranges. The main proposals are: table. The table also shows a breakdown of children of Freephone: (080 and 116 numbers) to be free from all telephones, black and mixed ethnic origin who were looked after by landline and mobile; local authorities in the last five years.

Table 1: Children looked after at 31 March by ethnic origin1,2, years ending 31 March 2007 to 2011, coverage: England 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

All children looked after at 31 March1,2 59,960 59,360 60,890 64,410 65,520 381W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 382W

Table 1: Children looked after at 31 March by ethnic origin1,2, years ending 31 March 2007 to 2011, coverage: England 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Black and mixed ethnic origin 10,030 9,670 9,650 10,160 10,150

Mixed 5,310 5,220 5,260 5,590 5,620 White and Black Caribbean 2,130 2,100 2,080 2,190 2,150 White and Black African 490 490 490 530 600 White and Asian 850 820 810 910 950 Any other mixed background 1,840 1,810 1,870 1,960 1,920

Black or Black British 4,720 4,450 4,400 4,570 4,520 Caribbean 1,640 1,600 1,570 1,660 1,640 African 2,320 2,140 2,090 2,110 2,050 Any other Black background 750 710 740 800. 840 1 Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placement. Source: SSDA903

The proportion of all children looked after by local table. The table also shows these proportions for children authorities who were adopted or in foster placements in of black or mixed ethnic origin. each of the last five years is shown in the following

Table 2: Children granted an adoption order in year, or in a foster placement at 31 March, as a percentage of all looked after children at 31 March1,2, years ending 31 March 2007 to 2011, Coverage: England Percentage 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Number of children adopted3 as a percentage 65555 of all looked after children Number of children in foster placements as a 70 71 72 73 74 percentage of all looked after children Number of black or mixed ethnicity children4 45544 adopted3 as a percentage of all black or mixed ethnicity looked after children Number of black or mixed ethnicity children4 71 71 73 73 74 in foster placements as a percentage of all black or mixed ethnicity looked after children 1 Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. 3 Number of children adopted at any time during the year ending 31 March. 4 Mixed, Black or Black British origin, as shown in table 1. Source: SSDA903

These figures are based on data published in tables child’s own views, will determine the actions in the care E1, A1 and A3 of the Statistical First Release: ’Children plan which must be taken to promote and safeguard the looked after by Local Authorities in England (including child’s welfare. Guidance to local authorities emphasises adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March how important it is for social workers and carers to be 2011’. This is available on the Department’s website via aware of the child’s race, religion and culture and the the following link. ways in which these are reflected in their daily lives. This http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/ will include helping the child to preserve and positively statistics-by-topic/childrenandfamilies/a00196857/children- promote their identity. looked-after-by-las-in-england

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department has recently Education (1) how many submissions have been commissioned any research into the quality of care received via the Tell Tim page on his Department’s provided to black and mixed-heritage children looked website; [120027] after by local authorities. [118724] (2) how many policy suggestions received via the Tell Tim page on his Department’s website have been Mr Timpson: The Department has not recently (a) considered and (b) developed into departmental commissioned any research into the quality of care policy; [120028] provided to black and mixed-heritage children looked after by local authorities. The quality of care for looked (3) how many submissions received via the Tell Tim after children should be of a consistently high standard, page on his Department’s website have been responded regardless of a child’s race or culture. The assessment of to by (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department. each individual child’s needs, taking account of the [120029] 383W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 384W

Mr Timpson: The Tell Tim page was published on the school age are not subject to regular inspection. We inspect a Department’s website in March 2011 to enable Ministers sample of providers and the cost of those inspections is covered and the Department to hear directly from young people by the annual fee for remaining on that register. in care and those who support them within the care All costs relate to the most recent full year, 2011-12, and system. The Department for Education has received include direct and indirect costs plus overheads. It should be noted that the overall costs in Ofsted have reduced since 2010-11 and considered 251 messages to date. and are planned to reduce in total by 30% by 2014-15 (the end of Some of the key issues raised and the Department’s the current Comprehensive Spending Review period). responses have included: A copy of this reply has been sent to David Laws MP, Minister financial support for young people in care wanting to go on to of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both further education, where the new 16-19 Bursary provides young Houses. people in care and care leavers with a bursary of £1,200; the status of foster carers, where the Foster Carers’ Charter now sets out clear principles about what foster carers should be Children: Health able to expect from their fostering service and what is expected from them in return; Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for red tape which frustrates foster carers, where the Minister Education if he will implement the recommendations wrote to every local authority to underline the principle that relevant to his Department contained in the Report of day-to-day decision making about foster children should be the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes delegated to their foster carers wherever possible. Forum published in July 2012. [120009] Ministers and officials cannot respond directly to messages as the Tell Tim page has been designed as a Mr Timpson: We are grateful to the Children and channel for anonymous feedback, given the potentially Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum for their sensitive or personal nature of messages. However, work in producing this report. We are considering the summaries of the main issues raised along with the recommendations relevant to the Department for Department’s responses are broadcast on the Department’s Education, working with colleagues in the Department You Tube channel. of Health. The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), Children: Day Care will publish the Government’s response in the autumn.

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average cost to Ofsted is of Children: Visual Impairment inspecting an individual child care setting for each category of provider. [120010] Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to ensure that Elizabeth Truss: This question is a matter for Ofsted. the statutory requirement on local authorities to HM Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has written establish and maintain registers for sight impaired and to the hon. member, and a copy of his response has severely sight impaired children and young people been placed in the House Libraries. remains in force. [119935] Letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw, dated 10 September Mr Timpson [holding answer 7 September 2012]: A 2012: local authority is required to keep a register of disabled Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as children within its area, and this will include children Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response. who are sight impaired and severely sight impaired. The average cost to Ofsted of inspecting an individual childcare There are no amendments proposed to the legislation setting by category of provider is as follows. under the SEN provisions in the Bill or any other pieces of legislation that will change this requirement. £

Sole childminder 708 Childminder with assistants 798 Education: Children Childcare on domestic premises (4-6 972 childminders) and childcare on non- Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for domestic premises (sessional care) Education how many and what proportion of children Childcare on domestic premises (more than 1,508 in each local authority have statements of educational 6 childminders) and childcare on non- need. [112486] domestic premises (full day care) By “inspecting”we mean programmed inspection, post registration Mr Timpson [holding answer 18 June 2012]: The inspection and re-inspection of childminder and childcare settings. requested information is published in Table 14A of the Childminders care for children on domestic premises—usually Statistical First Release ‘Special Educational Needs in their own home. They may work with up to two assistants at any England: January 2012’, available at: one time. Childcare on domestic premises is where four or more http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/ childminders or childminders and assistants work together. Sessional s001075/index.shtml care relates to settings open for part of a day, such as a morning only pre-school or an after-school club for young children. Full day care relates to nurseries and pre-schools offering care for at least the length of a school day (and often longer) to support Further Education: Special Educational Needs working parents. The average costs relate to providers that are registered on the Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Early Years Register only, that is, for children below school age. Education what access to further education will be Providers who are on the Childcare Register for children of available to young people with a statement of special 385W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 386W educational needs who turn 16 years old before the GCSE implementation of the Government’s proposed education health and care plans. [118777] Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of (a) pupils Mr Timpson: Young people who leave school with a receiving free school meals, (b) pupils not receiving free statement of special educational needs (SEN) have access school meals and (c) all pupils at the end of key stage 4 to a range of further education, in mainstream and did not achieve any (i) G and (ii) C grades or better at specialist settings. Local authorities have a duty to GCSE in each year since 1997. [115985] undertake a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) for any 16 to 19-year-old with a statement, moving into Mr Laws: Figures for the years 2005/06 to 2010/11 on further education. The LDA sets out the education the the number and percentage of pupils who did not young person will participate in, and the support they achieve a grade G or above or a grade C or above in a will need to do that. GCSE or equivalent qualification at the end of key stage 4 by their free school meal eligibility can be found in the following table. Information on whether or not a The Government has this week published draft legislation pupil is actually receiving free school meals is not to reform and improve arrangements for young people available. Figures for the years 2001/02 to 2004/05 can with SEN. The provisions include a new single assessment be provided only at a disproportionate cost. Figures for process and Education, Health and Care Plan and will, the years prior to 2001/02 are not available because for the first time, extend rights comparable to those in pupil-level data have only been collected in the School schools to 16 to 25-year-olds in further education. Census since the 2001/02 academic year.

Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 41 not achieving a grade G or above in a GCSE or equivalent qualification by free school meal (FSM) eligibility. Years: 2005/06 to 2010/11-. Coverage: England, maintained schools (including academies and CTCs) Pupils eligible for FSM All other pupils3 All pupils Percentage not Percentage not Percentage not Number not achieving any G Number not achieving any G Number not achieving any G achieving a grade level GCSE’s or achieving a grade level ’ GCSE’s or achieving a grade level GCSE’s or Gorabove equivalent G or above equivalent G or above equivalent

2005/06 6,538 8.4 14,154 2.7 20,692 3.5 2006/07 5,598 7.3 12,799 2.4 18,397 3.1 2007/08 4,403 5.9 10,407 2.0 14,810 2.5 2008/09 3,646 4.9 8,082 1.6 11,728 2.0 2009/10 3,023 3.9 6,542 1.3 9,565 1.7 2010/11 2,669 3.4 5,410 1.1 8,079 1.4 1 Number of pupils at the end of key stage 4 in each academic year. 2 Figures for 2005/06 to 2010/11 are based on final data. 3 Includes pupils for whom free school meal eligibility could not be determined. Source: National Pupil Database Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 41 not achieving a grade C or above in a GCSE or equivalent qualification by free school meal (FSM) eligibility. Years: 2005/06 to 2010/112. Coverage: England, maintained schools (including academies and CTCs) Pupils eligible for FSM All other pupils3 All pupils Percentage not Percentage not Percentage not Number not achieving any C Number not achieving any C Number not achieving any C achieving a grade level GCSE’s or achieving a grade level GCSE’s or achieving a grade level GCSE’s or Corabove equivalent C or above equivalent C or above equivalent

2005/06 30,891 39.6 89,795 17.4 120,686 20.3 2006/07 27,313 35.7 80,372 15.3 107,685 17.9 2007/08 21,355 28.6 61,743 11.S 83,098 13.9 2008/09 16,111 21.6 42,655 8.5 58,766 10.2 2009/10 11,901 15.4 29,335 5.9 41,236 7.1 2010/11 9,540 12.1 20,749 4.3 30,289 5.3 1 Number of pupils at the end of key stage 4 in each academic year. 2 Figures for 2005/06 to 2010/11 are based on final data. 3 Includes pupils for whom free school meal eligibility could not be determined. Source: National Pupil Database

Health Education living healthy lifestyles. Pupils should be taught about the benefits of exercise and healthy eating; how to keep Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for healthy and what influences health; and about the different Education what steps he is taking to encourage schools food choices and the safer choices they can make. to educate children on the risks of childhood obesity The framework does not specify particular aspects of and diabetes. [117764] health schools should cover. Schools are free to illustrate Elizabeth Truss: The non-statutory framework for these concepts through a range of contexts that are personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education relevant to their pupils. An example of this could be the includes learning about the importance of health and risks of childhood obesity and diabetes. 387W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 388W

We are currently reviewing PSHE education to determine search pupils, including a specific power to tackle cyber- how we can improve the quality of all PSHE teaching bullying, whereby inappropriate images on electronic and support teachers to teach the subject well. The devices, including mobile phones, can be deleted. review also aims to identify the essential core body of We have also taken steps to strengthen schools knowledge that pupils should be taught. accountability. The new Ofsted inspection arrangements Parents: Education mean that schools are now held more closely to account for the way they tackle bullying. When evaluating the behaviour and safety of pupils at the school (one of the Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for four core areas), inspectors must consider pupils’ behaviour Education (1) how many vouchers have been towards other pupils and adults. This will include whether distributed under the CANparent trial scheme; [119460] pupils are free from bullying and harassment, including (2) what discussions his Department had with church bullying based on sexual orientation and all other kinds groups on the CANparent trial scheme. [119461] of prejudice-based bullying. The Government believes that, taken together, these Mr Timpson: The CANparent trial was launched by measures provide a comprehensive approach to ending the Prime Minister on 18 May 2012. It aims to remove not just homophobic bullying, but all bullying in schools. the stigma associated with attending universal parenting classes and to test how a self-sustaining market in such classes can be established, by offering vouchers that Schools: Boxing mothers and fathers of children aged 0-5 in three areas can exchange for high quality parenting classes. Vouchers are being distributed by members of the Foundation John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Years’ workforce and by staff at Boots’ stores in the Education how many schools teach boxing. [119100] three areas. We are currently surveying voucher distributors, of which there are over 300, to gauge activity levels to Mr Timpson: The last PE and sport survey (2009/10) date. The independent evaluation of the trial will robustly showed that 10% of schools provided boxing for their assess the number of parents who have received vouchers. pupils in 2009/10. Interviews with a representative sample of eligible mothers and fathers in the trial areas are currently taking place. The Department has been in contact with a wide Special Educational Needs variety of organisations in the course of the development and implementation of the trial, including a number Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for with various faith group affiliations. Education what proportion of the additional £44 Pupils: Bullying million funding for education places for 16 to 19 year olds in 2012-13 will be allocated to meet the additional needs of learners with special educational needs, Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for learning difficulties and disabilities. [119004] Education (1) what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of Stonewall’s School Report 2012 report; and if he will make a Mr Timpson: In 2012-13 the Demographic Growth statement; [120510] Capital Fund of £44 million will provide capital funds (2) what advice his Department provides to head to increase the number of places for young people aged teachers on dealing with (a) bullying and (b) homophobic 16 to 19, to plan for demographic changes and increasing participation. bullying; [120511] (3) what steps his Department has taken to eliminate 77% (£34.7 million) of the £44 million was awarded to projects to increase local provision to meet the specific homophobic bullying from schools. [120512] needs of young people with disabilities and learning Elizabeth Truss: The Government has made tackling difficulties. 57 projects received funding, one of which is all forms of bullying, particularly bullying motivated by West Suffolk College which will benefit 38 young people prejudice, one of its top priorities. This commitment at a cost of £319,729. was highlighted in the Schools White Paper: ‘The The fund was open to all maintained schools, academies, Importance of Teaching’. sixth form colleges and colleges of further education A number of the findings in the 2012 report by (CFEs) with the majority of applications received from Stonewall are already reflected in the measures the CFEs and maintained schools including special school. Government is taking to ensure schools are properly Projects ranged from those addressing mild learning equipped to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying, difficulties to profound and multiple learning needs. including through clearer and more concise advice to schools. The new advice summarises the legal obligations Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for and powers schools have to tackle bullying, outlines Education (1) how many families are receiving direct general principles used in the most successful schools payments for special educational needs provision under and signposts schools to specialist organisations, including the terms of the Special Educational Needs (Direct Stonewall. Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012; [120030] Alongside new advice we have given teachers the (2) how much funding is being allocated to each legal powers that they need to ensure good behaviour local authority listed in Schedule 2 of the Special and enforce the school rules. Through the Education Educational Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Act 2011, we have strengthened teachers’ powers to Order 2012 for implementation of the order; [120031] 389W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 390W

(3) when he expects personal budgets for special £ educational provision to be offered to parents in each 1 of the local authorities listed in Schedule 2 of the Local authority 2011-12 2012-13 Special Educational Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Bexley 75,000 150,000 Scheme) Order 2012; [120033] Brighton and Hove 75,000 165,000 (4) what assessment he has made of whether the Bromley 75,000 165,000 local authorities listed in Schedule 2 of the Special Calderdale 75,000 165,000 Educational Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Cornwall 75,000 165,000 Order 2012 are complying with the order; and what Darlington 75,000 150,000 steps he plans to take to ensure compliance. [120035] Devon 75,000 165,000 East Sussex 75,000 165,000 Mr Timpson: The implementation of the SEN (Direct Gateshead 75,000 150,000 Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012 is subject to a Greenwich 75,000 165,000 discreet evaluation as part of the ongoing wider evaluation Hampshire 75,000 165,000 of the SEND Green Paper pathfinder programme. Hartlepool 75,000 150,000 The evaluation has yet to report any detail on the Hertfordshire 75,000 150,000 numbers of direct payments currently being made. However, Isles of Scilly2 0 37,500 the most recent quarterly report (Evaluation of the Kent 75,000 165,000 SEND Pathfinder programme: Quarterly report—June Leicester City 75,000 165,000 2012, published in August 2012 and available on the Lewisham 75,000 165,000 Department for Education website) provides information Manchester 75,000 165,000 of the scoping phase of the research project. It provides Medway 75,000 165,000 an initial estimate that an average of 12 families per Northamptonshire 75,000 165,000 authority (in 21 of the authorities that responded to the North Yorkshire 75,000 150,000 scoping study and indicated that they will be making Nottinghamshire 75,000 150,000 direct payments) will receive direct payments by December Oldham 75,000 150,000 2012. Solihull 75,000 150,000 The Department expects to publish the first interim Southampton 75,000 165,000 evaluation report in October 2012. It will provide an Surrey 75,000 165,000 updated picture of the implementation of the order, Rochdale 75,000 150,000 including initial findings from 15 case study areas. Trafford 75,000 165,000 Six of the authorities named in the order were part of West Sussex 75,000 165,000 the Individual Budgets for Disabled Children pilot and, Wigan 75,000 150,000 as such, already have experience in providing personal Wiltshire 75,000 150,000 budgets for families with disabled children. In addition, 1 18 pathfinders were successful in securing an uplift to their funding all of the pathfinder authorities have agreed to test the in their 2012-13 funding. use of personal budgets. Further information on the 2 The Isles of Scilly originally received a joint grant allocation with pathfinders’ progress in offering personal budgets will Cornwall but were awarded, following representations to the Minister of State for Children and Families, a discrete grant in 2012-13. be contained in the interim evaluation report. However, feedback from the pathfinder support team provides anecdotal evidence of established personal budgets in Five of the authorities named in the order (Coventry, some of the pathfinders and estimates that approximately Derbyshire, Essex, Gloucestershire and Newcastle) were 400 families will be offered a personal budget during the part of the Individual Budgets for Disabled Children programme. Pilot but are not part of the pathfinder programme. To build on their expertise and ensure that learning from The Department is not conducting any formal standalone the pilot scheme is maximised, each will receive grant assessment of compliance with the order. Such a check funding of up to £100,000 in 2012-13 to undertake the would be overly bureaucratic and against the spirit of pilot. The sixth individual budget pilot authority the testing the pathfinders are undertaking in such a (Gateshead) is now a Green Paper pathfinder programme complex area. However, the Department is using the and was funded as part of that programme (see table). emerging evidence from the formal evaluation, as well as feedback from the pathfinder support team, to ensure that any barriers to implementation are understood. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department will continue to work with partners, Education what guidance his Department has provided including its strategic partner, the Council for Disabled to Wiltshire County Council on the implementation of Children, to ensure that pathfinders have the ongoing its responsibilities under the Special Educational Needs support they need to test fully the use of direct payments, (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012. [120032] as set out in the order, as well as personal budgets more generally. Mr Timpson: Wiltshire county council is a member of The SEN Green Paper pathfinder authorities named the Department’s personal budgets’ action learning network in the Order will not receive any discreet funding to take (ALN) for pathfinders. As such, it has received information part in the pilot. These authorities have been funded to from officials at the Department on the content of the test a broad package of the reforms, including the use of Order at ALN events as well as tailored support from direct payments and more generally the use of personal Department’s dedicated pathfinder support team. The budgets, and to this end they have been allocated overall authority has also received direct written advice from pathfinder grant funding of up to: the Department on the implementation of the scheme. 391W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 392W

Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Date Headcount Full Time Education (1) what representations he has received Equivalent from (a) parents and carers and (b) hon. Members and councillors in affected local authority areas on the 30 April 2010 2,646 2,526.8 implementation of the Special Educational Needs 31 August 2012 2,690 2,575.0 (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012; [120034] (2) whether his Department has agreed that any local The August 2012 headcount is slightly higher when authority listed in Schedule 2 of the Special Educational compared with 2010. This is the result of staff with a Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2012 legal right transferring into the Department from a need not comply with the Order. [120036] closing non departmental public body (NDPB), Since May 2010 the total headcount for the Department and its NDPBs has reduced by 26% or 1,902 full time Mr Timpson: The information is as follows: equivalents. (a) The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has received one representation from one hon. Teachers: Disciplinary Proceedings Member in a local authority area named in the order. In addition, officials at the Department for Education have received representations from one parent in a local Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for authority area named in the order. Both representations Education how many teachers were prohibited from sought clarification of the requirements of the pilot teaching by the General Teaching Council for England scheme in relation to its implementation in the local due to professional incompetence in 2011-12. [114248] authority area. (b) The Secretary of State and the Department have Mr Laws: In the year 2011/12 six cases relating to not received any representations from councillors in serious professional incompetence were considered at a local authority area named in the order. hearing. One resulted in a prohibition order being imposed, four resulted in conditional registration orders and one The Department for Education has not made any resulted in no finding of serious professional incompetence. agreement for a local authority to not comply with the order. The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) was abolished on 1 April 2012 and responsibility for regulating the teaching profession moved to the Teaching Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Agency. Under the old arrangements, the GTCE was Education how much his Department spent on special responsible for determining issues involving teacher educational needs in each financial year from 2009-10 misconduct and teacher competence. The Teaching Agency to date; and what estimate he has made of such no longer considers issues of incompetence in its capacity spending in each financial year up to 2014-15. [120336] as the national regulator. Competence issues are most effectively dealt with at a local level; employers being in Mr Timpson [holding answer 10 September 2012]: the best position to make judgments about competence. Spend on special educational needs also includes support From 1 September 2012 new, streamlined arrangements to disabled children, young people and their families. for managing teacher performance will be introduced in Figures for the financial years 2009 to 2011 are as order to give head teachers the freedom and authority follows: they need to tackle competence issues in their schools. We trust professionals to tackle issues of competence £ billion and conduct effectively.

2009-10 5.37 Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 5.79 Education how many teachers were referred to the 2011-12 5.77 General Teaching Council for England for professional incompetence in the last 10 years. [114249] Estimated spending for 2012-13 by local authorities is due to be published later this month. Our plans to reform provision for children and young people with Mr Laws: Figures are available from 1 April 2002 to SEN have just been published and will be scrutinised by 31 December 2011. Between these dates, 219 teachers the Select Committee on Education. The Department were referred to the General Teaching Council for England has an annual budgeting process which plans and sets for serious professional incompetence. the budget for the forthcoming year. Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Staff Education how many teachers referred to the General Teaching Council for England for professional incompetence in the last year for which figures are Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education available have been cleared of wrongdoing. [114250] how many people are employed in his Department; and how many people were employed by his Department on Mr Laws: During the year 1 April 2011 to 31 March 5 May 2010. [119530] 2012, the General Teaching Council for England considered six cases of serious professional incompetence at a Elizabeth Truss: Headcount figures are shown in the formal hearing. Of these, one case resulted in the Committee following table. making a finding of no serious professional incompetence. 393W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 394W

Teachers: Pay Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 3 July 2012]: The number of journeys made by the Secretary of State for Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Education what the average pay rise for full-time Heath (Michael Gove), by train and Government car in classroom teachers was in (a) academies and (b) an official capacity is shown in the following table. maintained schools in each of the last three years. Table 1 [114131] Train Government Car

Mr Laws: The average pay increase of the 289,000 April 2011 1 7 full-time regular qualified teachers who remained in May 2011 1 19 service in a local authority maintained school in England June 2011 1 16 between March 2009 and March 2010 was £2,100. July 2011 3 15 There are a number of reasons why the pay of teachers August 2011 0 10 changes during the year including pay awards, pay September 2011 6 16 progression increments and awards of additional allowances. October 2011 0 16 Pay can indeed go down from one year to the next as November 2011 6 21 well. Concentrating solely on those who saw a rise in December 2011 1 13 pay, the average increase was £2,300. There was a 2.3% pay award on 1 September 2009 and this is the most January 2012 7 24 robust indicator of the overall average ‘pay-rise’ during February 2012 2 18 the period. March 2012 1 18 No similar figures are available for academies. These April 2012 8 9 figures are provisional. The source of the information is May 2012 1—0 the Database of Teacher Records. June 2012 1— 1— No figures are yet available for 2010 to 2011 or 2011 July 2012 1— 1— to 2012. August 2012 1— 1—

Third Sector The number of journey bookings made by officials in his Department by train and Government car in an Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for official capacity is shown in the following table. Education what steps he has taken to put into practice Table 2 the recommendations of the National Audit Office’s Train Government Car review of Central Government’s implementation of the National Compact published in January 2012. [120006] April 2011 3,564 24 May 2011 4,091 39 Mr Timpson [holding answer 7 September 2012]: The June 2011 4,443 56 voluntary and community sector (VCS) has an important July 2011 3,847 39 role in the development and delivery of services for August 2011 2,926 4 children, young people and families. The Department September 2011 4,969 55 for Education funds a number of VCS organisations October 2011 4,596 49 and is supportive of the National Compact and its November 2011 5,375 66 principles. In light of the National Audit Office’s report, December 2011 3,086 33 the Department developed an action plan in spring 2012, which is aimed at strengthening approaches to effective partnership working with VCS organisations. January 2012 5,923 46 This has included taking forward action to incorporate February 2012 5,486 56 the Compact into the Department’s procurement guidance, March 2012 5,336 65 delivering training to procurement staff and awareness April 2012 5,402 42 sessions to policy makers and other staff, and adopting May 2012 1—45 Compact best practice in the award of grants and June 2012 1— 1— contracts to VCS organisations. July 2012 1— 1— 1 1 The Department for Education also funds five Strategic August 2012 — — Partners to ensure effective engagement with the VCS 1 Additional data cannot be supplied within the time constrains for sector in policy development and to build capacity in the updated PQ on 12 September 2012 the sector to deliver key services of national significance. The Secretary of State for Education and officials in Through the close working with strategic partners, the his Department have not used coach travel for official Department will continue to track and review its business. performance in adhering to the Compact.

Travel Written Questions: Government Responses

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many journeys (a) he and (b) officials Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for in his Department made by (i) train, (ii) coach and Education when he plans to answer questions 107269, (iii) Government car in an official capacity in each of 107270, 107141, 107066, 107062 and 107061, tabled on the last 12 months. [115021] 10 May 2012 for answer on 14 May 2012. [114283] 395W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 396W

Elizabeth Truss [holding answer 28 June 2012]: Responses Justine Greening: Yes. This is the first UK government were issued to the hon. Member’s questions as follows: to set out (in the 2010 spending review) clear plans to PQ 107269—4 July 2012, Official Report, column 699W invest 0.7% of gross national income on official development PQ 107270—4 July 2012, Official Report, column 699W assistance from 2013. This was reconfirmed in the recent Budget and the Humble Address. PQ 107141—4 July 2012, Official Report, column 699W PQ 107062—9 July 2012, Official Report, columns 43-44W PQ 107061—9 July 2012, Official Report, columns 43-44W and WORK AND PENSIONS PQ 107066—3 September 2012, Official Report, column 106W. Children: Maintenance

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of Military Aid the effect of the cost of calling the Child Support Agency on low-income households. [120250]

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Webb: It is not possible to directly link the cost International Development what steps her Department of telephony calls to low-income households within the takes to ensure co-ordination with the Ministry of cost limits which apply to answering this question. Defence on training on humanitarian airdrop or relief Information has instead been given separately on the operations. [120579] estimated cost of calls and proportion of low income households. Mr Duncan: DFID and Ministry of Defence (MOD) In the month of July 2012, the average call length co-operate closely on international humanitarian relief. from landlines was nine minutes with the average call For example, Royal Air Force Chinook helicopters assisted length from mobiles approximately eight minutes. The in delivering humanitarian supplies in Pakistan after average call cost based on these call durations is 30p the earthquake in 2005 and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary from a landline and £1.50 from a mobile. Costs vary ship Largs Bay assisted in Haiti in 2010. DFID has a widely between networks, plans and the time of day memorandum of understanding with the MOD in order that the call was made as well as connection charges. to ensure efficient and effective co-operation and The mean number of calls per customer per year is two. employment of assets if the need is identified. We work This means the total average cost of calls from a landline together in line with internationally agreed humanitarian would be approximately 60p per year with calls from a guidelines. mobile telephone totalling £3.00 per year. Overseas Aid It is estimated that 48% of parents with care have a pre-maintenance income of under £10,000 per year (gross) with 38% of non-resident parents having a similar Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for income. International Development whether it remains her policy to support the hon. Member for Preston’s private Members’ Bill to enshrine in law that the Employment Schemes: Young People Government should spend 0.7% of gross national income on official development assistance. [120744] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 July Justine Greening: The previous Minister of State for 2012, Official Report, column 865W, on employment International Development my right hon. Friend the schemes: young people, when he expects to announce Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) made clear whether the formal review of the Youth Contract’s on 13 July 2012 that the coalition Government supported progress will include information on the number of the hon. Member for Preston’s private Member’s Bill. wage subsidies used by each individual Work That position has not changed. programme prime contractor. [120706]

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hoban: The Youth Contract, including wage International Development whether it remains her incentives, went live on April 2012. From this point any policy to support enshrining in law a requirement that young person attached to the Work programme could the Government should spend 0.7% of gross national be placed into work with a wage incentive being offered income on official development assistance. [120746] to the employer. In most cases wage incentives are paid after a young person has been in work continuously for Justine Greening: Yes. A commitment to enshrine 26 weeks. 0.7% in law was set out in the Coalition programme for Following the collection and quality assurance of government. A Bill has been drafted and, as the Prime this data, I expect the first set of Official Statistics on Minister has said on several occasions, we will legislate the wage incentive to be available from early 2013. when parliamentary time allows. Decisions on the precise format of the Official Statistics will be taken nearer the time and will be influenced by Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the quality of available data. The Department is working International Development whether it remains her to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to policy to spend 0.7% of gross national income on ensure we publish statistics that meet high quality standards official development assistance by 2013. [120747] at the earliest opportunity. 397W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 398W

Housing Benefit Steve Webb: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work cost. and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 February Information on the number of housing benefit claims 2012, Official Report, column 110W, on housing by local authority is available in the Department for benefit, how much housing benefit by (a) value and Work and Pensions statistics publication First Release (b) percentage was paid to tenants in each Government for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Speed of office region in (i) social housing, (ii) private landlords Processing. This is available in the Library. and (iii) other forms of tenure in each of the last five years. [120607] Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the gross expenditure was in real terms Steve Webb: Details of past housing benefit expenditure on housing benefit for (a) all working age claimants in each Government office region is published and and (b) working age claimants in employment in (i) available at the following link. There are separate tables 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12. [120879] for each year. Steve Webb: The information is in the following table: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/ h_tables_budget_2012_300812.xls Housing benefit expenditure The total amount of housing benefit paid to tenants £ million (2012-13 prices) in social housing, consistent with the previous answer, 2010-11 2011-12 comprises Rent Rebate (column I) and Registered Social Working age claimants 16,263 16,968 Landlord Rent Allowance (column K), less temporary Working age claimants 3,363 3,975 accommodation expenditure (column T). in employment Temporary accommodation expenditure (column T) Notes: is counted as ″other forms of tenure″ in the previous The breakdown of HB expenditure into groups (a) and (b) is estimated answer, although this will cover a mix of social and based on a combination of statistical data and local authority subsidy returns. These estimates are consistent with the latest published different types of private accommodation. expenditure outturn available at: Figures in the tables include that element of housing http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/ benefit funded by local authorities, except tables suffixed h_tables_budget_2012_300812.xls ″ ″ DWP subs , which relate only to expenditure reimbursed Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and by DWP. Pensions what estimate he has made of the gross Figures may have changed since the previous answer expenditure in real terms on housing benefit for (a) all due to more recent information becoming available. working age claimants and (b) working age claimants in employment in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for 2014-15. [120880] Work and Pensions what consideration he has given to increasing the social housing underoccupancy penalty Steve Webb: Available information is in the following in housing benefit in the event that the savings table: projected in the impact assessment are not realised. Forecast housing benefit expenditure [120701] £ million (2012-13 prices) Working age claimants Steve Webb: We currently have no plans to change the percentage reduction rates for under-occupancy in the 2012-13 16,828 social rented sector. As with all changes, we will monitor 2013-14 15,781 the impact of this measure to see whether it is meeting 2014-15 15,487 its policy objectives. Notes: 1. These estimates are consistent with the latest published expenditure Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and forecasts at: Pensions if he will rank all English local authorities by http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/budget_2012_300712.xls 2. Forecasts for claimants in employment are not produced. The the percentage change in the number of (a) all published forecasts provide a breakdown by claimant group: most households receiving housing benefit and (b) working claimants in employment appear in the ‘Housing Benefit only’ category, households receiving housing benefit. [120876] although this also includes some other claimants who are not receiving a DWP benefit, and claimants in employment may also appear in Steve Webb: The information has been placed in the other categories. Source: Library. Budget 2012 forecasts Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Housing Benefit: Haringey Pensions (1) what proportion of new housing benefit claimants in each local authority area were in Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work employment in (a) April 2010 and (b) May 2012; and Pensions how many and what proportion of [120877] housing benefit claimants in the London Borough of Haringey were in work in each year since 2001. Ms Buck: (2) what the percentage change was in the [120606] number of claims for housing benefit amongst people in employment in each local authority area between Steve Webb: The information is not available in the (a) April 2008 and April 2010 and (b) April 2010 and format requested. Such information as is available is in April 2012. [120878] the following table. 399W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 400W

Housing benefit (HB) recipients, non-passported and in employment in the London borough of Haringey: November 2008 to May 2012 All HB non-passported, in employment as a proportion All HB non-passported in of all HB recipients All HB recipients All non-passported employment (percentage)

November 2008 32,120 10,610 6,510 20.3 May 2009 32,530 10,850 6,570 20.2 May 2010 35,050 12,560 8,180 23.3 May 2011 36,280 14,160 9,830 27.1 May 2012 37,020 14,970 10,490 28.3 Notes: 1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple. 2. Recipients are as at second Thursday of the month. 3. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems. It replaces quarterly aggregate clerical returns. The data is available monthly from November 2008 and May 2012 is the most recent available. 4. This data refers to people receiving Housing Benefit not in receipt of a passported benefit and are recorded as being in employment if their local authority has recorded employment income from either the main claimant, or partner of claimant (if applicable), in calculating the housing benefit award. People receiving passported benefits who are working part-time cannot be identified and are therefore not included in this analysis. 5. Caseload figures are rounded to 10, percentages to one decimal place. Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE)

Housing Benefit: South East claimants in (i) Brighton and Hove local authority area and (ii) the South East of England have been in work in each year since 2001. [120528] Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Webb: The information is not available in the Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of format requested. Such information as is available is in (a) housing benefit and (b) local housing allowance the following tables.

Housing benefit (HB) recipients, non-passported and in employment and local housing allowance (LHA) recipients, non-passported in employment, November 2008 to May 2012 All HB non-passported, in employment as a proportion All HB non-passported in of all HB recipients All HB caseload All non-passported employment (percentage)

November 2008 Great Britain 4,171,940 1,218,840 430,160 10.3 South East region 439,430 158,350 65,300 14.9 Brighton and Hove local authority 25,240 8,700 4,360 17.3

May 2009 Great Britain 4,412,990 1,357,610 485,610 11.0 South East region 470,650 171,400 73,720 15.7 Brighton and Hove local authority 26,640 9,180 4,460 16.8

May 2010 Great Britain 4,751,530 1,490,530 650,550 13.7 South East region 512,320 192,760 92,880 18.1 Brighton and Hove local authority 28,000 9,940 5,270 18.8

May 2011 Great Britain 4,879,180 1,638,770 803,070 16.5 South East region 527,520 211,160 111,700 21.2 Brighton and Hove local authority 28,350 10,920 6,380 22.5

May 2012 Great Britain 5,031,740 1,753,430 903,440 18.0 South East region 544,690 224,350 123,950 22.8 Brighton and Hove local authority 28,760 11,300 6,900 23.8 401W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 402W

All LHA non-passported, in All LHA non-passported in employment as a proportion of all All LHA caseload employment LHA recipients (percentage)

November 2008 Great Britain 380,150 91,510 24.1 South East region 49,970 15,820 31.7 Brighton and Hove local authority 10,270 3,260 31.7

May 2009 Great Britain 640,090 149,040 23.3 South East region 84,830 25,240 29.7 Brighton and Hove local authority 11,350 3,380 29.8

May 2010 Great Britain 998,650 267,040 26.7 South East region 127,070 41,270 32.5 Brighton and Hove local authority 12,370 4,020 32.5

May 2011 Great Britain 1,186,070 362,700 30.6 South East region 148,650 53,880 36.2 Brighton and Hove local authority 12,890 4,790 37.2

May 2012 Great Britain 1,330,310 421,330 31.7 South East region 164,710 61,750 37.5 Brighton and Hove local authority 13,000 5,000 38.4 Notes: 1. Local Housing Allowance was introduced in the deregulated private sector from April 2008 and the first available data is for November 2008. 2. Caseload figures are rounded to 10, percentages to one decimal place. Totals may not sum due to rounding. Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE): 2008 onwards

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing Benefit: Wales Work and Pensions whether any of the (a) claimants of and (b) landlords interviewed for the recently- published research on the effect of the (i) housing benefit and (ii) local housing allowance measures in Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Monitoring the impact of changes to the local housing and Pensions what proportion of housing benefit allowance system of housing benefit: Summary of claimants in Wales are in employment. [120421] early findings Department of Work and Pensions (June 2012) were from (A) Brighton and Hove and (B) the South East of England. [120529] Steve Webb: The available information is provided in the following table: Housing benefit (HB) recipients, non-passported and in Steve Webb: The Department published a report of employment—Wales—May 2012 early findings on 14 June and a copy of the report has Wales Number/percentage been lodged in the House Library. All HB recipients 251,310 The research was conducted by a consortium of academics and research organisations led by Ian Cole, All non-passported 74,340 professor of housing studies at Sheffield Hallam university Non-passported of which are in 33,940 and is based on the results of a face to face survey with employment 100 LHA claimants and 80 landlords in each of 19 local authorities selected as case study areas. Non-passported, in employment 13.5 as a proportion of all HB Three local authorities in the South East, Portsmouth, recipients (percentage) Tendring and Thanet formed part of the 19 local authority case study areas. Notes: 1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple. The Department for Communities and Local 2. Recipients are as at second Thursday of the month. Government, the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly 3. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct Government are working in close partnership with the from local authority computer systems. It replaces quarterly DWP and contributing to the costs of the review. aggregate clerical returns. The data is available monthly from November 2008 and May 2012 is the most recent available. 403W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 404W

4. This data refers to people receiving Housing Benefit not in receipt if they were not able to submit a response through the of a passported benefit and are recorded as being in employment if normal channels. As of 7 September the ILF had issued their local authority has recorded employment income from either the main claimant, or partner of claimant (if applicable), in a further 5,237 reminders to users about the consultation calculating the housing benefit award. People receiving passported through a variety of mediums. benefits who are working part-time cannot be identified and are therefore not included in this analysis. Licensing 5. Case load is rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) Work and Pensions what permits and licences his Independent Living Fund Department and its public bodies issue to businesses. [118811] Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department has Mr Hoban: DWP issues two types of licences. One allocated for consultation with Independent Living type is a licence to occupy buildings where DWP occupies Fund recipients on the future of the fund; and if he will a building and there is surplus space. The other is a make a statement. [119114] licence to use intellectual property. DWP does not issue permits. Esther McVey: The consultation budget set aside by DWP non-departmental public bodies the Independent Living Fund is £100,000. This does not Remploy Ltd issues a variety of licences and/or permits include staff time costs. in the course of its normal business, to include (but not limited to) those for: Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work (i) the occupation of property or area owned by Remploy to and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to small businesses, partners and/or charities; consult independent living fund recipients on the future (ii) the use of machinery and equipment belonging to Remploy; of the fund; and if he will make a statement. [119119] (iii) the use of Remploy intellectual property (for example: Esther McVey: The Department is running, in copyright, trademarks, designs, patents); and conjunction with the ILF, 14 consultation events for (iv) other permissions or licences required under commercial users in locations across the UK. The ILF wrote to or other contractual terms in the normal course of business. every user of the fund at the launch of the consultation The Health and Safety Executive has issued licences to inform them of it, advise them how to respond, and permits as described in the following appendix. inform them how to get accessible documents and tell No other DWP non-departmental public body has them how to obtain support to respond to the consultation issued permits or licences to businesses.

Licence/permit title Licence or permit Brief description (if not obvious from title)

Nuclear site licence Licence Section 1(1) of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 prohibits any person installing or operating nuclear facilities without a nuclear site licence. The issuing of a licence makes the licensee responsible for all nuclear safety matters on the licensed nuclear site. ONR grants nuclear site licences on behalf of HSE. The nuclear site licence is a legal document, issued for the full life of the facility. Licences under the Control of Asbestos Licence These Regulations require work with most asbestos-containing materials Regulations 2012 to be carried out by a holder of a licence granted by HSE. All work with sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation or asbestos lagging and most work with asbestos insulation board requires a licence because of the hazardous nature of these high risk materials. Licensing sites to store or manufacture explosives Licence — Acetylene Import Licence Licence — Licensing harbours and harbour areas to Licence — handle explosives Licensing the mixing of Ammonium Nitrate Licence — Fuel Oil explosives (ANFO) Intellectual Property Licences Licence Licences users to use difference computer software developed by HSL. The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Permit Permit granted to aerial applicators of pesticides before application can Use) Regulations 2012 Permit for aerial take place. application of pesticides Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 Permit for Permit A permit for release into the environment of an unauthorised plant trial purposes of a plant protection product protection product or involving unauthorised use of a plant protection product, for research and development purposes. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 Parallel trade Permit A permit of marketing and use of a parallel trade plant protection permit for a plant protection product product.

Personal Independence Payment financial support through the personal independence payment system; and if he will make a statement. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of [120848] State for Work and Pensions what safeguards he has put in place to ensure that deaf people receive adequate 405W Written Answers13 SEPTEMBER 2012 Written Answers 406W

Esther McVey: The personal independence payment Third Sector assessment will not consider what impairments an individual has, labelling them simply on this basis. It is being Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work designed to consider their personal circumstances, and and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to will consider the impact their impairment has on their implement the recommendations of the National Audit everyday life. Office report, Central Government’s implementation The assessment criteria will take account of physical, of the national Compact. [120627] sensory, mental, intellectual and cognitive impairments. Entitlement will depend on individuals being determined Mr Hoban: The Department for Work and Pensions as having limited or severely limited ability to carry out is developing plans to undertake regular stocktakes of certain activities and whether someone’s ability is limited its implementation of the Compact and has already in this way will depend on the outcome of their assessment. demonstrated its commitment to abide by the principles During our recent consultation we engaged with of the Compact in its dealings with Civil Society organisations representing deaf individuals, and I can organisations by publishing relevant information on: assure you that we are considering all of their comments http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/corporate-publications/ very carefully as we evaluate what further improvements compact.shtml need to be made to the assessment criteria. This also provides contact details for DWP’s Civil Social Security: Wales Society Liaison Officer, who can provide more information upon request. Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work In public consultation exercises, DWP endeavours to and Pensions whether he plans to extend the European follow the Government Code of Practice on Consultation Social Funding provisions for support for families with and if unable, provides a clear explanation as to why that was so. Also, in contracting for services to be multiple problems to Wales. [120440] delivered on its behalf, DWP continues to comply with Mr Hoban: The Department for Work and Pensions its own ‘Commissioning Strategy’ and is implementing manages the England European Social Fund programme, ‘The Merlin Standard’ to champion positive behaviours which is the source of funds for the support for families and relationships in the delivery of provision, including with multiple problems. As the ESF programme covers with Civil Society organisations. England only, so does this support. The Welsh Assembly Government has responsibility for a separate European Work Capability Assessment Social Fund programme in Wales, and they decide what priorities to spend it on. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State State Retirement Pensions for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 5 September 2012, Official Report, columns 361-2W, on Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work work capability assessment, whether Atos Healthcare and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of increasing professionals are routinely advised of the levels of the the 25 pence increase to the state pension for people parameters which would trigger an audit of their work; over the age of 80 to £10 a week if (a) the payment was what steps are taken to indicate that these parameters tax-free and not taken into account for income-related are not to be treated as targets; and whether the benefits, (b) it was taxable but not taken into account parameters are adjusted to account for the outcomes of for income-related benefits and (c) it was taxable and appeal decisions. [120736] counted as income for the purposes of income-related benefits. [120830] Mr Hoban: Atos Healthcare professionals are routinely audited. They are not routinely made aware of the Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written parameters that would trigger auditing. answer I gave on 17 May 2012, Official Report, column Atos Healthcare are not routinely informed of the 295W. outcome of individual appeals.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 13 September 2012

Col. No. Col. No. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 401 CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—continued 4G Spectrum...... 412 Topical Questions ...... 412 BBC ...... 408 Tourism...... 406 Broadband ...... 410 Heptathletes: Facilities...... 411 HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 416 Leveson Inquiry ...... 404 Palace of Westminster: Refurbishment...... 416 Local Community Sport ...... 409 Paralympic Sponsorship ...... 403 LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 419 School Playing Fields...... 409 Ministerial Statements ...... 420 Scottish Independence ...... 407 Pre-legislative Scrutiny ...... 422 Sport Participation (Children) ...... 401 Scrutiny...... 419 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 13 September 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 11WS JUSTICE...... 16WS Guidelines for Prosecutors (Cases Affecting the Boundary Commission for Wales (Appointment Media) ...... 11WS of Deputy Chairman) ...... 16WS

LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 16WS BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 12WS e-Petitions ...... 16WS Estate Agents Act/Property Misdescriptions Act ... 12WS TRANSPORT ...... 16WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 14WS Bus Subsidy System (Reform) ...... 16WS Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act (Public Consultation)...... 15WS TREASURY ...... 11WS Surveillance Cameras (Regulation) ...... 14WS Small Charitable Donations Bill ...... 11WS PETITIONS

Thursday 13 September 2012

Col. No. Col. No. HOME DEPARTMENT...... 3P TRANSPORT—continued Policing (Winsor Reforms)...... 3P Rural Transport (Sadberge, Darlington) ...... 5P

TRANSPORT ...... 4P Bus Services in Teesside and East Cleveland ...... 4P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 13 September 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 293W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Disciplinary Proceedings...... 293W Postal Services...... 299W Publications ...... 299W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 293W Regional Growth Fund ...... 299W Dairy Farming ...... 293W Research and Development Tax Credit ...... 300W Engineers: Training...... 293W Science ...... 300W European Patent Court ...... 294W Exports ...... 294W CABINET OFFICE...... 301W Farepak...... 296W British Nationals Abroad...... 301W Foreign Investment in UK: Barnsley...... 296W Offences Against Children: Charities ...... 302W Innovation ...... 296W London Metropolitan University...... 297W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 302W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 297W Audit Commission ...... 302W Overseas Students: Entry Clearances ...... 298W Correspondence ...... 304W Post Offices: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Council Tax ...... 304W Agency...... 298W Council Tax Benefits...... 305W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— continued continued Emergencies ...... 306W Scallops...... 320W European Regional Development Fund...... 306W Third Sector...... 320W Family Intervention Projects ...... 308W Fire Prevention ...... 308W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 321W Fire Services...... 308W Al Shabaab...... 321W Housing Benefit ...... 308W Buildings...... 322W Local Government: Procurement ...... 309W Burma...... 333W Members: Correspondence ...... 310W EU Justice and Home Affairs...... 335W Parks...... 310W European Union ...... 336W Regional Resilience Forums ...... 311W India ...... 336W Riots Communities and Victims Panel...... 311W Nigeria...... 337W Zimbabwe ...... 337W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 377W Broadcasting ...... 379W HEALTH...... 338W Competitive Sport: Disabled People...... 378W Abortion ...... 338W Listed Buildings ...... 378W Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 338W Mobile Phone Coverage: Argyll and Bute ...... 377W Alcoholic Drinks: Young People ...... 339W Sports: Schools ...... 379W Cancer ...... 339W Telephones: Fees and Charges...... 379W Drugs: Rehabilitation...... 343W Television Reception: Thanet ...... 378W General Practitioners ...... 344W Tourism...... 378W Health Services: Older People ...... 345W Hospitals: Fires...... 346W DEFENCE...... 311W Hospitals: Liverpool ...... 347W Belize ...... 311W Hospitals: Swindon...... 351W Defence Equipment ...... 312W Hospitals: Waiting Lists...... 352W Military Aircraft ...... 312W Mesothelioma: Merseyside...... 353W Syria...... 312W Pay...... 354W Procurement...... 353W EDUCATION...... 380W Third Sector...... 355W Abortion: Health Education ...... 380W Children: Day Care ...... 383W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 355W Children: Health ...... 384W Anti-slavery Day ...... 355W Children in Care...... 380W Arrests: Football ...... 355W Children: Visual Impairment ...... 384W Civil Disorder ...... 356W Education: Children...... 384W Drugs: Crime ...... 356W Further Education: Special Educational Needs...... 384W Drugs: Misuse...... 357W GCSE ...... 386W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 357W Health Education...... 385W Human Trafficking ...... 357W Parents: Education...... 387W Human Trafficking: Children...... 358W Pupils: Bullying...... 387W London Metropolitan University...... 358W Schools: Boxing ...... 388W Ministerial Ethnic Minority Steering Group...... 358W Special Educational Needs...... 388W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 359W Staff ...... 391W Police: Conditions of Employment ...... 359W Teachers: Disciplinary Proceedings ...... 392W Police: Surveillance ...... 359W Teachers: Pay ...... 393W Police: Uniforms ...... 360W Third Sector...... 393W Travel ...... 393W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 360W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 394W Postal Services...... 360W

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 313W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 395W Carbon Emissions: Agriculture...... 313W Military Aid...... 395W Energy...... 313W Overseas Aid...... 395W Energy: Meters...... 314W Freedom of Information ...... 315W JUSTICE...... 360W Nuclear Energy Agency ...... 315W Driving Under Influence...... 360W Nuclear Power...... 315W Hospitals: Crimes of Violence...... 361W Nuclear Risk Insurers ...... 316W Pay...... 363W Procurement...... 316W Road Traffic Offences...... 363W Public Expenditure...... 316W Trials...... 364W Renewable Energy...... 317W Third Sector...... 318W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 364W Training ...... 318W House Business Committee...... 364W Warm Front Scheme: Coventry...... 318W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 364W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Pay...... 364W AFFAIRS...... 319W Public Order...... 364W Advisory Committee on Pesticides...... 319W Bees...... 319W PRIME MINISTER ...... 365W National Income ...... 320W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 365W Col. No. Col. No. SCOTLAND...... 365W TREASURY ...... 375W Infrastructure: (Financial Assistance) Bill...... 365W Enterprise Zones: Lancashire...... 375W Pay...... 365W Insurance: Travel...... 375W West Coast Railway Line ...... 365W Revenue and Customs...... 376W Winter Fuel Payments...... 366W Shareholders: Loans ...... 376W Working Tax Credit ...... 366W Taxation: British Nationals Abroad...... 376W Taxation: Business ...... 377W TRANSPORT ...... 367W Airports: Thames Estuary...... 367W Bus Services: Visual Impairment...... 367W Heathrow Airport ...... 368W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 396W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 368W Children: Maintenance ...... 396W Large Goods Vehicles: Working Hours ...... 371W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 396W Marine Accident Investigation Branch...... 371W Housing Benefit ...... 397W Motorcycles: Driving Tests ...... 372W Housing Benefit: Haringey...... 398W Motorcycles: Training ...... 373W Housing Benefit: South East...... 399W Ports: Channel Islands ...... 373W Housing Benefit: Wales...... 402W Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations Independent Living Fund ...... 403W 2005 ...... 373W Licensing...... 404W Rolling Stock: Procurement ...... 374W Personal Independence Payment...... 403W Shipping: Channel Islands ...... 374W Social Security: Wales ...... 405W Stansted Airport: Railways ...... 374W State Retirement Pensions...... 405W Unmanned Air Vehicles: EU Action ...... 374W Third Sector...... 406W West Coast Railway Line ...... 375W Work Capability Assessment...... 406W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

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CONTENTS

Thursday 13 September 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 401] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport House of Commons Commission Leader of the House

Business of the House [Col. 423] Statement—(Mr Lansley)

Afghanistan [Col. 439] Statement—(Justine Greening)

Public Service Pensions [Col. 455] Bill presented, and read the First time

Backbench Business Select Committee Inquiry (Aviation Strategy) [Col. 456] Motion—(Mrs Ellman)—agreed to Fuel Prices [Col. 462] Motion—(Robert Halfon)—agreed to Tax Avoidance and Evasion [Col. 497] Motion—(Mr Meacher)—agreed to

Colin Traynor [Col. 532] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Dairy Industry [Col. 143] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 11WS]

Petitions [Col. 3P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 293W]