Vol. 729 Thursday No. 188 11 August 2011

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICIAL REPORT

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Deaths of Members Announcement Public Disorder Statement Global Economy Statement Written Statements Written Answers For column numbers see back page

£3·50 Lords wishing to be supplied with these Daily Reports should give notice to this effect to the Printed Paper Office. The bound volumes also will be sent to those Peers who similarly notify their wish to receive them. No proofs of Daily Reports are provided. Corrections for the bound volume which Lords wish to suggest to the report of their speeches should be clearly indicated in a copy of the Daily Report, which, with the column numbers concerned shown on the front cover, should be sent to the Editor of Debates, House of Lords, within 14 days of the date of the Daily Report. This issue of the Official Report is also available on the Internet at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/index/110811.html

PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords £3·50 Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords £525 WEEKLY HANSARD Single copies: Commons, £12; Lords £6 Annual subscriptions: Commons, £440; Lords £255 Index: Annual subscriptions: Commons, £125; Lords, £65. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £40. Standing orders will be accepted.

THE INDEX to each Bound Volume of House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. WEEKLY INFORMATION BULLETIN, compiled by the House of Commons, gives details of past and forthcoming business, the work of Committees and general information on legislation, etc. Single copies: £1·50. Annual subscription: £53·50. All prices are inclusive of postage.

© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2011, this publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU; email: [email protected] 1501 Deaths of Members[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1502

House of Commons. As ever, if that is not the case, House of Lords we will need to adjourn briefly during pleasure until we are in a position to take the Statement. Proceedings Thursday, 11 August 2011. will be similar on the second Statement. There will be 20 minutes for Front-Bench contributions, about Noon 40 minutes for Back-Bench contributions and the Minister will reply at the end. If we manage to keep to roughly Prayers—read by the Lord Bishop of Birmingham. those timings, the House should rise by 3 pm. I should like to remind all Members of the House Deaths of Members that at 3 pm today my noble friends Lady Browning Announcement and Lord Wallace of Saltaire will be hosting an all-Peers meeting on the subject of the first Statement. It will be 12.05 pm in Committee Room G, and all Members of this The Lord Speaker (Baroness Hayman): My Lords, House are most welcome. It will give us all the opportunity I regret that I have to inform the House of the deaths to look at these matters in more detail. of Lord Boston of Faversham on 23 July and Lord Before the Leader rises to make the first Statement, Marsh on 29 July. On behalf of the whole House, I I am sure that the whole House will want to join me in extend our condolences to the noble Lords’ families expressing our thanks to the staff of the House for and friends. enabling us to meet today.

Arrangement of Business Public Disorder Announcement Statement 12.06 pm 12.09 pm Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, with the usual channels’ agreement, our business today will The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord essentially follow our established procedure for the Strathclyde): My Lords, I shall now repeat a Statement repetition of two Statements in this House, but with that was made by the Prime Minister a few minutes some added structure and time extensions. ago in another place. The Statement is as follows: My noble friend the Leader of the House will “First, let me thank all Members of the House for shortly repeat a Statement on public disorder made returning. When there are important events in our earlier to the House of Commons by my right honourable country, it is right that Parliament is recalled and that friend the Prime Minister. There will then follow we show a united front. I am grateful to the leader of contributions from the Leader of the Opposition and, the Opposition for the constructive approach that he on this occasion, the most reverend Primate the has taken over the past few days. I have spoken with Archbishop of Canterbury. The Leader will then reply many of the Members whose constituencies have been to those contributions, I hope within the 20 minutes affected, and I would like to pay tribute to the Member usual for Front-Bench comments and questions on for Tottenham for his powerful words and unstinting Statements. work over recent days. Time for Back-Bench interventions will then follow. What we have seen on the streets of London and in I suggest that we should first hear from the Convenor-elect, other cities across our country is completely unacceptable, then from the noble Baroness, Lady Hussein-Ece, and and I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning then I know that the House will wish to hear from the it. Keeping people safe is the first duty of government. noble Lord, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, who usually The whole country has been shocked by the most speaks on these matters for the Opposition. appalling scenes of people looting and of violence, I suggest that we should take around 40 minutes for vandalising and thieving. It is criminality pure and further Back-Bench contributions. I am, as is clear simple, and there is absolutely no excuse for it. We today, aware of the significant interest around the have seen houses, offices and shops raided and torched, House, but remind Members that interventions on police officers assaulted and fire crews attacked as Statements are restricted to “brief comments and they try to put out fires, people robbing others while questions” and that this is not the occasion for an they lie injured and bleeding in the street, and even immediate debate. At the end of Back-Bench interventions, three innocent people being deliberately run over and my noble friend Lady Browning will reply to those killed in Birmingham. We will not put up with this in questions en bloc for about another 10 minutes. our country; we will not allow a culture of fear to exist This is a procedure that has been designed to fit on our streets; and we will do whatever it takes to today’s circumstances and one which I hope will commend restore law and order and to rebuild our communities. itself to the House. It gives us some structure to our First, let us be clear about the sequence of events. A day and some balance in the time available for the two week ago today, a 29 year-old man named Mark Statements before us today. Duggan was shot dead by the police in Tottenham. When our proceedings on the first Statement are Clearly, there are questions that must be answered, complete, my noble friend Lord Sassoon will repeat a and I can assure the House that this is being investigated Statement on the global economy, so long as my right thoroughly and independently by the IPCC. We must honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer get to the bottom of exactly what happened—and has by then started to make that Statement to the we will. 1503 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1504

[LORD STRATHCLYDE] effective in ensuring swift justice. The Crown Courts Initially there were some peaceful demonstrations are now starting to deal with the most serious cases. following Mark Duggan’s death. Understandably and We are keeping under constant review whether the appropriately, the police were cautious about how courts have the sentencing powers they need and we they dealt with them. However, this was then used as will act if necessary. an excuse by opportunist thugs in gangs, first in Tottenham As a result of the robust and uncompromising itself, then across London and then in other cities. It is measures that have been taken, good progress is being completely wrong to say there is any justifiable causal made in restoring order to the streets of London and link. It is simply preposterous for anyone to suggest other cities around our country. As I have made clear, that people looting in Tottenham at the weekend, still nothing is off the table. Every contingency should be less three days later in Salford, were in any way doing looked at. The police are already authorised to use so because of the death of Mark Duggan. Young baton rounds. As I said yesterday, while they would people stealing flat-screen televisions and burning shops not be appropriate now, we do have in place contingency was not about politics or protest; it was about theft. plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours’ In recent days, individual police officers have shown notice. incredible bravery and have worked in some cases Some people have raised the issue of the Army. The around the clock without a break. They deserve our Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said gratitude and our thanks: but what became increasingly to me that he would rather be the last man left in clear earlier this week was that there were simply far Scotland Yard, with all his management team out on too few police deployed on to the streets, and that the the streets, before he asked for the Army. That is the tactics they were using were not working. Police chiefs right attitude and one I share. But it is the Government’s have been frank with me about why this happened. responsibility to make sure that every contingency is Initially, the police treated the situation too much as a looked at, including whether there are tasks that the public order issue rather than essentially one of crime. Army could undertake that might free up more police The truth is that the police have been facing a new and for the front line. unique challenge, with different people doing the same Everyone watching these horrific actions will be thing—basically looting—in different places, but all struck by how they were organised via social media. at the same time. To respond to this situation, we are Free flow of information can be used for good, but it acting decisively to restore order on our streets, to can also be used for ill. So we are working with the support the victims of this terrible violence and to police, the intelligence services and industry to look at look at the deeper problems that have led such a hard whether it would be right to stop people communicating core of young people to decide to carry out such via these websites and services when we know they are appalling criminality. Let me take each in turn. plotting violence, disorder and criminality. I will start with restoring order. Following the I have also asked the police if they need any other meetings of COBRA which I chaired on Tuesday, new powers. Specifically, currently they can only remove Wednesday and again this morning, we have taken face masks in a specific geographical location and for decisive action to help ensure more robust and more a limited time. So I can announce today that we are effective policing. Because of decisions taken by Acting going to give the police the discretion to require the Commissioner Tim Godwin and other chief officers, removal of face coverings under any circumstances there are now more police on the streets, more people where there is reasonable suspicion that they are related arrested and more criminals being prosecuted. The to criminal activity. On dealing with crowds, we are Met Police increased the number of police deployed also looking at the use of existing dispersal powers on the streets of London from 6,000 to almost 16,000 and whether any wider power of curfew is necessary. officers, and this number will remain through the weekend. We have also seen large increases in deployments Whenever the police face a new threat, they must of officers in other affected areas; leave in affected have the freedom and the confidence to change tactics forces has been cancelled; police officers have been as necessary. This Government will always make sure bussed in from forces across the country to areas of they have the backing and political support to do so. greatest need; and many businesses have released The fight-back has well and truly begun. But there will special constables to help. They, too, have performed be no complacency, and we will not stop until this magnificently. mindless violence and thuggery is defeated and law and order is fully restored on all our streets. More than 1,200 people have now been arrested across the country. We are making technology work Let me turn to the innocent victims. No one will for us by capturing the images of the perpetrators on forget the images of the woman jumping from a burning CCTV, so even if they have not yet been arrested, their building or the furniture shop that had survived the faces are known and they will not escape the law. As I Blitz now tragically burnt to the ground. Everyone will said yesterday, no phoney human rights concerns about have been impressed by the incredibly brave words of publishing photographs will get in the way of bringing Tariq Jahan, a father in Birmingham whose son was so these criminals to justice. Anyone charged with violent brutally and tragically run over and killed. I give the disorder and other serious offences should expect to people affected this promise: we will help you repair be remanded in custody, not let back on the streets: the damage, get your businesses back up and running, and anyone convicted should expect to go to jail. and support your communities. Courts in London, Manchester and the West Midlands Let me take each of these in turn. On repairing the have been sitting through the night, and will do so for damages, I can confirm that any individual, homeowner as long as necessary. Magistrates’ courts have proved or business that has suffered damage to or loss of their 1505 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1506 buildings or property as a result of rioting can seek system that scores a clear, heavy line between right and compensation under the Riot (Damages) Act, even if wrong—in short, all the action necessary to help mend uninsured. The Government will ensure that the police our broken society. have the funds they need to meet the cost of any At the heart of all the violence sits the issue of the legitimate claims, and whereas normally claims must street gangs. Territorial, hierarchical and incredibly be received within 14 days we will extend the period violent, they are mostly composed of young boys, to 42 days. The Association of British Insurers has mainly from dysfunctional homes. They earn money said it expects the industry to be paying out in excess through crime, particularly drugs, and are bound together of £200 million, and it has assured us that claims will by an imposed loyalty to an authoritarian gang leader. continue to be dealt with as quickly and as constructively They have blighted life on their estates with gang-on-gang as possible. murders and unprovoked attacks on innocent bystanders. On supporting businesses, we are today setting up a In the past few days, there is some evidence that they new £20 million high street support scheme to help have been behind the co-ordination of the attacks on affected businesses get back up and running quickly. the police and the looting that has followed. To minimise the costs facing businesses, the Government I want us to use the record of success against gangs will enable local authorities to grant business rate of cities like Boston in the USA and Strathclyde in relief by funding at least three-quarters of their costs. Scotland, which have done this by engaging the police, We will defer tax payments for businesses in greatest the voluntary sector and local government. I want this need, through Time to Pay and other practical support. to be a national priority. We have already introduced For houses and businesses that have been the most gang injunctions and I can announce today that we badly damaged, we have instructed the Valuation Office are going to use them across the whole country for to immediately stop liability for council tax and business children and for adults. rates. There are also further sanctions available beyond A specific point was raised with me in Wolverhampton the criminal justice system. Local authorities and landlords yesterday: that planning regulations made it difficult already have tough powers to evict the perpetrators for shops to put up protective shutters. We will weed from social housing. Some local authorities are already out unnecessary planning regulations to ensure that doing this. I want to see others follow their lead, and businesses can get back on their feet and feel secure as we will consider whether these powers need to be quickly as possible. strengthened further. On supporting local communities, I can confirm I have asked the Home Secretary to work with the that the Bellwin scheme to support local authorities Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and other will be operational. However, to ensure that urgent Cabinet colleagues on a cross-government programme funding is immediately available, we are today establishing of action to deal with this gang culture, with a report a new £10 million recovery scheme to provide additional to Parliament in October. I also believe that we should support to councils in making areas safe, clean and be looking beyond our shores to learn the lessons from clear again. others who have faced similar problems. That is why I The Government will also meet the immediate costs will be discussing how we can go further in getting to of emergency accommodation for families made homeless grips with gangs with people like Bill Bratton, former by these disturbances. The Secretaries of State for commissioner of police in New York and Los Angeles. Communities and Local Government and Business Of course, the problem is not just gangs. There are have made details of these schemes available to the people who saw shop windows smashed and thought House today. Of course the situation continues to that they could just steal and it would be okay. It is not evolve, and we will keep the need for additional support okay and these people will face the full consequences under close review. of their actions. Finally, let me turn to the deeper problems. In the past few days we have seen a range of Responsibility for crime always lies with the criminal, emotions sweep this country: anger, fear, frustration, but crime has a context and we must not shy away despair, sadness and, finally, a determined resolve that from it. I have said before that there is a major we will not let a violent few beat us. We saw this problem in our society with children growing up not resolve in the people who gathered in Clapham, knowing the difference between right and wrong. This Wolverhampton and Manchester with brooms to clean is not about poverty, it is about culture—a culture that up the streets. We saw it in those who patrolled the glorifies violence, shows disrespect to authority and roads in Enfield through the night to deter rioters. We says everything about rights but nothing about saw it in the hundreds of people who stood guard responsibilities. In too many cases the parents of these outside Southall Temple, protecting it from vandalism. children, if they are still around, do not care where This is a time for our country to pull together. To their children are or who they are with, let alone what the law-abiding people who play by the rules, and who they are doing. The potential consequences of neglect are the overwhelming majority in this country, I say: and immorality on this scale have been clear for too the fight-back has begun; we will protect you; and if long, without proper action being taken. you have had your livelihood and property damaged, As I said yesterday, there is no one step that can be we will compensate you. We are on your side. To the taken, but we need a benefits system that rewards lawless minority—the criminals who have taken what work and is on the side of families. We need more they can get—I say this: we will track you down, we discipline in our schools. We need action to deal with will find you, we will charge you and we will punish the most disruptive families. We need a criminal justice you. You will pay for what you have done. 1507 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1508

[LORD STRATHCLYDE] we have to work together to find solutions. Where We need to show the world, which has looked on there have been criminal acts, we need to see arrests appalled, that the perpetrators of the violence we have being made, prosecutions being brought, cases going seen on our streets are not in any way representative of to court and the perpetrators being penalised. We our country, nor of our young people. We need to need justice to be done. Criminality in breach of show it that we will address our broken society and criminal law needs to be responded to by criminal law. restore a sense of stronger morality and responsibility We must see swift progress from charge to trial in these in every town, every street and every estate. A year cases. Can the Leader of the House confirm that there away from the Olympics, we need to show it the is capacity within the courts and among our prosecutors Britain that does not destroy, but that builds; that does to deal with cases swiftly, not just for first appearance not give up but stands up; that does not look back, but but throughout the trial process? always forwards. I commend the Statement to the This week, we have also been reminded of the House”. importance of CCTV in catching those responsible. I wonder whether the Government will undertake to 12.27 pm look again at the proposals on CCTV to ensure that they in no way hinder bringing criminals to justice. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I thank the There is no excuse for this criminality. There is no noble Lord the Leader of the House for repeating the justification for what has been done this week. But Statement made in the other place by the Prime Minister. there are questions that we need to address. Why did I begin by saying that it was the right decision by the this happen? Why did this happen now? What lessons Prime Minister and the Government to recall Parliament did we learn from the Brixton, Toxteth, Hackney, today. It was also the right decision to recall your Leeds and other riots back in 1981? Of course, we Lordships’ House. know that there are differences from that time. There Whatever we disagree on week by week, month by was no social networking in 1981, no Twitter, and no month, today we stand shoulder to shoulder in internet at all; there were no means by which those condemning the violence and vandalism that we have taking part in the violence could maximise their seen on our streets. I join the Prime Minister in mourning impact through modern communications. But, just as the loss of life that we have seen, including those in in 1981, we know now that the background to this London and Birmingham. Our thoughts are with the week’s riots is complex: unemployment, especially youth families and friends of those who have died. As the unemployment, poor education, and few prospects. Prime Minister said, the protection of the public is The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London has the key duty and obligation of a Government. In our said: recent debates in this House, both the Government “The events of the past few days in London are appalling—but and the Opposition have been united in this view. The not wholly unexpected”. first duty of government is the security and protection He spoke of the role of gang culture in the capital. of the people. That is just one of the many issues, along with parental The events of this week have been deeply shocking responsibility, jobs, aspirations and ambition for our but they are rare. Britain is still a peaceable country; young people, the need for a sense of hope rather than London is still a peaceable city.For the vast, overwhelming hopelessness, drugs and alcohol, which must be discussed, number of people in our country, the nearest that they debated and analysed. Finding an explanation for the have come to these riots has been their remote control riots is not an excuse, not a justification for the violence, unit. But when they have turned on their television but it is a means of finding a solution. We need to look sets people across the country have been appalled by at these issues if we are to have a return to order and what they have seen: buildings burning in city centres to normality and we need to look at them seriously. and suburban high streets; shop windows shattered; There has rightly been talk of responsibility and morality. looting without limit; gangs of youths attacking the Perhaps society has lost part of its moral compass, police and fire service; and the streets under the control abdicating our responsibilities to our fellow citizens, not of the public but of the mob—random, sustained, breaking the rules that bind us as communities, indulging direct violence. However, for people living in the areas in wanton consumerism and this week despicable criminal that have been hit by these events, this has been far consumerism. from a spectacle seen on the television. It is their I hope that there will be a full, independent examination homes that have been hit—their shops, businesses and of what has happened in recent days and what has led communities. For some, their lives have been not just us to this position; not an inquiry sitting in Whitehall changed but changed for ever. For every chain store hearing evidence from academic experts, but reaching that has seen its windows smashed and its televisions out and listening to those affected, an inquiry that or trainers looted, there have been local corner shop perhaps goes around the country listening to people. businesses that have seen their investments, savings, There are millions of people in this country who care livelihoods and lives reduced to rubble or burnt to the about the community in which they live; they want a ground. The Prime Minister was right to characterise voice; they want to express their horror about what these actions as criminal. has happened from their own experience, but they will What we have seen this week in London, Birmingham, also have many progressive answers. We must listen Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham, Liverpool and even, to their hopes and fears and to their ideas in order to astonishingly, my home town area of Gloucester is find solutions. We on these Benches would urge the serious criminality for which there can be no excuse. Government to establish such an independent examination However, clearly there are problems in our society and as soon as possible. 1509 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1510

There are things that the Government can and must have spoken out well before the events of this week on do before then. Can the Leader tell the House that the the proposed cuts in police budgets and police manpower, Government will ensure that the people and families which the Government are bringing forward. Now is who have lost everything, whether it be their homes, clearly not the time for the Government to proceed their possessions, their businesses, or their livelihoods, with their plans for large cuts in the police forces of will have fast-track insurance provision so that individuals, this country. Now is not the time to stretch the thin families and businesses can start to get back on their blue line even further, as so many of our excellent feet as quickly as possible? Local authorities in the police men and women have told us this week. So can areas affected—areas which, in the main, were already the Leader of the House confirm that the proposed deep in deprivation—will be heavily stretched in trying cuts in the police—cuts which have led to estimates of to sew together again the fabric of their local communities, as many as 40,000 police and police-related jobs which has been so violently ripped apart this week. disappearing—will now be put on hold and the basis Again, 30 years ago, we saw considerable effort and of policing needs reconsidered? investment put into areas affected by rioting. In this Much was made by the Benches opposite before House, for instance, we think of the work on Merseyside, last year’s election about what they liked to badge as following the Toxteth riots, led by the then environment broken Britain. We never thought it was true. We Secretary and the now noble Lord, Lord Heseltine. always had a higher opinion of Britain and the British Can the Leader of the House confirm that there will people than that phrase implied. “Broken Britain” was not just be extra resources, but the resources that these a glib and easy charge to make in opposition, but areas need, provided for by the Government, for the government is harder and tougher. We never much programme of physical and social rebuilding and took to the notion of “Broken Britain” as an idea but reconstruction, which these areas will now unquestionably if Britain was broken then, it is a good deal more need? broken now than it was a week ago. Successful societies The importance of the Olympics, mentioned by the are built on an ethic of hard work, compassion, solidarity Leader of the House, to all countries is self-evident, and looking after each other. Ours must be one society. but for this country the importance of a peaceful, We must all bear our share of responsibility for it. It is orderly and successful Olympics cannot be overstressed. right that we come back to debate these issues in due Just last night, I was in Delhi, where on the front pages course. of all the major newspapers there were stories about These are serious matters. Few things can be more the riots. Naturally, there is discussion about the violence dreadful than to see young women leaping for their and its causes but, in conversation, questions are also lives from burning buildings, which have been deliberately asked about our reputation in the world and the set on fire by thugs intent on violence, looting and implications for the Olympics. In particular, can the criminality. The people of this country rightly demand Leader set out what steps the Government will be protection and security at home. To sit in your own taking, less than a year before the start of the 2012 house, as people across the country have testified to Olympics, to repair the damage to the reputation of doing this week, hearing a mob attempting to break in London as a world city, as an attractive place to live to attack you, your possessions, your property, your and visit, damage which the events of this week have family and your life, is not anything which anyone at certainly done? all should be experiencing in Britain in the 21st century. This is not a moment for party politics. Causes are We must move beyond the wanton and shaming violence one thing but, leaving politics aside, how these issues we have all seen this week. There will be lessons to be have been handled certainly raises vital questions—urgent learnt. We must all learn them and take whatever steps questions to which we need to turn our consideration. we can to make sure that there is no repeat of what has The bravery, dedication and commitment of the police taken place in some of our greatest cities this week. officers who have been out on our streets this week, trying to defend us all, trying to protect people and But in all the violence and in all the appalling communities, has been exemplary and a tribute to the images, we have seen some uplifting things. On the traditions and practices of good policing in Britain. I morning after their own communities had been trashed— thank our brave policemen and policewomen throughout trashed by people who are part of the very communities the country for the work that they have done on our they were trashing—to see men and women of all ages behalf, and of course I thank the emergency services. and backgrounds coming out with shovels, mops and We have seen instance after instance of real courage, brushes to clear up the mess was as British in spirit as real care and real compassion as police officers sometimes the Blitz, or the response of the public to the terrible struggled to maintain law and order in the face of, at events of 7/7. Through the violence we have also seen times, overwhelming odds against it and them. Admirable clearly that while for some people, at least, the rule of though that certainly has been, it cannot and must not law means little or nothing, for every brush that was mean that questions cannot and should not be asked swept, for every spadeful that was shovelled and for about how the policing of the situation was handled those people trying to pick up the pieces from the overall. violence, we have seen that the rule of law meant It is quite clear that questions need to be asked the opposite. The most extraordinary courage that we about the policing of the events, from the initial shooting have seen is from Mr Tariq Jahan, whose son was in Haringey a week ago to the fact that it took as long killed and who said, as four days for anything like an adequate police “Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain presence to be put in place for the capital city of this calm, for our communities to stand united”. country. Why four days? The police must get proper We stand with that gentleman; he is the true face of support from the Government. We on these Benches Britain. 1511 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1512

[BARONESS ROYALL OF BLAISDON] sense of how character was to be built in our society As its bedrock, the good society needs democracy, —because character involves not only an awareness human rights and the rule of law. We have seen all that of the connection between cause and effect in my own challenged this week but for all the despicable violence acts but a deepened sense of empathy with others and that we have witnessed, we have witnessed as well how a deepened sense of our involvement together in a uplifting the human spirit can be, how powerful is the social project in which we all have to participate. As rule of law—because support for it is so widespread—and we have been reminded, there are indeed no quick how much, too, we all need to work to ensure that it is answers here, but I believe that one of the most the human spirit and the rule of law rather than significant questions that we ought to be addressing in baseness and violence which eventually triumph. the wake of these deplorable events is what kind of education we are interested in for what kind of society. 12.40 pm Are we prepared to think about not only discipline in classrooms but the content and ethos of our educational The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, together institutions, and to ask: can we once again build a with all Members of your Lordships’ House, I wish to society which takes seriously the task of educating associate myself with the tributes that have been paid citizens—not consumers or cogs in an economic system, to the work of the police force in recent days, and to but citizens? the work of the emergency services. These are people who have put themselves at risk in a very costly way in Yesterday, I was speaking to a friend who teaches in order to minimise the risk to others. And we are higher education and who said that she had been reminded by what we have seen in recent days of the overwhelmed by the number of messages she had crucial role that these services play in our society. I received from the young people with whom she was believe that there are indeed questions about the right involved, expressing their anger and frustration at level of policing that is appropriate to a complex and what they had seen on television. They believed that troubled society like ours, and I hope that those questions their own generation was being betrayed by the activity will be seriously addressed in the days ahead. of many young people. That is simply a reminder that the young people of this country deserve the best. The I wish also to express the deepest sympathy to those reaction of so many of them to the events of recent who have lost members of their family, those who have days has been, as we have already been reminded, an lost their livelihoods, and those who have in some inspiration—just as has been the reaction of so many measure lost hope and confidence in recent days. It is in our communities generous, sacrificial and imaginative. perhaps that loss of hope and confidence that is the most serious and most long-term issue that we have to My right reverend brother of London has already address as a society. spoken in other contexts about the way in which In the events that we have seen in recent days, there communities have rallied and the place of churches is nothing to romanticise and there is nothing to and other faith communities in that rallying to provide condone in the behaviour that has spread across our support, emergency help and simply a quiet space for streets. This is indeed criminality. Criminality pure reflection. Communities deserve the best and above and simple? Perhaps. But, as the Prime Minister reminded all, I repeat, young people deserve the best. I hope that us, criminality always has a context, and we have in our response to these events, we shall hold in mind before us the task of understanding that context more what we owe to the next generation of our citizens. I fully. It is worth remembering that seeking explanations underline the phrase, the next generation of our citizens. is not the same as seeking excuses. In an intelligent What we have seen is a breakdown not of society as and critical society we seek explanations so that we such, but the breakdown of a sense of civic identity— may be able to respond with greater intelligence and shared identity and shared responsibility. greater generosity. The Government have rightly made a priority of One of the most troubling features of recent days, building community cohesion in what they have spoken as I think all would agree, has been the spectacle of of in recent months. Talk of the big society, of which not only young people but even children of school we have heard a great deal, has focused precisely on age—as young as seven—taking part in the events we the rebirth—the renaissance—of that civic identity. have seen. Surely, as we respond to these circumstances, Now we need to see what that will look like; now all of high on our priorities must be the question of what we us, without any point scoring in a partisan approach, are to do in terms of rebuilding in some of our need to reflect on what that building will require in communities not only the skills of parenting but of terms of investment in the next generation—in formal education itself. education but also in the provision of youth services Over the past few decades, many would agree that imaginatively and consistently across the country. our educational philosophy at every level has been I have spoken a little about how communities have more and more dominated by an instrumentalist model responded—not only volunteer bodies and local businesses that is less and less concerned with the building of but individuals, building new friendships and new virtue, character and citizenship—civic excellence, as networks. People have discovered why community matters. we might say. A good educational system in a healthy They have discovered why solidarity is important. society is one that builds character and virtue. They have begun to discover those civic virtues that we In the wake of the financial crisis of a few years have talked about in the abstract. In other words, this ago, we began to hear more discussion than we had is a moment that we must seize; a moment when there heard for a very long time about the need for a is sufficient anger at the breakdown of civic solidarity; recovery of the virtues—the need for a recovery of the sufficient awareness of the resources that people have 1513 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1514 in helping and supporting one another; sufficient hope—in On money, many people who have been affected— spite of everything—of what can be achieved; and for shopkeepers, individuals, home owners and tenants—will the governing institutions of this country, including be most concerned about how they can get their lives your Lordships’ House, to engage creatively with the back on the rails and what they can do about the possibilities that this moment gives us. I trust that we shortage of money. I can confirm that as many fast-track shall respond with energy to that moment, which provisions as possible will be made to try to provide could be crucial to the long-term future of our country that money. The new high street fund, which is a and our society. proposal by two government departments, is designed to shortcut as much as possible the need for funding. 12.48 pm Tax authorities, working with local authorities, have been put onto the fastest track possible. Lord Strathclyde: My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will welcome those contributions, from The noble Baroness also asked about the Olympics. both the Leader of the Opposition and, most particularly, The whole House will share the sense of shame of from the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of anyone who was abroad, read newspapers or saw some Canterbury. Perhaps I may say how good it is to hear of the television reports emanating from London of the authoritative voice of the church being represented what impact this would have on the Olympics. It is the in this House. focus of this Government and our predecessors and I thank the Leader of the Opposition for what she everyone involved to deliver a safe and secure Olympic said and for the way in which she said it, on the whole. and Paralympic Games here in London which Londoners, I will not say that I agree with every single word, but I the rest of the country and the rest of the world can very much share her horror at what we all saw on our enjoy. The Games should be a peaceful celebration of televisions screens. It is right that we should not judge sporting achievement and a cultural celebration; they everything that happened by what we did see, but one are not a security event. We have highly experienced cannot possibly be immune to some of the images that police and emergency services which have successfully we saw on our screens in the past few days. The noble policed major events in the past, and they will be able Baroness was entirely right to raise the fact that what to bring to bear their experience of dealing with we saw on our screens was affecting tens of thousands protests, both peaceful and law-abiding and violent, of people in this country—maybe even more. Some of during the Games. them will be blighted for the rest of their lives by what Of course, we will need to look carefully at all that has happened. She was right to call on the Government has happened. I welcome what the noble Baroness to make sure that we could deal with the criminality said about looking at these things in a non-partisan by cases being brought before the courts as swiftly as way, but both she and I are aware how warily we need possible. I can confirm that that is happening. The to tread the line of partisanship. The riots did not courts are sitting all through the night when required happen because there will be public spending cuts, nor to deal with cases. The Crown Court is now dealing will the reduced spending on the police affect the with some of the more difficult ones. police’s ability to get policemen on the streets. The noble Baroness was also right to raise the question about CCTV and how we should deal with Noble Lords: Oh! that. We believe that CCTV plays an incredibly important role in dealing with the criminality that has happened Lord Strathclyde: In a few moments, my noble and we very much support the use of CCTV. We need friend Lady Browning will no doubt wish to take up to see it better regulated and we will perhaps need to that point with her statistics on funding. see how regulation and/or legislation can change when The most reverend Primate the Archbishop of we have had a chance to reflect and discuss with the Canterbury made a most powerful contribution. The police and the private sector how it can be used. whole House will join him when he talked about our Of course there are many issues that we will need to deep sympathy for those who have been affected and debate and discuss in future about what has happened thoughts for those who have lost hope. It became and why. The noble Baroness herself said that there obvious, again from reading the newspapers and watching were many and various solutions; indeed, the Prime the television, that so many have lost hope in our Minister said as much in his Statement and raised society and for the future. Although none of us wants some of them in it, as has the most reverend Primate to justify or condone what happened, it is true that the Archbishop of Canterbury and some right reverend this criminality has a context. Prelates who have already spoken and will no doubt The most reverend Primate called for ethos in our do so again shortly. education system. I think he is entirely right, and I do As for an inquiry, we have taken the view that, in not think he would find anyone in this House who the first instance, this should be a matter for Parliament would wish to disagree with that or with the overall and that a parliamentary inquiry should do the work view something has gone badly wrong. However, we first. Therefore, the Home Affairs Select Committee are forward thinking and we owe it to the next generation has already announced an inquiry into the riots. I do to solve this problem and to find the necessary solution not suppose for one moment that that will be a matter to take us forward. The most reverend Primate rightly of taking evidence simply from academics in Whitehall; referred to the new friendships, the new networks and I am convinced that the committee will need to reach the basis for new trust that will take us forward. out to the community, to talk to people who have been We now have a few minutes—perhaps a bit more—to directly affected, to try to find out what were the discuss some of these issues in detail. What this House causes and to make an authoritative report to Parliament. does best is reflect after some time on what has happened 1515 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1516

[LORD STRATHCLYDE] deepest sympathies must go to those families who and look carefully at the solutions that we need, and I have lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods. am sure that in the months ahead we will have many As we have heard, we must work to restore hope and opportunities to discuss these issues more fully. confidence in our cities. 12.57 pm I have lived in Hackney and Islington all my life. I served as a councillor in those areas, which were Lord Laming: My Lords, I, too, thank the noble among those where we have seen terrible unrest. I Lord the Leader of the House for repeating this worked in Tottenham for almost a decade from the Statement on a matter that must concern us all very mid-1990s; in fact, I was there earlier on Saturday deeply, as indeed it concerns the vast majority of our before all this happened. I know the area and the fellow citizens. people well. I know that the vast majority are law-abiding, The awful events of this week in many respects decent people who care deeply about their community. diminish us all. At this time our hearts must go out They are absolutely traumatised by what has happened especially to those fellow citizens who have lost so to their neighbourhood. They did not have very much much because their homes have been burnt out or to begin with; all they had was their high street and their businesses destroyed, or they have been injured that is now destroyed. or, terribly sadly and even worse, killed. Rioting is a Whether we like it or not, the young people who grievous activity that strikes at the very heart of the rioted, looted and trashed their streets are part of our well-being of society, but I am sure we all agree that society.As the Prime Minister’s Statement acknowledged, that is entirely different from looting, theft and wanton there is a deep-rooted problem with gangs in many destruction. I ask the noble Baroness the Minister to inner-city areas. We know that in London, for example, say, when she replies, whether she agrees that this is there are more than 250 active gangs. The police know not the time, in the heat of these events, to rush to any who they are and who the leaders are. These gangs conclusions. Rather, the priority must be to restore have been allowed to grow and to take a hold for more social order for all our citizens to enjoy, and then to than a decade—for 10 or 15 years. They draw in young frame the important questions that need to be properly people who are out on the streets and they spread addressed in due course. criminality. When I was a councillor, mothers would Secondly, while no criticism of the police is implied, come to my surgery begging me to get them transferred does the Minister agree that a detailed review must because they were so terrified of living on these estates include a review of how the police and the Independent and because of the way in which their families and Police Complaints Commission initially responded to their children were intimidated if they tried to resist the death of Mr Duggan? Did the police appoint a joining these gangs. family liaison officer? Did a senior officer of the IPCC immediately explain in detail to the family exactly how These social problems did not happen overnight in the inquiry would be conducted and the rights of the our inner cities, where there are huge inequalities and family secured? I raise these questions simply because, a big social divide. We have to acknowledge that. We like many others, I wonder why the family felt it have a disconnection in a section of our society—an necessary to march to secure such basic information. underclass of young people who have poor education Thirdly, does the Minister also agree that low income and no skills and who come from dysfunctional families. is not of itself a primary cause of criminal behaviour? They feel that they have nothing to lose. They have no Indeed, does she share the admiration of most of us fear of authority. Who are their role models? Millionaire for the way in which most families on low incomes not footballers and rock stars. They want the latest gadgets, only manage their lives with great skill but very often trainers or mobiles. This is what they aspire to. form the bedrock of the local community? That being The solutions for these riots must come from within so, does she think that this may be an appropriate time our diverse communities. Please can we ensure that we to examine whether the much valued individual human do not demonise all young people? We certainly should rights that we all enjoy and share are nevertheless not demonise all black young people. In future proposals properly balanced by a commitment to wider social to rebuild these communities—I am pleased that my responsibilities? Does she agree that while we must noble friend the Leader of the House announced in continue to strive to ensure that society works for the the Statement that funds will be made available—can benefit of every citizen, the other side of the coin is we ensure that these young people play a role in the that every citizen must seek to contribute to the good rebuilding so that they feel a sense of ownership and of society? pride in those communities? Let them have some work to do to rebuild their own communities. 1pm It was clear that the police were often overwhelmed Baroness Hussein-Ece: My Lords, I, too, would like and could not protect property or stop the looting. On to associate myself and these Benches with the sentiments Monday night, in Dalston in Hackney near where I that have been expressed and to extend our condolences live, a large group of Turkish and Kurdish shopkeepers to those people who have lost so much in the terrible came together and successfully protected their businesses events from Saturday onwards. I thank my noble from rioters. They told me that they had no option. friend the Leader of the House for repeating the Prime They prevented their high street from being trashed. I Minster’s Statement today. pay tribute to such people. I pay tribute to the Sikhs of There is absolutely no excuse for the terrible scenes Southall and the Turks and Kurds of Dalston. When that we have witnessed on the streets of London and strength was needed and they needed to stand up beyond in our cities over the past few days. Our in their communities against this thuggery, they 1517 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1518 spontaneously demonstrated what was very good in that London was secure for its citizens. Can the noble our community. They did this in a good and peaceful Baroness confirm that the situation in London was way and nobody was harmed. We have seen what is due not to a lack of powers available to the police or a very bad in our communities and society but we have lack of willingness to use them but to the sheer lack of also seen what is very good. We need to recognise that police numbers? The police were able to respond and and pay tribute to it. We should not focus just on the restore order when they had a massive injection of bad. police officers into the capital, an increase from 6,000 I ask my noble friend the Minister how we can to just under 16,000. restore confidence in the police, because a lot of people Secondly, I want to come back to the important feel that they cannot rely on them now. Vigilante issue of funding. Can the noble Baroness give me groups are being formed up and down the country, some assurance that the Government will revisit the which we must feel are not welcome. How can we intention to reduce police funding by 20 per cent? restore confidence in the police and prevent the need Many Ministers have responded to this point in the for the rise of these groups of vigilantes around the past few months saying that they do not believe that country? those cuts will impact on frontline services. The noble On a final note, I think that a lot of us were very Lord the Leader of the House repeated that this moved during the break by the words of the Norwegian morning. Can that seriously be maintained in the face Prime Minister, who said that at times like this we of actual reductions in frontline officers, in the forced need more democracy and more humanity. We need to retirement of some of our most experienced policemen be guided by that and to reflect on it before we make and the indications that some frontline officers are any knee-jerk reactions in response to what we have being withdrawn to provide back-office services because seen. of the redundancies of civilian staff within police services? Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, I, too, am The estimate is that there will be a reduction of grateful to the noble Lord the Leader of the House for 16,000 police officers at the end of this four-year repeating the Statement and to the noble Baroness, period. That is the very number of police officers who Lady Browning, for agreeing to answer specific points are now staffed in London over the next 24 hours to on policing and the role of the Home Office. I have no secure the peace of the city. Will the Minister respond doubt that the actions of police forces up and down to ACPO president Sir Hugh Orde, who wrote today the country will come under intense scrutiny in the of the challenges that those cuts are having on each next few weeks and months but none of us should force up and down the country? Will the noble Baroness underestimate the bravery of thousands of police officers the Minister give some assurance that the Government and other emergency workers in the face of the shocking will take this opportunity to review their intention to and indefensible lawlessness that we have seen in the take the police Bill through Parliament? past week. On Monday night, 44 officers were injured Faced with a series of reviews and a huge set of in London alone. They have done us great credit and challenges, the last thing that the police forces in we are very grateful to them. England and Wales need is the imposition, less than In criticism that has been made—and will presumably nine months away, of elected police commissioners in continue to be made—of decisions by a number of place of current police authorities. The risk of the police forces we should not underestimate the complex politicisation of our police forces and the inevitable challenge faced by police chiefs in these difficult undermining of the authority of chief constables can circumstances. I, too, want to pay tribute to my own serve only to reduce further the morale of our police chief constable in the West Midlands, Chris Sims, for men and women and the confidence of the public. the careful and measured statements that he made What of the Metropolitan police force? Who could yesterday and the leadership that he has shown. That underestimate the challenge that they face in maintaining calm response to a highly dangerous situation was public order, in the continuing investigations into phone influential in ensuring that the forecast troubles in hacking, in their counterterrorism responsibilities that Birmingham yesterday did not happen. they face and in the Olympics? There is no permanent I pay tribute to Mr Tariq Jahan and his extraordinary police commissioner in place at the moment. When courage in the comments he made yesterday following one is appointed, he or she will be the third commissioner the tragic death of his son and two others, Shahzad who will serve under the auspices of the Mayor of Ali and Abdul Musavir. Community leaders in London in a four-year term. How on earth can that Birmingham, Members of Parliament, councillors, the provide the leadership and stability that the Metropolitan police and representatives of the community worked Police so need? Surely that cannot be the model that very hard yesterday to defuse any potential racial the Government want to extend to the police forces of tension. I am proud of what they achieved. I endorse England and Wales. How can the Government justify the remarks of the most reverend Primate that we the expenditure of £100 million on the election of should seize the moment. Surely the noble Baroness is police commissioners when police forces up and down right in terms of using this to bring our communities the country are facing such reductions in their overall together. funding? There will be many inquiries and reviews of policing. The Government also need to think about their In my brief time, I just want to put three or four points overall law and order policies. The Prime Minister said to the Minister. We know—my noble friend referred today that we need a criminal justice system that to this—that it essentially took four days to ensure scores a clear, heavy line between right and wrong. I 1519 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1520

[LORD HUNT OF KINGS HEATH] been alluded to by various Members of the House, of thoroughly endorse that proposal. But why are the the police in dealing with it. If I am right in saying that Government so disparaging about some of the measures senior officers were timorous or irresolute, was it that the previous Government brought in, such as because of the confusion in the mind of society about closed-circuit TV or dispersal orders—the very what it and the Government want? We now have calls mechanisms that have been used effectively in the past for robust policing that are in stark contrast to recent few days? And why are the Government encouraging comments about the so-called provocative uniforms softer sentences to complement the reduction in prison worn by riot police, kettling, what happened at the numbers and prison places? In view of the utterly G20 and so on. There are examples of robust policing. outrageous behaviour that we have seen in the past few One has only to look to France to see what the CRS days, surely that should be an opportunity for the does. There are no shrinking violets there. But I do not Government to review their policies again and ensure advocate that we move that far along that road. Can that the public are given the security and confidence in the Minister assure me that there will be a speedy public order that they need. debate about exactly what robust policing means, what society wants from its police in these circumstances, 1.15 pm what it will tolerate, what it looks for and what it does not want? The lack of application by some senior Lord Dear: My Lords, we have been completely officers in deploying what they had within their lockers bombarded with images on television and in our indicates to me that the confusion has gone too far newspapers over the past four days. The most significant and needs to be addressed. one that I saw was the image of a woman jumping from a burning building into the arms of a police officer. But for that police officer she would undoubtedly Lord McNally: My Lords, there is a great deal of have been very seriously injured or would have died on collective wisdom around this House, but we are not the pavement on to which she jumped. It is, it occurs going to hear all of it if we do not keep to what was to me, to the police that one finally entrusts one’s agreed at the beginning: short inventions and short safety when all else has failed. questions. That is no disrespect to the noble Lord, I welcome the Statement by the Prime Minister Lord Dear, who brings particular expertise, but I today, which is obviously wide-ranging and perceptive appeal for future interventions to be brief. I think it is and will deal with a whole range of issues. Has the time for the Conservative Benches. education system failed us? Are broken families really at the root of all this? Why is there such a diminished Lord Cormack: My Lords, is there not a case for respect for authority? Is materialism playing some considering in the long term some form of compulsory part in that? And where on earth have standards, national community service? Is there not also a case ethics and morality gone in our society? for considering whether young people at the age of 16 In the short time that I have at my disposal, I want or 18 should go through the same sort of citizenship to look at the short-term issues. That cohort of disaffected ceremony which those getting British nationality go people, most, but not all, of whom are young, who we through? Finally, is there not an overwhelming case have seen on television, who are now going through for the inquiry to be conducted not merely by the the courts and who concern us so much, will be with Home Affairs Committee of another place but by a us for a very long time. Some of them are, whether we Joint Committee of both Houses, bearing in mind the like it or not, past recovery. Many of them have experience that resides in this House, an example of children who are probably going to be brought up in which we heard a few moments ago? entirely the wrong environment. So what does one do when, as a police service, one faces the prospect of a repeat, perhaps not on such a wide scale as what we Lord Harris of Haringey: My Lords, I declare an have seen in the past four days or so, of the same sort interest as a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority of behaviour? and a former leader of Haringey Council, where I spent about 12 years of my life trying to secure the Policing has had to accept an enormous change sustainable regeneration of the area of Tottenham. within the past 12 months. One of the tragedies of what has happened in the past few days is that the stigma of an area of riot has again A noble Lord: Question! fallen on that community, and that the efforts built up over many years are now being undermined, with Lord Dear: I will come to my question in a moment. businesses no longer being able to survive. If noble Lords look at the Order Paper, it refers to Do the Government believe that the Bellwin formula comments and questions, and I am coming to my will be a sufficient response to ensure the reconstruction question. that will be needed? This will be of communities after Policing has had to change remarkably in the face the damage that has been done, and must also tackle of social networks and the speed at which these disorders underlying problems. Will they review the resources have taken place. My question is about baton rounds being made available to local government for regeneration and whether the command officers in place were acting in such areas? Will they also review the way in which timorously or reluctantly. Baton rounds have been the Riot (Damages) Act operates? If it would drain available to the police in this country for 30 years. The funds from police forces to compensate people who lack of deployment of that means of dealing with riot have been hit and damaged by the riots, that would be is in stark contrast to the bravery, which has already extremely damaging to the sustaining of police numbers 1521 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1522 in future. Finally, what advice was taken from the his deputy Karyn McCluskey. Both of them could be police service about the decision that water cannon here in London much quicker than Bill Bratton could should be made available on the mainland? It is used be—unless, of course, he is here for another purpose. usually for the dispersal of large crowds, but the However, the Minister should recognise that that problem in this case was caused by small groups of initiative, successful as it has been, is part of a wider people acting opportunistically. initiative in Scotland known as the Violence Reduction Unit. It was born in Strathclyde Police and grew into a Lord Phillips of Sudbury: My Lords, perhaps I may national unit between 2005 and 2006, and addresses raise the issue of citizenship that was eloquently introduced many of the issues that noble Lords have raised in by the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of their interventions already, particularly the last one Canterbury. We must not forget that the Government about early intervention with young people in our propose to remove citizenship as one of the subjects in communities. I ask the Minister to not just take part of the core curriculum. I hope that the Minister will say that broader package south, or across the United something about that. One aspect of this highly Kingdom, but to look at the whole package and see complicated state of affairs—obviously, one cannot what can be learned from the Violence Reduction begin to reach conclusions at this stage—that I do not Unit. think has been referred to, and that bears on the question of people feeling part of the community and feeling a sense of civic engagement, is the commonly Lord Flight: My Lords, all the circumstantial evidence found set of attributes and mental positions that I is that these riots did not just appear spontaneously. have come across many times in my home town. What evidence is there to date, if any, that there was a Young people have a sense of personal insignificance fair degree of central organisation, if not orchestration, and certainly a sense of civic anonymity. They have a even down to the use of Sun Tzu tactics in riots? This belief that they do not belong and that they are required people to understand what those were about somehow outsiders, disconnected from all the things and how to use them. So my question simply is: what, that we cherish and seek to enhance. They also have a if any, evidence is there of central organisation? sense of being uncompetitive. In this brazenly materialist world, we are constantly told that if we cannot compete Lord Adonis: My Lords, like the most reverend we are useless and worthless. I suggest that these and Primate—and, I think, the House—I find the prevalence other issues around citizenship are at the heart of one of children as young as seven and eight in these events of the deep underlying problems referred to by the deeply shocking. I agree with the most reverend Primate Prime Minister that are present in this sad crisis. that issues to do with education—education for citizenship, education for virtue—are vital, as is early intervention. The Earl of Listowel: My Lords, having listened to However, some very pressing and urgent questions the Prime Minister’s Statement, it is hard for me not need to be asked in respect of schools. Many schools to reflect on the young men in these gangs. Many of have attached police officers. Many schools in the them have grown up without fathers, or with fathers communities that have seen disturbances over the last who have set them the worst example, in families week will be in a very fragile state at the beginning of where the hard-pressed mother has to do all the work term. Can the Minister confirm that every secondary of rearing of children. The young men may not be school that wishes to have an attached police officer in properly socialised in that early setting. They move on any of the communities in question will have access to to schools, fail there and finally find a home and a new them, and that funding constraints will not be an father in the gangs, with their charismatic leaders who obstacle to that? become their new father figures. Secondly, I expect we will find that most of the Does the Minister agree that we need to look very young people involved either have been excluded from carefully at early intervention, at very good, high-quality school at some point or indeed may not even be childcare, and at mentoring for young men and boys attending school at all. On any one day in the school by father figures such as people in business who can year, 1,000 pupils are excluded from school, many of take them to their work and show them what they do? them for acts of violence and serious disturbance. One Will the Minister look at how children’s centres are of the issues that has to be looked at, coming out of being funded? Will the Government look again at the these events, is the whole way that we deal with pupils lowering of the requirement for children’s centres to excluded from school. They need to be properly supervised; have a graduate manager and question whether that is they need to be properly organised; there needs to be the right thing to do, given the importance of giving some inspiration in the provision for them. I also good opportunities to children from disadvantaged believe that that should be a punitive element for those families? who are excluded from school in respect of acts of violence. The underclass that we have talked about this Lord Browne of Ladyton: My Lords, the Government afternoon begins, alas, in our schools. Unless we tackle are right to have recognised that gangs and gang it in our schools we will never tackle it at all. culture lay at the heart of some of the worst violence that we have seen on the streets of our cities over the 1.30 pm last few days. They are also right to appreciate that lessons can be learned from the Community Initiative The Archbishop of York: My Lords, I want to raise to Reduce Violence, the gangs initiative in the east end two issues and I hope that the Minister will respond to of Glasgow that has been running since 2008, led by them when she answers. She will hear the two questions Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan and in my brief comments. The first relates the difficulties 1523 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1524

[THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK] we move on from there? In relation to that, as well as experienced by the police in controlling the riots. If having robust custodial sentences, are any plans in the police cannot do it, vigilante groups will. Nature place to lock restorative justice on to that? That is the abhors a power vacuum. Can we be assured that the kind of work that has a deep impact on people: to broader question of resourcing of the police should make these young people, and indeed the older people, not be too glibly tied up with current plans for cuts in who have been involved in these despicable acts face public expenditure? The public need to be assured that up to the communities that they have helped to destroy first things come first: the peace of the realm. Will the and get involved in work to repair those communities. Minister assure us that that will be the case, and that Secondly, this situation has been brewing for ages. police resources are not subject to some false principle People are fed up with the kind of government leadership of equal sharing of burdens among government that comes in at the last moment and says, “We’re departments? I hope that will not be the case. going to set up an inquiry”, even if they say they are An under-resourced police will always be a brutal going to move away from academics in Whitehall. Any and insensitive police. Will the Government assure us initiative that is around an inquiry needs to be much that they are going to create a structure that will more community-based and community-focused. It enable the police not to be hindered either by excessive needs to be led by people on the ground who have bureaucracy or by a suggestion that they are not experience, ideas and knowledge. They know how they capable of doing it? What hinders our liberty is not could fight back against some of the terrible things necessarily the police but other people. If there is a that blight their communities if they had the resources clear framework for the police to work within, we will and the back-up support to make that work. all have our liberty. Thirdly, any such initiative needs to be multidisciplinary. Will the Government also assure us that they will We have talked about citizenship and education, but it protect the police and us by investigating complaints is also about health and a whole range of other issues. against the police thoroughly and conscientiously? There is no point in any initiatives unless we can The Independent Police Complaints Commission was involve all those different parts of Government, local suggested by the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. How can government, sport and culture. All those areas have a it be nimble and transparent and deliver on time, every role to play. time? Will they assure us how that will happen? Fourthly, we ourselves need to take responsibility. My second question relates to the motivation of the If we talk about young people engaging in violent young people involved in the riots. I think noble Lords games and the kind of influence that that has on them, will agree that it would be foolish to shoot off quick-fire we must also say that recent publicity about the behaviour opinions on what brought them on to the streets. We of the press, the media and politicians—people who must understand what is going on, which is not the are supposed to set examples in our society—has not same as condoning what has gone on. It is very easy to been above reproach. We must look to ourselves and understand a little less and condemn a little more but see what we can do, not only to ensure that our that will not deliver safety. We need to understand; if behaviour is a much better form of leadership and role we do not, we will never resolve the problems. modelling but to make active contributions to those Some clear questions must be asked. Will the communities. Government encourage—

Lord Campbell-Savours: We are meant to ask questions. Lord Prescott: My Lords, is there a recognition that this violent disorder is very different from past civic The Archbishop of York: The question is in my disorder? Do the Government recognise that and the statement. need for a special policy? The announcements that Lord Campbell-Savours: We are running out of have been made by the Minister about the policies that time. the Prime Minister has suggested today are covered by the Public Order Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour The Archbishop of York: It is coming, sir. If everyone Act. Why did the Government not use this legislation appreciates what my colleague, the most reverend Primate for the very proposals that they have at this time? We of all England, has said, what are we going to do in might then have solved the problem earlier. Was it terms of culture? The Secretary of State for Education because there were not sufficient police to arrest people has said that religious knowledge will not be part of under those circumstances? Is it not time that we took the English Baccalaureate, but religious knowledge a less partisan position on police numbers? The forms and creates a culture. Government should consider how many police are needed for them to carry out their duties, and perhaps Lord Clinton-Davis: My Lords— at the same time recognise—I welcome this in the Statement—that it is time we took on the criminals Noble Lords: Baroness Young! who clothed their faces to avoid being recognised in their criminal acts. I am glad that that proposal is Baroness Young of Hornsey: My Lords, I will not there. repeat what other noble Lords have said. Many remarks have been made with which I am in full agreement. I have a four short points. Lord Lucas: My Lords, first, we will have a couple First, we need to recognise that we cannot arrest of thousand of these people at our disposal for a year our way out of this. The short-term proposition that or so. Can we please have some proper academic we are looking at right now is necessary, but how do research, using them, into the whys and wherefores? 1525 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1526

This is a new phenomenon for us. We really ought to by the gender, race and class agenda. Will the Government try to understand it; this is an opportunity that we look into that area again? I have one very simple should not miss. question for my erstwhile friend the noble Baroness, Secondly, as a resident of Battersea, this week it Lady Browning: will she please study how many of the was immensely distressing that the police station 100 yards people who have been arrested cannot even read? away from the centre of disturbance did not produce anybody for the first hour and a half of what was Lord Cotter: My Lords, 30 years ago, I had my going on. As the noble Lord, Lord Dear, said, we need small business premises burnt to the ground, under to look at that. It is totally unacceptable that that different circumstances, when a fire spread to my should be the service that the businesses and people of small firm. I can relate to this issue. It took me four Battersea had. years of really hard work to recover. I congratulate the Government and the Leader of the House on the Lord Campbell-Savours: My Lords, if concerns over announcement of support for small businesses. That is the publication of photographs are to be set aside, as very welcome, very comprehensive and excellent. However, the Prime Minister said in his Statement, can we have I ask the Leader and the Government to ensure that a national review of the guidelines on pixilation of measures are taken very speedily, with minimum red CCTV, which has been a growing tendency in recent tape and bureaucracy. I also ask the Government to years? consider help for those who are struggling, having suffered through the loss of day-to-day turnover, in the intervening period. Lord Alton of Liverpool: My Lords, have the redeeming features of the terrible events been not only the dignified stoicism of men such as Tariq Jahan, but the way in Baroness Lister of Burtersett: My Lords, I would which community organisations such as Toxteth Against like to support those who have said that we have a the Riots have held together and stood on their own responsibility not simply to condemn but also to try to streets, defending their own territory? Thirty years understand why this has happened. If we do not, we ago, when I was a Member of the House of Commons risk alienating further those young people who feel representing an inner-city Liverpool constituency, that shut out, disfranchised and disrespected by the wider city was disfigured by riots. In the aftermath, the society. If we do not do that, this could happen again. Government appointed Lord Scarman to investigate I hope that the Government will not go down the road those events. I support what the noble Baroness, Lady of dispossessing further the dispossessed by taking Royall, said earlier. I hope that the noble Baroness, away social housing and social benefits. I would like Lady Browning, will not rule out the possibility—above to support my noble friend Lady Royall’s call for an and beyond the committee of inquiry to be established inquiry, over and above the inquiry of the Home in another place—of someone of Lord Scarman’s Affairs Select Committee in another place. We need an standing looking at the deep and complex issues involved inquiry and I take on board what was said about it here. In that context, will they particularly look at the coming from communities; we need a special commission crisis of values and virtues; at the flaccid language of of inquiry which will go into communities, involve rights, which has pushed to one side the idea of duties, communities and will look at the underlying social, obligations and responsibilities; and at the issue of economic, cultural and political factors. absent fathers? Eight hundred thousand children in this country have no contact with their fathers. The Lord Northbourne: My Lords, prevention is generally Times, in an editorial today, says that some 900 children considered to be better than cure. A number of are excluded from school every day. As parents, we organisations and individuals are working successfully have to be on the side of teachers. We must re-establish with young people who have become disengaged from discipline in our schools. If we do not, it will not be society and those who are attracted by gangs and the what we have seen this week that will come back to like. Will the Government consider putting together a haunt us; it will be far worse events in the future. task force to draw together those organisations that are working successfully with these disadvantaged children Lord Pearson of Rannoch: My Lords— in order that they can share their knowledge, and support them and encourage other organisations to Baroness Lister of Burtersett: My Lords— do the same work?

Lord McNally: I wonder whether we could hear Lord Morris of Handsworth: My Lords, condemnation from the noble Lord, Lord Pearson. of the recent events is undoubtedly the correct response. It is the correct response because the police need to know that this House and the wider society are really Lord Pearson of Rannoch: My Lords, could I take on their side. The Statement made reference to the the welcome question from the most reverend Primate victims, which, of course, is right. There are many the Archbishop of Canterbury one stage deeper? He victims, apart from those seen jumping from windows. referred to the curriculum, mentioning that it had The family members of Mr Duggan, who was shot by become instrumentalist and not virtuous enough. Yet a police bullet, are victims as well. We must remember, again, I remind your Lordships and the Government in these sorry days, that the family was in the police that the soil in which our education system feeds is station for more than five hours and still left without teacher training. It has been polluted for far too long any answers from the Metropolitan Police or indeed 1527 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1528

[LORD MORRIS OF HANDSWORTH] are prepared to spend £50 million to £200 million on from the IPCC. It seems to me that when the report that experiment, which risks extremist political individuals from the IPCC is available, the family should receive it being elected as those commissioners. Accepting that at the same time as the Metropolitan Police Service. the Government are going to do that, could that They are victims too and their interests should be £50 million to £200 million—whatever the amount considered in the wider restoration and rebuilding of is—be spent on ensuring that we have adequate police our society. officers, since next year is Olympic year and the police will need all the resources that they can have then? As Baroness Berridge: My Lords, although I join in the I say, police officers will do it and will be there. They tributes that have been paid, over the past few days, to will run faster to stand still but as next year is Olympic the courage and bravery of our police officers, I wish year, although police will be there for that and any to include community leaders. I was in Tottenham on disturbances, there will have to be a reduction in the Monday night when, I think, the only reported incidence investigations of child abuse, domestic violence and of violence in that borough occurred. The young other police responsibilities. We must accept that they people on the streets witnessing that incident called are to be reduced and I would be interested to hear the the community leader I was with to come and help, Minister’s comments on this. which he did until the police arrived. I am sure that is not an isolated incident of community leaders being at Baroness Andrews: My Lords, I have two quick the forefront, but it gave me pause for thought that the questions for the Minister. In the Statement that the first people whom young people called were not the Leader read, the Prime Minister has clearly given police but the leaders whom they know. My question priority to tackling gang culture. A vital part of the refers to the issues raised by the noble Lords, Lord partnership that effectively tackles gang culture is, as Morris and Lord Laming. Could the terms of reference we have heard in the case of Strathclyde, the voluntary of the IPCC inquiry be made extremely clear so that it sector. It gets into places that other people cannot will investigate the matters that occurred after the possibly reach. Much of the work that is done with initial incident? It is my understanding that this matter gangs is invisible and is likely to lose funding. Can the is considered equivalent to a death in custody and that Minister give us an assurance that the voluntary sector therefore none of the provisions in terms of family will have the support it needs to play the only, and liaison officers, who are a vital point of communication unique, role that it can? for the family, is available in those circumstances. My second question is about the reference to evictions. Could we have the terms of reference clearly identified There has been a lot of reference to the importance of to us? parenting. Can the Minister explain to the House how evictions of young people and, in the terms of the 1.45 pm Statement, other forms of eviction can possibly help a Lord Clinton-Davis: Hackney was where I grew up situation where the consensus of the House and, I and later served as a councillor, mayor and MP. As the believe, the country is to try to support parents in noble Baroness, Lady Hussein-Ece, said, Hackney has families who are under almost impossible and intolerable suffered enormously over the past few days and it is strains in bringing up children, often on their own? not alone. Does the Minister accept that we ought to Can she give me an assurance that such measures are be able to survey the issues which have been brought not going to be undertaken? up here today in depth? When does she have it in mind that Parliament should be reconvened to have a proper Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Lords, I welcome debate? Does the Minister also recognise, as my noble the Statement of my right honourable friend the Prime friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath does, that several Minister. I also wish to reflect for a moment that people in all parties are now calling for the police cuts Croydon North is an area I know well. As the riots to be abandoned? Those were always unwise but, in took place, I was on the phone to a lady who saw her particular, do they not send exactly the wrong signal at business burnt down in front of her eyes as she watched this moment? from a flat opposite. She saw her tenant, an elderly lady, being taken out as the gangs took hold. She saw Lord Empey: My Lords— the police standing back, just along the road. I call upon my noble friend the Minister to ask for a review Lord Imbert: My Lords, may I say how much I of police tactics, as the noble Lord, Lord Dear, suggested, welcome the Prime Minister’s Statement today? In because that is important in restoring the kind of particular, I welcome the fact that the leaders of the confidence we need on our streets and in our police Opposition and the Government are united in condemning force. this thuggery and violence. A number of noble Lords Secondly, I should ask about sustainability. It is have mentioned the reduction in police numbers next undoubtedly true that confidence was being restored year and, as we have understood it, there is to be no when we saw police in numbers on the streets to change in that. The police know that they have got to protect law-abiding citizens of our country. How play their part in the reduction of finances spent on sustainable are these numbers in the long term, because law and order. They will complain about that, but they that is the kind of real reassurance that residents and will get on with it and do it. citizens of our country need? However, the police cannot understand why, having Thirdly, I join other noble Lords in paying tribute seen the result of a recent YouGov poll showing that to the likes of Tariq Jahan, who lost his son. He did 65 per cent of those polled felt that the election of two things. Not only did Mr Jahan show courage in police and crime commissioners was unacceptable, we what can only be described as exceptional circumstances 1529 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Public Disorder 1530 that none would wish to experience, he also addressed Lord Elton: Many of your Lordships will have seen the issue of community relations. Hequelled what a young person with presumably stolen goods in his could have been an extremely difficult situation between hands and without concealing his identity in any way two rival communities. I therefore call upon the Minister being asked whether he was afraid of being caught. also to highlight what steps will be taken there to His answer was that people are never caught and if he ensure that extremist groups do not take advantage of was it was a first offence, which would mean an the circumstances we all find ourselves in on the ASBO, and what difference did that make? My first streets of our country. question is: are the courts able to give adequate sentences and are places available for custodial sentences for the Lord Beecham: My Lords, I have a saddened sense numbers that will be needed? Rubber sentences are no of déjà vu today, because almost exactly 20 years ago good, any more than are rubber bullets in such riots erupted on Tyneside. Although they were not as circumstances. My second question is: will the Minister severe as those we have recently seen, they extended to pay particular attention to what the most reverend the ward that I represent in the west end of Newcastle. Primate said about what is going on in our schools? It One of the responses that the council undertook, with is essential that we re-establish not only order but the support of the Government of the day, was actually ethics and morals in our schools. Will she listen to our to invest in the local community and its leadership to former noble friend Lord Pearson when he draws build up that community and to rely on its strengths. attention to the fact that what is sown in our schools is Indeed, that proved to be extremely successful. Therefore, sown by people trained in our training colleges who while I very much welcome the measures that the will remain in their profession for 40 years? It is vital Government have announced about rate reliefs, help that the right people are taught the right things. for businesses and the Bellwin fund, will the Government also look at a similar process of investing in the Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: My Lords, as a former support and capacity building within the communities MP in the city of Birmingham, I pay humble tribute, of the affected areas? as others have done today, to Mr Tariq Jahan of In the interests of future-proofing, I refer to the Winson Green, for his quiet, firm dignity in playing observations of the most reverend Primate the Archbishop such an important part in ensuring that hotheads did of Canterbury in relation to the youth service and ask not get hold of what was potentially an inflammatory the Government to look again at the implications of position in that part of the city. I endorse the comments the potential cuts to the youth service. That has not that have been made around the Chamber for any caused these riots but, in the interests of avoiding inquiry into the incidents in the past few days to be future trouble, will the Government look again at the essentially local. People like Mr Jahan and others in issue? Finally, alongside the requests from a number that community, and those in other areas, have a lot to of Members of your Lordships’ House to look again contribute to this inquiry. They live there. Through at the cuts in the police service, will the Government their places of worship, whether it is a mosque or look again at the strength of the probation service and whatever, they know these people, the families and the the cuts that are affecting it? area. There is a wealth of experience there. I hope that the Minister will take seriously, as I am sure she will, Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, it might be that we should have a series of local inquiries to feed helpful if I indicate that, with the usual channels’ into a national inquiry. They need to be conducted agreement, this is a flexible day and we will extend the locally. There is no point in asking people to get on time a little for Back-Benchers, who are striving to be trains and buses to come down to London. They brief, which is most helpful. It could be useful for should be held in their areas. They should be wide those who have been waiting for some time if I suggest open to anyone who wants to make a contribution. that we take the next four—they may be the last four; Unless we listen and learn—I agree with those who we will see how we go—in the following order: the have said that we all have responsibilities for this—we noble Lords, Lord Empey, Lord Elton and Lord Corbett, will find ourselves in this position again in a few years’ and the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell. time. Lord Empey: My Lords, coming, as I do, from a part of the United Kingdom that is well used to public Lord Thomas of Swynnerton: May I intervene? The disorder and riots, can I say that we were extremely Minister will have heard my noble friend Lord Dear shocked at what we have seen? I urge noble Lords not saying that he did not want to contemplate the idea of to take solace in reliance on water cannon or plastic riot police, such as the CRS in France. I wonder baton rounds because they are limited to fixed-point whether it is possible to reconsider the hostility to that disputes. This type of guerrilla rioting will not be dealt French innovation. I remember a liberal Lord in this with by that means. Given what the noble Lord, Lord House, the first Lord Gladwin—I remember him because Pearson, touched on a moment ago, is it not the case he was my father-in-law—suggesting that if we had that despite us being a sophisticated, advanced country had a CRS in the 1970s we would not have had to send more than 20 per cent of our population is basically the paratroops in to deal with the riots in Northern illiterate and many thousands of young people have Ireland and would have avoided Bloody Sunday. no skills? Those two things are component parts of the solution. Will the Government revisit the skills 2pm issue? A lady on television said that our problem was Baroness Stowell of Beeston: I welcome the Prime values. It is a combination of those things but the lack Minister’s Statement repeated by my noble friend. I of skills and literacy are clearly important parts. was particularly pleased to hear of the Government’s 1531 Public Disorder[LORDS] Public Disorder 1532

[BARONESS STOWELL OF BEESTON] our city centres. It would be wrong to pretend that we intention to learn from the success of police forces feel that this is over. We still have to be vigilant and to such as that in Strathclyde and those from beyond maintain that presence to make sure that we have dealt these shores. Will my noble friend take this opportunity, with the immediate crisis, and I hope noble Lords will given the Government’s intention to look elsewhere to feel from today’s Statement that additional measures learn from the success of other police forces, to reconsider are being put in place to help to resolve this. the criteria that have been set for applicants for the Noble Lords have raised many issues. The pressure Met Police Commissioner’s job, specifically the of time means that I cannot go into all of them, but requirement that only British citizens need apply? If it there are some things about the way in which certain is possible to reconsider those criteria in the light of parts of our communities live that affect particularly recent events, will my noble friend consider delaying young people and their upbringing. The question of the deadline for applications, which I gather is tomorrow, education was raised, as was the moral basis both in so that we can go further than what the Prime Minister schools and in homes, which was raised by the most announced in his Statement? reverend Primate in his initial speech and by others speaking with great experience on these matters. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, perhaps we might have as the last Back-Bench speaker the noble I would just say to the noble Lord, Lord Adonis, Baroness, Lady Farrington of Ribbleton, and then my that just before the House rose for the summer I wrote noble friend will respond. to my colleague at the Department for Education to ask specifically about the policy on excluded children. They have been a problem for a very long time—to Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: My Lords, the themselves as well as to the wider community—and most reverend Primate raised the important issue of we must have sustainable policies on children whom what happens in society. I suggest trying to get young we have identified as being likely to cause problems people themselves to monitor what is happening in and become criminals. However, what we have seen in communities. My deep concern is that, nowadays, in the past few days has involved children not just from most families, both parents work. Churches, community deprived backgrounds or children who have suffered groups and activist groups are struggling like mad to brutality in childhood that has affected them later but keep going because people do not have the time. There people, as we have seen from the court cases, who are is an urgent need for youth and community workers to holding down jobs, many of them responsible jobs. be employed to help local groups—be it a church One cannot but conclude that the moral compass has group, a youth group or a sports group—through been abandoned, and restoring that moral compass those patches when it is hard to continue. across those communities is part of the challenge that If the Government say that they are determined to we must all—the church, Parliament, society and the press ahead, I must warn them that from my observation, law—work together on. listening to the general public, they are saying, “Why weren’t there more police officers?”. The Government I hope noble Lords will forgive me if I do not are spending £130 million on their pet project—I respond fully to them, but as they will know there is a disagree with it very strongly, but that is irrelevant. meeting at 3 pm in Room G. I am very happy to go The public out there want more trained police officers. into further details on that. The most reverend Primate Members of your Lordships’ House say, “Police officers asked us to look at what the next generation will stood there, looked at a situation and did not move inherit. The noble Lord, Lord Dear, also picked up on in”. Often it was one police officer facing a group of this, as have others. While we deal with the current 20 or 30. We need the right number of officers with the generation—and it is important that we do—we have right approach. to get right not just the policies but the whole change in culture for the next generation. I am reminded of The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness the generation that went before me. My father spent Browning): My Lords, I am very grateful for the five years of his youth in a prisoner of war camp. He contributions that we have heard today, many of them and those of his generation who survived came home based on first-hand experience across a whole range of to make sure that this country had a set of values and disciplines which are, necessarily, going to be part of a moral compass, and that children were brought up the solution to the challenge that clearly faces us all in to respect the law and received a good education. dealing with the crisis—I use that word deliberately—that There is too much detail to go into today, but we all we saw on our streets in the past few days. The noble understand the diversity and the range of issues that Lord, Lord Laming, began this part of our deliberations we are going to have to grasp, and grasp them we by saying, first, that we needed to restore social order must. and that we must not rush to conclusions. Let me deal I was reminded of this on Monday night when I did with those two things, because they have been picked not sleep, not because I live in London—I live miles up by many noble Lords around the Chamber today. away—but because one of my children does and had It is quite right that we must in the very short been forced to barricade himself into his house because term—and I hope this is already evident—restore of what was going on in the road outside. He had to social order. We saw, particularly on the streets of do so again the next day, just in case. That fear runs London after Monday night but also in other cities among people well beyond those who have been directly around the country, a significant increase not just in affected, and the public out there expect us collectively— the numbers of police but in what has been referred to across this Chamber, the next Chamber and in all our as robust policing in order to bring law and peace to statutory services—to work together to bring law and 1533 Public Disorder[11 AUGUST 2011] Global Economy 1534 order so that we can live in peace and security. All that Lord Pearson of Rannoch: My Lords— needs to be harnessed and to come together, because it is broken. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, I think that Questions have been asked about policing. I am we have reached a moment when the mood of the very happy to answer those questions, but I suggest to House is that, on a very sombre and sobering day, the House that what happened in London on Monday when colleagues have had the opportunity to make night happened not because there are insufficient police their views known and to put questions, we might on the payroll but because decisions were taken that draw the extended form of this Statement to a close. I we will have to examine in some detail. It was quite am aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has obvious that once the policing numbers were increased not quite started in another place, which may be what the next night, and once the strategy changed, the the noble Lord, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, wished to whole scenario changed in London—so, yes, there will indicate—his sign language is even more eloquent need to be inquiries. than his voice. It has been agreed through the usual In the very short term, we will need to look at channels that it might be appropriate at this moment gangland culture, particularly in our inner cities. These to adjourn during pleasure until 2.30 pm and then to problems involve people from across the range—children take stock before we see whether we are able to commence as well as adults. We heard from the noble Lord, Lord the next Statement. Browne, and others of their experiences and we should look to the Strathclyde experience to try to learn from 2.14 pm it. We have to deal with this. Yesterday, the police identified members of known gangs who had orchestrated Sitting suspended. much of what had gone on during the nights before and I am pleased to say that they were able to make arrests on the basis of that information. Global Economy We see a challenge before this country. Not only do Statement we have to come together but we have to get it right. We have in the short term to restore confidence among 2.30 pm the wider public—not just those who were affected but The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord people across the country as a whole. Even those Sassoon): My Lords, with the leave of the House I people in safe areas who were watching this on their shall now repeat a Statement made by my right honourable televisions now feel that their security is undermined. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another People never expected to see this on the streets of this place. country in their lifetime. It is not just shocking and it is not just something about which we must have a few “Mr Speaker, people will be concerned about the discussions; we must tackle it, drawing on and harnessing turmoil in the world’s financial markets and what it the experience across the community. I take the point means for economies here and across the globe. I want that was made about going into local communities. I to use the opportunity of the recall of Parliament to am already booked—this was done before what has update the House on what we are doing to protect happened—to go next month to Manchester to see Britain from the storm and to help lead a more effective what a community has done on a very troublesome international response to the fundamental causes of housing estate. We can learn a lot from the people who this instability. have tackled this problem at the grass-roots level. As of this morning, after heavy losses yesterday, They have taken that responsibility, with help, and markets in Asia and Europe are calmer. But over have got results. We must all learn from that. I hope the past month, the Dow Jones index has fallen by that many Members of your Lordships’ House will over 14 per cent, the French market is down 23 per feel that they can attend the perhaps more detailed cent and the Nikkei by 11 per cent. It is striking that debate on each of these points at 3 pm this afternoon. the German market is down 24 per cent and even I conclude by paying tribute, as many in this House Chinese equities are down 20 per cent since November. have done—and I hope that the message will go out Bank shares in all countries have been hit particularly from this House—to the police, including those police hard, with French banks the latest in the firing line. officers who were injured during the nights when this Many sovereign bond markets, too, have been was happening, and to the emergency services, including exceptionally volatile, with market rates for Italian the ambulance service and the fire brigade, who we and Spanish debt soaring before falling back in the saw showing great heroism on our television screens. I last three days. also pay tribute to the voluntary services and community Sadly, Britain is not immune to these market leaders, who have clearly, as we have heard in our movements. In the last month, the FTSE 100 is down discussions today, played a big part not just in assisting by 16 per cent and British bank shares have also been practically but in holding communities together. That hard hit. However, while our stock market has fallen has been extremely important, as has been mentioned like others, there has been one striking difference from several times. We should remember in particular the many of our European neighbours. The market for humbling words of Mr Tariq Jahan, who stood out as our government bonds has benefitted from the global a beacon in his hour of grief as somebody who, even flight to safety. UK gilt yields have come down to then, put his wider community first. We all need to put around 2.5 per cent—the lowest interest rates in over the wider community first. I thank noble Lords for 100 years. Earlier this week the UK’s credit default their contributions today. swap spread, or the price of insuring against a sovereign 1535 Global Economy[LORDS] Global Economy 1536

[LORD SASSOON] our coalition Government united behind the swift and default, was lower than Germany’s. This is a huge vote decisive action of in-year cuts and the emergency of confidence in the credibility of British Government Budget. While other countries struggled to command debt and a major source of stability for the British confidence in their fiscal forecasts, we have created an economy at a time of exceptional instability. It is a internationally admired and independent Office for reminder of the reckless folly of those who said we Budget Responsibility. These bold steps have made were going too far too fast. We can all see now that Britain that safe haven in the sovereign debt storm. their approach would have been too little too late, with Our market interest rates have fallen while other countries’ disastrous consequences for Britain. have soared, and the very same rating agency that It is not hard to identify the recent events that have downgraded the United States has taken Britain off triggered the latest market falls. There has been the the negative watch that we inherited and reaffirmed weak economic data from the US and the historic our triple-A status. This market credibility is not some downgrade of that country’s credit rating. The crisis abstract concept. It saves jobs and keeps families in of confidence in the ability of eurozone countries to their homes. Families are benefiting from the lowest-ever pay their debts has spread from the periphery to major mortgage rates and companies are able to borrow and economies such as Italy and Spain. But these events refinance at historically low rates thanks to the decisions did not come out of the blue. They all have the same we have taken. Let me make it clear not only to the root cause—debt and, in particular, a massive overhang House of Commons but to the whole world that ours of debt from a decade-long boom when economic is an absolutely unwavering commitment to fiscal growth was based on unsustainable household borrowing, responsibility and deficit reduction. Abandoning that unrealistic house prices, dangerously high banking commitment would plunge Britain into the financial leverage and a failure of Governments to put their whirlpool of a sovereign debt crisis at the cost of many public finances in order. Unfortunately, the UK was thousands of jobs. We will not make that mistake. perhaps the most eager participant in this boom, with The second thing we need to do is to continue to the most indebted households, the biggest housing lead the international response in Europe and beyond. bubble, the most over-leveraged banks and the largest In the G7 statement agreed between finance Ministers budget deficit of them all. and central bank governors this week, we said that we History teaches us that recovery from this sort of would take all necessary measures to support financial debt-driven, financial balance-sheet recession was always stability and growth. In the eurozone, there is now a going to be choppy and difficult. We warned that that growing acceptance of what the UK Government have would be the case. But the whole world now realises been saying, first in private and now in public, for the that the huge overhang of debt means that the recovery last year—that they, too, need to get ahead of the will take longer and be harder than had been hoped. curve. Individual countries must deal with their deficits, Markets are waking up to this fact. That is what make their economies more competitive and strengthen makes this the most dangerous time for the global their banking systems. Existing eurozone institutions economy since 2008. I think we should be realistic need to do whatever is necessary to maintain stability, about that. I think we should set our expectations and I welcome the ECB interventions through its accordingly. securities markets programme this week to do just that. As the Governor of the Bank of England said yesterday, and as the head of the Office for Budget But this can only ever be a bridge to a permanent Responsibility has also noted, the British economy is solution. I have said many times before that the eurozone expected to continue to grow this year. Some 500,000 countries need to accept the remorseless logic of monetary new private-sector jobs have been created in the past union that leads from a single currency to greater 12 months—the second highest rate of net job creation fiscal integration. Many people made exactly this argument in the G7. But instability across the world and in our more than a decade ago as a reason for staying out of main export markets means that, in common with the single currency—and thank God we did. many other countries, expectations for this year’s growth Solutions such as euro-bonds or other forms of have fallen. guarantees now require serious consideration and they This is what our response must be. First, we must must be matched by much more effective economic continue to put our own house in order. I spoke again governance in the eurozone to ensure that fiscal yesterday to Sir Mervyn King and I can confirm that responsibility is hardwired into the system. The break-up the assessment of the Bank, the FSA and the Treasury of the euro would be economically disastrous, including is that British banks are sufficiently well capitalised for Britain, so we should accept the need for greater and are holding enough liquidity to be able to cope fiscal integration in the eurozone while ensuring that with the current market turbulence. We have in place we are not part of it and that our own national well developed and well rehearsed contingency plans. interests are protected. That is the message that the We must also continue to implement the fiscal Prime Minister has clearly communicated in his calls consolidation plan that has brought stability to our with Chancellor Merkel, President Sarkozy and others bond markets. this week. I have done likewise with individual finance Ministers, in ECOFIN and in the G7 call at the I believe that events around the world completely weekend, and will do so again at the September ECOFIN vindicate the decisions of this coalition Government and G7 meetings. from the day they took office to get ahead of the curve and to deal with this country’s record deficit. While But this is a global, as well as a European, crisis. At other countries wrestled with paralysed political systems, this autumn’s meetings at the IMF and the G20, we 1537 Global Economy[11 AUGUST 2011] Global Economy 1538 need far greater progress on global imbalances. We the global economy is eerily reminiscent of the early need an international framework that allows creditor days of the financial crisis in 2007-08. Then, as now, countries such as China to increase demand and debtor shocks to relatively small entities destabilised financial countries to make the difficult adjustments necessary markets by undermining confidence in the authorities’ to repay them. Everyone knows what needs to be understanding of what was happening and hence their done, but progress so far has been frustratingly slow, ability to do anything constructive. Small events then with lengthy disagreements on technical definitions, spread to even larger entities, so that even the most let alone on any concrete actions. The barriers are stable and secure institutions were affected. Then as political not economic, so it is up to the world’s now, fears were stoked up by the grandstanding of the politicians to overcome them. There are no excuses ratings agencies. Then as now, funding dried up and left. the solvency of major institutions and sovereign states Finally, the UK, like the rest of the developed was questioned. Some of the actors have changed, but world, needs a new model of growth. Surely we have the play is the same, and those who will suffer—ordinary, now learnt that growth cannot come from yet more hard-working people—remain the same too. As the debt and government spending. Those who spent the crisis enters this new phase, are we better prepared? past year telling us to follow the American example Have we learnt the lessons of the past three years? with yet more fiscal stimulus need to answer this Does the Chancellor’s Statement represent a new simple question: why has the US economy grown understanding of what is happening? more slowly than the UK’s so far this year? More The first lesson is simply to remember that the spending now, paid for by more government borrowing object of economic policy is the prosperity of our and higher debt, would lead directly to rising interest citizens, not the comfort of the financial markets. rates and falling international confidence that would Stable financial markets are a means to an end, not an kill off the recovery not support it. Instead, we have to end in itself. That lesson was clearly learnt in the work hard to have a private sector that competes, that strategy devised by the G20 in 2009. It committed invests, that exports. In today’s world, that is the only members to halve national deficits in five years by route to high-quality jobs and lasting prosperity. pursuing a concerted growth strategy. Unfortunately, In the developed countries, and especially in Europe, the commitments made in 2009 were abandoned a that means making the difficult structural reforms year later. The growth strategy was abandoned in needed to restore competitiveness and improve the favour of austerity, imposed either by the markets, as underlying performance of our economies. Internationally, in Greece, or by the Government, as in Britain. we have the greatest stimulus of all sitting on the table The second lesson was the need for a clear analysis in the form of the Doha round—a renewed commitment and understanding of what was happening in order to to free trade across the world—that should be taken fashion an appropriate response and to generate up now. Here in Britain, The Plan for Growth has set confidence throughout the economy. Recent events in out an ambitious path. Twenty-three of the measures the United States and the eurozone suggest that this in it have already been implemented and another 80 lesson has not been learnt. In the United States, the are being implemented now. On controversial issues, political wrangling of the past few months, and the such as planning reform, we will overcome opposition intransigence and lack of flexibility of some senior that stands in the way of prosperity. On tax, we have policy-makers, resulted in a loss of confidence in the already cut our corporation tax by 2p, with three more authorities’ ability to deliver an economic recovery cuts to come over the next three years. In welfare and and even in their understanding of what needed to be education reform, we will continue to pursue a radical done. None the less, at least output in the US has reforming agenda. recovered to pre-crisis levels, while output in the UK is There is much more we can do and much more that still 4 per cent below those levels. The Chancellor’s we must do if we are to create a new model of cheap jibe about US growth over the past two quarters sustainable growth. All of us in the House must rise to is a fine example of statistical chicanery. Will the that challenge in the months ahead and confront the noble Lord explain why the US has got output back to vested interests. They are the forces of stagnation that pre-crisis levels but the UK has not? stand in the way of growth. In these turbulent times In the eurozone, it should be clear to all that the for world markets, we will continue to lead the institutions of monetary union are perfectly designed international response, redouble our efforts to remove to transform economic difficulties into economic crises. the obstacles to growth and stick to our plan that has The lack of a single eurobond market, backed by an made Britain a safe haven in the global debt storm. I effective treasury function and allied to fiscal transfers commend this Statement to the House.” that occur as a matter of course in the US and the My Lords, that concludes the Statement. UK, results in a situation in which growth in weaker economic areas can result only in the accumulation of debt—and accumulation of debt results in the diversion 2.43 pm of funding from the weak to the strong. It should be Lord Eatwell: My Lords, I am most grateful to the clear by now also that the main beneficiary of this noble Lord for repeating the Statement made by the flawed structure is Germany. We can imagine where Chancellor in the other place and for travelling back the German exchange rate would be if it were the to the House to do so. We are living through a grave outcome of a deutschmark market rather than a euro and difficult situation for the international economy; market. Germany would be being priced out of world indeed, for the economy abroad and at home. Many markets by its own exchange rate. What would happen noble Lords will feel that the current situation in to German export-led growth than? Does not the 1539 Global Economy[LORDS] Global Economy 1540

[LORD EATWELL] was assessed by the independent Office for Budget greatest beneficiary have the greatest responsibility to Responsibility and its conclusion was that it would secure positive reform for every nation in the eurozone? have no significant impact on growth at all. Given the importance of the eurozone to the UK What new measures do the Government have in economy, we should do everything we can to assist in mind to stimulate growth? Now is the time for the the creation of institutions necessary to run a successful Government to back a real growth initiative, one based monetary union. Here, I agree with the Chancellor’s on investment in infrastructure, productive capacity, assessment of what reforms need to be made. The skills and new technologies. It should include an process will almost certainly require significant revision accelerated infrastructure programme, a national to European treaties. Will the Government lend their investment bank to mobilise funds lying idle in corporate support to treaty revision? balance sheets, and greater incentives for investment The third lesson that is becoming clearer every day in and the expansion of new technologies. Without a is that austerity alone does not work. The Chancellor commitment to economic growth, confidence will not has persistently argued that the Government’s austerity return to industry or the consumer and deficit targets policy will, in and of itself, promote confidence in will not be met. business to invest and in households to consume, Policy-makers around the world, most especially thereby rebalancing the economy. Chart 2.7 of the the British Government, need to learn the bitter lessons Bank of England’s Inflation Report, published yesterday, of the last three years—that the object of economic shows clearly that the Government will meet their policy is the prosperity of our citizens, not the comfort deficit targets only if firms and households start borrowing of financial markets; that a clear and consistent and spending again—if they borrow to replace understanding of what is happening is necessary; and government borrowing. However, that is not happening. that austerity alone does not work. Simply repeating The austerity policy is not working. Households are over and again that a policy is working does not make saving and companies are not investing. Financial it true. The Government’s austerity policy is not working. institutions are deleveraging. Growth in manufacturing It may delight the Chancellor’s friends in the ratings has ground to a halt and the balance of payments agencies, but it means prolonged stagnation for the deficit is on the rise again. Real incomes are falling, British economy and economic misery for the British squeezed by the rise in VAT and by an inflation rate people. The Government need to face up to the reality that is twice as high as in France or Germany. The of what is happening in the British economy and economy is dead in the water, yet the Chancellor’s introduce a truly substantial growth strategy now. Statement shows no recognition of what is happening out there in the real world. He repeats his obsession 2.54 pm with deficit reduction at the cost of economic growth. Lord Sassoon: My Lords, I am grateful for the The central message of the Statement is that bond opening remarks made by the noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, rates are low and the ratings agencies are appeased. but subsequently I heard little that I could recognise as But has anyone in the Government noticed that exactly a coherent alternative or even critique of the Government’s the same was true in the Japanese economy 20 years policies. On the one hand, the noble Lord talks about ago, and has been for the past 20 years? Interest rates the austerity imposed by this Government, which seems in Japan are significantly lower than in the UK, and to imply that he would like more spending; on the have been for 20 years, and Japan’s AAA rating is other hand he complains about the dangers of a rising secure. The result is 20 years of stagnation, “lost deficit and the forecasts of a rising deficit. decades” as they are called, and the Japanese deficit The noble Lord says we should be spending more. has not fallen. We risk the same fate. Already, with Well, if we did not have to spend £120 million a day on prospective growth in the UK being downgraded by debt interest we could be spending it on more police, every respected economic agency, the deficit forecast is schools, hospitals—you name it, we could have it. It is rising, not falling. The crisis in the financial markets precisely because of the record debt, the largest deficit, has shifted from fears about deficits to fears about that we inherited from the previous Government that stagnation. The markets have realised that austerity we are in the bind that we are. That is the answer to his will not fix deficits. Austerity reduces tax revenues and first question about why the UK growth performance forces the Government into yet further expenditure has been so weak. We are struggling under the massive cuts to hit its deficit targets. burden of debt that was inherited. There is no recognition of these dangers in the The noble Lord challenges the comparison that my Statement, and they are dangers not only for Britain right honourable friend made between the stronger but for the global economy, as the obsession with performance of the UK economy in recent months austerity grips policy-makers around the world. Britain’s compared with the US economy. I give him another lead in this respect is doing great damage. What is statistic: in the UK we now have unemployment of needed now is a strategy for growth—in the United 7.7 per cent, while in the US it is 9.2 per cent. Again, States; in the eurozone as a whole, not just in the the idea we can somehow look at some mythical way northern states; and in the UK. The Chancellor recognises of stimulating the economy to get us out of the bind this and states that Britain needs a new model for that we are in is the stuff of dreams. growth. We on this side agree, but the plan for growth There were one or two things on which I agreed trumpeted by the Government—and who would not with the noble Lord, Lord Eatwell. We share an agreement discount a plan that is described as “83 initiatives” that the eurozone needs to strengthen its institutions. rather than having clear content and direction?— As my right honourable friend the Chancellor said in 1541 Global Economy[11 AUGUST 2011] Global Economy 1542 his Statement, we would welcome the strengthening of They can be a sign of weakness, as they were in Japan. the eurozone’s institutions to have real bite in the fiscal I would be interested if the noble Lord, Lord Sassoon, co-ordination that there needs to be. If strengthening could comment on that. Are we not now in danger of the eurozone’s management of its fiscal affairs requires keeping the confidence of foreign investors but losing treaty changes among eurozone members, we will look the confidence of British consumers? Some noble sympathetically at that. But as my right honourable Lords will, like me, be old enough to remember Harold friend made clear, that is for the eurozone; the UK will Wilson complaining that his economic recovery plan be supportive of its efforts but we will not directly be had been blown off course. That has clearly been part of them. happening in this country since the Budget. Even On growth, the noble Lord quoted various things looking through—I am bound to say—the Minister’s from the Bank of England’s report. The critical thing rather rose-tinted spectacles at the GDP forecast, does in yesterday’s report—this is consistent with the Office he agree with the Governor of the Bank of England, for Budget Responsibility’s analysis—is that the Bank who said: of England’s forecast for UK growth is 1.5 per cent “Headwinds to world and domestic growth … are becoming this year and 2.1 per cent next year, rising to 2.6 per stronger by the day”? cent in the year after. Although the economic and I thought that was a striking comment from him market conditions are very difficult and fraught with yesterday. I agree with it; does the noble Lord? danger, we must not forget that, provided we hold to Does the Minister also agree with the Business our plan, provided we remain the safe haven that the Secretary, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and all UK has become, provided we continue to give our Liberal Democrats that the priority, if and when there householders and holders of mortgages the benefits of is room for tax cuts, is not to help the 1 per cent of very low interest rates and we continue to give businesses taxpayers who pay the 50p top rate, but the millions the ability to refinance their debt at those low interest of ordinary people who will spend any tax cut they rates, it is that that will underpin the confidence that get—and desperately need—to boost demand and jobs? business needs to invest and individuals need to spend Does he also agree with our calls, from Vince Cable their hard-earned money. That is the fundamental and others, for more quantitative easing from the basis on which growth will come. Bank of England to boost growth, so that we do not As my right honourable friend has said, we had a risk slipping into the Japanese morass, and much more significant plan for growth six months ago. Within the bank lending to small businesses? Royal Bank of Scotland, past six months the Treasury has published a progress the bank that we own, has just missed even its own soft report to show how far we are getting, including Project Merlin target for gross lending to small and tackling some of the most difficult issues such as the medium-sized enterprises by £1.5 million over the first planning rules in this country. We will come forward six months. Is it not now time that we seriously considered with more growth-supporting measures this autumn, imposing a net lending target on the nationalised and that is what will enable this country to get out of banks, as was flagged up in the coalition agreement, so the mess that we inherited from the previous Government. that they take their foot off the throat of small business?

Lord McNally: My Lords, I remind the House that Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: My Lords, the Minister we will now go to a 40-minute session that will follow and the Chancellor have prayed in aid of their argument the precedent of the previous Statement. There will be the credit rating agencies. Is it not strange that these no immediate answers from the Front Bench but a credit rating agencies, which downgraded the economy response at the end. I suggest that we start with my of the United States of America, are private companies— noble friend Lord Oakeshott and then circulate as private sector institutions such as Standard and Poor, usual. Forty minutes, even for economists, should be Fitch, Moody and all the other credit rating agencies. okay. Does the Minister not agree that they have, by their actions, exacerbated the economic crisis and that, as a 2.59 pm result, some of their friends and interests have benefited? Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: My Lords, I thank Would it not be better if our Government and those of my noble friend Lord McNally for that and for this other countries, particularly members of the European invitation back to the Front Bench for one day only. Union, were to get together and look at ways in which credit rating can be done on a public sector basis in the I declare my interest as a pension fund manager for public interest, and not on a private sector basis in the the past 35 years and an active investor in British private interest? shares and property. The noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, mentioned rating agencies. I have never taken a blind bit of notice of them in my life, which is probably why Baroness O’Cathain: My Lords, I thank my noble I still have a job. I well remember how wrong they were friend for repeating the Chancellor’s Statement. I have when I was warning about the dangers of Iceland. a copy of it here. One of the things that stands out is: We on these Benches believe that the Chancellor is “We need an international framework that allows creditor right to stress the need for Britain to stick to a determined countries like China to increase demand and debtor countries to deficit-reduction plan and keep interest rates low while make the difficult adjustments necessary to repay them”. we have to keep borrowing so much because of—let us I should like to ask: what are the chances of this be frank about this—Labour’s legacy. However, I agree happening? What is the mechanism? Is it the autumn with the noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, that low government meeting of the IMF and the G20? I come back to my bond yields are not a guarantee of a strong economy. point about what the chances are. There is no question 1543 Global Economy[LORDS] Global Economy 1544

[BARONESS O’CATHAIN] Lord Pearson of Rannoch: My Lords, my questions that if we could stimulate China to increase its demand come against the background of the cuts generally for products from our country and Europe, we would and our perilous economic condition. They also feed be well on the way to restoring the confidence of our in to our previous debate. My first question to the small and medium-sized enterprises to get more involved Minister is very simple. Do the Government accept in that market. Leading directly on from that, my their own figure of £9 billion a year, net cash, which noble friend said that more supporting measures will we pay to Brussels, with no conceivable benefit to us? be produced in the autumn. Can I make a plea on If they agree their own figure of £9 billion a year net, behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises for will they agree that that comes to some £25 million something to be done to limit the huge burden of every day? The sum of £25 million a day would pay the regulation, which disproportionately falls on small salaries of 833 policemen every day, or 304,045 policemen and medium-sized enterprises? They wish to carry on per annum. I emphasise that that is net cash. I do not but find international trade really difficult. mention the costs of over-regulation of 6 per cent of GDP per annum in food and so on. Lord Knight of Weymouth: My Lords, the Chancellor’s My second question is: do the Government admit Statement sustained the spin around the safe haven that there would be no crisis in the eurozone without notion. I wondered whether the Minister has seen the the euro? Do they also admit that there would be no comments of Jonathan Portes, the director of the eurozone without the ill-fated project of European National Institute of Economic and Social Research. integration? On the Statement, when they accepted the Last week, he said that if you thought that what was remorseless logic of a federal budget, which they driving low gilt yields was us being perceived as a safe appear to have done, are they convinced that the haven, you would see a significant rise in the pound German people, the Dutch people and so on will put and we just have not seen that. He added: up with this? I think they may be mistaken. “The reason people are marking down gilt yields is because Finally, how can they possibly say that the breakup the economy is weak”. of the euro would be economically disastrous, including Is not the problem, as my noble friend Lord Eatwell for Britain? Could the noble Lord at least justify that has said, a lack of growth? Is it not true that, as a because if we face the reality that the thing is going to result of the decisions that this Government have break up—and the quicker we face it and the quicker made, we will see an additional £46 billion-worth of it breaks up, the better—we would all be very much borrowing than was predicted a few months ago, and more comfortable? is it not important that the Government decided to Lord Sewel: My Lords, the Minister has rightly slow down the rate of deficit reduction so that there is drawn attention to the weaknesses, indeed the failures, room, for example, to spend money on sustaining of the European political institutions in responding to police numbers and keeping prisons open so that we the crisis. Would he care to reflect on the contribution can deal with the public disorder which we have been of the political institutions of the United States to the debating today? present crisis? Could it possibly have something to do with the fact that they have a political structure based Lord Taylor of Goss Moor: My Lords, is it not the on two elected Chambers, one in which the Executive case that when we hear the Governor of the Bank of have a majority and one in which they do not? We have England talk about head winds, we need to understand heard that somewhere before. that, although the central projection may still be for growth, there are real risks to that growth? In those Baroness Kramer: My Lords, these dark glasses are circumstances, surely it is possible for the Government not for glamour but to prevent me sharing an eye to be clear that they will stick by the deficit reduction infection. I very much agree with the Minister that the programme as the target, and that, like any good pilot Government, and individuals, have no choice but to faced with stormy weather, they will adjust course as deleverage. Many of our large companies are not necessary? I do not believe that the Opposition are anxious at this time to invest or borrow significantly right to say that that needs to be done in some emergency because they are doubtful about both the domestic way at the present time, but it is sensible to flag up that and international economy. Surely, however, one sector that may be necessary if the projections are not met. has significant capacity to absorb new investment in In those terms, will the Minister endorse the comments the form of equity and debt: that of the micro-businesses by the Deputy Prime Minister that seemed to indicate and very small businesses, because they have been in that the Government would work to stimulate the large part neglected by our banking sector and our economy, as and when that proves necessary? financial institutions for years. Would the Minister be willing to look at a programme that specifically targets those kinds of businesses which, culturally, our current Lord Radice: Has the Minister noted a certain irony institutions usually fail to serve, perhaps building off in the Chancellor’s Statement in that the United Kingdom, some of the schemes which are being looked at now to which is not a member of the eurozone, is advising the revitalise the high streets which were so badly damaged eurozone how to conduct its affairs? Indeed, it is going earlier this week? so far as to suggest that the eurozone institutions are strengthened and that there should be further integration. Lord Harrison: My Lords, I am sorry that the I happen to agree with the Chancellor, and with my Minister has had to break off his holiday reading of right honourable friend, but I think the Chancellor your Lordships’ European Union Select Committee’s has a nerve. Sovereign Credit Ratings report. I hope that he will 1545 Global Economy[11 AUGUST 2011] Global Economy 1546 return and study it when he is next on the beach, and of banks in southern Europe because they fear they reflect on some of the words from the noble Lord, may end up with a lira or a peseta. Money supply is Lord Oakeshott. These institutions exist but a healthier falling dramatically, with a 10 per cent reduction in degree of scepticism might inform the City and, indeed, Italy in just the past few months. That is the crisis elsewhere to ensure that they are taken for what they which is having the knock-on problems for this are—an educated guess as to the future debt of sovereign economy—much more, I suggest to the Minister, than nations. for the US. Secondly, would the Minister consult his colleague on the business section about the regional growth Lord Lea of Crondall: My Lords, perhaps I may fund, which I raised some months ago? I discovered make two comments and ask two questions. First, it and reported to your Lordships that it was unsuccessful has already been remarked on that the Faustian pact at the moment, especially because of the £1 million between China and the United States over the past bar required for small businesses to make application 10 years has been an ultimate, if not the principal, to that fund. My third point relates to the points made reason for slow world growth. Secondly, although the by the noble Baroness, Lady O’Cathain, in the European Minister dismisses so perfunctorily what my noble Sub-Committee B’s report on the single, internal market. friend Lord Eatwell said, I suggest that he reads Why do we not put greater effort into ensuring that the Hansard tomorrow, because my noble friend made a market comes to fruition, which would surely benefit very carefully considered analysis of the world and UK companies perhaps more than any others within European situation. I suspect that in terms of economic the 27 countries of the European Union? analysis my noble friend would probably get a higher mark than the Minister on the current situation. The Archbishop of York: My Lords, I listened intently Six months ago, I and many of us were on record as to the Minister but I did not hear in that Statement saying that all this would lead to a double dip. It is a what the Government intend to do about inflation. quite different scenario from the Thatcher period when The noble Baroness, Lady Thatcher, believed when there was a reasonably good international position. she was in the other place that inflation was a danger The prediction of the IFS and others was that if you to savings, to investment and to growth. Inflation is are going to cut £200 million-worth of output through rising; what are the Government going to do to cure the crash, the deficit would actually rise from 3.5 per that particular problem and difficulty? Secondly, debt cent in 2008 to something like 11 per cent now. That in the United Kingdom is not just government debt. was without adding to it through austerity measures. The greatest difficulty we have is personal debt. When We are talking as if austerity measures apply to all austerity measures are there to cure the national debt, circumstances. is it ever wise to then encourage the ordinary person to My first question is: will the Minister, the noble go out and spend? How can that be right? They, too, Lord, Lord Sassoon, consider inviting Chancellor Merkel ought to have austerity measures for themselves. over here to give her a personal tour of Britain to Finally, I have listened intently and what I constantly show her how a modern economy can best succeed—an hear is that our difficulty is—and it comes again and economy where manufacturing all around works at again—the mess that we inherited from the last the rate of Siemens and BMW? Government. Is that right? They certainly left a big debt, but it certainly was not just that. What about the Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: This is irony. role of the banks? They got us into a mess, and I never hear it said that the mess was caused not just by the Lord Lea of Crondall: I had better spell it out as last Government but by our financial institutions that sometimes it does not get across. left us in debt. Is it not time to put the blame not only on one foot but on both feet? That tour could demonstrate that the higher economic growth rate in Britain than in Germany could help solve the German problem. I have a second question 3.15 pm arising from that. My noble friends will not be aware Lord Flight: My Lords, perhaps I may suggest to of this but I asked a Written Question about the the Minister that what is really damaging confidence relative position of German multinationals and Britain’s and what has knocked stock markets is, in fact, the multinationals and the proportion of value added in euro crisis. It is the perception that the economies of Germany and Britain, the home country. It is pretty southern Europe and Ireland cannot recover without obvious from the FT Global 500 employment figures substantial devaluation. It is a situation analogous to that Germany, which has only about half the number that of the UK back in 1992. Broadly speaking, markets, of multinationals as Britain, is miles more successful. because they cannot go for the currency, go for the Employment in Germany—that is the value added as bond markets. It may or may not be correct that the a proportion of the German economy—is far, far only solution is pan-European bonds, but the second higher than in British multinationals. issue is, if there is to be a pan-eurozone, it will obviously My question, which I shall repeat, asked the require massive ongoing transfer payments by Germany. Government to give me the statistics. I had the most Markets do not believe that Germany will be willing perfunctory reply in one sentence from the noble to accept such liabilities. That is the big factor damaging Lord, Lord Sassoon, that the Government are not confidence and growth. It is the potential further interested in such statistics and that it was not their banking and government debt crisis that that represents; job to collect them. The Department for Business it is people understandably moving their deposits out knows what the figures are, and the relative value 1547 Global Economy[LORDS] Global Economy 1548

[LORD LEA OF CRONDALL] it would be great if we had a deficit as low as Germany added of our multinationals in Britain and the relative and bond yields as low as it does, but the fact is that we value added of multinationals in Germany. Will the have a deficit as high as Greece but interest rates as Minister today say that he will look at the matter more low as Germany. They are not in themselves a guarantee carefully and give me, the House and the Library a less of growth, but if we divert from the basic course we perfunctory answer? could very well find ourselves with both a very high deficit and very high interest rates. In those circumstances, Lord Cotter: My Lords, we all recognise the need growth would be choked off very quickly. That is for growth in the economy. The Statement repeated by fundamentally why we have to stick to our plan. My the Minister today said that we have to work hard to noble friend also talked about tax cuts. To remind have a private sector that competes, invests and exports. noble Lords, the coalition is set out on a track which is In the light of that and the need for growth, I refer to a significantly raising, and already has raised, the starting report in the Financial Times today. It indicates there level of tax for those at the bottom end of the income has been a flood of applications from other parts of scale. That is an important part of the whole rebalancing the country for investment funds backed by the state of the tax and welfare package to get people back into available in the northern part of England. In some work. Equally, at the other end, my right honourable cases, it is one in 10 and in some cases, in Yorkshire, friend the Chancellor has made it clear that, over the one-fifth. That flood of applications indicates strongly medium term, a top rate of tax of 50 per cent is not that small and medium-sized businesses are desperate conducive to an economy growing consistently and for scarce loans and equity funding, which they cannot driven by entrepreneurial activity. obtain because they do not come from that part of the My noble friend Lady O’Cathain reminded us country. Can the Government do more to help? of the very big picture and questioned the chances of I ask once again, as did my colleagues and noble getting agreement to action on the imbalances. She friends, Lord Oakeshott and Lady Kramer, whether was right to say that it will be for the autumn meetings the Government will take on board that that highlights of the G7, the G8 and the G20 to make further the struggle that small businesses in particular are progress on that. Although there has been considerable having to get funding from banks because of high frustration about turning good words into action, the prices, costs and tougher covenants. This is a nation of latest statements from Ministers are, let us say, modestly small businesses. We read the report in the FT today encouraging, but it requires a big push this autumn. that there is a great demand and wish for funding but My noble friend then moved from the very big picture it does not seem to be available. to more micro matters, with the question of regulation Lord McNally: My Lords, I withdraw entirely the and how difficult it is for businesses that want to grow. snide remark I made about the long-windedness of That is precisely why we have a moratorium on new economists. May I suggest that we hear from the regulation for micro businesses in the period up to Minister now? 2014 and that new tests under the “one in, one out” rule are being applied to all new proposals for regulation 3.25 pm from Ministers. Lord Sassoon: My Lords, I do not pretend to be an economist. I am sure that if I was sitting an exam Lord Pearson of Rannoch: My Lords, what about paper now, I would fall well short of the mark that the the regulations that come from our friends in Brussels? noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, would get. The problem is The Government’s Answer to me recently said that a that we do not live in a pure economics world. A lot of majority of all our business regulation comes from what we are struggling with now is where the world of Brussels, and we can do nothing about it. economists meets the world of markets. I am not sure where to start with the many interesting interventions that we have had. I go back to the Lord Sassoon: If the noble Lord will be a little question about the deficit reduction plan: there were patient, I will get back to Europe in a moment. some concerns about the size of the deficit rising and It was nice to have confirmation from the noble others expressed the opinion that we should be investing Lord, Lord Radice, that we are all on the same side more and driving borrowing up. It is worth getting a when it comes to wanting to strengthen the eurozone, little bit economicsy about this and remembering that even if he questions the motives of some of us in there are things called automatic stabilisers, which wanting to do so. It really is very important that this mean that if the economy does not grow as fast as happens, and we should give it all our support. anticipated there will be additional payments in areas On the other European matters raised by the noble such as welfare, for example. It is worth remembering Lord, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, his main questions that the deficit goes up and down. Within the Chancellor’s were around the cost of this country’s contribution to fiscal plans, more money gets pumped into the Europe. He makes that contribution £25 million a day. economy—crudely put—if growth is lower. We should I cannot calculate things that quickly, but the fundamental always bear that in mind. There is no absolute rigorous difference between that £25 million a day and the number at which we shoot that does not vary as £120 million a day of debt interest that I referred economic circumstances change. to earlier is that the £25-million-a-day contribution to On the point raised by my noble friend Lord Oakeshott Europe buys us value for money. Of course we believe and others about interest rates, of course low bond that Europe needs to get its budget in hand, that there yields themselves are not a guarantee of growth. Germany needs to be much greater fiscal discipline in Brussels has been mentioned, and I will come back to that. Yes, and that the proposals for a great expansion of the 1549 Global Economy[11 AUGUST 2011] Global Economy 1550

European budget are unacceptable. Nevertheless, we my noble friend Lord Oakeshott will know, in the have to bring ourselves back to the main point that context of that discussion the governor made some this country gets considerable value from its membership interesting remarks about the possibility of quantitative of the European Union, and that that is fundamental easing. No doubt when the MPC’s minutes next come to making sure that we have good strong markets for out we will look to see what was discussed at its last our exports. Yes, there is a burden of regulation from meeting, but clearly this is a live topic. Brussels, and we must make sure that Brussels starts to My noble friend Lord Flight gave a perceptive apply the disciplines that we are applying in this analysis of the markets. I do not think that he asked country before it brings forward yet more regulation. me a question in that, but I agree with a lot of his A number of questions were asked by my noble analysis. friends Lady Kramer and Lord Cotter and the noble The noble Lord, Lord Lea of Crondall, raised Lord, Lord Harrison, about access to various domestic questions about the UK and Germany and made and European funds. All I say as a general point is that reference to BMW. All that I would ask him is why I hear very loudly what is being said. The Government’s BMW has announced in recent months a further objective is to make sure that in direct lending by the massive investment, of hundreds of millions of pounds, banks and in other finance—the most reverend Primate in its car manufacturing in this country. I suggest that reminded us that the banks are far from blameless in that is because the best of our manufacturing is at the situation that we are in, and my noble friend Lord least as good as and in some cases significantly better Oakeshott and other noble Lords reminded us of the than the best of manufacturing in Germany, fine importance of the banks—there is a whole range of manufacturing economy though it is. We have in this financing channels. We have the critical Merlin agreement country—Mini exemplifies this absolutely—design skills and European funds such as the regional growth fund— that are second to none. If the noble Lord would like to fire off at me another Written Question or three, I will be happy to try to answer better next time his Lord Harrison: Would the noble Lord be kind points on relative added value, but I do not think that enough to write to me on the regional growth fund we have anything to be ashamed of—far from it—in a and update the House on what has happened to it with comparison between the best of our industry and the regard to helping small businesses? best of German industry.

Lord Sassoon: I will take away the noble Lord’s Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: My Lords, will the Minister question. Forgive me, but I cannot now remember try to answer the question—I know that it is a difficult when we are committed to making regular updates, one—that I asked about credit rating agencies, which and it may be that we should wait until the next was also raised by the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott, regular update. I will see whether any more can be and by my noble friend Lord Harrison? I know that said, but maybe we should be patient. I understand the Minister has travelled a long way to answer the that he would like a quiet bilateral discussion, but I debate, but I have travelled a long way to ask just the cannot promise him early information. The important one question, so I would appreciate an answer. point that he and other noble Lords make is that we have to work very hard to ensure a suitable range of channels for access to both debt and equity finance. Lord Sassoon: I am happy to answer the question Incidentally, on the other point made by the noble that the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, asks. I do not Lord, Lord Harrison, I was taken away from some believe that nationalised institutions of any kind, including European-related reading yesterday. I had just got to nationalised credit rating agencies, are the best way to the chapter in Edward Heath’s biography on the first go. Europe and the international organisations are negotiations for our European entry, so I have a few looking at the appropriate form of regulation for years to go before I get to the latest report from your credit rating agencies. That is ongoing business and it Lordships’ committee. If I am allowed to go back on is quite proper that it should be done. Others question holiday, I will get there as quickly as I can. whether the whole rating system should be completely The most reverend Primate the Archbishop of York liberalised and say that one should not have a small raised another critically important point, which was number of institutions running the show. I recognise about inflation. Clearly, inflation makes an enormous that that is an important debate and both Europe and difference to the spending ability of individuals and the G20 continue to look at the issue. has a significant effect on the costs for businesses. As I am conscious that I should wind up. I just go back we have discussed in this House on many occasions to some of the fundamental points that underlie the recently, it is critical that the Monetary Policy Committee interesting debate that we have had this afternoon. continues to have free rein and is not constrained by Noble Lords are well aware that when the coalition the Government in any way in meeting its mandate. I Government came into office we inherited the UK’s commend to the most reverend Primate the words of largest ever peacetime deficit. Tackling that deficit has the Governor of the Bank of England in his latest been and continues to be our number one priority. The report, issued this week, in which he acknowledges recent events that we have been discussing this afternoon that inflation may go over 5 per cent in the short term vindicate that approach. It is by securing Britain’s but says that he expects inflation to moderate in the AAA rating and the very low bond yields that we now medium term and to come down to slightly below have that we underpin the prospects of recovery. As the target that the Chancellor has set of 2 per cent. As the Governor of the Bank of England highlighted 1551 Global Economy[LORDS] Global Economy 1552

[LORD SASSOON] deal with the nation’s debts and restore private sector yesterday, 500,000 UK jobs have been created by the growth has meant that the UK has been in a better private sector over the last year. We should not forget position to withstand the very considerable global that. uncertainties. Abandoning our plans would be disastrous, We have always said that recovery will be choppy resulting in rising interest rates, falling international but both the bank and the Office for Budget Responsibility confidence and undermining the recovery. forecast growth to continue through this year and the next. The decisive action taken by the Government to House adjourned at 3.40 pm. WS 163 Written Statements[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Statements WS 164 Written Statements High Street Support Scheme Affected businesses will also be able to call upon Thursday 11 August 2011 help from the new £20 million High Street Support Scheme that I am announcing today jointly with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Public Disorder – Support for Business The flexible scheme will be aimed at supporting the specific streets and areas where businesses have suffered Statement most as a result of the disturbances. Authorities will be able to use it to: fund the proportion of hardship relief from business The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department rates that would otherwise fall to them; for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for help affected firms to get back up and running Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable) has today quickly, for instance if assistance is needed with made the following statement. business clear-up, replacement of equipment, or costs of temporary accommodation. The appalling criminality we have seen across England in recent days has devastated not only local communities We will keep the steps we have taken under review. but also a very significant number of businesses. BIS This is an evolving situation and we are working to and other government departments are working with assess the cost to affected businesses. local enterprise partnerships, local authorities and Business Rates business organisations to ensure affected businesses Central government will fund three quarters of the have access to practical advice, information and support cost of hardship rate relief to give businesses in need to get back on their feet as quickly as possible. I would relief from business rates. Through the High Street like to set out what help and advice we can offer these Support Scheme we will also cover the proportion businesses. normally borne by local authorities. Insurance Seriously damaged business properties will be taken Businesses which have suffered loss should obtain a off valuation lists, and the Secretary of State for crime number from the police and contact their insurers Communities has strongly encouraged the Valuation immediately. We are working closely with the insurance Office Agency to do so as promptly as possible. This industry to make sure that all claims from affected removes any liability for council tax or business rates. businesses are dealt with swiftly and satisfactorily. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have confirmed Access to Finance that insurers’ priority is to help business through this We are working closely with the British Bankers traumatic period. Insurers are working as quickly as Association to ensure that affected businesses of all they can to deal with claims and most have 24-hour sizes, but especially small businesses, receive help. call centres. Where businesses have been affected by the recent The ABI advise us that their member companies rioting, banks have put in place special arrangements will be on hand to answer any questions that affected to make sure that emergency inquiries from affected businesses may have. Most commercial insurance policies customers can be dealt with simply and quickly. will cover businesses for damage to their premises, Banks have put in place numbers for customers to including the interruption to their business as a result call, teams are available inside the banks to help and of fire, looting and the other damage caused by the business relationship managers are getting in contact. recent riots. Some policies will also cover those businesses which are not damaged but whose trade has been The banks will sympathetically and sensitively consider affected by the aftermath. the problems of each business. Additional financial Any uninsured individual, homeowner or business support will be available should it be required to that has suffered damage to or loss of their buildings provide solutions for the affected businesses. These include or property as a result of rioting can seek compensation for example, where necessary making available short from their police authority under the Riot Damages to medium-term finance arrangements for repairs and Act. It is normally the case that claims must be received to replace stock, and repayment holidays until insurance within 14 days but to give people more time to submit claims are settled. these claims the Home Secretary is extending the Tax period to 42 days. HMRC will delay tax payments for businesses needing Online information and advice help through Time to Pay and will offer other practical Our online resource for business, www.businesslink. support. They have today announced a single Civil gov.uk, has already been updated with practical advice Disorder Help Line number—0845 3661207—to provide and information on business continuity, risk management, comprehensive advice. They will deal sympathetically and safety guidance. The business link national helpline with problems currently faced by businesses and individuals, number is 0845 600 9006. including: This is in addition to advice issued by local police agreeing payment schedules, including short-term forces and specific information circulated by relevant deferrals, with those who are unable to pay their trade associations. tax bills due to temporary financial difficulties; WS 165 Written Statements[LORDS] Written Statements WS 166

practical solutions where businesses and individuals I wish to outline the steps we are taking to support cannot meet their other obligations—for instance, and rebuild local communities after the shameful criminal if their records have been lost or destroyed in the activity of recent days. disturbances. Recovery Scheme Companies House Affected local authorities will continue to be eligible If any affected business will be unable to file accounts for the long-standing Bellwin scheme to meet immediate or other documents on time as a direct result of the and sizeable recovery costs. However, the thresholds in disturbances, Companies House will agree an extension the existing scheme mean that most councils would and ensure that companies do not incur the usual only receive assistance above costs in excess of c£1million, penalties which apply for late filings. and we assess that many affected local authorities may Employment advice not benefit. ACAS has issued advice on good practice regarding To support local councils, I am establishing a new management of employees in these circumstances. recovery scheme of up to £10 million, allocated to This includes advice and information about the legal councils via Section 31 grants. Councils will be able to position for employees and employers especially where claim back the costs directly incurred in making areas there is disruption to normal working hours. www.acas. safe, clean and clear again. This fund can also be used org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3418 to support councils who use their powers to offer I would like to express my appreciation to those council tax discounts or council tax relief to those business organisations whose members have been affected whose homes have been damaged but are still habitable. and who have responded with urgency to provide In this extraordinary situation, my department is advice and support at this difficult time. I would also also willing to meet the immediate costs of rehousing like to thank all their members and local branches those made homeless by these disturbances. This can who have worked closely with the police. be done under established homelessness funding processes.

Bank Business Contact Number Seriously damaged domestic and business properties will be taken off the respective valuation lists, and I Bank of Scotland 0845 300 0268 have strongly encouraged the Valuation Office Agency To make an insurance claim call to do so as promptly as possible. This removes any 0844 893 9582. For general enquiries call 0800 liability for council tax or business rates. 048 4363 High Street Support Scheme Barclays 0845 605 2345 HSBC 08457 606 060 With my right honourable friend the Secretary of Lloyds TSB 0845 072 5555 State for Business, Innovation and Skills, we will provide To make an insurance claim call an additional £20 million to create a new High Street 0844 893 9580 Support Scheme. The flexible scheme will be aimed at For general enquiries call 0844 supporting the specific streets and areas where businesses 893 9560 suffered most as a result of the disturbances. Local NatWest 0800 158 5977 Authorities will be able to use it to fund the proportion RBS 0800 092 3087 of hardship relief from business rates that would Santander 0800 056 1991 otherwise fall to them, and to help affected firms to get back up and running quickly, for instance if assistance The Government recognise that the impact on business is needed with business clear-up, replacement of will continue beyond this immediate recovery period, equipment, or costs of temporary accommodation. A and we will continue to work together with business quarter of the cost of hardship rate relief is normally organisations to identify what longer-term help is borne by local authorities and three quarters by central needed. This is particularly true of our high streets, government. which the Government are committed to supporting and promoting. We will also work with the foreign We will keep the steps we have taken under review. investor community to restore confidence in the UK This is an evolving situation and we are working to as a destination for investment. BIS Local will work assess the cost to affected businesses. We will announce closely with local enterprise partnerships and local further details of the Recovery Scheme and High authorities to secure a prosperous and vibrant future Street Support Scheme next week and expect that for our local high streets. councils will be able to make claims and receive grants quickly and easily. In addition, any individual, homeowner or small Public Disorder – Local Response and business that has suffered damage to or loss of their Support buildings or property as a result of rioting can seek Statement compensation under the Riot Damages Act. Importantly, this compensation is paid to the uninsured too. It is normally the case that claims must be received within The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department 14 days, but to give people more time to submit these for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): claims we will extend the period to 42 days. We will My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for urge the police to respond helpfully and swiftly to all Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles) legitimate claims, and the Government are working has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. closely with forces to ensure they have the funds they WS 167 Written Statements[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Statements WS 168 need to meet the costs of the operation itself and any in serious anti-social behaviour or criminal activity claims that they may receive under the Riot Damages such as rioting beyond the local neighbourhood. We Act. intend to consult on this proposal immediately as part It is not just for the state to support local firms of the ongoing consultation on anti-social behaviour. affected by these criminal actions. I encourage every Tribute to local communities local resident to make an effort to shop locally in this and coming weeks and support the local high streets The professionalism shown by all fire-fighters across which are the lifeblood of our communities. the nation over the last few days has been outstanding, Sanctions against criminals and I would like to thank all of them for their efforts. Crime does not pay and I want to send out a strong Fire crews have carried out their duties in the face signal to these violent criminals. of shameful criminal behaviour of rioters, who have It is already a ground for eviction in existing legislation physically attacked the very people protecting their if a tenant or a member of their family is involved in homes and communities from arson. anti-social behaviour or criminal activity in their local neighbourhood. I would urge landlords to consider We all owe them all a debt of gratitude for their this provision. We welcome the decision of Hammersmith tireless work protecting lives and communities, and we & Fulham, Greenwich, Southwark and Manchester have a fire and rescue service of which we can rightly among others to seek to evict their social tenants be proud. found guilty of rioting, and would encourage more Local councils have also risen to the challenge, local authorities to follow suit. leading the clear-up in their local areas and supporting My department is proposing to make necessary those worst affected. There have been some striking changes to housing legislation so that landlords will examples of positive social action, uniting our have even stronger powers to evict tenants who engage communities across class, colour and creed.

WA 357 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 358

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department Written Answers for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): Data on sales of peat extracted in Great Britain by end Answers received between Thursday 21 July and use are currently available up to 2009—there are no Monday 25 July 2011 comparable data collected for peat extraction in Northern Abortion Ireland. Question Asked by Baroness Gould of Potternewton Around 13.3 million cubic metres of peat were sold To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they by GB extractors over the period 2000-09. It is not will finalise their proposals for all women seeking possible to separate the 2001 and 2002 data by end an abortion to be offered counselling; and who will use. Of the 10.5 million cubic metres of peat sold in the remaining eight years, around 10.3 million cubic metres be consulted in determining the proposals.[HL11110] were for horticultural use and 233,000 cubic metres The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department were for non-horticultural uses. of Health (Earl Howe): The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidance, The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion, a copy of which has No data are held regarding by whom the peat was already been placed in the Library, recommends that extracted. clinicians caring for women requesting abortion should try to identify those who require more support than can be provided in the routine clinic setting (such as those with a psychiatric history, poor social support or evidence of coercion). For the minority of women who require formal therapeutic counselling, services should Armed Forces: Afghanistan and Iraq have formal care pathways in place with access to Question trained counsellors with appropriate expertise. We are looking to strengthen these existing Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay arrangements and are drawing up proposals to enable To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many all women who are seeking an abortion to be offered serving members of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal access to independent counselling. We would want the Navy, and (c) the Royal Air Force, have been killed counselling to be provided by appropriately qualified or wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq in each of the individuals. Detailed proposals are being worked on. past ten years. [HL10944] We plan to consult widely on those later this year and will finalise our plans in early 2012.

Agriculture: Peat Question The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The following tables Asked by The Earl of Courtown show the numbers of Service personnel killed or wounded To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the in Afghanistan and Iraq in each of the past 10 years. amount of peat extracted for (a) horticultural, and Figures have been presented as those resulting from (b) non-horticultural, use in the United Kingdom both hostile and non-hostile action. The figures of in the last 10 years; and by whom it was extracted. those wounded include those classified as very seriously [HL11100] injured (VSI) and seriously injured (SI).

Table 1: UK Armed Forces fatalities in Afghanistan by year, Service, and hostile and non-hostile action. 7 October 2001-7 July 2011. Year All Royal Navy Royal Marines Army RAF Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other

All 336 39 0 0 51 2 280 23 5 14 20010000000000 20020300000300 20030000000000 20041000001000 20051000001000 2006 21 18 0 0 4 1 17 5 0 12 2007375005131410 20085010016032120 20091071007099110 20109580015079612 2011243004020300 WA 359 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 360

Table 2: UK Armed Forces seriously injured in Afghanistan by year, Service, and hostile and non-hostile action. 7 October 2001-15 June 2011.

Year All Royal Navy Royal Marines Army RAF Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other

All 474 44 0 0 62 7 403 36 9 1 20010000000 000 20020100010 000 20030100000 100 2004-4200004 200 20051100001 100 2006247003421’300 2007 59 4 0 0 13 1 44 3 2 0 2008 60 5 0 0 14 1 43 4 3 0 2009 147 10 0 0 16 0 128 10 3 0 2010 143 10 0 0 11 0 131 10 1 0 2011363005031201

Table 3: UK Armed Forces fatalities in Iraq by year, Service, and hostile and non-hostile action. 1 January 2003-31 July 2009.

Year All Royal Navy Royal Marines Army RAF Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other

All 135 43 8 0 10 2 99 37 18 4 20034012707124922 2004 10 12 0 0 0 0 10 11 0 1 2005203000011390 2006272103021220 20073611000132941 20082200001210 2009010000010

Table 4: UK Armed Forces seriously injured in Iraq by year, Service and hostile and non-hostile action. 1 January 2003-31 July 2009.

Year All Royal Navy Royal Marines Army RAF Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other Hostile Other

All 149 73 1 3 1 1 140 59 7 10 2003 14 32 0 2 0 0 14 26 0 4 20043411000034803 20051010000010901 2006275101125301 2007 57 12 0 1 0 0 50 10 7 1 20087200007200 20090100000100

Notes: Tables 1 and 2 include the most recent verified data. Tables 3 and 4 present data up to closure of the UK field hospital in Iraq on 31 July 2009.

Armed Forces: Pilots Armed Forces: Staff Question Question Asked by Lord Moonie Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans latest estimate of the average total cost to the they have for French language training of Royal Exchequer, including salary, pension and associated Navy and Royal Air Force pilots. [HL11262] employment costs, of (a) an officer, and (b) a member of the other ranks, serving in the armed forces. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry [HL10942] of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Personnel are selected for French language training based on their aptitude The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry and on current assessments of the operational and of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): In financial year interoperability requirements. Selection is irrespective 2010-11, the average cost of employment of an officer of their trade or branch within the Services, and will was some £83,000 and that of an other rank some include pilots and aircrew. £39,000. WA 361 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 362

These figures include basic salary, specialist pay, Domestic burglary incidents/offences recorded and rates, England and employer’s social security costs and pension contributions Wales 2006/07 to 2010/11 for the average numbers of personnel serving in the British Crime Survey Police recorded crime Armed Forces during financial year 2010-11. Number of Rates per Number Rates per incidents 10,000 of 10,000 Year (estimated) households offences households

2006/07 703,000 311 292,260 131 2007/08 713,000 312 280,696 126 Childcare Act 2006 2008/09 717,000 312 284,431 122 Question 2009/10 651,000 280 268,610 116 Asked by Lord Northbourne 2010/11 745,000 317 258,148 111 To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the definition of “prospective parent” under Section 2(2) of the Childcare Act 2006 to include the father. [HL11022] Embryology Questions Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): We do not believe it is To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to necessary to review the definition of “prospective the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 31 January parent” under Section 2(2) of the Childcare Act 2006. (WA 220–1) and 22 June (WA 302–3), what analysis The term “prospective parent” includes the father. was made regarding the Care Quality Commission’s Section 2(2) also defines parent as “a parent of a routine monitoring of compliance and use of “tough young child, and includes any individual who (a) has enforcement powers” prior to considering transfer parental responsibility for a young child, or (b) has of functions currently carried out by the Human care of a young child”. This will not only include Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [HL11107] fathers, but stepfathers and stepmothers, grandparents who have grandchildren living with them, foster parents and adoptive parents. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): In proposing that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) functions transfer to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Crime: Burglary department took into account that the CQC is an Question executive non-departmental public body accountable Asked by Lord Laird to the Secretary of State for discharging its functions, duties and powers efficiently and effectively.The department To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the monitors the financial and operational performance, domestic burglary rates in the last five years according and management of risk, at a general and strategic to the British Crime Survey and police figures level through regular formal accountability meetings. respectively; on which figures they base their own It does not assess the CQC’s inspection or its monitoring calculations and policy; and why they maintain two of specific providers. sets of records. [HL11356] The CQC is responsible for assessing and ensuring the quality of its inspection and monitoring of specific providers on a day-to-day basis. The CQC’s annual The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness accounts and annual report are laid before Parliament, Browning): Statistics on domestic burglary are given in and the CQC is publicly accountable through the table. parliamentary scrutiny, including by Select Committees. The police figures are an important source showing Asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough the number of domestic burglaries recorded by forces in England and Wales. These are supplemented by the To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British Crime Survey which includes burglaries that staff are employed by the Human Tissue Authority have not been reported to the police. and the Human Embryo and Fertilisation Authority; and how many posts of those are currently filled by In her recent independent review of crime statistics, locum, agency or temporary staff. [HL11236] the National Statistician commented that: “Both sources have their strengths and limitations, but they also complement one another, delivering between them a range of information that cannot be provided by one Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology source alone. The two sources therefore add to public Authority has advised that it has 78 staff, none of understanding of crime in England and Wales”. whom are locum, agency or temporary staff. The The Government take account of both sources as Human Tissue Authority has advised that it employs they provide a better evidence base than either series 47 staff of whom four are temporary agency workers alone. and two are on temporary contracts. WA 363 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 364

Energy: Nuclear Tests extra objective to the study. The original project covered Question the development of a mathematical model that focused on bluetongue. The contract variation broadened the Asked by Baroness Brinton scope of the project to include modelling of African horse sickness transmission and necessary analysis of To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to equine demographic data. The total cost of the research the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on increased from £363,098 to £717,452. 5 July (WA 42), whether they will place in the Library of the House a list of the documents relating Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark to the planning and execution of British nuclear tests which have already been disclosed; and how To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to many documents have yet to be disclosed.[HL11292] the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project “Salmonella enteritidis and S. Typhimurium The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry in egg production: Elimination of infection from of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): As I stated in my flocks, and characterisation of public health risks”; Answer of 5 July 2011, the Ministry of Defence has and for what reason. [HL11051] disclosed over 12,000 documents and agreed special arrangements for handling sensitive documents in the personal injury and war pensions appeals cases. Lord Henley: A contract variation was agreed by Proceedings are continuing in both the Supreme Court the department for the project titled “Salmonella enteritidis and the War Pensions Tribunal and it would therefore and S. Typhimurium in egg production: Elimination not be appropriate or proportionate to provide lists of of infection from flocks, and characterisation of public documents disclosed in those proceedings, especially health risks” to amend the objectives of the study. The as the disclosure process before the Tribunal is ongoing. original project included an on-farm study to develop Consequently, it is also impossible to say how many methods for the elimination of salmonella infection documents have yet to be disclosed. from flocks but it proved difficult to recruit the necessary farms. The contract variation resulted in one amended and three new objectives in line with the original aims Government Departments: Research and of the project and did not impact on the end date of the project or the total cost of the project to the Data department. Questions Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project “Investigation of the risk of transmission of project “Further analysis of the UK breeding pig typical forms of scrapie to humans”; and for what salmonella survey data to identify risk factors of reason. [HL11120] transmission of infection”; and for what reason. [HL11048] Lord Henley: The department does not fund a project titled, “Investigation of the risk of transmission The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of typical forms of scrapie to humans”. It does however for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): fund a project titled, “Investigation of the risk of A contract variation was agreed by the department for transmission of atypical forms of scrapie to humans”. the project titled “Further analysis of the UK breeding This project was designed to provide evidence on the pig salmonella survey data to identify risk factors of relative risk of atypical scrapie to human and animal transmission of infection” to extend the end date of health. Preliminary results indicated additional work the project by four months due to delays in sample and was required to provide this evidence and fully address data collection beyond the control of the contractor. the relative risk of atypical scrapie. The variation to This did not impact on the objectives of the project or the contract resulted in an extended end date and an the total cost of the project to the department. increase of just under £400,000 to the total cost of the Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark project to the department. Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June project “Development of epidemiological models (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the for the spread and control of bluetongue and African project “Investigation of the risk of transmission of horse sickness”; and for what reason. [HL11050] scrapie in milk of sheep”; and for what reason. [HL11121] Lord Henley: A contract variation was agreed by the department for the project titled “Development of Lord Henley: A contract variation was agreed by epidemiological models for the spread and control the department for the project titled “Investigation of of bluetongue and African horse sickness” to add an the risk of transmission of scrapie in milk of sheep” to WA 365 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 366 enable continuation of the project. The length of the Reason—“To produce a matrix describing the original project was seven years; however the department sensitivity of pressures for EUNIS* Level 3 broad-scale generally only agrees funding for three years. For habitats, OSPAR** threatened and/or declining habitats longer-running projects the work is assessed and either and species and UK Biodiversity Action Plan habitats terminated or continued as originally agreed. The and species”. contract variation resulted in an increase (just under * European Nature Information System. £300,000) in total cost of the project to the department, **The Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of with no change to the original end date of the project. Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June project ″Practical steps towards reducing discards (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the and developing more environmentally responsible project “An investigation into the potential formation of and removal of nitrosamines in drinking water fisheries″; and for what reason. [HL11122] treatment”; and for what reasons. [HL11193]

Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely colleagues. Contract variations are required if there monitored by Defra specialists working with policy are significant changes to any of the details in the colleagues. Contract variations are required if there original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, are significant changes to any of the details in the research team, et cetera). original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, In this particular instance the contract was varied research team, etc). following a policy request to the contractor. The variation In this particular instance the contract was varied extended the contract by £68,500 to enable the contractor at the request of the project manager to extend the end to undertake additional research on gear selectivity date to enable the contractor to carry out additional trials and to carry out further discard analysis via a testing which was judged necessary to provide greater short desk study. scientific confidence in the preliminary findings. Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project “Marine Protected Areas–gathering/developing project “DEFRA pH monitoring project”; and for and accessing the data for the planning of a network what reasons. [HL11195] of marine conservation zones”; and for what reasons. [HL11192] Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely colleagues. Contract variations are required if there monitored by Defra specialists working with policy are significant changes to any of the details in the colleagues. Contract variations are required if there original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, are significant changes to any of the details in the research team, etc). original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, etc). In this particular instance the The variation to the project “DefrapH—A study to project “Marine Protected Areas—gathering/developing define the present state of UK waters with respect to and accessing the data for the planning of a network potential changes in the degree of acidification of of marine conservation zones”; was varied at the these waters, combining collection of new data over request of the policy customer to enable additional two years, review pre-existing information and numerical work to be undertaken. Details are: analysis”, was for £21,924 in financial years 2010-11. March 2011 cost variation: This was for additional vital research, facilitating the wider ocean acidification programme. Cost: £1,100. Reason—“An additional cost of £1,100 is required The output of the variation was to produce a desk to develop the Web-GIS tool to enable the set up of review on current knowledge for purposes of resolving the Marine Conservation Zone’s (MCZ’s) 3rd iteration issues on the interactions between ocean carbonate work”. chemistry in shelf seas and how this affects modelling and calculation of pH. The results from the desk August 2010 cost variation: review were made available to those scientists involved Cost: £101. in calculating pH from the samples arising from the Reason—“To provide for extra functionality of NERC-Defra OA programme. digitising and submitting MCZ boundaries and a web- Latterly, in March 2011, the DefrapH project was based stakeholder forum”. varied again, with a “no cost” extension, to allow the June 2010 cost variation: contractors to finish off the final report from the Cost: £42,320. larger DefrapH for publication. WA 367 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 368

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to research team, etc). the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June A contract variation was agreed by the department (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the for the project titled “To develop a cost-effective and project “Economics and social assessment for marine practical method to reduce E. coli 0157 infection in strategy framework directive”; and for what reason. cattle prior to slaughter” to extend the end date of the [HL11269] project and re-profile the finances to address the amended timescale of the work. Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely The end date was extended due to a delay to the monitored by Defra specialists working with policy start of the project outside of the control of the colleagues. Contract variations are required if there department. This did not impact on the objectives of are significant changes to any of the details in the the project or the total cost of the project to the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, department. research team, etc). Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark The project “Economics and social assessment for marine strategy framework directive” was varied by an To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to additional £1,900 on the original project budget to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June allow the contractor to present a paper discussing the (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the socioeconomic implications of the Marine Strategy project “Bovine TB vaccine programme”; and for Framework Directive (MSFD). what reason. [HL11273] The European Commission and member states have established, as a part of their common implementation strategy, a Working Group on Economic and Social Analysis to support implementation of the MSFD. Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely The research conducted through this project, although monitored by Defra specialists working with policy commissioned by the UK Government, was highly colleagues. Contract variations are required if there relevant to other member states as part of this common are significant changes to any of the details in the implementation strategy; hence the additional requirement original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, to present the findings at the working group. research team, etc). Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark There are many projects related to the area of bovine TB vaccines, but project SE3218 “Bovine TB To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Vaccine Programme Advisor, Prof. Douglas Young”is the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June the only project with the partial title “Bovine TB (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the Vaccine Programme”. There has been no variation to project “Maternal transmission of scrapie in sheep”; project SE3218 since May 2010. The last variation was and for what reason. [HL11270] in September 2009 which extended the project to its end date of March 2011. Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to are significant changes to any of the details in the the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the research team, etc). project “Evaluation of the protection efficacy of vaccines against bovine TB in a natural setting”; A contract variation was agreed by the department and for what reason. [HL11274] for the project titled “Maternal transmission of scrapie in sheep” to extend the end date of the project due to delays resulting from staff losses and from moving the laboratory to a different building. This did not impact on the objectives of the project or the total cost of the Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely project to the department. monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to research team, etc). the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the Project SE3227 “Evaluation of the protection efficacy project “To develop a cost effective and practical of vaccines against bovine TB in a natural setting” was method to reduce e.coli 0157 infection in cattle amended in May 2010 to re-profile the finances, and prior to slaughter”; and for what reason. [HL11272] £331,427 was moved from financial year 2010-11 to 2011-12. The total costs of the project were not affected. This variation was carried out as delays in the project Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely resulted in work being done later than originally planned monitored by Defra specialists working with policy and the finances were amended to reflect the actual colleagues. Contract variations are required if there spend in the project. WA 369 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 370

Health: Midwifery that pensioner’s state healthcare. However, if someone Question is in receipt of a state pension from two or more member states but not from their member state of Asked by Baroness Cumberlege residence, the member state where that person has the longest record of contributions is liable for their state To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the healthcare costs. mechanism for Independent Midwives UK to ensure that their members are able to join the Clinical Currently, the Government do not have consistent Negligence Scheme for Trusts or its equivalent. centrally held data to estimate how many non-United [HL11142] Kingdom EU nationals have built up entitlement to a UK state pension and have since retired and returned to their home member state, or will in the future. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Non-National Health Service Asked by Lord Laird bodies, including Independent Midwives UK, cannot currently join the Clinical Negligence Scheme for trusts To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the as members. In future, we intend to make NHS clinical annual cost of National Health Service treatment indemnity arrangements available to all providers of for European Union nationals ordinarily resident NHS acute, community and mental health care, which in the United Kingdom; whether any reciprocal includes independent midwives who wish to work within arrangements exist for the United Kingdom to the NHS. We will publish proposals in due course. reclaim those costs from other European Union countries; and whether United Kingdom nationals ordinarily resident in other European Union countries Health: Pressure Sores have the same equivalent rights to health service Question treatment without charge. [HL11083] Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton Earl Howe: Persons who are ordinarily resident in To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the the United Kingdom are entitled to access National cost to the National Health Service of treating Health Service treatment free of charge. Nationality is pressure sores in hospitals and nursing homes in not a criterion in establishing ordinary residence, and England. [HL11094] therefore the NHS does not collect data on the nationality of those patients they treat who are ordinarily resident The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department in the UK. of Health (Earl Howe): Data of the cost to the National The only reciprocal arrangements in place for the Health Service of treating pressure sores in hospitals UK to reclaim costs for healthcare provided to European and nursing homes in England is not held centrally by citizens resident here are those provisions set out in the department. European regulation 883/2004. The regulations enable However, the first NHS Outcomes Framework 2011-12, a member state to claim the cost of healthcare for published on 20 December 2010, sets out the outcomes posted workers, pensioners and their dependants, and and corresponding indicators that will be used to the dependants of workers, who have registered as track the success of the NHS in delivering improved resident in another member state to that which is liable outcomes. This includes an indicator currently being for the cost of their healthcare. developed for 2012-13 to measure “incidence of newly- State healthcare systems vary across Europe, including acquired category 3 and 4 pressure ulcers”. residency based systems funded from general taxation and contributions-based systems. Providing a UK national meets the relevant criteria in another member state, Health: Reciprocal Agreements they should have the same entitlement to access the Questions state healthcare system in that country as other residents of that country. Asked by Lord Laird Asked by Lord Laird To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom is liable for paying the healthcare To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to costs, in full or in part, of European Union nationals the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 4 July (WA 10), (and members of their families) who have worked how many of the E109, S1 and E121 forms issued in the United Kingdom and who have built up to registered residents from the United Kingdom of some entitlement to a United Kingdom state pension, each European Economic Area member state and and have since retired and returned home; and, if Switzerland were issued to (a) state pensioners and so, how many they estimate are and will be so their dependents who live in a different member entitled. [HL11036] state to that which pays their pension, (b) dependents of workers living in a different member state to the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department worker, and (c) other types of user. [HL11154] of Health (Earl Howe): Under European Union (EU) Regulation 883/2004, if someone is in receipt of a state Earl Howe: All E109 forms are issued to the dependants pension from two or more member states and they live of workers living in a different member state to the in one of the member states that pays them a pension, worker. All E121 forms are issued to a person in the member state of residence is liable for the cost of receipt of a state pension or their dependants who WA 371 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 372 move to live in a different member state to that which Immigration pays their pension. The S1 replaces the E106, E109 Question and E121 under Regulation 883/2004. On the S1 there is a means by which to identify which entitlement Asked by Lord Laird category a person belongs to, and the entitlement is recorded alongside the respective registration. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers are required to publish impact assessments Asked by Lord Laird of changes to immigration policy without amendment; and whether they are entitled to add a dissenting To ask Her Majesty’s Government what view if they so desire. [HL11246] arrangements are in place to ensure that United Kingdom nationals working in other European Union countries who have dependants in the United Kingdom The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness for whom sickness and maternity benefits are being Browning): The Minister responsible for the policy is paid are listed for the purposes of such benefits cost required to sign off policy impact assessments. Ministers reclaim; and how many United Kingdom citizens are entitled to disagree with the assessments, and feed have been so registered over the last three years, in back comments to civil servants. Prior to publication relation to which European Union countries. of the impact assessment, the Minister responsible for [HL11157] the policy (or the chief executive of non-departmental public bodies and other agencies) is required to sign a declaration to say that they have read the impact assessment and are satisfied that it represents a reasonable Earl Howe: A person moving to work in another view of the expected costs, benefits, and impacts of member state, who leaves their dependants in the the policy. United Kingdom, should request form E109 or S1 from the authorities in the country where they work and send the form to the Department of Work and Iraq Pensions which registers it in the UK. Question The following table (correct as of 25 January 2011) Asked by Baroness Tonge shows such registrations for the calendar years 2008-10. To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light Number of forms issued by another member state to the dependants of workers and registered in the UK of the judgment by the European Court of Human Rights that United Kingdom troops in Iraq were Member state 2008 2009 2010 bound by human rights law, what plans they have Austria 2 1 for a public inquiry into the United Kingdom detention policy in Iraq. [HL11055] Belgium 1 1 France 1 1 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry Germany 18 16 6 of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The Government Total 22 19 6 received the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber judgments on Al-Skeini and Al-Jedda on 7 July 2011 and are carefully considering the implications and next steps.

Healthcare: Costs Marine Environment: Pollution Question Question Asked by Lord Laird Asked by Lord Laird To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to To ask Her Majesty’s Government who monitors the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 13 July (WA181), pollution in the Irish Sea; and, for each of the how was the figure of claims by Polish residents for readings taken in the last 50 years, how, when and medical care in the United Kingdom arrived at; by where they were taken; and what was the result. whom; and when was it finalised; and what were the [HL11085] figures for 2007-08 and 2008-09. [HL11280] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department (Lord Henley): The Irish Sea is bounded by England of Health (Earl Howe): Claims submitted in 2009-10 and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Irish were based on the United Kingdom average cost of Republic and these regions all have their specific pensioner healthcare and the number of Polish pensioners mechanisms and organisations that monitor and report registered in the UK for the purposes of receiving on pollution in the Irish Sea. UK bodies that undertake benefits in kind for the years 2004-06. Officials in the pollution monitoring in the Irish Sea is include Department for Work and Pensions made the claims in the Department of Environment Northern Ireland, December 2009. No average cost claims were submitted the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Water to Poland in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Management Unit), Natural Heritage (Northern Ireland WA 373 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 374 responsible for the implementation of legislation and works with businesses rather than Government, Defra for environmental monitoring), Defra, The Environment cannot provide direct support to the fund, although it Agency, Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environmental supports its overall aims. Protection Agency and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). The types of pollution in the Irish Sea that are National Patient Safety Agency monitored include: Question 1. Hazardous substances and their effects; Asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough 2. Radioactivity; 3. Eutrophication; To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will happen to the current functions of the National 4. Oil and chemical spills; Patient Safety Agency when it closes in 2012. 5. Litter; and [HL11235] 6. Underwater noise. Readings for each of these areas for the last 50 years The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department are not readily available in one collated data set. of Health (Earl Howe): Subject to the passage of the In 2010, Defra published Charting Progress II (available Health and Social Care Bill, responsibility for the on the Defra website) which provides the first integrated work of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) assessment of the state of the seas across the whole of relating to reporting and learning from patient safety the UK continental shelf, and includes summaries incidents will move to the NHS Commissioning Board. of the state of the main pollution issues in the Irish The department intends that, over the next few Sea. years, the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) The main programme for monitoring the status will become a self-funded service. An interim host will of contaminants in UK waters is the Clean Seas be identified for NCAS prior to the abolition of NPSA. Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP). This The Health Research Authority will be established measures the this year, in the first instance as a special health concentrations of specific chemicals that are persistent, authority, with the National Research Ethics Service toxic and have the ability to accumulate in food chains, as its core. at almost 500 sites around the UK. The data from The function of managing the delivery of the around 1990 onwards can robustly be used in time Confidential Enquiries (now known as the Clinical series data and is reported in a series of annual Aquatic Outcomes Review Programmes), with the relevant provider Monitoring reports available on the Cefas website. organisations will transfer from the NPSA to the This series of reports provides detailed information on Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. the analytical methods used to monitor pollution sources in UK waters and includes reports on monitoring carried out before 1990. NHS: Bed-blocking Joint working with the Irish Republic on the state Question of the Irish Sea is mainly carried out through the framework of the OSPAR Convention for the Protection Asked by Baroness Gale of the North East Atlantic. Through this, information To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they gathered by the various organisations is brought together, estimate is the level and cost of bed-blocking in the and assessments are made and published in the OSPAR National Health Service in England. [HL11220] Quality Status Report. A regional report covering parts of the Irish Sea is included. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): We have made no estimate of National Countryside Week the cost to the National Health Service of delayed Question transfers of care. Asked by Lord Gardiner of Kimble The department collects and routinely publishes information on delayed transfers of care. The most To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend recent data are for May 2011 and these show that there to support National Countryside Week (11–18 July). were 4,158 patients delayed on the last Thursday of [HL11070] the month, with the total number of delayed days in the month at 114,241 days. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): National Countryside Weekwas launched by The Prince’s Passports Countryside Fund on 11 July. The fund is intended to Question improve the sustainability of British farming and rural Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno communities; reconnect consumers with countryside issues; and support farming and rural crisis charities. To ask Her Majesty’s Government which passport The fund works by participating companies making a offices have personal passport interview offices. donation and providing in-kind support; as the fund [HL11275] WA 375 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 376

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Browning): The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) Browning): The recording of crime by the police is has recently completed the co-location of seven passport governed by the National Crime Recording Standard interview office sites in Belfast, London, Glasgow, (NCRS) and the Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR). Newport, Liverpool, Durham and Peterborough. These require that a crime is recorded if the circumstances The co-location brings together the public counter reported by a victim amount to a crime in law and (passport offices) and interview office functions (personal there is no credible evidence to the contrary. The passport interview offices) into a single location. Each HOCR sets out the classifications under which crimes of the seven locations can now deal with two types of are to be recorded for statistical purposes and include transaction—passport applications and interviews. classifications for burglary. The HOCR also provide considerable guidance, with the use of examples, to aid forces in determining the correct classification under which a report of crime should be recorded. Prisoners: Self-harm This guidance is kept under review and may be amended Question when necessary. Asked by Lord Ramsbotham The Home Office no longer monitors police force performance from the centre, with that function performed To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 23 June (WA 349), whether disciplinary action was taken following the report into the incident of self-harm Answers received between Monday 25 July and at HMP Woodhill on 18 April commissioned by the Monday 1 August 2011 Governor. [HL11170]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Abortion McNally): The investigation into the incident was Questions completed on 5 July 2011. The governor concluded, in Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool the light of the findings of the investigation, that no grounds existed on which to justify disciplinary action. To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to The investigation made a number of recommendations the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 14 July (WA198), and these are being taken forward by the governor. what criteria are applied when assessing whether an elective or non-elective abortion tariff ought to be charged; and what percentage of abortions Schools: Work Experience commissioned by the National Health Service for Question delivery in the private sector in 2010 were non- elective. [HL11307] Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, expand the variety of work experience placements Department of Health (Earl Howe): The elective tariff offered to students in secondary schools. [HL11186] applies where an admission to hospital has been arranged in advance, and the non-elective tariff applies where an admission to hospital is unplanned. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): In line with our I am unable to provide a response to the second policy of devolving greater autonomy to the front line, part of the question. Work is being undertaken by it will be for individual schools to choose what relationship departmental officials on data collections relating to they want with local employers and how they deliver abortions. Upon the completion of this work, I hope work experience to their students. At the core of our to be able to provide a more substantive response. approach to education policy is trust of professionals Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool and the removal of top-down prescription. We propose to reduce the formal requirement on schools to provide To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to work-related education and allow them greater flexibility the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 4 July (WA 1), to choose provision from a range of opportunities. whether, in the light of their statement “abortion is not a method of contraception or family planning”, they have any plans to review the designation family South Wales Police planning clinic where the principal economic revenue Question of such institutions comes from abortion. [HL11308] Asked by Lord Laird Earl Howe: The Secretary of State approves To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance independent sector clinics to perform abortions under they have issued to police forces about when a Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended. burglary becomes recorded as such; and whether The department has no role in the designation of they have any concerns about the performance of family planning clinics which are commissioned at South Wales Police in this regard. [HL10950] local level by primary care trusts. WA 377 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 378

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool at the London Business School on Growth in Africa, and DfID’s May 2011 publication, The Engine of To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Development: The Private Sector and Prosperity for have received any reports or representations from Poor People. (a) the United Nations Population Fund, (b) Marie Stopes International, or (c) the International Planned Asked by Lord Chidgey Parenthood Federation, on gender-based abortion To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions in India or China in the last five years. [HL11366] they have had with governments in Africa on meeting their Maputo Declaration commitments to direct Baroness Verma: The United Nations Population 10 per cent of their national budgets into support Fund has produced several reports and research papers for agricultural development. [HL11376] on the issue of sex ratio imbalance. These are available to download from: http://www.unfpa.org/gender/ selection.html. The International Planned Parenthood Baroness Verma: Britain routinely discusses factors Federation and Marie Scopes International have not affecting economic growth and food security with issued any reports or representations on gender-abortion partner governments in Africa. UK Government officials in India or China in the last five years. also participate in twice-yearly meetings of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool Programme. We use these meetings and our country-level To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to work to review the programme with the African Union the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 7 July and member states and urge progress towards the (WA 116–17), what assessment they have made of Maputo productivity and expenditure targets. the ability of the International Conference on Population and Development to enforce their policy prohibiting gender-based abortion. [HL11367] Agriculture and Food Question Baroness Verma: The UK Government have Asked by Lord Chidgey consistently cited the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and its To ask Her Majesty’s Government with whom programme of action (POA) as the defining policy-setting they have discussed potential contributions to the text. The Commission for Population and Development Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (CPD) acting on behalf of the Economic and Social as part of their £1.1 billion commitment to food Council of the United Nations has the responsibility security made at the G8 in L’Aquila; and what was of monitoring, reviewing and assessing the implementation the result of those discussions. [HL11375] of the plan of action of ICPD at the national, regional and global levels, identifying reasons for success and Baroness Verma: Ministers from the Department failure, and advising the council. for International Development (DfID) have discussed the possibility of the UK contributing to the Global Africa: Agricultural Aid Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) Questions with representatives of many of the main institutions involved in its support. Asked by Lord Chidgey In the first of the three years of our financial To ask Her Majesty’s Government with whom commitment to the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative they have discussed the provision of support to the (AFSI), DfID disbursed approximately one-third of private sector in areas of Africa where the majority its total pledge. We therefore believe we are on track to of the labour force work in, and a significant percentage deliver in full on our AFSI commitment without of gross domestic product comes from, the agricultural additional spending through GAFSP. Nevertheless, sector; and what was the result of those discussions. Ministers are still considering whether to make a UK [HL11374] contribution.

Baroness Verma: The Secretary of State, Ministers and officials at the Department for International Agriculture and Food: Research Funding Development (DfID) regularly meet with private sector Question representatives and other interlocutors to inform and Asked by Baroness Byford determine DfID’s approach to working with the private sector in Africa. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the These discussions, together with formal public Technology Strategy Board has completed its review consultations on specific policy issues such as the of the lessons learnt from the first research competition reform of CDC, underpin DfID’s objective on boosting on crop protection; and, if so, when they will publish wealth creation and programmes to catalyse business the results. [HL11167] investment in agricultural growth in Africa. Ministers’ commitment to promoting investment Baroness Garden of Frognal: The Technology Strategy and entrepreneurship in Africa is underlined by several Board’s New Approaches to Crop Protection competition visits, including the recent one with the Prime Minister has resulted in support for 32 industry-led research to Nigeria and South Africa, the recent speech made projects worth £26 million, with £13.5 million of public WA 379 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 380 sector funding. Following the competition, the Technology Member State 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Strategy Board consulted with both industry and academia as it was its first significant funding engagement with France 20.55 22.27 29.69 27.43 27.35 this sector. Germany 18.93 23.07 27.36 21.79 27.36 On the basis of the feedback received, it will seek to Greece 24.55 27.32 35.36 34.61 32.99 improve delivery of future competitions by, for example: Hungary 16.58 20.17 26.27 19.73 23.03 appointing a high-level steering board to provide Ireland 19.11 24.72 29.06 22.74 27.19 sectoral awareness and help in scoping future Italy 22.52 24.25 30.62 28.08 29.89 competitions; Latvia 16.50 18.66 22.55 17.16 22.21 Lithuania 14.30 17.24 20.75 16.78 22.24 increasing the time between launching the Luxembourg 21.4 25.52 30.78 24.66 26.32 competition and the formal opening of the call for Malta applications; Netherlands 19.5 2 23.22 29.40 24.61 27.77 engaging more with potential applicants in order Poland 17.85 20.88 24.74 20.38 24.17 to provide more opportunity to learn about the Portugal 19.23 22.38 29.71 26.67 25.34 scope of the call and the collaborative R&D Romania 18.71 21.18 process; Slovakia 17.58 20.49 26.38 19.26 24.15 provide better clarification of state aid issues; Slovenia 18.55 19.79 27.03 23.80 23.74 make greater use of the knowledge transfer Spain 20.80 25.00 31.00 26.82 25.98 networks to disseminate information about the Sweden 20.12 22.12 29.42 24.04 29.74 competition; and United 17.98 20.80 25.78 23.71 24.65 hold three consortium building workshops to help Kingdom organisations meet other potential collaborators. The Technology Strategy Board does not have plans to formally publish the findings. Source: DG Agri and DairyCo (There is a small difference between the DG Agri and Defra figures for Agriculture: Dairy Farms the UK price) Questions UK dairy farmers are among the most efficient and competitive in Europe. The Minister of State for Asked by Baroness Byford Agriculture and Food (the right honourable Jim Paice MP) has challenged the industry to capture more of To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has domestic and export markets given the low farmgate been the average milk price paid to (a) British dairy price paid relative to our European competitors. farmers, and (b) dairy farmers in the European Union member states, in each of the past five Asked by Baroness Byford years. [HL11169] To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many tonnes of milk products have been exported for The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, each of the past seven years. [HL11248] Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): The average milk price in pence per litre paid to British dairy farmers in each of the past five years is given below. Lord Henley: The tables below show the volume of liquid milk and milk products exported from the UK 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 as recorded in the official overseas trade statistics for UK 17.94 20.66 25.91 23.71 24.66 the period 2004-2010. Milk Price Liquid milk is exported from the UK in two forms, as raw milk for processing by dairies, or as liquid Source: Defra statistical survey drinking milk (eg, pasteurised or UHT milk). Raw The average milk price in pence per litre paid to milk is only traded across the Irish border—that is, dairy farmers in the European Union member states raw milk exports go from Northern Ireland for processing in the past five years (where data are available) is given by dairies in the Republic of Ireland. below.

Member State 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 UK exports of liquid milk, 2004-10 Austria 21.03 24.01 31.76 26.66 28.10 Belgium 18.96 24.48 26.14 21.76 26.93 Description 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Bulgaria 23.30 24.42 Raw milk 434 626 617 538 559 433 418 Czech Rep. 18.89 20.83 26.86 20.78 24.99 for processing Cyprus 28.35 29.23 40.70 46.90 45.34 Liquid 251 485 512 423 457 461 475 Denmark 20.35 22.37 30.42 25.30 28.22 drinking milk Estonia 17.08 19.01 24.26 19.35 24.51 Finland 25.21 26.53 37.55 36.39 32.83 Source: DARDNI, HM Revenue and Customs 2010 data are subject to amendments WA 381 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 382

UK exports of milk products, 2004-10 Earl Attlee: Government officials have had a number Thousand tonnes of discussions with representatives of the Government of China and Chinese airlines about issues around Description 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 securing access to Heathrow within current infrastructure Cheese 93 96 104 97 88 105 113 constraints, including at the last round of formal Milk 186 102 96 105 98 72 91 UK/China air services negotiations held on 12 to powder 14 April 2011 and at a meeting with the Deputy Cream 81 93 94 78 62 64 72 Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of Whey 56 75 74 67 74 49 45 China on 7 July 2011. Ice 53 51 56 39 33 39 42 Cream Butter 35 45 36 32 24 27 27 Yoghurt 12 22 17 17 17 21 23 Anti-social Behaviour: Women Buttermilk 13 20 22 25 14 18 17 Question Condensed 18466346 Asked by Lord Dubs milk Other11011101 To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to Source: H M Revenue and Customs women in each of the past ten years; and how many 2010 data is subject to amendments women have been imprisoned for breach of an anti-social behaviour order. [HL11416] Airports: Heathrow Question The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Asked by Lord Soley Browning): The number of anti-social behaviour orders To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to (ASBOs) issued to females at all courts in England the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 19 July and Wales in each year during the period 1 June 2000 (HL11133), what discussions have taken place between to 31 December 2009 (the period for which gender-specific government officials and representatives of the data are available) is set out in the table attached. government of China or Chinese companies on During the same period, 595 ASBOs issued to females additional landing rights at Heathrow Airport. and proven in court to have been breached at least [HL11405] once resulted in a sentence of immediate custody.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued to females(1) at all courts(2) as reported to the Ministry of Justice(3) by the Court Service, 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2009 England and Wales Total Jun00 – issued Dec 00 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Total 2,585 17 44 59 198 482 543 382 287 317 256

(1) ASBOs became available on 1 April 1999. No gender evidence to the European Commission’s review of details are available for the period April 1999 to May 2000. the artists’ resale right directive. [HL11354] (2) Includes ASBOs issued on application by magistrates’ courts acting in their civil capacity and county courts, which became available on 1 April 1999 and ASBOs made following conviction for a relevant criminal offence at the Crown Court Baroness Garden of Frognal: The IPO submitted and at magistrates’ courts (acting in their criminal capacity), a response to the Commission’s call for evidence on which became available on 2 December 2002. 15 March 2011, on behalf of the UK Government. (3) Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice on 9 May The IPO response is available online: http:// 2007, data on ASBOs issued were reported to Home Office by www.ipo.gov.uk/c-policy-artist-response.pdf. the Court Service. Note: 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. As a consequence, care should Assessment of Resources Regulations be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Question Prepared by Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Asked by Lord Lipsey Ministry of Justice. To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Artists’ Resale Right the consultation undertaken in 2010, whether any Question decisions have been made regarding the treatment of personal injury payments, the treatment of Asked by Lord Freyberg investment bonds which contain a life insurance To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to element, the treatment of pre-paid funeral payments, the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 7 July or the 12-week disregard and top-ups in the light of (WA 87), on what date they submitted their written the Assessment of Resources Regulations.[HL11403] WA 383 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 384

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord of Health (Earl Howe): A number of issues have been Sassoon): In their consultation on air passenger duty raised by the responses to the consultation. Departmental (APD), the Government recognised the unique position officials are working to resolve the outstanding issues of Northern Ireland, given its land border with the and we hope to publish a government response in the Republic of Ireland. near future. It has not, therefore, been possible to The APD consultation received a number of announce a decision on the proposals. representations from organisations in Northern Ireland regarding reform of APD. The consultation closed on 17 June 2011 and the Government will publish their Atos Healthcare response in the autumn. Questions Asked by Lord Touhig Badgers To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Questions anticipate that Atos Healthcare will be awarded the Asked by Lord Greaves contract for undertaking the face-to-face assessments for the new personal independence payment. To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they [HL11399] will announce their proposals to control tuberculosis in badgers. [HL11287] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Enabling The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department legislation for the personal independence payment is for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): contained in the Welfare Reform Bill, which is before The Secretary of State made a Statement in the House Parliament now. It would be inappropriate to speculate of Commons on 19 July announcing a comprehensive whether the assessment required to deliver the personal and balanced TB eradication programme for England. independence payment would be awarded to Atos Asked by Lord Greaves Healthcare or any other named provider. To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they Asked by Lord Touhig will publish the results of the consultation on proposals To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training to cull badgers which ended on 15 December 2010; Atos Healthcare assessors for the work capability how many responses were received to the consultation; and how many of these were respectively in favour assessment have in autism. [HL11400] of and against the proposals. [HL11288] Lord Freud: All healthcare professionals working for Atos Healthcare who carry out assessments for Lord Henley: As set out in the Consultation on employment and support allowance are issued with Guidance to Natural England on the implementation evidence-based protocols on a range of conditions as and enforcement of a badger control policy, published part of their induction training. This includes information on 19 July, alongside a comprehensive and balanced on autism. TB eradication programme for England, of the 59,540 responses received to the public consultation carried In addition, all healthcare professionals are required out in autumn 2010, 31 per cent supported culling and to engage in a programme of continuing medical 69 per cent were opposed. education and autism is covered within a self-directed learning module, ″Life with Autism, Seeing the Individual″. Asked by Lord Greaves The module is presented as a DVD which draws from To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their professionals in the field of autism including Dr Lorna latest information on the expected date of availability Wing and Dr Judith Gould and ″testimonials″ from for an oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers; people living with autism and how it affects their lives. and, if this is later than 2015, what is the reason for the delay. [HL11289] Aviation: Passenger Duty Questions Lord Henley: Developing an oral vaccine against tuberculosis in badgers is proving more difficult than Asked by Lord Laird originally hoped. This means that the possibility of a usable oral badger vaccine is many years away. We To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in cannot say with any certainty if and when an oral their assessment of the need for and size of airport badger vaccine might be available for use in the field. taxes, they have taken into account the positioning of Northern Ireland’s land frontier and its Asked by Lord Greaves communications with the rest of the United To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions Kingdom. [HL11330] they have held with the police with a view to Asked by Lord Laird implementing measures with the objective of (a) preventing injury to third parties while “free-shooting” To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether increases or “controlled shooting” of badgers at night is in air tax duty would be harmful to the economy of taking place, and (b) preventing persons from disrupting Northern Ireland. [HL11333] or sabotaging such shooting. [HL11291] WA 385 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 386

Lord Henley: Defra officials are working closely Asked by Lord Myners with officials in the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on the proposed To ask Her Majesty’s Government who signed policy to allow groups of farmers and landowners in the letter of commitment in respect of Project the worst TB affected areas to apply for licences to cull Merlin on behalf of HSBC; and in which role they badgers. so signed. [HL11319]

Bank of England Lord Sassoon: The letter confirming the banks’ Questions commitment to the collective statement on lending, tax, pay and broader contributions to the economy Asked by Lord Myners and to society was signed by John Varley, former group chief executive of Barclays Bank. He signed the To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the letter on behalf of Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking court of the Bank of England has had any formal Group and the RBS and, in the context of lending, discussion of the performance of the Bank during Santander. The letter is available online at http://www.hm- the financial crisis without the governor and deputy treasury.gov.uk/d/banks_letter_090211.pdf. governors being present. [HL11202] Asked by Lord Myners The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the Sassoon): The governor and deputy governors are level of lending to United Kingdom small and members of the Bank’s court. The court itself has not medium-sized enterprises over each of the last three held meetings without the governor and deputy governors years to the end of March; and what is their assessment present. However, responsibility for monitoring the of the effectiveness of Project Merlin in increasing performance of the Bank lies with the committee of net and gross lending. [HL11346] non-executive directors, established under Section 3 of the 1998 Bank of England Act. The committee of non-executive directors has met on a number of Lord Sassoon: The Bank of England publishes a occasions since the start of the crisis. Its reports are quarterly assessment of the latest trends in lending to included as part of the Bank’s annual reports. the UK economy. The most recent publication, released Asked by Lord Myners in July 2011, includes coverage of lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the Separately, the Bank of England has agreed to expected annual travel and hotel costs to be charged publish the data collected from five banks under Project to the Bank of England by (a) the independent Merlin on a quarterly basis. The Project Merlin data members of the Monetary Policy Committee, and are published alongside other existing measures of (b) the independent members of the Shadow Financial lending. Policy Committee. [HL11347] Both of these reports are available at: http://www. bankofengland.co.uk/publications/other/monetary/ Lord Sassoon: The Bank has budgeted £55,000 for trendsinlending.htm hotel and travel costs incurred by external members of The five banks have stated a capacity and willingness the Monetary Policy Committee in 2011-12. This is in to lend £190 billion of new credit to businesses in line with the budget for 2010-11. It has provisionally 2011, including f76 billion to small and medium-sized budgeted a further £40,000 for hotel and travel costs enterprises. This is a 15 per cent increase on 2010 for external members of the Financial Policy Committee lending of £66 billion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2011-12. has made it clear that the Government will use every tool available to hold the banks to the published Banking lending commitments which they made. Questions Asked by Lord Myners Asked by Lord Myners To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether information published by the European Banking To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Authority on the exposure of United Kingdom the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 7 July banks to the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Portugal (WA 89), whether the Bank of England has the and Spain accords with the understanding of the authority to share detailed information on the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority compliance of each individual bank with Project on gross and net exposures to borrowers in those Merlin with Ministers. [HL11201] countries, including those cases where United Kingdom banks have disclosed zero exposure. [HL11349] The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Bank of England will report the banks’ aggregate performance under the Project Merlin lending Lord Sassoon: The Financial Services Authority commitments on a quarterly basis. The Merlin banks (FSA) collects data quarterly on major UK banks’ submit their respective lending data directly to the exposures to the Euro area peripheral countries. The Bank of England. UK banks’ disclosures to the European Banking Authority WA 387 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 388

(EBA) accord with the FSA’s understanding of their Banks: Stress Tests exposures to Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, based Question on these quarterly data. The UK banks have completed these disclosures in Asked by Lord Myners a way that is consistent with the EBA guidelines. This To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the only requires them to report country exposures which stress test of banks published by the European are greater than or equal to 5 per cent of their total Banking Authority has served a useful purpose. global exposures. Where the materiality threshold is [HL11348] not met, firms were able to report a “zero exposure”.

Banks: Debit Cards The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The European Banking Authority (EBA) Question stress tests served a useful purpose, both assessing the Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon capital adequacy of the European banking sector and To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to increasing transparency on banks’ exposures, which the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 18 July will reduce the risk of contagion. (WA 247) concerning the use of debit cards, whether Methodologically, the EBA stress tests were more they will now introduce legislation to forbid, or demanding than last year’s European Union-wide limit, charges for the use of debit cards to purchase Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) goods or services. [HL11383] exercise, with a tougher capital threshold, using a Core Tier 1 (CT1) metric and a more rigorous peer The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord review process. Sassoon): In its report on card surcharges published in The EBA tests have also provided the markets with June 2011, the Office of Fair Trading recommended significant amounts of additional information on the that the Government introduce measures to prohibit exposures of Europe’s banks, including their sovereign retailers from imposing surcharges for payments made debt holdings. In what was described by the EBA as by debit cards. There are a number of ways of “an unprecedented level of transparency”, approximately implementing the report’s recommendations. The 20 times as much data was released as part of this Government are considering the report and will respond year’s tests as was published under last year’s CEBS to the Office of Fair Trading in due course. exercise. As well as reducing uncertainty across the In the mean time, the Office of Fair Trading is banking sector, this additional information will allow taking action to ensure that consumers are given clear markets to carry out their own stress tests to reflect information on surcharges that apply to all forms of better the rapidly changing market conditions. payment. Some retailers are already changing their Just as importantly, we have also seen a commitment practices and the Office of Fair Trading will consider by member states to put in place credible plans to taking enforcement action against those retailers who address the vulnerabilities revealed by the stress tests. do not do so. In respect of the eight banks that failed the test, the EBA report outlines that “national supervisors should ensure that these banks are requested to present within Banks: First Trust Bank three months to their competent authorities a plan to Question restore the capital position to a level at least equal to Asked by Lord Laird the 5% threshold [and that] the remedial measures agreed will have to be fully implemented by end 2011”. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the In addition, banks that are above but “close to the Financial Services Authority has assessed the control 5% CT1 threshold and which have sizeable exposures the Government of Ireland have taken over the to sovereigns under stress” are required to take specific First Trust Bank; what was its conclusion; and steps to strengthen their capital position, including, whether it has assessed whether members of the where necessary, restrictions on dividends, deleveraging, Government of Ireland and the civil service involved issuance of fresh capital or conversion of lower-quality in the management of the bank have been cleared instruments into CT1 capital. to the level of that required of senior management in a bank. [HL11467]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Benefits: Disability Sassoon): Allied Irish Banks plc (AIB plc) is supervised Questions by the Central Bank of Ireland. Appointments to the board of AIB plc are a matter for AIB plc, its shareholders Asked by Lord Touhig and the Central Bank of Ireland. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans AIB Group (UK) plc, which includes First Trust they have, in the light of the commitments made Bank (its Northern Ireland brand), is separately authorised that the assessment for the personal independence and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. payment (PIP) will capture the needs of people AIB Group (UK) plc board appointments are a with autism, to change the draft criteria for the PIP matter for the company and must meet the FSA to ensure that the specific needs of people with Approved Person requirements. autism are fully taken into account. [HL11401] WA 389 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 390

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department (b) Kyrgyzstan, (c) Tajikistan, (d) Turkmenistan, for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): We are absolutely (e) Uzbekistan, (f) Armenia, (g) Azerbaijan, and committed to developing the detail of the assessment (h) Georgia. [HL11093] for the benefit in an open and transparent manner. This is why we have published our initial proposals for The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth the criteria on 9 May and why we are consulting Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We have no plans informally on them over the summer. We want to hear to publish these documents. We do, however, publish a views from disabled people and their organisations on Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Departmental how well the criteria will work and if they can be Business Plan, which is updated on a monthly basis. improved. To date, my officials have met with around This can be found on the FCO website, http:// 60 disability organisations to discuss the draft criteria www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/ and have received around 100 written responses from publicationsl/annual-reports/business-plan/ both organisations and individuals. We are currently I set out the Government’s policy priorities in the looking at the National Autistic Society’s initial contribution countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus to our informal consultation on the assessment criteria during the short debate called by the noble Lord on and hope to continue to work with it going forwards. 30 November 2010, Official Report, cols. GC 132-47. The informal consultation will end on 31 August, Asked by Viscount Waverley after which we aim to publish a further draft of the assessment criteria in the autumn, building on the To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they findings from the testing and the feedback we receive will publish the recently submitted business plan by during the informal consultation. Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia. [HL11204] Asked by Lord Touhig Lord Howell of Guildford: We have no plans to To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps publish this document. We do, however, publish a they will take to ensure that there are enough Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) departmental trained professionals in the United Kingdom to business plan, which is updated on a monthly basis. assess adults with autism for the forthcoming personal This can be found on the FCO website: http:// independence payment. [HL11402] www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/ publications1/annual-reports/business-plan/. Lord Freud: We are still considering the most appropriate delivery model for the personal independence payment assessment and no decisions have yet been Burma taken. We envisage that assessments will be delivered Question by a third party contracted to the department and Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool commercial activity is planned to begin later this year. The department will rigorously evaluate all proposals To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they to ensure both assessment capability and capacity is intend to respond to the Human Rights Watch deliverable. report Dead Men Walking: Convict Porters on the As part of the successful delivery of personal Front Lines in Eastern Burma; and whether they independence payment, we know it will be vital to intend to raise its conclusions and recommendations ensure that appropriate training, guidance and support with their international partners and at the United are provided for assessors and decision-makers. This is Nations. [HL11415] relevant not only for autistic spectrum disorders but for other health conditions and impairments, to ensure The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth that the new assessment accurately and consistently Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We commend the enables support to be targeted to those with the greatest recent Human Rights Watch report, which carefully need. We are keen to work with disabled people and documents the Burmese army’s use of convicts as their organisations to ensure that we get the training porters, human shields and mine sweepers. The report and guidance right. makes a number of recommendations to the Burmese Both the Minister for Disabled People and Government, to the international community, regional departmental officials have met with the National countries and to the UN system. We support the Autistic Society, for example, to discuss our reform report’s recommendations, including the reference to proposals and to seek its views on how the new benefit the UN special rapporteur’s call for the UN to consider can best support those with autism. We agree with establishing a commission of inquiry. We also continue many of the points raised in the National Autistic to work with EU partners and other like-minded and Society’s report on DLA reform, Who Benefits?, and regional countries to highlight the ongoing systematic we are looking closely at how these recommendations and appalling human rights abuses in Burma in the can be incorporated into its design. UN’s human rights bodies. British Embassies: Business Plans Childcare Act 2006 Questions Questions Asked by Viscount Waverley Asked by Lord Northbourne To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the will publish in full the recently submitted business Secretary of State has set any targets under section 1(3) plans by Her Majesty’s Ambassadors to (a) Kazakhstan, of the Childcare Act 2006; what those targets WA 391 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 392

are; to what extent they have been achieved by local advice in July to enable all school staff to identify, authorities; and how many local authorities have prevent and tackle prejudice-based bullying, including met the targets and how many have not. [HL11021] the bullying of children with SEND. That advice includes signposting schools to specialist organisations The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for such as Mencap and the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The Government can support them in tackling the bullying of children have removed the requirement for local authorities to with SEND. set targets for improving the well-being of young children in the area. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Asked by Lord Northbourne Encephalomyelitis To ask Her Majesty’s Government what evidence Question they have that local authorities in England are complying Asked by The Countess of Mar with the following sections of the Childcare Act 2006: (a) section 3(2); (b) section 3(3); (c) section 3(4); To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether (d) section 3(6); and (e) section 12. HM Revenue and Customs classify ME (myalgic [HL11023] encephalomyelitis) as a mental health condition; and, if so, whether this accords with clinical advice. Lord Hill of Oareford: A range of evidence is [HL11345] available to help government assess whether outcomes for families and young children are improving, including The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord through the early years foundation stage framework, Sassoon): Where HM Revenue and Customs requires Ofsted inspection arrangements and other sources. details of a health condition, it would look to the The department publishes national statistics on the customer to provide medical evidence or may request take-up of the free entitlement to early education for details from a healthcare professional or mental health all three and four year-olds. The most recent data social worker. show that overall 95 per cent of children are accessing at least part of the free entitlement (93 per cent of three year-olds and 98 per cent of four year-olds). Commonwealth Eighty-six per cent of those accessing free places are Question doing so for more than 13 hours per week. The Asked by Lord Tebbit Government are also developing new arrangements to improve local accountability, including new requirements To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans on local authorities to report data about their spending they have to ensure that Parliament is able to debate on early years services and in future children’s centre and express a view upon the admission of further payment by results (trials of which are starting this states to the Commonwealth before such admissions year). are agreed. [HL11313] The department also commissioned an independent survey last year, where 66 per cent of Family Information The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Service (FIS) managers who responded reported that Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Membership of the their FIS was fully meeting the Section 12 information Commonwealth is a matter for the Commonwealth duty requirements of the Childcare Act 2006. Secretariat and decisions are made by consensus of the heads of all member states. The Government would consult fully before making any decision on Children: Bullying whether to support the admission of any further states. Question Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno Companies House: Forms To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps Question they are taking to reduce the bullying of children Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath with learning disabilities. [HL11189] To ask Her Majesty’s Government what checks The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for are made to authenticate details submitted to Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): This Government are Companies House on forms AP01 and AP02. committed to tackling all forms of bullying, especially [HL11353] those motivated by prejudice. In our schools White Paper, The Importance of Teaching, we highlighted Lord De Mauley: As was the case under the last pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Government, it is the responsibility of the company in (SEND) as a group particularly vulnerable to bullying question to check the information it files. No checks and made it clear that schools should take a tough are made to authenticate details submitted to Companies stance where it occurs. House on forms AP01 and AP02 due to the volume of Schools will be held to account on how they tackle forms received. However, when these forms are filed all forms of bullying through the new Ofsted inspections with Companies House electronically, rather than on framework. To help schools, we published updated paper, the “authentication code” (a form of electronic WA 393 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 394 signature that is sent to a company’s registered office Lord Sassoon: The chair of the court of the Bank of when it registers with Companies House for electronic England has undertaken two separate surveys of the filing) indicates that the form comes from a source court’s effectiveness since the fourth quarter of 2008. approved by the company. These reports are not submitted to the Treasury. The Treasury Select Committee is currently carrying out an inquiry into the accountability of the Bank of Court of the Bank of England England, including the role of its court. The Government Questions awaits the findings of the committee’s work. Asked by Lord Myners Crime: Burglary To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether copies Question of the minutes of meetings of the court of the Bank of England are given to HM Treasury or the Financial Asked by Lord Laird Services Authority. [HL11257] To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to address the recent increase in burglaries. The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord [HL11357] Sassoon): The minutes of the court are not circulated to the Treasury or to the Financial Services Authority The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness (FSA). However, the chairman of the FSA, in his Browning): Cutting crime, including burglary, is the capacity as a director of the Bank, receives minutes of core responsibility of the police. By cutting bureaucracy the court’s meetings. and red tape we are reducing the burden on the police to focus on tackling those crimes. such as burglary, Asked by Lord Myners which matter most to their communities. We know that some opportunistic burglaries may To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the be preventable, so we have made advice on burglary court of the Bank of England conducts regular prevention available directly to members of the public reviews of board efficiency in accordance with the via online crime maps and the Directgov website and recommendations of the Financial Reporting Council through partners in the voluntary sector. We are also (FRC); and, if it does, whether these are facilitated updating the good practice available for frontline staff. by a third party, as recommended by the FRC; on what dates the last three reviews were conducted; and whether reports of the reviews were submitted Crime: Stalking to HM Treasury. [HL11258] Question Asked by Lord Dear Lord Sassoon: Since the present court of the Bank To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of England was formed in 2009, reviews of the board’s crimes of (a) homicide, (b) wounding, and (c) grievous effectiveness were conducted in 2010 and 2011 by the bodily harm, were recorded by police forces in chairman as the senior non-executive. The previous England and Wales in 2009-10 that were preceded court undertook reviews in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The by stalking behaviour. [HL11384] first of these was externally facilitated; the others were led by the chair of the non-executive directors committee. The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Reports are not submitted to the Treasury. Browning): Data for homicide, wounding and grievous Asked by Lord Myners bodily harm offences are collected from police forces via the main recorded crime return and it is not To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether HM possible to identify which of these were preceded by Treasury receives copies of minutes of meetings of stalking behaviour. the court of the Bank of England and of its Audit Additionally, the Home Office collects more detailed and Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. information on homicides via the homicide index. [HL11317] While there has been an option for police to record whether a victim has been harassed, threatened or Lord Sassoon: HM Treasury does not receive copies followed by the principal suspect since 2007-08, these of the minutes of meetings of the court of the Bank of data have not been quality assured for publication. England or its audit and risk committee and remuneration Rather they are of operational value to police in committee. individual cases. Asked by Lord Myners Crime: Suspicious Activity Reports To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Questions the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 11 July (WA 121–2), whether the court of the Bank of Asked by Lord Marlesford England has conducted a survey of its effectiveness To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many since the collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland entries there are on the Serious Organised Crime and HBOS in the fourth quarter of 2008; and what Agency’s Elmer database of Suspicious Activities assessment they have made, as a shareholder, of Reports; and according to what criteria entries on this situation. [HL11318] the database are removed. [HL10322] WA 395 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 396

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness how many of those were entered onto the Elmer Browning): On 22 June 2011, there were 1,834,049 database when received; and how many of have records on the Elmer database. been subsequently removed. [HL10324] The criteria for removal of records from the database are unchanged from those recorded in the Information Baroness Browning: On 22 June 2011, there were Commissioner’s report to the House of Lords European 1,303 Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) on the Elmer Union Committee published on 20 January 2011 which database where the source has been recorded as stated that ″SOCA clarified in evidence that each SAR anonymous. is assigned a deletion date of ten years after receipt All SARs received by the Serious Organised Crime and is automatically deleted unless it has been amended Agency are recorded on the Elmer database regardless or updated in which case the deletion date is reset to of whether or not they were submitted anonymously. six years following that event. SOCA also confirmed that there is also a procedure for earlier deletion of The deletion process does not categorise deleted individual SARs where all necessary activity relating records by source type. Therefore it is not possible to to that SAR has been undertaken and SOCA estimated quantify how many anonymous SARs have been removed that 20,880 SARs have been permanently deleted from from the database. the database.″ Asked by Lord Marlesford Further to the recommendations of that report, SOCA is currently formulating a new retention and To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they deletion policy. have plans to disclose to subjects of Suspicious Activity Reports the existence of those reports in Asked by Lord Marlesford accordance with the first, third and fifth principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. [HL10325] To ask Her Majesty’s Government what organisations have direct ″desktop″ access, access from a terminal in a local police station, or access Baroness Browning: The Government have no plans in the premises of the Serious Organised Crime to do this. The Data Protection Act 1998 allows for Agency, to the Elmer database of Suspicious Activity any member of the public to request access to their Reports. [HL10323] personal data under Section 7 of the Act, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has an established process for dealing with such inquiries. However, the individual responses may be subject to Baroness Browning: Access to the full Elmer database statutory exemptions. is limited to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) If the subjects of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in SOCA, and authorised personnel performing data were proactively told of their existence it would undermine analysis in SOCA. the SARs regime and in particular would cut across the criminal offences in Sections 333A (″tipping off’) Desktop access to a restricted view of the Elmer ″ ″ database is provided to all investigative functions within and 342 ( offences of prejudicing investigations )of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), all UK the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. police forces, the nine Regional Asset Recovery Teams (RARTs) and to the following organisations: Crown Estate Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Question Civil Recovery Unit, Scotland Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon Department for Business, Innovation & Skills Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask Her Majesty’s Government what person, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, body or bodies has or have the ultimate ownership Northern Ireland of the Crown Estate. [HL11315] Department for Work and Pensions HM Revenue and Customs The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning National Policing Improvement Agency (access limited monarch “in right of The Crown”. to training database only) Northern Ireland Environment Agency Royal Mail Debt Serious Fraud Office Question Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency Asked by Lord Myners Social Security Agency, Northern Ireland To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their UK Border Agency. assessment of the assumption used by the European Asked by Lord Marlesford Banking Authority in its stress test of major European and United Kingdom banks that all sovereign debt To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many issued by European Union countries should be anonymous Suspicious Activity Reports have been assumed to be unimpaired and of identical value. received by the Serious Organised Crime Agency; [HL11198] WA 397 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 398

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Archives, as my right honourable friend the Foreign Sassoon): The European Banking Authority (EBA) Secretary explained in his Written Ministerial Statement stress tests did not assume all EU sovereign debt to be of 5 May 2011 (Official Report, column WS 28). No of identical value. records relating to Kwame Nkrumah have yet been In the trading book, haircuts were applied to distressed identified during this review. sovereign debt that reflected to varying degrees the movements in market prices. UK banks hold the majority of their sovereign debt on their trading books. Market prices were also reflected in those securities held on Electoral Register the banking book on an “available for sale” basis or Question those designated at fair value through profit and loss. Asked by Lord Teverson While banks were not required to have impairments for distressed non-defaulted government bonds held To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to in the banking book on a held-to-maturity basis, they the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on were required to consider provisions and have credit 26 January (WA 958), what further consideration risk parameters of at least an EBA benchmark level they have made of nominating a main residence for for low-rated sovereign debt. electoral roll purposes. [HL11352] The EBA issued additional guidance, available on its website, which set a floor for banks’ assumptions of probabilities of default for sovereign and financial Lord De Mauley: The Government have no current institution exposures so that firms’ expected and plans to restrict the right of second home owners who unexpected losses would increase appropriately in the meet the residence requirement to register in two stress test and that banks made appropriate provisions places. We are considering what changes to the registration against these losses. process might be beneficial in the context of the move to individual electoral registration. Disabled People Question Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool EU: Defence Procurement To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps Question they are taking to ensure that those with disabilities are protected from discrimination prior to Asked by Lord Moonie birth. [HL11306] To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the European Union directive on cross-border competition The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for defence goods will come into effect. [HL11217] Department of Health (Earl Howe): Under English law a foetus is not recognised as being a separate person To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they from its mother. It has no rights independent of its plan to exercise the prerogative of national security mother until it is born alive and has an independent in excluding non-United Kingdom companies from existence. defence procurements under Article 346 of the Lisbon Treaty. [HL11218] Dr Kwame Nkrumah Question The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry Asked by Lord Boateng of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Directive 2009/81/ To ask Her Majesty’s Government what papers EC—the Defence and Security Directive—will come they hold, not including those already released to into force on 21 August 2011. the National Archives, about Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the [HL11205] European Union allows the UK to withhold information, the disclosure of which it considers contrary to the The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth essential interests of UK security. In addition Article Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): In addition to 346 allows the UK to take such measures as it considers material already released to the National Archives, the necessary for the protection of the essential interests Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has identified of UK security which are connected with the production one Colonial Office file on Kwame Nkrumah which is of or trade in arms, munitions and war material. The currently retained under Section 23 of the Freedom of application of Article 346 is limited to exceptional and Information Act (FOIA) due to the sensitivity of the clearly defined cases and has to be interpreted strictly. material it contains. In line with standard practice, this It is anticipated that the provisions of Article 346 file will be reviewed for release again if requested will be invoked, potentially with the effect of excluding under the FOIA. non-UK companies, where the provisions of the directive Other records held by the FCO may also contain are unable to adequately protect the security interests documents relating to Kwame Nkrumah. These include of the UK in a particular procurement. These measures the records of former colonial administrations which may be required where there are particularly demanding are currently being reviewed for transfer to the National security of supply or security of information requirements. WA 399 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 400

Falkland Islands Lord Howell of Guildford: Policy on mineral exploration Questions in Falklands waters is primarily a matter for the Falkland Islands Government (FIG): the natural resources of a Asked by Lord Empey UK overseas territory belong to that territory. Licences are granted by the FIG, subject to the consent of the To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth are in negotiations with the Government of Argentina Affairs. over the future exploitation of any oil deposits that may be found in waters around the Falkland Islands. Asked by Lord Empey [HL11181] To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last received representations from the United Nations The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth concerning the Falkland Islands. [HL11185] Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): No. Policy on hydrocarbons development within Falkland Islands waters is primarily a matter for the Falkland Islands Lord Howell of Guildford: The United Nations does Government. Argentina has introduced legislation which not make direct representations to the Government aims to prevent investment in Falklands’ hydrocarbons. over the Falkland Islands. The UN Special Committee However, we remain keen to foster a constructive on Decolonisation (C24) operates as a subsidiary of relationship with Argentina in the South Atlantic, and the United Nations General Assembly and discusses both we and the Falkland Islands Government have the Falkland Islands annually, most recently in June offered to co-operate with Argentina on mutually 2011. The last time the General Assembly discussed beneficial South Atlantic issues, including on specific the Falkland Islands was 1988. The last time the hydrocarbon-related matters. United Nations Security Council discussed the Falkland Islands was 1982. Asked by Lord Empey To ask Her Majesty’s Government what communications they have received in the past year Female Genital Mutilation from foreign Governments concerning the future of Questions the Falkland Islands. [HL11182] Asked by Baroness Tonge To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance Lord Howell of Guildford: With the exception of is given to social workers regarding registration and Argentina, this Government have received no action in relation to female genital mutilation. communications this past year from foreign Governments [HL11004] on the future of the Falkland Islands, though the issue is often discussed as part of wider bilateral conversations. The Government of Argentina regularly repeat their The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, request for negotiations on the sovereignty of the Department of Health (Earl Howe): The multi-agency Falkland Islands. However, the UK has a long-standing practice guidelines, Female Genital Mutilation (2011), position, which we have made consistently clear— include a chapter of guidance for social workers. The including to Argentina—that the UK has no doubt guidance underlines the importance of applying child about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and safeguarding procedures in order to minimise or prevent that there will be no negotiations on sovereignty unless harm to the child or children. The guidance advises or until the Falkland Islanders so wish. that when there is a referral to children’s social care, a Asked by Lord Empey strategy meeting should be convened with relevant agencies, in order to agree a plan to protect the child. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they It is suggested that information should be provided to have received any representations from the Government the family on the risks associated with female genital of the United States about the future of the Falkland mutilation (FGM) and that securing parental consent Islands. [HL11183] for any action plan is desirable. If a girl faces the immediate risk of undergoing female genital mutilation then an emergency protection order can be obtained. Lord Howell of Guildford: This Government have The guidelines advise that a girl who has already received no representations from the US on the future undergone FGM should not be on the child protection of the Falkland Islands. The US recognises the UK’s register—unless other child protection concerns exist. administration of the Falkland Islands. This Government The web link is www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/ have continued to make it clear that the UK has no groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/ doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. dh_124588.pdf. We raise our position regularly with the US. Working Together to Safeguard Children—A Guide Asked by Lord Empey to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children also contains a section on FGM, To ask Her Majesty’s Government who is aimed at all health professionals working directly with responsible for the issue of licences permitting the children and young people. The web link is: www. exploration for minerals in waters surrounding the education.gov.uk/publications/standard/ Falkland Islands. [HL11184] publicationdetail/page1/DCSF-00305-2010. WA 401 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 402

The joined-up approach that this coalition Government the government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Cabinet have taken to tackle FGM has been successful in Office. It is part of the Government Office for Science drawing together, co-ordinating and driving work from within the Department for Business, Innovation and the Home Office, Foreign Office, Department for Skills. Education and Department of Health. By looking The project is exploring how computer-generated beyond traditional departmental silos, we have made trading in financial markets might evolve in the next significant progress in raising awareness of FGM and 10 years and is considering options for addressing the supporting professionals to intervene. key challenges and opportunities that may arise. A We have an ambitious action plan for 2011-12 to final report will be produced and made publicly available prevent and tackle FGM, co-ordinated across all relevant in autumn 2012. However, interim findings may be government departments. We have also reached out to released sooner, if appropriate. work with a range of charities and civil society partners The project’s High-Level Stakeholder Group is chaired that are active in this area. Their wealth of experience by Mark Hoban MP,Financial Secretary to the Treasury. has been crucial in shaping our work. It met for the first time on 18 July 2011. Communications about FGM are key to bringing the issue to more people’s attention. More than 40,000 leaflets and 40,000 posters have been circulated to Finance: Investors schools, health services, charities and community groups Question around the country—this is not an end in itself but a Asked by Lord Laird crucial foundation on which to build. The new multi-agency practice guidelines launched To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps in February 2011 are a key step in ensuring that the Financial Services Authority is taking to return professionals are able and confident to intervene to funding to British investors following the case of protect girls at risk. United States v Michael Geraud in the southern There have been some successful initiatives from district of Florida; and whether it has been in the police too—the Metropolitan Police’s Project Azure’s contact with all the United Kingdom citizens work at Heathrow to speak to families potentially concerned. [HL11468] taking the girls overseas for FGM has strengthened our last line of defence for these girls. The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Asked by Lord Rea Sassoon): As this is a prosecution by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it is formally To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact the role of the SEC to return any funds recovered to the cuts in police funding will have on police activities UK victims. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) to combat female genital mutilation. [HL11476] understands that the SEC intends to return any funds directly to investors. The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Based on information supplied by the SEC, the Browning): Female genital mutilation is an illegal and FSA has contacted the relevant UK investors in order abhorrent practice which is totally unacceptable in our to enhance its understanding of how to prevent further society. The Government have made a clear commitment share sale fraud. It is possible that there are further to tackling this form of violence in our action plan to investors who have not been identified by the investigators. end violence against women and girls. The allocation of resources by individual police forces is an operational matter which must be decided locally. However, we Finance: Stocks and Shares expect police forces to follow the strong lead which the Question Government have shown and make sufficient resources Asked by Lord Myners available to provide the level of support needed in their areas. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the steps taken by the Financial Services Authority to regulate the market in stock Finance: High Frequency Share Trading and share lending; and what actions have been Question taken to ensure that beneficial owners of lent securities Asked by Lord Myners are aware of the repurchase agreement nature of the underlying transaction. [HL11259] To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they anticipate receiving the report from the group on The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord high frequency share trading established in September Sassoon): Work carried out by the Financial Services 2010; and how many times Ministers have met with Authority in 2009 concluded that there were deficiencies members of the group since it was established. in the understanding of some market participants, [HL11260] particularly trustees, about the consequences of stock being lent and the potential risks that might arise from The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord this activity. As a result, the Stock Lending and Repo Sassoon): The Foresight Project “Future of Computer Committee, chaired by the Bank of England, agreed Trading in Financial Markets” was officially launched that further guidance material should be developed to on 23 November 2010. Foresight reports directly to improve overall levels of understanding among market WA 403 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 404 participants. This material was developed jointly by a The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord number of industry bodies, as well as the Pensions Sassoon): The Government’s proposals to reform the Regulator, the Financial Services Authority and the financial regulatory system—set out in the White Paper Treasury. It is available online at http://www. published on 19 June 2011—will secure better outcomes bankofengland.co.uk/markets/gilts/slrc.htm. for consumers. The establishment of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a strong and focused conduct regulator with tailored objectives and targeted Financial Services Authority powers will allow for a tougher and more proactive Question approach to conduct regulation, supported by greater transparency and accountability. The proposals build Asked by Lord Teverson on the evidence of a range of failings in the current regime for conduct regulation of financial services. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has a number they are taking to improve the accountability of the of statutory responsibilities in relation to the Financial Financial Services Authority, and its successors, in Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). As the rule- cases where regulatory defects or mistakes lead to making body for FSCS funding, the FSA has commenced claims against the Financial Services Compensation a review of the funding model of the FSCS. It will Scheme that result in significant payments to the proceed to a formal public consultation once discussions scheme by authorised firms above their annual on European directives affecting compensation levy. [HL11312] arrangements have been concluded. The successor regulatory authorities to the FSA, the Prudential The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Regulation Authority (PRA) and the FCA, will take Sassoon): There are a number of mechanisms by which over the FSA’s responsibilities with respect to the the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is held to FSCS. account for the effectiveness of its regulation, including Asked by Lord Teverson in cases where a call has been made on the Financial To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Services Compensation Scheme: are considering making changes to the operation of it is required to make an annual report to the the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and Treasury, which is laid before Parliament, on how in particular how it will operate, be managed and the regulator has discharged its functions and met relate to UK regulatory authorities once the Financial its regulatory objectives; Services Authority has passed on its responsibilities the chairman and other senior directors make regular to successor organisations. [HL11140] appearances before the House of Commons Treasury To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans Select Committee; they have to reform the Financial Services complaints against the FSA may be investigated by Compensation Scheme. [HL11427] an independent complaints commissioner, whose findings are published; Lord Sassoon: The Government published a White there is scope for judicial review of regulatory Paper, A new approach to financial regulation: the decisions; and blueprint for reform, in June 2011. This sets out a the Treasury has a power to order an independent number of proposed changes relating to the Financial inquiry, carried out by a third party, into regulatory Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the context failure. of reform of the framework for financial regulation. As set out in the Government’s White Paper, A new Under these proposals, the Prudential Regulation approach to financial regulation: the blueprint for reform, Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority (the published in June 2011, these measures will apply to successor regulatory authorities to the Financial Services the successors to the FSA: the Prudential Regulation Authority (FSA)) will take over the FSA’s current Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority functions and responsibilities with respect to the FSCS. (FCA). In addition, there will be a new requirement They will have joint responsibility for oversight of the on the PRA and FCA to make a report to the Treasury FSCS, including ensuring that the FSCS is capable of on where there may have been regulatory failure, which exercising its statutory functions and for appointing will be laid before Parliament. the FSCS board. Responsibility for making the rules which constitute the compensation scheme, including rules relating to the administration of compensation and levying Financial Services Compensation Scheme authorised persons, will be shared between the two Questions new regulators. The scope of these rule-making powers Asked by Lord Teverson will be set out in secondary legislation. In order to increase the transparency and accountability of the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what lessons FSCS, the FSCS will be subject to audit by the National they have learnt from the Keydata failure; and how Audit Office. they will ensure that those financial firms which The regulators will be under an obligation to consult undertake their business responsibly are not penalised each other when making rules for the compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. scheme and they will be required to set out in a [HL11139] memorandum of understanding (MOU) how they will WA 405 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 406 co-ordinate their functions in relation to the FSCS. Gary McKinnon The FSCS will also be required to maintain MOUs Question with each of the regulators. Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light Firearms: Home Office Firearms Forms of the current revelations concerning phone hacking, Working Group the elapse of time involved and his medical condition, Question whether they will review their decision to extradite Gary McKinnon. [HL11397] Asked by Lord Dear To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they Baroness Verma: As the noble Lord is aware, the expect that the Home Office Firearms Forms Working only issue which the Home Secretary must now determine Group will report and make recommendations to in this case is whether Mr McKinnon’s extradition to the US would be compatible with his human rights. Ministers. [HL11388] To aid her assessment of this issue, the Home Secretary agreed to receive up-to-date representations The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness from Mr McKinnon’s solicitors. These are under Browning): The work of the Home Office Firearms consideration. Forms Working Group is still continuing with evidence and views being sought and discussed. Its aim is to Government Departments: Research and improve the forms used, thereby reducing bureaucracy for the police and increasing efficiency. It is intended Data that this will be achieved later this year. Questions Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Fluoridation the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June Questions (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the ″ Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes project Economics of organic farming 2009/10 to 2010/11″; and for what reasons. [HL11196] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 26 April The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, (WA 47), whether they are now able to answer the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs question whether the pattern of general health in (Lord Henley): All Defra evidence contracts are closely Birmingham differs from other parts of the United monitored by Defra specialists working with policy Kingdom. [HL11441] colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg, costs, required outputs, timetable, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department research team, et cetera). of Health (Earl Howe): No differences have been identified A contract variation for project “0F0373: Economics between the general health of the population of Birmingham of Organic Farming” was agreed by the department and other areas of a similar social and economic for an extension of the end date from 1 April 2010 to profile in which the fluoride content has not been 31 March 2012, and an increase of the project budget adjusted. from £252,158 to £322,127. Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes The purpose of the extension was to analyse data for two additional years (2009-10 and 2010-11) and To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relation to carry out a more in-depth analysis of farm finances. dental health what is the decayed/missing/filled rate This was to provide the department with robust farm for Manchester; how this compares with Birmingham; business information following the economic downturn. and to what extent any difference is attributable to Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark the fluoridation of water in Birmingham. [HL11442] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June Earl Howe: The NHS Dental Epidemiology Programme (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the for England Oral Health Survey of 12 Year-Old Children project “Control and risk management of honey 2008/2009 shows that the average number of decayed, bee pests and diseases”; and for what reasons. missing and filled teeth (DMFT) of 12 year-old children [HL11293] in the area of Birmingham primary care trust (PCT) was 0.61 compared to a DMFT of 2.13 for Manchester Lord Henley: The project “Control and risk PCT. There is no plausible explanation for the more management of honey bee pests and diseases”(PH0506) favourable position of Birmingham other than the is being carried out by the National Bee Unit (NBU), fluoridation of its water supply. part of the Food and Environment Research Agency. The full results of the survey are available at: The three-year project was commissioned in 2009 and www.nwph.net/dentalhealth/. The table from the survey had four modules covering research on pests and that includes the above data has been placed in the diseases in support of bee health policy. In 2010 a Library. variation to the project was agreed to include a module WA 407 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 408 on the epidemiology of American foulbrood (AFB), Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark which complements the work that the NBU is doing under the Insect Pollinators Initiative on European To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to foulbrood (EFB). AFB and EFB are two of the most the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June serious diseases that affect honey bees and therefore (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the are subject to statutory control in the UK. Additional project “The impact of shortened rotations on funds of £70,000 were added to Project PH0506 to rhizosphere microbial diversity”; and for what cover the cost of this work. reasons. [HL11296] Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to monitored by Defra specialists working with policy the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June colleagues. Contract variations are required if there (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the are significant changes to any of the details in the project “Multiplex approaches for biochemical TSE original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, strain characterisation and differentiation”; and for research team, etc). what reasons. [HL11294] The project IF0128: “The impact of shortened rotations on rhizosphere microbial diversity”was extended for a further 122 days at a cost of £30,065. Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely The reason for the agreed change was to enable the monitored by Defra specialists working with policy research group to investigate the impact of an extended colleagues. Contract variations are required if there crop rotation interval on fungal communities in the are significant changes to any of the details in the rhizosphere of oilseed rape in relation to yield decline. original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, The research has already shown significant reductions research team, etc). in oilseed rape yield when it is grown more frequently The project titled “Multiplex approaches for in rotation, and this year will demonstrate whether a biochemical TSE strain characterisation and longer gap between oilseed rape crops can restore differentiation” was designed to develop methods to yields. characterise and differentiate between TSE strains. Specifically, the extended time and cost would be Results from the project indicated additional work used to (i) collect and process field samples from the would provide useful information on the effectiveness final year of The Arable Group field trials on arable of the methodology for atypical TSE strains and so a rotations, (ii) extract DNA from samples and use contract variation was agreed. molecular techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction— The variation to the contract resulted in an extended Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) end-date and an increase of £19,000 to the total cost to characterise the rhizosphere fungal communities of of the project to the department. oilseed rape grown in extended rotations, and (iii) use molecular techniques (quantitative Polymerase Chain Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Reaction) to quantify the levels of specific fungi in the To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to rhizosphere community to determine whether they are the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June related to reduced yields observed with more frequent (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the cropping. project “Modelling of tropospheric ozone”; and for Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark what reasons. [HL11295] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely project “Unlocking the potential of community monitored by Defra specialists working with policy composting”; and for what reasons. [HL11297] colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely research team, etc). monitored by Defra specialists working with policy In December 2010 the Defra contract “Modelling colleagues. Contract variations are required if there of Tropospheric Ozone” was amended to include £3,175 are significant changes to any of the details in the of additional work. Additional work was required to original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, allow the setting up of a new data delivery system for research team, etc). meteorological data following modifications to the In this particular instance a first variation was UK Met Office Unified Model. arranged to cover substantial revisions to the project In March 2011 the Defra contract “Modelling of report and annexes following review, for an additional Tropospheric Ozone” was amended to include £14,718 cost of £900. of additional work. This was to make provisions in the A second variation was arranged to extend the contract to carry out 11 additional ozone modelling end-date to 23 March 2010 to take into account the runs with the Ozone Source-Receptor Model to support final detail of the “Environmental Permitting (England Defra’s ozone policy development, including revision and Wales) Regulations 2010” in the report. There was of the Gothenburg Protocol. no cost associated with this second variation. WA 409 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 410

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark project a contract variation was agreed to extend the end-date of the project to enable the contractor to To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to undertake additional work at no extra cost to the the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June department. (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project Further Development of Guidance on Aged Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Sorption on Pesticides in Soil; and for what reasons. To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to [HL11298] the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely project “Review of Transboundary air pollution monitored by Defra specialists working with policy (RoTAP)”; and for what reasons. [HL11341] colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, monitored by Defra specialists working with policy research team, etc). colleagues. Contract variations are required if there The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) are significant changes to any of the details in the project Further Development of Guidance on Aged original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, Sorption on Pesticides in Soil will contribute to the research team, etc). development of EU guidance on the interpretation of The “Review of Transboundary air pollution”contract data on aged soils as part of the risk assessment for was amended to extend the end-date to allow the pesticides. Fera has been granted an extension to the contractor more time to complete a report. The value deadline for completion of the project to allow analysis of the contract was not changed. of more data than was originally planned. The project will now finish at the end of September 2011. Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June project “Maintenance and scientific curation of the (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the national fruit collection”; and for what reasons. project “Studies on the environmental persistence [HL11342] of TSE infectivity”; and for what reasons.[HL11339]

Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, etc). research team, etc). A contract variation was agreed by the department The project titled “The long term maintenance and for the project titled “Studies on the environmental Scientific Curation of the National Fruit Collection” persistence of TSE infectivity” to enable verification was initiated to efficiently and effectively conserve the of the results and to provide additional value to the genetic resources of the National Fruit Collection to department by inclusion of a newly developed test. meet the UK’s national and international obligations. The variation to the contract resulted in an extended As a variation to the contract, the department end-date and an increase of £237,976 to the total cost agreed to make an additional payment of £30,998.40 of the project to the department. in 2010-11 towards costs associated with propagation. Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project “Studies on environmental scrapie strains project “Scenario Development for future waste re-isolated in sheep”; and for what reasons. policy”; and for what reasons. [HL11343] [HL11340] Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, etc). research team, etc). The variations to the contract for the project “Scenario The department does not fund a project titled “Studies Development for future waste policy” were due to: on environmental scrapie strains re-isolated in sheep”. a decision to increase the amount of stakeholder However, it does fund a project titled “Studies on involvement and consultation through workshops murine scrapie strains re-isolated in sheep”. For this necessitated an increase in the number of personnel WA 411 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 412

days for the core team and waste management the weekend, or if a deployment of new technology is advisors: 34 extra days at a total cost of £22,650; scheduled). The website is the department’s primary near the end of the project, an additional milestone channel to all audiences and so is updated whenever comprising development of feedback loops, stakeholder we need to provide information or to engage our review of the report, and additional calculations on audiences. energy from waste and carbon dioxide emissions within the scenarios: 13 extra days at a total cost of Government: Policy £5,850; and Question some additional work following the end of the project to update the report in the light of policy Asked by Lord Mawhinney developments pertaining to the Government’s review of waste policies: seven days of additional work at a To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they total increase in costs of £3,150. will publish the present policy for Cabinet collective responsibility. [HL10999] Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Baroness Garden of Frognal: Section 2 of the Ministerial the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June Code, which was published in May 2010, sets out (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the the position on collective responsibility. Collective project “Investigation of sheep to sheep passage on responsibility is also covered in part 2 of the Coalition the BSE strain phenotype”; and for what reasons. Agreement for Stability and Reform, which was also [HL11344] published in May 2010.

Lord Henley: All Defra evidence contracts are closely Health: Cancer monitored by Defra specialists working with policy Questions colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps research team, etc). they are taking to ensure that people with cancer A contract variation was agreed by the department continue to receive critical financial support for as for the project titled “Investigation of sheep to sheep long as their disability or long-term condition limits passage on the BSE strain phenotype” to re-profile the their ability to work. [HL11309] finances of the project following delays to the work. Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester The variation to the contract resulted in a decrease of £42,403 to the total cost of the project to the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans department, and had no effect on the end-date. they have to end the current system whereby the Asked by Lord Lea of Crondall type of cancer treatment someone receives affects how they are treated in the welfare system.[HL11311] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 20 July The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department (HL11081), what data they collate on the proportion for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): The department of the workforces based in the United Kingdom of has carefully considered the position of people with a the top 20 United Kingdom-based multinationals range of serious and life threatening illnesses—including specified in the Financial Times Global 500. cancer—in relation to the benefit system. [HL11422] It is important to treat people as individuals and assess them based on their individual needs rather Lord De Mauley: As was the case under the last than labelling them because of their condition. Cancer Government, the relevant data which are collected by and its associated treatments will affect different people the Office for National Statistics are collected subject in different ways, and so it should not automatically to non-disclosure agreement. be regarded as a barrier to work. While many individuals are unable to work, others can and do want to work, often with the full and engaged support of their employer. Government Departments: Websites Indeed, there is evidence of the therapeutic importance Question of work for many cancer sufferers. Asked by Lord Laird Anyone who has cancer and is terminally ill is automatically placed in the Employment and Support To ask Her Majesty’s Government how often Allowance (ESA) support group, as are people with and in what circumstances is the website of the cancer who are receiving certain kinds of chemotherapy Department for Education updated. [HL11156] treatment. The support group is intended for those people with the most severe disabilities or health The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for conditions, who are the least likely to move into work. Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The website has multiple Following an internal review the department has updates every working day, and outside working hours recently made changes to the work capability assessment if necessary (for example, if a press release is issued at so that more individuals undergoing certain chemotherapy WA 413 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 414 treatments will automatically be placed in the support The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department group without the need for an assessment. These of Health (Earl Howe): The Caxton Foundation was changes have been in place since March 2011. set up in order to provide discretionary payments to Claimants in the support group are paid a higher individuals who had been infected with hepatitis C by rate of benefit, are not subject to work conditionality contaminated National Health Service-supplied blood and will not be affected by our proposal currently and blood products, and their widows, dependants and before Parliament to introduce a one-year time limit other relatives. for people claiming contributory ESA and who are The Macfarlane and Eileen Trusts make similar placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG). payments in respect of individuals infected with HIV, People with cancer who are receiving contributory and their families. Any individual who is co-infected ESA and have been placed in the WRAG will be with hepatitis C and HIV as a result of NHS treatment subject to time-limiting. However, those with lower with blood products or blood transfusion will be able incomes may be able to receive income-related ESA to apply for discretionary funding in respect of both after their contributory ESA entitlement ends. Other infections. Applications in respect of co-infection will benefits such as housing benefit and disability living be considered and funded by the relevant HIV trust. allowance may also be available. There will always be a safety net available for those who are unable to support Health: Reciprocal Agreements themselves because of longer-term health conditions such as cancer. Questions Finally, Professor Harrington is also reviewing the Asked by Lord Laird full work capability assessment process to see if it can To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to be further improved for cancer patients. We have recently the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 7 July (WA99- received his recommendations and are in the process 100), why the Department for Work and Pensions of reviewing them. We will come forward with proposals no longer has records of the healthcare costs survey shortly. questionnaires sent to United Kingdom pensioners Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester in the Republic of Ireland in relation to the numbers returned, rechecked and the number of pensions To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps stopped or suspended as a result; when they were they are taking to ensure that people with cancer issued and received back by the Department for can apply for financial support to help with the Work and Pensions; when they were destroyed and extra costs of being disabled as soon as their support under whose authority; and what were the statistical needs arise. [HL11310] results of the survey. [HL11035] Asked by Lord Laird Lord Freud: Disability Living Allowance is designed to provide a contribution towards the disability-related To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to costs of severely disabled people with long-term disabilities. the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 4 July (WA 10), The required period conditions in Disability Living how many state pensioners for each country have Allowance are essential in determining whether the payments made to an address in the United Kingdom; needs arising from disability are likely to be of a and whether those figures could be used to base long-standing nature and ensure that the benefit goes United Kingdom claims to other European Union only to those for whom it is intended. countries for healthcare and social security costs under European regulations for European Union The special rules provision in Disability Living pensioner citizens and their dependants in the United Allowance enables claims from terminally ill people, Kingdom. [HL11158] including those with cancer, to be dealt with quickly and sensitively. These fast-track arrangements recognise The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the particular challenges faced by terminally ill people Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Iam who have a short time to live and ensure that these unable to provide the number of state pensioners from individuals are automatically awarded the highest rate each member state of the European Economic Area care component of Disability Living Allowance without (EEA) and Switzerland who are currently having payments having to serve the usual required period conditions. made to an address in the United Kingdom. This is We intend to maintain the special rules provision in because we do not hold this information. Personal Independence Payment ensuring that terminally ill people continue to receive valuable financial support Asked by Lord Laird through automatic and immediate payment of the To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to enhanced rate of the daily living component. the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 12 July (WA161), why the returned Pension Service healthcare costs questionnaires sent to United Kingdom Health: Contaminated Blood Products pensioners in the Republic of Ireland were not Question retained; who authorised their disposal; when this was done; what statistics were drawn from the Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester questionnaires returned; and why those questions To ask Her Majesty’s Government why NHS to establish where individuals may have been in patients infected with HIV by NHS contaminated receipt of both a United Kingdom and an Irish blood products are excluded from applying to the pension were asked if the returned data were not Caxton Foundation for help. [HL11362] counted. [HL11281] WA 415 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 416

Lord Freud: The triennial survey commenced in All such allegations were assessed and appropriate April 2008 and was completed July 2008. The International action taken to resolve any breaches of the regulations Pension Centre (IPC) sampled 5 per cent of UK identified. Alleged breaches ranged from failing to CE customers resident in Ireland for analysis. Of this mark altogether through to labelling and registration sample IPC wrote to 1.5 per cent (1,500) pensioners issues but in nearly 20 per cent of cases no non- and asked them to provide details of the periods they compliances were found. All cases were resolved with, had worked in Ireland to establish whether there was where appropriate, the manufacturer taking the necessary also entitlement to a qualifying Irish pension. The IPC steps to address the problems identified and there was received 1,434 responses (95.6 per cent). The IPC no need to take more formal enforcement action. carried out further checks for the 4.4 per cent non- Under legal confidentiality requirements, the MHRA respondents, but did not separately record information is unable to release details of individual investigations. on the number of pensions stopped or suspended as a result. Analysis of the results helped inform negotiations HM Treasury: Board of Directors between the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the Question United Kingdom agreeing 40 per cent liability for healthcare costs. Asked by Lord Myners In line with standard data protection principles, the To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) only retains board of directors of HM Treasury last met; and personal information for as long as needed under the when it last met with all independent directors terms on which it was collected. The DWP had no present. [HL11351] relevant reason to retain the personal information provided by the sample respondents once the analysis had been completed and the data were securely destroyed The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord in 2010, in accordance with the DWP data retention Sassoon): Executive and non-executive directors of policy for analytical, research and business management the Treasury meet quarterly as the departmental board. data The last meeting took place on 16 June 2011. All members were present at that meeting.

Health: Surgical Instruments Housing Question Questions Asked by Lord Laird Asked by Baroness King of Bow To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 July they have made of the number of claimants in (WA 134-5) concerning the monitoring of imported Tower Hamlets affected by the move to set local surgical equipment, how many allegations of non- housing allowance rates at the 30th percentile rather compliance have been brought to their attention in than the median of local market rents. [HL11263] each of the last 10 years; and what followed from each allegation. [HL11335] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): It is estimated The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, that approximately 1,900 housing benefit claimants in Department of Health (Earl Howe): The number of Tower Hamlets will be affected by the change in local allegations of non-compliance with the requirements housing allowance rates from the median to the 30th of the medical devices regulations 2002 (as amended) percentile of local market rents. The impacts of local received by the Medicines and Healthcare products housing allowance reforms introduced this year were Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in relation to surgical published on the DWP website under the title Impacts instruments over the last 10 years is as follows: of Housing Benefit Proposals: Changes to the Local 2001 - 9 Housing Allowance to be Introduced in 2011-12. 2002 - 8 Customers who were receiving housing benefit 2003 - 8 according to local housing allowance rules before 1 April 2011 will receive up to nine months’ transitional 2005 - 5 protection from the date their claim is reviewed by the 2006 - 4 local authority, allowing them more time to adjust to 2007 - 2 the changes. 2008 - 6 Asked by Baroness King of Bow 2009 - 3 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate 2010 - 10 they have made of the average loss per claimant in Note: Tower Hamlets of those affected by the move to set 1. The above figures relate to all allegations of local housing allowance rates at the 30th percentile non-compliance received for surgical instruments, not rather than the median of local market rents. just those imported into the United Kingdom. [HL11264] WA 417 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 418

Lord Freud: Of housing benefit claimants in Tower Immigration: Republic of Ireland and Hamlets whose awards are reduced by the change in Northern Ireland local housing allowance rates from the median to the 30th percentile of local market rents, the average loss Question is estimated at: £23 for those entitled to one bedroom; Asked by Viscount Waverley £33 for those entitled to two bedrooms; £33 for those entitled to three bedrooms; and £29 for those entitled To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their to four bedrooms. The impacts of local housing allowance assessment of border controls between the Republic reforms introduced this year were published on the of Ireland and Northern Ireland in processing DWP website under the title “Impacts of Housing legitimate crossings; and what steps they are taking Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing to ensure that the border does not provide an illegal Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12”. port of entry into the United Kingdom. [HL11365] Customers who were receiving housing benefit according to local housing allowance rules before The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness 1 April 2011 will receive up to nine months’ transitional Browning): The UK Government believe that free protection from the date their claim is reviewed by the movement for those who are lawfully present within local authority, allowing them more time to adjust to the common travel area (CTA) provides important the changes. economic and social benefits to the UK. None the less, we are committed to preventing abuse. The chief inspector of the UK Border Agency recently assessed our Immigration controls for the common travel area. Building on his Questions recommendations, we are working to improve controls within the UK and our joint working with Ireland to Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno counter the threat of illegal immigration and organised To ask Her Majesty’s Government with which immigration crime within the CTA. The UK Border voluntary immigrant advice centres they are in Agency (UKBA), UK police and the Garda Siochana continuous contact. [HL11276] in Ireland run intelligence-led operations to reduce threats from within the CTA by conducting checks to establish individuals’ entitlement to the provisions of The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness the CTA. Browning): There is no single list of government contacts We are also working together with Ireland to prevent with voluntary immigration advice services. abuse of the CTA by strengthening the external CTA Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno border through developing common standards and To ask Her Majesty’s Government to which systems for entry into the CTA. voluntary immigrant advice organisations they give funding. [HL11277] International Monetary Fund Question Baroness Browning: In the current financial year, Asked by Lord Myners the UK Border Agency has provided funding to the following voluntary organisations which provide advice To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment and support to migrants: they have made of proposals that voting rights of Refugee Council of Great Britain individual countries at the International Monetary Scottish Refugee Council Fund should reflect (a) countries’ share of global Welsh Refugee Council gross domestic product; (b) countries’ share of the Refugee Action world’s currency reserves; or (c) the historic disposition of economic power. [HL11261] Migrant Helpline UNHCR The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Bryson Charitable Group Sassoon): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is Metropolitan Support Trust (East Midlands). a quota-based institution. The IMF assigns each member Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno country a quota share, based on a formula. A member’s quota largely determines its voting power in IMF To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much decisions. The current quota formula is a weighted they give to each voluntary immigrant advice centre average of gross domestic product (50 per cent), openness which receives government funding. [HL11278] (30 per cent), economic variability (15 per cent) and international reserves (5 per cent). This information Baroness Browning: The UK Border Agency provides and more details on quota shares and voting rights funding to a number of voluntary organisations which can be found on the IMF website at http://www.imf.org/ provide advice to migrants among their services. However, external/np/exr/facts/quotas.htm. it is for each organisation to decide how the funding is In November 2010, the G20 agreed a package of allocated, within the parameters laid down by the far-reaching reforms of the fund’s quotas and governance. agency. Therefore, the agency does not allocate funding Once the reform package is approved by member to specific advice centres. This information may be countries and is implemented, it will result in a major available directly from the organisations concerned. realignment of quota shares to reflect better the changing WA 419 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 420 relative weights of the IMF’s member countries in the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions global economy. Specifically, the package agreed to they have had on introducing a coverage obligation shift more than 6 per cent of quota shares to dynamic of (a) 98 per cent, and (b) 99 per cent, for each emerging markets and to developing countries and separate nation in the forthcoming auction of 4G more than 6 per cent from overrepresented to spectrum licences. [HL11224] underrepresented member countries. The G20 has also agreed to complete the next comprehensive review of the current quota formula by Lord De Mauley: Following the direction to January 2013. The aim of this review will be to continue Ofcom in December 2010,the Minister for Culture, the dynamic process, aimed at enhancing the voice and Communications and Creative Industries has not discussed representation of emerging markets and developing coverage obligations with Ofcom or the devolved countries by better reflecting their economic weight in Administrations. The design of the auction is a matter the global economy. The UK strongly supports this for Ofcom, including coverage obligations, and in and, as an influential member of the IMF, will take a Ofcom’s recent consultation it sought evidence to support leading role in working with other member countries. a higher coverage obligation than the proposed 95 per cent level. Asked by Lord Dubs Internet: Broadband To ask Her Majesty’s Government when 4G Questions wireless broadband minimum target speeds of at least two megabits per second will be available to Asked by Lord Dubs consumers who are not to be offered superfast broadband under Ofcom’s current spectrum criteria. To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that consumers who cannot receive superfast [HL11225] broadband will be offered broadband by some alternative technology if Ofcom does not include a Lord De Mauley: Ofcom’s current coverage proposal 99 per cent population coverage obligation in one for the combined auction includes providing a service of the forthcoming 4G spectrum licences to be of not less than 2 megabits per second (Mbps) to an awarded next year. [HL11221] area where 95 per cent of the population lives. It is the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate Government’s stated aim to ensure that broadband for has been made of the proportion of the population all would be available at 2 Mbps by 2015. We have not of Cumbria who will have access to (a) conventional specified which technologies would deliver that, as it is fixed, (b) superfast, (c) wireless, and (d) satellite likely that a mix of different technologies including broadband services, by 2015. [HL11222] fixed, wireless broadband (both 3G and 4G) and satellite solutions will be required, with the precise mix To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion depending on local factors such as topography and of the United Kingdom population will have access demographics. to (a) conventional fixed, (b) superfast, (c) wireless, and (d) satellite, broadband services by 2015. [HL11226] Iraq: Camp Ashraf Question Lord De Mauley: The Government’s broadband strategy Britain’s Superfast Broadband Future published Asked by Baroness Tonge in December 2010 stated that “the UK’s ambition is to To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have the best superfast broadband network and connected they have made of the raid on Camp Ashraf in society in Europe by 2015”. The Government’s ambition April 2011 by Iraqi security forces. [HL11328] is that 90 per cent of all premises in the UK will have access to superfast broadband and that a fibre connection would be provided, from which at least a minimum The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth standard broadband service would be available, to Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): My honourable virtually all communities by 2015. All premises in the friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK would have access to the minimum standard Alistair Burt, released a statement deploring the loss broadband service, which it is anticipated will be provided of life following the events of 8 April, as did the EU by a mixed technology solution, by 2015. The technology and UN. Our ambassador in Baghdad and other split would be dependent on the chosen solution, from senior officials have expressed our concerns to the supplier proposals, under the respective procurements Iraqi Prime Minister, President and the Minister of that will be carried out by the local procuring authority. Foreign Affairs. We have called on the Iraqi Government Asked by Lord Dubs to refrain from violent operations in Camp Ashraf and have requested that the circumstances of the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions incident are investigated. Along with the UN and they have had with Ofcom about introducing a other international partners, we continue to monitor coverage obligation of (a) 98 per cent, and (b) events at the camp. We encourage all sides to engage in 99 per cent, for the forthcoming auction of 4G a peaceful and constructive dialogue to reach a lasting spectrum licences. [HL11223] solution over the future of Camp Ashraf. WA 421 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 422

Israel ensure that civilian life is protected. These developments Questions make clearer than ever that a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the conflicts in the region is urgently Asked by Baroness Tonge needed and will only be achieved through negotiation”. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Israel’s passing of the boycott Libya law and its impact on freedom of speech. [HL11325] Question

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Asked by Baroness Tonge Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are aware that To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions the Israeli Knesset has passed a boycotts law. We are they have had with representatives of the newly concerned by the boycotts law, which infringes on recognised Government of Libya on the departure legitimate freedom of expression and runs counter to of Colonel Gaddafi. [HL11396] Israel’s strong tradition of free and vigorous political debate. We understand that the law will be challenged in Israel’s courts. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Government Asked by Baroness Tonge are in regular contact with the National Transitional Council (NTC) on a wide range of issues, including To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment their plans for Libya’s stabilisation post-Gaddafi. My they have made of the treatment of British participants ″ ″ right honourable friend the Secretary of State for in the Flytilla by Israeli authorities; and what Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mahmoud discussions they had with the Government of Israel Jibril, head of the NTC executive committee, at the preventing participants from leaving the United 15 July Istanbul Libya Contact Group meeting. Kingdom. [HL11326]

Lord Howell of Guildford: Twelve British nationals Local Government: Finance were detained on 8 July at Ben Gurion Airport. All Question have now travelled back to the UK without charge. The legal basis for their detention is a matter for the Asked by Lord Rooker Israeli authorities, and for those who were detained to To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial follow up with their lawyers. However, our travel advice support is available to facilitate the co-ordination makes clear that travellers to the Occupied Palestinian of local government services at national level Territories may face difficulties on arrival. The British in providing information to central government nationals concerned were visited four times by consular departments at times of incidents and emergencies. staff, including a visit by our ambassador. Our ambassador [HL11177] was in repeated contact with the Israeli Government at a senior level to facilitate their return to the UK as quickly as possible, and his team were in frequent The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department communication with the Israelis to raise and resolve for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): issues at the working level. We will follow up any Funding for co-ordination and provision of information allegations of mistreatment with the Israeli authorities. in the event of incidents and emergencies was considered as part of the 2010 spending review and is reflected in the local government finance settlement for 2011-12 as Israel and Palestine agreed by the House of Commons on 9 February 2011. Question Formula grant is an unhypothecated block grant so Asked by Baroness Tonge local authorities are free to spend the grant on any service provided that they meet their statutory duties. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment For this reason, and due to the method of calculating they have made of the United Nations report into formula grant, particularly floor damping, it is not the killing of Palestinian protesters on Nakba day possible to identify how much grant has been provided on the border between Israel and Lebanon. for any particular service. It is for local authorities to [HL11053] set their budgets according to the needs of their local community. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are aware of the London Thames Gateway Development United Nations report into the Nakba Day protests and have studied it carefully. We recognise Israel’s Corporation important security needs but consistently underline Question the need for a proportionate response avoiding civilian Asked by Baroness King of Bow casualties. I refer the noble Baroness to the Statement that my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to made on 15 May, “I am deeply concerned by the the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 16 March violence on Israel’s borders today and saddened by the (WA 75), what representations they have received loss of life. I call on all parties to exercise restraint and from (a) the Mayor of London, (b) the London WA 423 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 424

Borough of Tower Hamlets, (c) London Thames The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Gateway Development Corporation, and (d) other Browning): Information relating to the number of interested local parties about the transfer of functions accession worker cards issued to Romanian and Bulgarian from London Thames Gateway Development nationals since their accession to the European Union Corporation back to the local authority. [HL11045] is published in the Bulgarian and Romanian accession statistics, which are published quarterly and are available in the Library of the House. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): We have not received any formal Migration Advisory Committee representations on the transfer of functions from the Question London Thames Gateway Development Corporation to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is the Asked by Lord Laird department’s intention to transfer all of its functions to local boroughs, except where a mayoral development To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to corporation has been designated. The decision to establish the Written Answer by Baroness Browning on 6 July a mayoral development corporation and to set its (WA 79), why they have no plans to alter the specific boundary rests with the Mayor of London. Migration Advisory Committee’s purpose and remit He consulted on his proposals for a corporation between to extend its membership beyond labour market February and April 2011 and sought representations economists, in the light of the recent request by the from the London Thames Gateway Development Home Secretary for it to assess the social impact of Corporation, local boroughs and other interested local immigration and its pressure on schools, hospitals, parties. council housing and other public services; and what is the committee’s expertise in those matters. [HL11360] Middle East Question The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Browning): The Migration Advisory Committee has Asked by Lord Hylton experience of providing analysis of the public service and social impacts of immigration, and has discussed To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their these matters in detail in last year’s published report priorities for the forthcoming United Nations Security on limiting migration. Committee members also have Council’s open debate on the Middle East. individual expertise and professional experience in a [HL11012] wide range of migration and economic issues beyond just labour markets. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth In response to the Home Secretary’s recent request, Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Our priorities for the committee is holding a series of workshops and the forthcoming United Nations Security Council open one-to-one meetings to ensure it receives a broad debate on the Middle East remain as they are now: to range of input from other leading academic experts. It continue to push hard for a return to negotiations on has also commissioned projects to external research the basis agreed by my right honourable friend the teams which will consider the wider impacts of migration. Prime Minister and President Obama: borders based on 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps; security for Israel; and the right for Palestinians to govern themselves National Insurance in a sovereign and contiguous state. We are working Questions hard with our international partners for a return to Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts negotiations on this basis. To ask Her Majesty’s Government which bodies are empowered to issue national insurance numbers. Migrant Workers: Bulgarians and [HL11255] Romanians Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance Asked by Lord Laird is given to bodies empowered to issue national insurance numbers on the procedures and checks to To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to be followed before any issue is made. [HL11256] the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 14 July (WA211), how many applications have been (a) made, (b) granted, and (c) turned down, by Bulgarians The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department and Romanians for (1) accession to work cards, for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Guidance exists (2) work permits (sector based scheme), (3) registration for both HMRC and Jobcentre Plus staff regarding the cards, (4) seasonal employment and agricultural processes for issuing NINos and the necessary checks work permits, (5) exempt registration cards, (6) student required. work permits, (7) highly skilled migrant programme HMRC is responsible for mainly automated processes permits, and (8) self-employed work permits, since for issuing NINos to young people just prior to the January 2007. [HL11361] age of 16. HMRC guidance regarding the issue of WA 425 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 426

NINos to young people can be found in the National NHS: EU Regulations Insurance Manual (NIM), which is available on the Question HMRC website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ nimmanual/index.htm. Asked by Baroness Quin DWP Jobcentre Plus is responsible for the allocation To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what of NINos to adults. This affects mainly adults entering circumstances, if any, services delivered by NHS the UK from abroad. An electronic copy of the Jobcentre organisations become subject to European Union Plus guidance to staff is in the House of Commons competition law. [HL11336] Library. Certain sections have been redacted as release of such information into the public domain could The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, potentially jeopardise the effectiveness of DWP Department of Health (Earl Howe): Where providers counterfraud measures. of NHS services are offering goods and services on a The same guidance is scheduled to be published on market, they would be engaging in economic activity the DWP internet site during week commencing 8 and as such would be considered undertakings for the August 2011: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/ purposes of European Union competition law. It is specialist-guides/. Once published it is intended to be possible for an entity to be engaged in economic updated every six months. activity in relation to some of its functions but not Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts others. However, there is legal uncertainty over whether National Health Service organisations would be acting To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the increase as undertakings because there is no directly applicable in outstanding National Insurance numbers from case law. 76.8 million in 2007 to 83.36 million currently is split between (a) United Kingdom citizens, (b) European Union citizens, and (c) others. [HL11430] Northern Ireland: Economy Questions Asked by Lord Kilclooney Lord Freud: An accurate breakdown including up-to- To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to date figures could only be provided at disproportionate the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on cost. 18 July (WA 230), why Johnston Press Weekly Papers were not invited to the launch event of the Figures for UK nationals are not available. consultation paper Relaunching the Northern Ireland The analysis of the 2007 NINo figures was derived Economy. [HL11398] from a snapshot in time and is therefore not comparable with the published NINo statistics. Baroness Verma: I refer the noble Lord to the However the DWP statistics—national insurance Answer given by the noble Lord, Lord Shutt of Greetland, number allocations to adult overseas nationals, from on 18 July 2011, Official Report, col. WA230. which the table below is derived, (published at http:// research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/niall/index.php?page Asked by Lord Kilclooney =nino_allocation)—provide information on NINo To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to registrations to adult overseas nationals entering the the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on UK by year of registration and world area: 19 July (WA 265), why the Northern Media Group radio stations based in rural Northern Ireland were not invited to the press launch of the consultation paper Relaunching the Northern Ireland Economy. NINo registrations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK, by [HL11436] Year of Registration and world area (in thousands) To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 19 July (WA 265), why was Citybeat Radio, based All 705.84 733.09 686.11 572.74 in Belfast, invited to the press launch of the consultation European 420.25 439.91 377.18 274.13 Relaunching the Northern Ireland Economy Union paper . [HL11437] Others 285.59 293.19 308.93 298.62 Definitions and conventions: Nil or negligible; figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and displayed in thousands. Some additional Baroness Verma: I refer the noble Lord to the disclosure controls has been suppled. Totals may not sum due to Answer given by the noble Lord, Lord Shutt of Greetland, rounding method used. on 19 July 2011, Official Report, col. WA265. NOTE: Registration date is derived from the date at which a NINo is maintained on the national insurance recording and pay as you Asked by Lord Kilclooney earn system (NPS). Source: 100% extract from NPS Notes: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to World area of origin based on a client’s nationality. The mapping of the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on “world areas” is based on the present day. Bulgaria and Romanian 19 July (WA 265), why questions relating to the are listed as EU accession states for entire back series. European Union includes accession states. Time series: year of registration press launch of HM Treasury’s consultation paper date years are shown as financial year (1 April-31 March ). Only Relaunching the Northern Ireland Economy are being complete financial years are shown. answered by the Northern Ireland Office.[HL11438] WA 427 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 428

Lord De Mauley: The Northern Ireland Office was Defence (MoD) disbanded the Home Service battalions responsible for media arrangements for the launch of of the Royal Irish Regiment, which took place between Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy in Northern March 2007 and March 2008. Following claims by a Ireland. number of former members of the Royal Irish Home Service Part-Time that they had been treated less favourably than their full-time counterparts in a number Northern Ireland: Human Rights of respects on disbandment, the MoD settled the Commission grievance out of court with no admission of liability. Questions Payments were paid for different reasons and were consequently of a different taxable nature. Asked by Lord Laird As advised in previous responses, these payments To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many were taxed in line with normal employment income people applied for the position of Chief Commissioner tax rules but payments made on the termination of and Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human employment are subject to specific rules. A genuine ex Rights Commission respectively; how many were gratia redundancy payment is not a reward for an short-listed for interview; and whether all those employee’s services—it is compensation for the premature recommended by the appointments panel were loss of his or her job. Nevertheless, any excess of appointed by the Secretary of State. [HL11469] payments above £30,000 are treated as employment income by the law. Further detail is not publicly available on grounds of taxpayer confidentiality. Lord De Mauley: The Northern Ireland Office received nine completed applications for the position of Chief Commissioner, six of whom were invited for interview Palestine and 96 applications for the Commissioner posts, 27 of Question whom were invited for interview. These appointments Asked by Lord Turnberg are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) which requires that To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Ministers are provided with a choice of at least two the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford appointable candidates for each vacancy. It is therefore on 5 April (WA362), in reviewing available independent inevitable that not all candidates recommended by the studies about race hatred in Palestinian school text- appointments panel will be appointed. books, what account they took of the recent report of the Institute for monitoring peace and cultural Asked by Lord Laird tolerance in school education (IMPACT-SE) in Jerusalem. [HL11136] To ask Her Majesty’s Government what staff positions in the Northern Ireland Human Rights The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Commission have been abolished in the last 18 months; Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Officials from the how many individuals have been made redundant; Foreign and Commonwealth Office met with IMPACT-SE what was the basis and the terms of redundancy for in July 2011 to discuss its recent report, which is one of those that left; and whether any have been offered a number we have received on these issues. We are alternative employment. [HL11470] reviewing the report and will follow up on any points that we believe to be of concern. Lord De Mauley: These are operational matters for The Government’s wider position as set out in the the commission, which operates independently of response dated 5 April 2011, Official Report, col. WA362, government. The noble Lord may wish to write to the is based on independent research, including that conducted commission directly on these matters. by the US Congressional Research Service and the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information Northern Ireland: Recognition Payments on behalf of the US Department of State. Question Passports Asked by Lord Laird Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Asked by Lord Rooker the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 6 July To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (WA 82), what were the various payments made, or passports belonging to people who have been allowed proposed to be made, to members and former members into the United Kingdom are retained by the UK of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Irish Border Agency pending inquiry; where such passports Regiment under special schemes since the 1998 are held; and for how long. [HL11355] Belfast Agreement; and whether they will indicate (a) their respective status for tax and national insurance The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness purposes, and (b) the reasons for the payments in Browning): It is UK Border Agency policy to retain relation to employment and redundancy. [HL11082] the travel documents of all passengers arriving in the UK who are granted temporary admission to the UK The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord either following refusal of entry or pending enquiries. Sassoon): As a result of the normalisation of the The specific information requested could only be political situation in Northern Ireland, the Ministry of provided at disproportionate cost. WA 429 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 430

Pensions Net liability as at 31March 2010 Questions Name of scheme £billion Asked by Lord Laird National Health Service (NHS) 287.6 Pension Scheme To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Teachers’ Pension Scheme 223.9 the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 13 July (England & Wales) (WA 190-91), on what evidence is the figure of Principal Civil Service Pension 155.2 16 per cent of public sector employees not being Scheme members of their occupational pension schemes Armed Forces Pension Scheme 120.7 based; what were the particular reasons given for Police Pension Scheme 101.7 non-membership; and whether employees can currently Local Government Pension 100.4 opt out without taking up a private pension option Scheme Scottish NHS Pension Scheme 29.2 if under state retirement age. [HL11284] Scottish Teachers Pension 24.4 Scheme Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 19.4 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Health & Social Care Pension 13.0 Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): The Scheme - Northern Ireland figure of 16 per cent of public sector employees not being members of their occupational pension schemes comes from the annual survey of hours and earnings Police and firefighters’ pension amounts do not (ASHE) for 2010. include liabilities that are accounted for by local authorities This is a sample survey of employers based on their that are not specifically police or fire authorities. It is PAYE and VAT registrations, and aims to represent all not possible separately to identify these liabilities but industries and occupations in Great Britain who have they are included in an amount of £21.7 billion which submitted such registrations. In 2010 there were 181,000 is included in the unaudited 2009-10 WGA as “Other returns to the survey. unfunded Schemes”. ASHE does not collect information on reasons for In the unfunded central public service schemes, non-membership. where notional assets fall short of the liabilities in respect of past service, the shortfall is addressed by an Employees can opt out without having to make adjustment to the contribution rate. Typically, scheme alternative pension provision, although they would regulations state that a deficit should be eliminated by then be contracted in to the state second pension. means of an additional contribution, spread over a Asked by Lord Laird period of 15 years. In the funded local government pension scheme, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the decisions on the funding strategy are taken at a local sources in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s level. Typically, where deficits exist, additional July 2011 fiscal sustainability report for the net contributions, spread over an average period of around present value of public sector pension payments 20 years, are paid to ensure the fund returns to balance. being £1,133 billion; what are the prospective pension payments liabilities in the 10 largest public sector pension schemes; and whether they are obliged to Planning top up those schemes in the event of a shortfall. Question [HL11358] Asked by Lord Greaves To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to replace the advice to local planning authorities The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord in Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Sassoon): The sources in the Office for Budget Frameworks; how this will be done; and what other Responsibility’s (OBR) July 2011 fiscal sustainability guidance to local planning authorities will remain report for the net present value of public sector pension in place in relation to local development frameworks. payments being £1,133 billion were the unaudited [HL11286] Whole of Government Account (WGA) figures as at 31 March 2010 and were released on the same date as The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the OBR report. Department for Communities and Local Government These figures are drawn from the audited 31 March (Baroness Hanham): We are in the process of reviewing 2010 pension liability figures provided by each reporting and consolidating all planning policy statements, planning entity to HM Treasury, in order to produce the policy guidance notes and some circulars. We will consolidated WGA. Individual entity figures, as at publish a draft National Planning Policy Framework 31 March 2011, are not yet fully available as all accounts for public consultation shortly. This includes policy for the 2010-11 financial year have not yet been laid. issues covered in Planning Policy Statement 12. The audited consolidated position for 2010-11 will be Existing government guidance on the preparation available in WGA during 2012. of local plans is contained in the online Plan Making The prospective pension payments liabilities in the Manual, which is hosted by Local Government 10 largest (by net liability) individual public sector Improvement and Development’s Planning Advisory pension schemes are shown in the following table: Service. WA 431 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 432

Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Asked by Lord Boateng Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria Asked by Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen they use to determine whether documents relating to individuals involved in independence movements To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many in the United Kingdom’s former colonies are released persons charged with being in breach of a restraining to the National Archives. [HL11206] order under Section 5 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 were (a) prosecuted, and (b) not prosecuted in (1) 2009–10, and (2) 2010–11. Lord Howell of Guildford: Section 2 of the Lord [HL11433] Chancellor’s code of practice on the management of records issued under Section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sets out the criteria for release The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of information to the National Archives. The Foreign of Tankerness): The records held by the Crown Prosecution and Commonwealth Office takes decisions on which Service (CPS) identify the number of offences charged documents should be disclosed on that basis. under Section 5 of the Protection from Harassment The code of practice can be found at http://www. Act 1997 in which a prosecution commenced rather justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/foi-section-46-code-of- than the number of defendants prosecuted. During practice.pdf. the past two years the number of these offences was as follows: 1) 2009-10 2,944 2) 2010-11 5,922 Republic of Ireland Question CPS records do not identify the number of defendants prosecuted, or not prosecuted, for specific offences. Asked by Lord Laird This information may be retrieved only by locating and examining every relevant file in each CPS office in To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there England and Wales which would incur a disproportionate are any purposes for which the Republic of Ireland cost. is not considered to be a foreign country. [HL11332]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Republic of Public Records: Colonial Documents Ireland is a sovereign and independent state and is Questions recognised as such under international law. However Asked by Lord Luce there are instances in UK law where Ireland is deemed not a ″foreign country″—for example, in Section 2 of To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is the Ireland Act 1949, enacted when the Republic of being taken to recover the remaining 13 boxes of Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth, and the top secret files in relation to the Kenyan Mau Mau British Nationality Act 1981, which defines the term rebellion to complete the release of all known ″foreign country″ as excluding the Republic of Ireland. documents held on the subject. [HL11099]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Rifat Assad Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Foreign and Question Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed that it Asked by Baroness Tonge has been unable to locate or to confirm what happened to 13 boxes of top secret files sent to the UK from the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment former colonial administration in Kenya prior to they have made of the presence of Rifat Assad in independence. In connection with an ongoing legal the United Kingdom in the light of his role in the case, the FCO carried out a wide-ranging search for 1982 massacre at Hama. [HL11054] these files earlier this year. This search covered FCO buildings in the UK as well as other government departments and agencies to which the files could have The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness been transferred. Browning): The Home Office does not routinely comment On 30 June 2011, my right honourable friend the on individual cases. Foreign Secretary set out in a Written Ministerial However, the Government are committed to ensuring Statement the terms of reference for the independent the UK does not become a refuge for suspected reviewer, who will oversee the transfer of the migrated perpetrators of international crimes. Where there is archive files from the FCO to the National Archives sufficient evidence, it is possible to take immigration (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 66WS). action on the grounds of an individual’s character, These terms of reference include independent scrutiny conduct or associations. This includes those suspected of the steps the FCO has taken to locate or confirm of involvement in international crimes or who represent destruction of the missing top secret Kenya files. a threat to national security. WA 433 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 434

School Standards and Framework Sexual Offences Act 2003 Act 1998 Question Asked by Lord Dubs Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions and how many convictions by year Asked by Lord Avebury there have been since the passage of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 under (a) Section 52, causing or To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they inciting prostitution for gain, (b) Section 53, controlling will place in the Library of the House counsel’s prostitution for gain, (c) Section 57, trafficking into advice to the Equality and Human Rights Commission the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation, (d) on the compatibility of Section 60 of the School Section 58, trafficking within the United Kingdom Standards and Framework Act 1998 with European for sexual exploitation, and (e) Section 59, trafficking Union law. [HL10192] out of the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation; and how many of those resulted in (1) a prison sentence, and (2) a suspended prison sentence. [HL11420] The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Browning): The number of defendants proceeded against The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts, by Browning): A copy of counsel’s advice to the Equality result, for selected offences under the Sexual Offences and Human Rights Commission has been placed in Act 2003, England and Wales, 2004 to 2010 are in the the Library of the House. following table.

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts, by result, for selected offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003(1), England and Wales, 2004 to 2010(2)(3)(4)(5)

2004 2005 2006 2007

Offence Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate description against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody

S.52 - —1—2—1—122—2111— causing or inciting prostitution for gain

S.53 – 1———123— 31811—102324317 controlling prostitution for gain

S.57 - 5———109— 9196—6 79—9 trafficking into the UK for sexual exploitation

S.58 - ————163— 3219—9185— 4 trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation

S.59 - —————————————1—1 trafficking out of the UK for sexual exploitation

2008 2009 2010 Offence Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate description against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody

S.52 - 16—676—672—3 causing or inciting prostitution for gain S.53 - 24 31 4 25 23 22 3 17 15 17 3 12 controlling prostitution for gain WA 435 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 436

2008 2009 2010 Offence Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate Proceeded Found Suspended Immediate description against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody against guilty sentence custody

S.57 - 20 11 1 10 20 15 1 14 8 3 — 3 trafficking into the UK for sexual exploitation S.58 - 33 13 — 13 113 8 1 7 16 7 — 7 trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation SS.59 - ——————————— trafficking out of the UK for sexual exploitation

(1) The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1st May This estimate is based on the 2007-08 Survey of 2004. Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences March 2011 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. It also for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found includes an estimated behavioural adjustment to reflect guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed changes in labour supply for this age group. 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 Social Fund are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that Question these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a Asked by Baroness King of Bow consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account To ask Her Majesty’s Government who were the when those data are used. 68 individuals and organisations who responded to (4) The number of defendants found guilty in a particular the Department for Work and Pensions Green Paper year may exceed the number proceeded against as the on Social Fund reform published in March 2010, proceedings in the magistrates’ court took place in an earlier year and whether they will publish a summary of those and the defendants were found guilty at the Crown Court in the responses. [HL11043] following year; or the defendants were found guilty of a different offence to that for which they were originally proceeded against. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, (5) The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Including sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following late submissions, a total of 72 responses were received year. to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation (6) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates’ court for April, July paper Social Fund Reform: Debt, Credit and Low-income and August 2008. Households (Cm 7750), which was published in March Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of 2010. Justice. Details of the respondents to the consultation are [Ref: IOS 407-11] set out in table 1 and a summary of responses to the proposals are in table 2.

Social Care: Funding Table 1: consultation respondents Question 1. A4E Asked by Lord Warner 2. Association of British Credit Unions 3. Access to Benefits (Northern Ireland) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what resources 4. Advice Centres for Avon could be made available to improve the funding of adult social care by requiring those over the age for 5. Advice NI payment of the state pension who are in employment 6. Advice Services Coventry to pay national insurance contributions. [HL11162] 7. Age UK 8. Alzheimer’s Scotland The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord 9. Barnardo’s Sassoon): We estimate that around £500 million would 10. Rt Hon David Blunkett MP be raised in 2011-12 if individuals over state pension age who are in employment were required to pay 11. BM and C Howard Funeral Services national insurance contributions. 12. Brighton and Hove Multi Agency WA 437 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 438

13. British Bankers Association 43. National Association of Funeral Directors 14. Broadway Homelessness Support 44. National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers 15. Trevor Buck 45. Northern Irish Association for the Care and 16. Calderdale CAB Resettlement of Offenders 17. Christians Against Poverty 46. National Offender Management Service 18. Citizen’s Advice 47. National Union of Students 19. Connection Floating Support Team 48. Peabody Trust 20. Consumer Focus 49. Personal Finance Research Centre, University of Bristol 21. Child Poverty Action Group 50. Plymouth City Council 22. Credit Action 51. Public & Commercial Services Union 23. Crisis 52. Reading Refugee Support Group 24. Committee for Social Development, Northern Ireland Assembly 53. Refugee Action 25. Durham County Council 54. Richmond Aid 26. Essex County Council Evansabove 55. RL Glasspool Charity Trust 27. Teresa Evans 56. Saskia Szokolovics 28. Family Action 57. Save the Children UK 29. Furniture Reuse Network 58. SAY Women 30. Gingerbread 59. Scope 31. Gary Greaves 60. Social Fund Commissioner 32. Hertfordshire County Council 61. Solihull Churches Action on Homelessness 33. HLG 62. South East Homeless Forum 63. South Lanarkshire Council 34. Home Group 64. Social Security Advisory Committee 35. Homeless Link 65. Stockport Advice 36. Brian Howard 66. Stonham Floating Support 37. Federation of Irish Societies 67. Swansea Council 38. Financial Inclusion Taskforce 68. Toynbee Hall 39. Lancashire County Council 69. Trades Union Council 40. Law Centre NI/Housing Rights Service 70. Wavertree CAB 41. Local Government Association 71. Wonga 42. Money Advice Trust 72. Yorkshire Housing

Table 2: summary of consultation questions and responses

Proposal Description Summary of Stakeholder Responses

Proposals for early change: “a simpler loans The Green Paper suggested this could be •Support for easier access to BLs and eligibility structure with transparency around eligibility achieved through: from day one, but at same rate in first 6 months. criteria and much more targeted discretion”. •Easier, lighter-touch access to budgeting loans • Support for signposting to services enhancing (BL); financial inclusion and opportunities for •BLs from day one for most customers; increased support but not for it to be conditional, •Signposting to the Money Guidance service; and delivered at appropriate time, dependent •A lower maximum award amount in the first on individual’s circumstances. six months of benefit (than currently awarded for budgeting loans (BLs)); A requirement for an interview on second application for a crisis loan (CL).

Longer-term proposals: ″changes which will The Green Paper was fairly open on how this •Support for single application gateway, with reduce complexity and increase the levels of might be achieved, but made a number of calls to include CCG applications in process. support available to address customers’ longer- suggestions: •Support for financial health checks and further term needs″. •a single point of entry to the loans scheme engagement, on personalised basis and not (rather than the present three); conditional to award. •a full financial health check at a suitable • Responses identified Third Sector organisations stage; as best to carry out interventions, CAB most •requiring those who need frequent help to referenced. draw up plans with advisers; •active engagement with support services as a requirement for receiving a loan. The Green Paper also asked which organisations would be best placed to provide greater support. WA 439 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 440

Table 2: summary of consultation questions and responses Proposal Description Summary of Stakeholder Responses

″a reformed grants system should ensure that The Green Paper proposed that the grants •General backing for provision of goods and payments go to those who are experiencing scheme could be better focused by: services instead of cash for grants in principle, the most exceptional need″. •targeting the discretionary grant scheme on with concerns around reduction of choice, those facing exceptional need with a greater fear of stigmatisation, contradictory to wider element of support; message of developing financial independence. •provision of goods and services instead of •Wide support for regulated resettlement grants: cash for grants; and call for extending eligibility beyond groups •a new standardised resettlement grant, currently eligible for CCGs, including those potentially delivered through a regulated scheme, leaving prison. but with separate arrangements for those leaving prison. ″we are considering whether to extend help The Green Paper asked whether students not •General support for widening to students in with funeral costs to... students who do not in receipt of benefits should be eligible for a full-time higher education qualify for welfare benefits” funeral payment where they meet all the other •Queries over why extension of eligibility limited qualifying conditions and how they should be to students only — why not those on identified. contributions-based benefits, young people on lower rates of benefits “Community Care Grants... may lend themselves The Green Paper asked whether the power to Limited response to this issue. Majority more easily [than loans] to be delivered by an make Community Care Grants and a per responded negatively to proposals. Two responses alternative provider to Jobcentre Plus″ capita proportion of the CCG budget should from Scottish organisations: one advised caution, be devolved to the Scottish Government and one supportive. what the benefits would be.

South Wales Police appropriate weight given to their considerations Question and views concerning the future of the swimming training qualifications market. [HL11463] Asked by Lord Laird To ask Her Majesty’s Government when Sport To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they England last consulted local authorities about (a) have any plans to refer to the Independent Police their satisfaction with the Amateur Swimming Complaints Commission an allegation of political Association as the national governing body for interference in the work of police community support swimming, and (b) their views on its operations and officers in the Cardiff East division of the South conduct in representing the best interests of the Wales constabulary. [HL11471] sport. [HL11464] To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Minister for Sport last met the Chief Executive of Browning): The Government have no role in referring Sport England and Skills Active to discuss the allegations to the Independent Police Complaints conduct of the Amateur Swimming Association, Commission. The work of police community support and any potential conflict of interest as both the officers is an operational matter for South Wales Police. national governing body for swimming and a Any individual wishing to make a complaint may do commercial training provider. [HL11465] so either directly to the force in question, the relevant To ask Her Majesty’s Government when Sport police authority or to the Independent Police Complaints England will review the impact on supplier competition Commission. of the funding conditions the Amateur Swimming Association has placed on local authorities when supervising the distribution of government funding Sport and grants. [HL11466] Questions Asked by Lord Clement-Jones Lord De Mauley: Sport England recognises that To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the national governing bodies (NGBs) are the experts in remit of Skills Active under the terms of its licence; their sports and that they must take responsibility for and what responsibility it has to ensure there is growing participation in their sport. Therefore, NGBs adequate consultation with industry stakeholders like the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) are in the development of sport-specific training free to invest Sport England funding in activities or qualifications. [HL11461] organisations they believe can help them meet their To ask Her Majesty’s Government what obligations outcomes; this includes investing in local authority Skills Active has under the terms of its licence to sports activity. consider and work alongside industry stakeholders If an NGB is not meeting its contracted outcomes when there is evidence of misconduct by a national as set out in its whole sport plan funding agreement governing body for sport, or complaints that a and not making any attempt to redress performance in governing body has a commercial conflict of a way which is deemed satisfactory, then investment interest. [HL11462] will be decommitted. Sport England will also suspend To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards or decommit funding if an NGB is judged to fall short they will put in place to ensure that the two major of certain governance regulations or is not fit to stakeholders in swimming teacher training have receive public funding. WA 441 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 442

NGBs are formally reviewed on a six-monthly basis its role as the national governing body of swimming by Sport England against the terms and conditions of and its commercial operations, in particular in the the contracts for which they receive investment. This swimming training market. [HL11129] takes into account only the activities they undertake To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Sport to deliver on the outcomes set within the contracts. England receives audited accounts from the Amateur Sport England has not specifically consulted local Swimming Association; and whether they will review authorities to outline their levels of satisfaction with its funding allocations and the conditions which it the ASA or views on its operations and conduct. has attached to local authorities when allocating The Minister for Sport and the Olympics has had government funding. [HL11130] no recent discussions about the conduct of the ASA. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance Where there are issues relating to NGBs performance Sport England has given to the Amateur Swimming or behaviour outside of governance or contracted Association about the conditions which may be outcomes, Sport England is not obliged to interfere. attached to grants and funding allocations to local With regard to using public funds to run anti- authorities. [HL11131] competitive activity, the Community Swimming Limited (CSL) is the self-sustaining private company that has To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the been set up with support from the ASA to deliver terms of the funding contract between Sport England swimming in venues that would not normally be available and the Amateur Swimming Association. [HL11132] for community use. The company is controlled by a To ask Her Majesty’s Government when Sport board of independent trustees where the ASA has a England last reviewed the operations of the Amateur limited minority right of representation. As CSL does Swimming Association to assess whether it is fit for not use funding from Sport England, Sport England purpose and serving the best interests of swimming has no jurisdiction over the way in which it operates and the public. [HL11300] and it is up to the discretion of leisure operators who they appoint to deliver classes. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Sport England will conduct a review into the conduct In terms of the issues the Swimming Teachers and communications of the Amateur Swimming Association has with the ASA regarding recognition Association in the light of complaints of anti- of swimming teaching as a separate qualification from competitive conduct; and, if so, when. [HL11301] coaching swimming, a meeting is due to take place in September 2011. The purpose of this is for the ASA To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment and the STA, together with Skills Active and Sports they have made of the merits of restricting the Coach UK, to discuss the concerns of both parties Amateur Swimming Association’s remit to swimming and agree a way forward. The Minister for Sport and coaching only, thereby removing its commercial the Olympics will be kept informed of progress. functions. [HL11302] Finally, Skills Active is the sector skills council for To ask Her Majesty’s Government to whom active leisure, learning and well-being licensed by the complaints against a national governing body for Government and driven by the needs of employers. A sport should be directed if there is evidence to key aspect of its work is to develop a framework of suggest misconduct or anti-competitive behaviour. occupational standards which meet the needs of employers [HL11303] and underpin job roles in the sector. Skills Active does have the power to intervene in disagreements between To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the bodies regarding qualifications and training but its constitutional remit of Sport England; and what role is to represent the employer view on what they power it has to direct and supervise the conduct of need for their staff. national governing bodies for sport. [HL11304]

Lord De Mauley: Sport England is not a regulator Sport: Swimming of sport or a national governing body of sport. It is an Questions arm’s-length body, with responsibility for delivering a lasting increase in sports participation. Asked by Lord Clement-Jones Sport England principally invests in 46 national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) to deliver this aim, To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they through whole sport plans. Investments are made on will review the operations of the Amateur Swimming the basis of delivering outcomes for sports participation, Association in its capacity as the national governing and it is Sport England’s responsibility to assess progress body for swimming. [HL11127] against these outcomes. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards Details of the 46 NGB whole sport plans can Sport England has put in place to ensure that the be found on the Sport England website http://www. Amateur Swimming Association does not use its sportengland.org/funding/ngb_investment/ngb_whole position as the national governing body for swimming _sport_plans.aspx to further its commercial training arm. [HL11128] Sport England recognises that NGBs are the experts To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance in their sports and that they must take responsibility Sport England has issued to the Amateur Swimming for growing participation in their sport. Therefore, Association regarding any conflict of interest between NGBs are free to invest Sport England funding in WA 443 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 444 activities or organisations they believe can help them Lord Howell of Guildford: We have consistently meet their outcomes; this includes investing in local made clear to the Government of South Sudan the authority sports activity. importance of transparency and accountability in all If an NGB is not meeting its contracted outcomes, their activities. Proper use of South Sudan’s oil wealth as set out in its whole sport plan funding agreement, is vital to allow economic diversification and the long-term and not making any attempt to redress performance in prosperity of the country. a way which is deemed satisfactory, then investment Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool will be de-committed. Sport England will also suspend or de-commit funding if an NGB is judged to fall To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment short of certain governance regulations or is not fit to they have made of reports of the aerial bombardment receive public funding. by the armed forces of the Republic of the Sudan in the Nuba Mountains. [HL11207] NGBs are formally reviewed on a six-monthly basis by Sport England against the terms and conditions of the contracts for which they receive investment. This Lord Howell of Guildford: We are gravely concerned only takes into account the activities they undertake by reports of aerial bombardments by Sudan armed to deliver on the outcomes set within the contracts. forces in Southern Kordofan and the casualties that Where there are issues relating to NGBs’ performance they have caused. My honourable friend the Parliamentary or behaviour outside of governance or contracted Under-Secretary of State (Mr Bellingham) will be outcomes, Sport England is not obliged to interfere. raising this subject with the Government of Sudan in meetings in Khartoum this week. We call on both With regard to using public funds to run anti- sides to put in place an immediate ceasefire and to competitive activity, the Amateur Swimming Association’s allow humanitarian access to those affected by the (ASA’s) Community Swimming Limited (CSL) is the ongoing fighting. self-financed arm of the ASA which runs swimming classes for private operators, including LA Fitness. As Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool CSL does not use funding from Sport England, Sport To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they England has no jurisdiction over the way in which it will refer the bomb attack on the hospital north of operates and it is up to the discretion of LA Fitness as Kauda Valley in Southern Kordofan to the to whom they appoint to deliver classes. International Criminal Court for investigation. In terms of the issues the Swimming Teachers [HL11208] Association (STA) has with the ASA regarding recognition of swimming teaching as a separate qualification from Lord Howell of Guildford: We are deeply concerned coaching swimming, a meeting is due to take place in by reports of this attack on the hospital north of September 2011, the purpose of which is for the ASA Kauda Valley and other attacks. We continue to urge and the STA, together with SkillsActive and sports for a ceasefire, and for access so that these claims can coach UK, to discuss the concerns of both parties and be fully investigated. We will, if necessary, consider agree a way forward. The Minister for Sport and the action to refer the situation in Southern Kordofan to Olympics will be kept informed of progress. the International Criminal Court. Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool Sudan To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Questions will place the situation in Southern Kordofan before Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead the United Nations Security Council, and call for a discussion of the implications of the withdrawal of To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps the United Nations peacekeeping force from the they are taking to ensure that the countries of Republic of the Sudan’s border areas by the end of North and South Sudan reach an equitable and next month. [HL11209] transparent agreement on Sudan’s oil wealth. [HL11178] Lord Howell of Guildford: The United Nations Security Council discussed the situation in Southern Kordofan, The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth including the implications of the withdrawal of the Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We strongly support United Nations Missions in Sudan, on 15 July. It the efforts of Thabo Mbeki and the African Union issued a statement (http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp? High Level Panel in its efforts to resolve all outstanding NewsID=39059&Cr=kordofan&Cr1=) underlining its issues from the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between grave concern and calling for an immediate cessation Sudan and South Sudan. We continue to urge the of hostilities. We are disappointed that the Government Governments of both countries to make the compromises of Sudan rejected the UN Security Council’s request necessary in the interests of the peoples and economies to maintain peacekeepers in Southern Kordofan and of both countries. Blue Nile states. Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they are taking to support the Government of they have made of the air bombings in Darfur and South Sudan to manage their oil wealth in a transparent Southern Kordofan; and whether they intend to and accountable way, which meets the needs of the ask the United Nations Security Council for the people of South Sudan. [HL11179] creation of a no-fly zone. [HL11210] WA 445 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 446

Lord Howell of Guildford: While we do not hold an Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool assessment of the number of incidents, we remain deeply concerned by reports of aerial bombing in To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Darfur and Southern Kordofan. A no-fly zone in Darfur will make representations to United Nations agencies and Southern Kordofan would be a major logistical to publish on a regular basis comprehensive data challenge due to the size of Darfur and Southern on the humanitarian and human rights situation in Kordofan. In Darfur, the African Union-United Nations Darfur. [HL11268] Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is mandated to monitor military activity, including flights prohibited by UN Lord Howell of Guildford: The UN Secretary-General Security Council Resolution 1591. We urge all parties reports on the African Union-United Nations hybrid to the conflicts in both Darfur and Southern Kordofan operation in Darfur every 90 days. These reports include to agree terms for ceasefires and negotiations for assessments of the humanitarian and human rights lasting peace. situation in Darfur and are available at http:// Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unamid/ reports.shtml. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool they have made of the number of bombing raids on Darfur by the Government of Sudan during 2010, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their and to the end of April 2011. [HL11212] response to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) report on The Human Rights Situation Lord Howell of Guildford: While we do not hold an During The Recent Violence in Southern Kordofan assessment of the number of incidents, we remain Sudan. [HL11413] deeply concerned by reports of aerial bombing in Darfur. We call on the Government of Sudan to live The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth up to their obligations to protect civilians and call on Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The report to which all parties to work towards a ceasefire across Darfur. the noble Lord refers is very worrying: the allegations Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool of mass graves, the targeting of civilians and the continuing lack of humanitarian access only add to To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they our great concern over Southern Kordofan. We have sought a discussion in the United Nations immediately discussed the report with the United Nations Security Council about infringements of Resolution Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) officials and with other 1591 (2005), prohibiting bombing raids on Darfur, partners, including the US. We have also repeatedly and about reports that chemicals released as result called on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan of the bombing raids have made the soil unsafe to People’s Liberation Army to bring an end to the grow crops. [HL11265] violence. We continue to work closely with the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Khartoum to seek urgent access for humanitarian agencies in order that human Lord Howell of Guildford: The UN Security Council rights abuses can be fully investigated. The Parliamentary last discussed Darfur on 22 July. The situation in Under-Secretary of State, my honourable friend Darfur is discussed every 90 days, based around the Mr Bellingham, has already urged the UN Security Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of Council to further investigate the contents of the the resolution on Darfur. The UK continues to condemn report and present his findings to the Security Council. military action in Darfur and to call on all parties to work for an immediate ceasefire. We are not aware of Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool reports of chemicals released as a result of the bombing To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they raids affecting crop growth. intend to press for a referral to the International Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool Criminal Court of events in Southern Kordofan in the light of the findings in the report by the United To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on The Human will make representations to the African Union and Rights Situation During The Recent Violence in United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur to obtain Southern Kordofan Sudan. [HL11414] unrestricted access to all areas of Darfur in which civilians are in need of protection. [HL11267] Lord Howell of Guildford: The contents of the report to which the noble Lord refers are deeply Lord Howell of Guildford: As set out in African concerning. While in New York on 13 July, the Union-United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my honourable (UNAMID) mandate, the UN and African Union friend Mr Bellingham, urged the UN Under Secretary- have an essential role to play in the protection of General for Peacekeeping to further investigate the civilians and the safety and security of humanitarian very concerning United Nations Mission in Sudan personnel and humanitarian activities. We continue to (UNMIS) report on human rights abuses in Southern urge the Government of Sudan and all other armed Kordofan, and report more fully to the Security Council. movements to grant UNAMID, and humanitarian We will, if necessary, consider action to refer the agencies, full and unhindered access throughout Darfur situation in Southern Kordofan to the International and to all those affected by conflict. Criminal Court. WA 447 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 448

Asked by The Earl of Sandwich Lord Sassoon: The UK is working with G20 partners on a range of issues related to tax evasion and avoidance To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures in developing countries, as set out in the G20’s Multi they propose to put to the United Nations Security Year Action Plan on Development, agreed at the G20 Council to protect civilians in South Kordofan. summit in Seoul in November 2010. The results of this [HL11458] work will be reported to the G20 summit in November 2011. Lord Howell of Guildford: Now that the UN Mission Asked by Lord Empey in Sudan’s mandate has expired, it is all the more urgent to find a mechanism for protecting civilians in To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conditions Southern Kordofan. The most critical immediate steps will be required to be applied by European Union are the agreement of a ceasefire and for humanitarian state aid rules in the event of a decision to devolve access to be allowed to the areas most affected by the the responsibility for determining the rate of current violence. We continue to urgently push both, corporation tax in Northern Ireland to the Northern working closely with the UN Resident Co-ordinator Ireland Assembly. [HL11431] in Khartoum and other international partners, including through the Security Council.

Taxation: Corporation Tax Lord Sassoon: Devolving any tax rate varying power Questions must satisfy the European Court of Justice decision on the ″Azores Case″. This set out the criteria which Asked by Lord Empey would need to be met for regional differences in direct taxation not to involve state aid and to be compliant To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their with EU law. These conditions are: estimated yield of corporation tax for the financial years (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, and (c) 2012-13. the decision to introduce the regional difference in [HL11390] direct taxation must have been taken by a region which has a political and administrative status Asked by Lord Empey separate from that of the central government (institutional autonomy); To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the yield of corporation tax for the financial years the decision must have been adopted without the (a) 2008-09, and (b) 2009-10. [HL11391] central government being able directly to intervene as regards its content (procedural autonomy); and Asked by Lord Empey the full fiscal consequences of a reduction of the To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was, or national tax rate for undertakings in the region is, the estimated yield of corporation tax for (a) must not be offset by aid or subsidies from other England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, and (d) Northern regions or central government (fiscal autonomy). Ireland, for (1) 2008-09, (2) 2009-10, (3) 2010-11, Asked by Lord Empey (4) 2011-12, and (5) 2012-13. [HL11392] To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the event of devolution to the Northern Ireland The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Assembly of the responsibility for setting the rate Sassoon): The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) of corporation tax in Northern Ireland, it will be produces a corporation tax forecast for the UK, shown possible to establish different thresholds for the in table 4.7 of its economic and fiscal outlook. The application of various rates of corporation tax. March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook is available [HL11432] here: http://budgetresponsibilty.independent.gov.uk/ economic-and-fiscal-outlook-march-2011/. Historical figures for corporation tax receipts, up to and including 2010-11, are regularly updated and published in table 11.1 on the HM Revenue and Customs Lord Sassoon: The Treasury’s consultation paper (HMRC) National Statistics website. The latest update Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy sets out is available here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate both UK-wide and devolved policies for rebalancing _tax/table11_1.pdf. the Northern Ireland economy, an objective which HMRC does not publish estimates of corporation both the UK Government and the Northern Ireland tax by region and the OBR does not forecast corporation Executive share. It also considers possible mechanisms tax split by region. for devolving corporation tax rate varying powers to Northern Ireland and includes a description of the Asked by Lord Teverson costs and benefits of doing so. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps No decisions have been taken on whether to devolve they will be taking, together with other G20 nations, corporation tax to Northern Ireland or on the precise to ensure that multinational companies do not avoid scope of corporation tax devolution. Greater degrees paying corporate taxes that are due to the developing of devolution would be likely to increase administrative nations in which they operate. [HL11426] burdens for business. WA 449 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 450

Turkey The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Question Sassoon): The Government’s shareholdings in the banks are managed on a commercial and arm’s-length basis Asked by Lord Patten by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI), a company To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to which is wholly owned by the Government. the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford UKFI’s role is to manage the investments, not to on 28 June (WA 417), what assessment they have manage the banks. The banks retain their own made of whether Turkey is fulfilling its Organisation independent boards and management teams to manage for Security and Co-operation in Europe commitments the banks commercially, without interference from on media freedom. [HL11097] shareholders. Operational management decisions are The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth for the banks themselves without interference from Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): It is for the Organisation shareholders (including UKFI). We do not have any for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to data on the amount of lending made available to determine whether Turkey is meeting its OSCE start-up companies. commitments on media freedom. We have closely followed On 9 February 2011, the Chancellor announced a the recent statements regarding Turkey by the OSCE new commitment by the UK’s biggest high-street banks Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja on lending expectations and capacity. Seventy-six billion Mijatovic, and continue to monitor the situation. We pounds of this lending capacity will be available to expect Turkey to fulfil its OSCE commitments, including small and medium-sized enterprises. This is a 15 per those on freedom of the media. cent increase on 2010 lending of £66 billion.

Turks and Caicos Islands Universal Credit Questions Question Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many responses they have received to the publication on To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the new draft constitution for the Turks and Caicos the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 28 March Islands; and how many of these responses support (WA 231–3), whether a decision has yet been taken the new constitution. [HL11151] on the frequency with which universal credit will be paid; and whether a decision has been taken on the The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth appropriate budgeting support for people on low Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Twenty-one e-mails incomes who may have difficulties managing their were sent to the constitutional inbox. All commented financial affairs should universal credit be paid in detail on aspects of the draft constitution that were monthly. [HL11316] of interest to them. None of these responses indicated either support or opposition to the draft constitution. Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): We To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their are considering the period of the assessment and the planned timetable for introducing a new constitution frequency of payments. There will be some households in the Turks and Caicos Islands. [HL11153] which need more help to budget and for whom exceptional rules may need to be followed, and we are carefully Lord Howell of Guildford: The Order in Council considering arrangements for those. containing the new draft constitution was made by the Privy Council on 13 July 2011 and was laid before Parliament on 20 July 2011. Universities: Funding The new constitution will be brought into force Question when sufficient progress has been made against the milestones identified in my honourable friend the Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Henry Bellingham’s Written Ministerial Statement of 9 December To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they 2010, Official Report, WS56. This will enable the will take steps to ensure that university students elections to take place. from England and Wales who study in Scottish universities are not financially disadvantaged compared The new constitution must be in force no later than with other students from the European Union; and 30 days before the elections can take place. whether there are legal reasons why they should not be treated in the same way as European Union UK Financial Investments Ltd students from outside the United Question Kingdom. [HL11126] Asked by Lord Laird To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, funding the financial institutions in which UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Financial Investments Ltd has an interest have (Lord Henley): The tuition fees charged by Scottish made available to start-up companies in the past universities are a matter for the Scottish Government, year. [HL11247] as are the arrangements that apply in Scotland to WA 451 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 452 students from other parts of the UK. Eligible English Further statistics on the number of tier 2 visas can be students studying at Scottish universities will continue found in the Home Office’s control of immigration to have access to loans from Student Finance England statistical releases available online at http://www. to cover their tuition costs in full. homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- It is for the Welsh Assembly Government to decide statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum- how they wish to fund Welsh-domiciled students. research/. Information on the amount of NICs forgone due to this exemption is not available. The amount of NICs Visas forgone will depend on the length of transfer and, Questions importantly, their country of origin because many Asked by Lord Laird workers will be exempt under the terms of various reciprocal social security agreements. It would add To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to unnecessarily to the burdens on businesses and be the Written Answer by Baroness Browning on 11 July inconsistent with the current approach to other exemptions (WA123-24), how many applicants for naturalisation and disregards that apply to NICs, to require employers last year quoted time spent in the United Kingdom to send information to HM Revenue and Customs on a student visa for all or part of the qualifying about this exemption. period for naturalisation as a British citizen; and Whether employees covered by the exemption for whether time spent in the United Kingdom for NICs are liable to pay income tax will depend on their educational purposes merits award of citizenship. personal circumstances and the effects of any relevant [HL11283] double taxation treaty. Asked by The Earl of Clancarty The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Browning): The information requested could only be To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what obtained by the detailed examination of individual circumstances an artist who is not a citizen of a records at disproportionate cost. European Union member state can come to the The residence requirements for naturalisation as a United Kingdom and work on a self-generated British citizen are in Schedule 1 to the British Nationality project such as painting pictures or taking photographs Act 1981. These provide that a person should have without being attached to an official event, an arts been in the United Kingdom for a qualifying period of organisation in the United Kingdom, or having three or five years, with a limit on the number of days United Kingdom sponsorship. [HL11439] that should have been spent outside the UK. That schedule provides that residence in the United Kingdom should have been legal, but does not specify that a Baroness Browning: There are no specific arrangements person should have been here in a particular capacity. within the Immigration Rules for artists to work in the UK without requiring a sponsor. Where their activities There are no plans to amend the requirements for are solely recreational, they are able to do so under the naturalisation at the current time. route for visitors. Asked by Lord Laird To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 13 July Young People: Enterprise (WA 188–89), what is the average salary quoted in Question applications last year for tier 2 intra-company transfer visas; what are the average national insurance Asked by Lord Laird contributions by employees and employers forgone To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they if no such contributions are paid for 12 months; plan to encourage enterprise among young people how many such visas were issued last year; and including through financial and communication whether those employees are subject to payment of incentives. [HL11244] income tax to HM Revenue and Customs.[HL11285]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Lord De Mauley: Evidence from the UK and abroad, Sassoon): I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave particularly Norway, shows that very young children him on 16 November 2010 (col. WA 196), 2 December have a natural enthusiasm and confidence about future 2010 (col. WA 484) and 13 July 2011 (col. WA 189), career options, including working for themselves. However, which explain why non-European economic area workers by the time children leave primary education, many, are allowed a 52-week exclusion from national insurance with the exception of those whose parents work for contributions (NICs). themselves, have lost confidence in their enterprise The average salary quoted on used certificates of potential. sponsorship for tier 2 intra-company transfer ″Out of Evidence also shows that the best way of retaining Country″ visa applications is around £48,000 per year confidence in this area is by providing hands-on experience (£58,000 including allowances) for 2010. Around 30,000 of enterprise, and that is why on 28 March 2011 the intra-company transfer visas were issued in 2010. The Government launched their strategy to ensure that number of visas will not match the number of applications every school can build and develop a business to as some applications will have been refused or withdrawn. engage children, that every school can access local WA 453 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 454 enterprise champions and that students in further Answers received between Monday 1 August and education and in university can access a student enterprise Monday 8 August 2011 society. By the end of 2011, schools will therefore be given Anguilla access to online tools and best practice to help them run a school business. School teachers will also be able Question to connect with a network of volunteer local enterprise Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham champions and use this network to bring real-life enterprise role-models to schoolchildren. To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Deputy By the end of 2011, the Government will also Governor of Anguilla has recommended moving provide help to develop, expand and sustain student the portfolios of the permanent secretaries of Anguilla enterprise societies in universities to support students into financial and economic roles; and what formal with ambitions and skills for enterprise. Enterprise qualifications they have for such roles. [HL11389] societies will be run as businesses, engaging with entrepreneurs and delivering the knowledge, networks The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth and skills that students need to start and manage a Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Responsibility for business. Work will also be undertaken to adapt the ensuring that the Anguilla Public Service is appropriately enterprise society model to fit the requirements of staffed and run has been delegated by the Governor to further education institutions and to build their capability the Deputy Governor, who is the most senior member to support enterprise societies. of the Public Service. The UK Government have no This will have a lasting impact on pupils’ and direct responsibility for making Anguillan Public Service students’ horizons for adult life. appointments. We are working to deliver these goals with key The transfer of portfolios among permanent secretaries stakeholders, including the Education and Employers is good practice and helps to ensure that they remain Taskforce, the National Consortium of University independent and are able to offer non-partisan advice. Entrepreneurs, the National Council for Graduate In the current case, I understand that the Chief Minister, Entrepreneurship and the Association of Colleges, to the Executive Council and the Anguilla Public Service have the programmes running by the end of this year. Commission were consulted about the proposed changes. Appointment decisions take into account individuals’ skills and experience and the wider need to develop as Young People: Politics leaders and strategic thinkers. Question Animals: Scientific Procedures Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno Questions To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they are Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon doing to encourage more young people to vote in elections. [HL11479] To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to implement a ban on the use of animals in the testing of household products. [HL11445] Lord De Mauley: The Government encourage all eligible individuals to engage with the democratic process and to vote. This is especially important among The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness young people, who are traditionally under-represented Browning): I made a Written Ministerial Statement on in figures on registration and turnout. The Government, 18 July 2011 (Official Report, cols. WS 101-02), explaining politicians, political parties, electoral administrators how the ban will be implemented and that consultation and wider groups with an interest in the democratic is to be carried out on a number of related issues. process all have a role to play in encouraging participation. Further details of implementation will be made available when that consultation has been completed. In particular, the Government have responsibility for the statutory framework for electoral registration Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon in the UK. Sixteen and seventeen year-olds can already apply to register as “attainers” to ensure they are able To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their to vote as soon as they turn 18. In the context of the strategy to reduce the number of animals used in move to individual electoral registration, we are experiments. [HL11446] considering how to make it as easy and secure as possible for citizens to register to vote and we are Baroness Browning: I made a Written Ministerial exploring how online services might support this. Further Statement on the 18 July 2011 (Official Report, cols. research will also be conducted to identify the groups WS 101-102), explaining how we propose to deliver that are currently under-registered including young our commitment to work to reduce the use of animals people. in scientific research. The research findings will be used to inform our The commitment will be delivered through a science-led approach to improving registration levels among these programme led by the National Centre for Replacement, groups and will also inform wider work to promote Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research public awareness of registration and participation of (NC3Rs), an organisation with a strong record in young people in the voting process. reducing animal use. The NC3Rs will closely involve WA 455 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 456 government departments and agencies, the Home Office basic training, I understand that by far the majority of inspectorate, the research community in both academia cadet units do have access to broadband. The internet and industry, and others with relevant animal welfare is a valuable supplementary tool, providing many interests. useful functions to enable trainers to improve the overall cadet experience. Armed Forces: Aircraft Questions Armed Forces: Helicopters Asked by Lord West of Spithead Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government what type of Asked by Lord West of Spithead catapult will be fitted to the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier. [HL11370] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry 18 July (WA 226), what will be the latest date for the of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Investigations into transition of the initial tranche of Royal Navy and potential aircraft launch and recovery systems are Royal Marines Sea King mark 4 crews to Merlin under way. We expect to take decisions on the overall mark 3. [HL11372] conversion strategy in late 2012. Asked by Lord West of Spithead The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Under current assessment of the availability for operations over a plans, the latest start date for training to be undertaken 15-year period of one Queen Elizabeth class aircraft to convert the initial tranche of Sea King crews to carrier. [HL11371] Merlin is February 2012. Lord Astor of Hever: The availability of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers will depend on the support solution selected. This is still under development, Armed Forces: Recruitment with a final decision expected around the middle of Questions the decade. The average figure of 150 to 200 days at Asked by Lord Empey sea a year referred to in the “Key Facts” section of the National Audit Office report Carrier Strike, published To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was on 7 July 2011, is a planning figure. Although we the performance against target for recruitment to expect that it would spend this amount of time per the Armed Forces for (a) England, (b) Scotland, year at sea, we would have the ability to extend this if (c) Wales, and (d) Northern Ireland, for the last operational circumstances so required. three years for which figures are available. [HL11393]

Armed Forces: Broadband The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry Question of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The information is Asked by Lord West of Spithead not available as requested as recruitment targets are set for the UK as a whole and not for individual To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage countries of the UK. However, Army other ranks of sea, army and air cadet units have direct access recruitment targets are set in a manner that reflects the to broadband; and whether such access is important requirement of the regional brigades and these can be for basic training and access to programmes such as grouped according to the UK country in which they that provided by the Cadet Vocational Qualification sit. Figures for those who go on to join the trained Organisation. [HL11369] strength are regularly published in the Defence Analytical The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry Services and Advice organisation quarterly manning of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): This information is reports, which are available at www.dasa.mod.uk. not held centrally. While there is no requirement for The following tables show recruitment achievement cadets to have access to the internet in order to complete against target.

Recruiting Achievement against Target 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Per Per Per Target Entrants Cent Target Entrants Cent Target Entrants Cent

Naval Service 4,501 4,252 94 4,081 4,160 99 2,550 2,586 99 Army Officer 750 725 97 750 696 93 750 771 103 RAF 4,559 4,510 99 3,832 3,625 95 1,565 1,445 92 WA 457 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 458

Army Other Ranks—Recruiting Achievement against Target 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Per Per Per Target Entrants Cent Target Entrants Cent Target Entrants Cent

England 11,655 10,669 92 10,476 10,040 96 6,950 6,155 89 Scotland 1,174 835 71 930 1,143 123 716 826 115 Wales 1,187 898 76 919 870 95 596 466 78 Northern Ireland 315 289 92 284 312 110 200 242 121

Asked by Lord Empey Bovine Tuberculosis Question To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the performance against target for recruitment to the Asked by Lord Greaves reserve forces for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the Wales, and (d) Northern Ireland, for the last three level of effectiveness of the current test for tuberculosis years for which figures are available. [HL11394] in cattle; and what proposals they have for improving the effectiveness of the test. [HL11290]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Astor of Hever: The following table shows Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs performance against target for recruitment to the reserve (Lord Henley): The tuberculin skin test is used throughout forces across the UK. Recruitment to the volunteer the world as the primary screening test for TB in cattle reservist forces is UK-wide activity for all services and and is an effective test when correctly performed. It is no service sets targets for individual UK countries, the prescribed standard method laid down in both although individual units and sub-units may engage in national and international legislation for determining local recruiting activities. The defence transformation the existence of disease in a cattle herd. measures that I announced on 18 July 2011 (Official Scientific research shows that, on average, the skin Report, cols. 1118-20) include a £1.5 billion investment test used in the UK will detect approximately 80 per package over the next 10 years to enhance the capability cent of all the infected cattle in a herd at any one test of the reserves and consequently increase their trained (at standard interpretation). There is only a 0.1 per strength. cent probability of a non-infected animal being wrongly Financial Year classified as a reactor. Service 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 The TB testing programme in Great Britain has been enhanced by the use of the gamma interferon Maritime Target 907 908 894 Reserves blood test since 2006. This diagnostic test is used (Royal alongside the tuberculin skin test in known infected Naval Actual 537 705 517 herds to improve the sensitivity of the testing regime Reserves and to identify more infected animals more quickly. and Royal Percentage 59 78 58 Using both tests in this way can help to speed up the Marine Reserves) resolution of confirmed TB breakdowns by identifying Territorial Target 7,299 6,880 5,638 as many infected cattle as possible at the earliest Army Actual 5,556 4,569 3,046 opportunity. Percentage 76 66 54 Royal Target 440 552 480 Children Act 2004 Auxiliary Actual 444 411 279 Question Air Force Percentage 101 74 58 Asked by Baroness Randerson Asked by Lord Empey To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to review the Children Act 2004 in To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many respect of those aspects of the Act which regulate recruits to the Armed Forces, in the last three years private fostering. [HL11460] for which figures are available, were citizens of the Republic of Ireland. [HL11395] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The Government have no plans at present to review any aspects of the Children Act 2004 relating to private fostering. The Lord Astor of Hever: The intake into the UK Armed 2004 Act included powers for the Secretary of State to Forces of those personnel recorded as being nationals make regulations requiring registration of persons as of the Republic of Ireland is as follows: private foster carers. The timeframe to exercise these powers was extended in the Children and YoungPersons 2008-09 50 Act 2008 and the powers are due to expire in November 2009-10 85 2011. The Government have decided not to introduce 2010-11 80 a registration scheme at this stage but will keep that Note: The figures have been rounded to the nearest five. decision under review for the future. WA 459 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 460

Claims Management Cyprus: Electricity Supply Questions Questions Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Asked by Lord Kilclooney To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the year To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether to 31 March 2011, how many claims management electricity generators in the two United Kingdom businesses had their authorisations suspended or sovereign bases in Cyprus can be used to supplement cancelled for reasons other than failure to pay their the electricity supply of southern Cyprus. [HL11228] annual renewal fee; and how many of those businesses Asked by Lord Kilclooney subsequently had their authorisation reinstated. [HL11448] To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether electricity generators in the two United Kingdom sovereign bases in Cyprus have been affected by the Lord De Mauley: For the year to 31 March 2011, recent explosion in the Greek Cypriot administrated 32 claims management businesses had their authorisation part of Cyprus. [HL11229] cancelled for enforcement reasons arising from breaches of the rules of conduct. This includes 14 businesses where, for the sake of expediency, the enforcement The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry decision was implemented using the simpler cancellation of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The generators in procedure available for dealing with the non-payment the sovereign bases in Cyprus are not connected to the of regulation fees, but the businesses had also committed Cypriot electricity grid. As such they are unable to several breaches of the conduct rules. supplement the electricity supply in southern Cyprus and they were not affected by the reduction in power In addition, 10 businesses had their authorisation supplies which resulted from the explosion on 11 July. suspended. Of these, one had their authorisation Following the explosion, British forces have taken subsequently reinstated. steps to reduce their power consumption from the Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Cypriot grid and are examining how they can further reduce their routine requirement for power over the To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the year coming months while the Cypriot authorities work to to 31 March 2011, how many complaints the Claims restore normal supply levels. Management Regulator received about any claims management businesses that had their authorisation suspended or cancelled for reasons other than failure Defence: UK-US Defence Trade to pay their annual renewal fee; how many complaints Co-operation Treaty were received before the Claims Management Regulator Question took a decision to investigate those businesses; how many complaints were received after the Claims Asked by Lord Moonie Management Regulator had taken the decision to investigate until the business’s authorisation was To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they suspended or cancelled; and how many were received will submit test cases (Pathfinders) to the United after the business’s authorisation was suspended or States State Department in connection with the cancelled. [HL11449] United States-United Kingdom Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty. [HL11216]

Lord De Mauley: For the year to 31 March 2011, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry 3,996 complaints were received about claims management of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): It is essential that businesses that had their authorisation suspended or the treaty works effectively when it is brought fully cancelled for enforcement reasons. This includes into force. We have therefore agreed a selection of complaints about 14 businesses where, for the sake of Pathfinder projects with the US State and Defense expediency, the enforcement decision was implemented Departments, using a number of existing acquisition using the simpler cancellation procedure available for projects to test all aspects of the treaty’s operation. We dealing with the non-payment of regulation fees, but are now in a position to engage more fully with the businesses had also committed several breaches of industry ahead of the formal announcement of Pathfinder the conduct rules. Of the number of complaints: projects in September. 383 complaints were received during the period before a decision formally to investigate these businesses was made; Egypt 638 complaints were received during the investigation Question of those businesses whose authorisation was suspended, Asked by Baroness Tonge and 167 complaints were received after their suspension; and To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment 2,041 complaints were received during the investigation they have made of the transition to free elections in of those businesses whose authorisation was cancelled, Egypt and what discussions have they had on this and 767 complaints were received after their subject with the transitional Government of Egypt. cancellation. [HL11329] WA 461 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 462

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Lord De Mauley: The Government’s intention is to Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Supreme Council build on the existing certification structures, including of the Armed Forces is overseeing the transition to a those that come under the competent person schemes civilian democracy. We welcome the progress that it and Trustmark. The Department of Energy and Climate has made. This transition process is owned by the Change has commissioned the British Standards Egyptians and it is not for the UK to dictate who or Institution (BSI) to develop a Green Deal installer what should be acceptable to the Egyptian people, but standard (PAS) with industry by the end of this year. we believe that it is important that the people’s voice is This will bring together the existing standards/schemes heard through free and fair democratic elections leading and develop new ones where necessary. We will then to a return to civilian government. use the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to provide There has been sustained high-level British Government independent accreditation of certification bodies to engagement in support of the democratic transition ensure that they are meeting this standard. Any competent process in Egypt, including visits by my right honourable person schemes or those endorsed by Trustmark can friend the Prime Minister and my right honourable come forward to be accredited if they are able to meet friend the Foreign Secretary. They pressed the Egyptian the PAS requirements. authorities to ensure an open and plural election Asked by Lord Boswell of Aynho process, including allowing sufficient time for political parties to organise their activity and contest the elections. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my will encourage the dissemination of standard-setting honourable friend Mr Burt, visited Egypt on 27 and schemes run by specialist construction organisations 28 July, when he highlighted the need for credible throughout the delivery of Green Deal programmes. elections and reform and offered UK assistance in this [HL11324] regard. Our embassy in Cairo is in close contact with the Lord De Mauley: The Government are working Egyptian authorities, the opposition and activists to closely with construction industry organisations and develop initiatives in support of the transition under the sector skills councils to ensure that we identify the the Arab Partnership. skills necessary to deliver the Green Deal and our new BSI standard. This new standard will incorporate many of the existing installer standards, including those produced by specialist construction organisations Energy: Green Deal if they are appropriate. BSI will publish a consultation Questions paper on this standard in the autumn. Asked by Lord Glentoran Once the standard is launched in January 2012, the sector skills councils will begin working with the various To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action certification schemes and training providers to ensure they have taken to ensure that the Green Deal that they are delivering the training required by our assessor acts solely and independently in the interests new standard and promoting these to potential employers of the household. [HL11125] and trainees.

Lord De Mauley: We have been clear that the Energy: Wind Farms assessment must be impartial, whichever business model Question operates under Green Deal, and we intend to move an Asked by Lord Reay amendment at Report stage of the Energy Bill to make an explicit reference to the impartiality on the face of To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each of the Bill. the last five years, how many onshore wind-farm In addition, as a condition of their authorisation, planning applications were decided by local planning Green Deal assessor services will need to be certified authorities in England, Scotland and Wales; of by a UKAS-accredited certification body. The those, how many were refused; and how many requirements of certification are intended to ensure refusals were appealed against. [HL11428] that the assessment and associated advice are impartial and appropriate for the property and occupier in Lord De Mauley: The following information has question. Appropriate sanctions such as suspension or been extracted from the June 2011 edition of the withdrawal of certification will be applied for non- DECC Renewable Energy Planning Database https:// compliance with the certification requirements. restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/planning-database. We will consult on the approach following Royal Assent of the Energy Bill. Of which, number of Appeals Asked by Lord Boswell of Aynho Number of applications (including applications initially those To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they England determined refused successful) will ensure that all contractors delivering Green 2006 31 11 3 Deal services are compliant with any relevant 2007 55 27 17 competent persons scheme and are members of 2008 49 28 21 Trustmark. [HL11323] WA 463 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 464

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what efforts Of which, number of Appeals they are putting into training front-line professionals Number of applications (including such as teachers, general practitioners and nurses to applications initially those combat female genital mutilation. [HL11474] England determined refused successful)

2009 64 34 17 Earl Howe: There is a wealth of guidance and best 2010 51 27 12 practice available to health professionals on female genital mutilation (FGM), thus there is no one “common Of which, code of conduct” in relation to this specific issue. number of Appeals Number of applications (including These include guidance produced by HM Government, applications initially those Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Female Genital Scotland determined refused successful) Mutilation, published in 2011. This includes a chapter on guidance for social workers and underlines the 2006 17 5 3 importance of applying child safeguarding procedures 2007 27 13 6 in order to minimise or prevent harm to the child or 2008 29 10 5 children. The guidance advises that when there is a 2009 48 12 4 referral to children’s social care, a strategy meeting 2010 29 13 4 should be convened with relevant agencies, in order to agree a plan to protect the child. It is suggested that Of which, information should be provided to the family on the number of Appeals Number of applications (including risks associated with FGM and that securing parental applications initially those consent for any action plan is desirable. If a girl faces Wales determined refused successful) the immediate risk of undergoing FGM, then an emergency protection order can be obtained. 2006 3 2 1 2007 8 3 1 The department produced a DVD on FGM in 2006 2008 4 1 1 which gives a general introduction to the health 2009 2 0 0 implications of female genital mutilation. It includes 2010 3 1 0 interviews with women who have undergone FGM and outlines the appropriate response from healthcare Note: Applications, refusals and appeals relate to year of professionals. original determination. Full details are available on the Renewable Energy Planning Clinical guidance has also been produced by the Database: https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cros/planning-database Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists— Female Genital Mutilation and its Management: Green-top Guideline No. 53; by the British Medical Association— Child Protection: A Toolkit for Doctors, 2009, and Female Genital Mutilation Female Genital Mutilation: Caring for Patients and Questions Safeguarding Children, July 2011; and by the Royal College of Nursing—Female Genital Mutilation: An Asked by Lord Rea RCN Educational Resource for Nursing and Midwifery Staff, 2006. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will continue to fund female genital mutilation Communications about FGM are key to bringing clinics. [HL11472] the issue to the attention of more people. More than 40,000 leaflets and 40,000 posters have been circulated to schools, health services, charities and community The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, groups around the country. Department of Health (Earl Howe): The department The Department for Education has included advice proposed in Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Consultation on FGM in its guidance for schools, Safeguarding on the Funding and Commissioning Routes for Public Children and Safer Recruitment in Education, 2006. It Health that female genital mutilation (FGM) clinics has also included advice on FGM for the wider children’s should be commissioned by local authorities. The workforce and for all those involved in safeguarding consultation closed on 31 March and the department children in Working Together to Safeguard Children: A published its response to the consultation feedback on Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote 14 July. In this response, it is confirmed that on the the Welfare of Children, 2010. basis of feedback from stakeholders, the department In addition, the Kids Taskforce was commissioned has changed its position and can now confirm that by the Home Office to develop a short film and FGM services will be commissioned by the National accompanying teachers’ resource pack to be available Health Service. Further details on arrangements for for use in secondary schools. The film will be aimed at this commissioning will be confirmed in due course. young people and explain what FGM is, its illegality Asked by Lord Rea and lack of religious basis, its physical and mental health consequences and what steps young people To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there should take if they are worried about themselves or is a common code of conduct for all healthcare someone else undergoing FGM. The accompanying professionals regarding female genital mutilation. teachers’ resource pack is designed to support teachers [HL11473] to deliver a lesson on FGM. It will contain detailed WA 465 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 466 lesson plans and relevant and applicable classroom The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness materials, such as students’ worksheets, quizzes, debate Browning): The composition of the Home Office Firearms topics and small group-work activities. Forms Working Group (HOFFWG) is as follows: Asked by Lord Rea Mick Fidgeon, Essex Police, Firearms Licensing Manager; To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they Cohn Greenwood, British Shooting Sports Council; plan to train key professionals including police Peter Taylor, Hertfordshire Police, Firearms Licensing officers and social workers to combat female genital Manager; mutilation. [HL11475] David Penn, British Shooting Sports Council; Mike Eveleigh, British Association for Shooting The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness and Conservation; Browning): Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an Graham Widdecombe, Home Office; and illegal and unacceptable form of child abuse and a form of violence against girls and women that the Andy Arnell, Home Office. Government are committed to eradicating. Our focus The HOFFWG work programme is to review all is prevention. In February 2011, the Government launched matters relating to firearms forms. multi-agency practice guidelines for front-line professionals including police officers and social workers. The guidelines aim to raise awareness of FGM, highlight the risks Government Departments: Research and that people should be aware of and set out clearly the steps that should be taken to safeguard children and Data women from this abuse. The guidelines are a key step Question in ensuring that professionals are able and confident Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark to intervene to protect girls at risk. The basic training provided to police officers already To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to includes FGM and the National Policing Improvement the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June Agency is currently working on enhancing and expanding (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the this element. In addition, more than 40,000 leaflets project “Marketing segmentation in the agriculture and 40,000 posters on the prevention of FGM have sector: Climate change”; and for what reason. been circulated to schools, health services, charities [HL11271] and community groups around the country. Asked by Lord Rea The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Henley): To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is being All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by done to ensure that general practitioners, doctors in Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract private practice and cosmetic surgeons are aware of variations are required if there are significant changes the correct procedures when advising women who to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, want their vaginas restitched following female genital required outputs, timetable, research team, et cetera). mutilation. [HL11477] The variation to the contract for the project “Market Segmentation in the Agriculture Sector: Climate Change” Earl Howe: Reinfibulation is illegal. The Royal was granted to ensure that the contractors increased College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists clinical the number of farmers interviewed as part of this guidelines state: social science study to a more statistically robust level. The additional cost of this work was £1,000. Workshops “Any repair carried out after birth, whether following spontaneous laceration or deliberate deinfibulation, should be sufficient to designated for this purpose had to be delayed due to appose raw edges and control bleeding, but must not result in a restrictions on communications before the 2010 general vaginal opening that makes intercourse difficult or impossible”. election until a busy period in farmers’ annual cycles, Midwives and health visitors are encouraged to talk and attendance was lower than expected. after the birth to women who have been deinfibulated during labour to remind them that reinfibulation is illegal and that it must not be performed on any Government Departments: Staff female children in the family. Questions Asked by Lord Myners Firearms: Home Office Firearms Forms To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Working Group remit of non-executive directors in departments of Question state includes evaluating the performance of Ministers and Permanent Secretaries. [HL11350] Asked by Lord Dear To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the Lord De Mauley: Non-executives were invited to membership and work programme of the Home give feedback on Permanent Secretaries as part of a Office Firearms Forms Working Group. [HL11387] 360-degree feedback process. Ministers and Permanent WA 467 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 468

Secretaries may be assessed as members of departmental pensioners have unreclaimable healthcare costs paid boards. This varies from board to board at the chairman’s by their host country, and are otherwise subject to discretion. the healthcare legislation of the country where they work; and whether they will seek a review of the Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch policy. [HL11359] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Rawlings on 20 July confirming The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, that Andy Coulson had been properly vetted, whether Department of Health (Earl Howe): Under the Treaty they will now publish the advice given by the Cabinet of the Functioning of the European Union, citizens Secretary to the Prime Minister on whether his are afforded protection to ensure free movement around appointment was appropriate in the circumstances. the EU. EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 and [HL11482] all their preceding regulations co-ordinate national rules on social security provisions. As such, a member Baroness Rawlings: No such advice was given by state covers the cost of healthcare provided to its state the Cabinet Secretary. pensioners wherever they reside in the European economic area, as health is considered a benefit in kind. By contrast, the regulations do not require a member Health: Contaminated Blood Products state to cover the cost of its nationals who are working Questions and paying contributions in another member state, as Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester they are contributing to the social security system that provides their healthcare. There are no current plans To ask Her Majesty’s Government what to seek a review of the policy. arrangements have been made to appoint trustees of the Caxton Foundation; and whether representatives of the haemophilia community will be included on House of Lords: IT the board. [HL11363] Question Asked by Lord Avebury The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): It is for the founding To ask the Chairman of Committees why Members trustees of the Caxton Foundation to appoint further are prevented from installing Dropbox on computers trustees should they wish to do so and to decide on supplied by PICT; what steps are being taken to what basis such appointments are made, in line with resolve this issue to enable Members to use Dropbox; the trust deed. An exercise to appoint further trustees and whether he will give an estimate of how long has recently been undertaken, resulting in a total of this will take. [HL11320] nine trustees. The appointments were made on merit alone, without reference to formal representation of any particular group or constituency. The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): For security reasons PICT has no plans to Asked by Lord Morris of Manchester allow access to Dropbox from the parliamentary network. This approach was recently vindicated when the security To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they for the Dropbox service was breached. PICT recognises intend to undertake any further review of the the utility of such services and will keep technical arrangements for NHS patients infected by developments under review. contaminated NHS blood products when Lord Penrose publishes the results of the Scottish public inquiry; and on what timescale. [HL11364] House of Lords: Telephone Hacking Question Earl Howe: We have no current plans to undertake a further review of the arrangements that are currently Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay in place to support patients infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C as a result of treatment with National To ask the Chairman of Committees whether he Health Service-supplied blood and blood products in will write to the officer in charge of the Metropolitan England. Police inquiry into phone hacking, on behalf of all Members of the House of Lords, to ask (1) which Members’telephones have been hacked on the evidence Healthcare: Costs currently available, and (2) whether any Member Question can be notified immediately when evidence becomes available that their phone may have been hacked. Asked by Lord Laird [HL11440] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 14 July (WA207–8), The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of why the European Union requires member states to Tara): I do not plan to write to the Metropolitan pay for the healthcare costs of pensioners who are Police about phone hacking. Members who are concerned nationals of other member states resident in their about this matter should contact the Metropolitan state, when European Union nationals who are not Police directly. WA 469 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 470

Israel clear that the press will be under closer scrutiny than Question ever while Lord Leveson’s inquiry is under way. Lord Leveson’s inquiry will be looking specifically at the Asked by Baroness Brinton whole range of press behaviour and ethics and will be making recommendations for changes designed to To ask Her Majesty’s Government what ensure that abuses do not continue to occur. representations they have made to the Government of Israel regarding the uprooting of olive trees by troops and Israeli settlers in Deir Istiya in the northern West Bank. [HL11459] NHS: EU Regulations Questions The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Asked by Baroness Quin Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are aware of the incident that the noble Baroness mentions. This is To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any important both because olive groves are the sole source NHS services currently being delivered have been of income for many subsistence farmers and olive the subject of European Union tendering trees are a national symbol for Palestinians. We have procedures. [HL11337] raised our concerns about such incidents with the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories To ask Her Majesty’s Government what case law and the Israel Defence Forces. Our staff in the consulate on European Union open tendering legislation and general in Jerusalem will continue to do so. health services in the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union they have considered; and what conclusions they have drawn relating to NHS Local Government: Consent Regimes services. [HL11338] Question

Asked by Lord Beecham The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Department of Health (Earl Howe): Commissioners of the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 19 July National Health Service services are already subject to (WA 276), whether in pursuit of its policy on the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations decentralisation and localism the Department of 2006, which implement the European Union procurement Communities and Local Government will seek to directive. persuade other departments to review and reduce Procurement law, at both EU and domestic level, the number of consent regimes affecting local distinguishes between Part A and Part B services. Part government; and whether they will publish the results A services are subject to prescriptive requirements, of such reviews. [HL11425] including mandatory procedures for advertising contracts and mandatory timescales for procurement. Part B includes health and social care services and does not The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, prescribe mandatory procedures and timescales. The Department for Communities and Local Government requirements for Part B services are that procurement (Baroness Hanham): The coalition is committed to processes must be transparent, proportionate and non- decentralisation across government. As I outlined to discriminatory. These requirements have been reflected the noble Lord in my Answer of 19 July (Official in guidance to commissioners on procurement of health Report, col. WA 276), future consideration of specific services, first published in 2008. duties, consent regimes and associated guidance will be led and consulted on as appropriate by the relevant The latest guidance is set out in the Procurement government departments responsible for the specific Guide for Commissioners of NHS-funded Services, policy areas. published in July 2010. It is available at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/D Media: Regulation H_118218 Question A copy of this has already been placed in the Asked by Lord Inglewood Library. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the regulatory regime for the media while the inquiries into phone hacking and media NHS: Non-UK Residents ethics are taking place; and how they will ensure Question that any changes they may propose are targeted at Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes the abuses which have occurred. [HL11219] To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the Baroness Rawlings: The Press Complaints Commission cost to the National Health Service of international remains in place to oversee adherence to the self-regulatory health tourism; and whether the Home Office has Code of Practice. Additionally, the legislation that consulted the Department of Health on assessing outlaws practices such as phone hacking and obtaining the likely health needs or conditions of such visitors data by misrepresentation continues to apply. It is before issuing visas. [HL11443] WA 471 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 472

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord De Mauley: Successful bidders in the unpaid Department of Health (Earl Howe): Overseas visitors work competitions will be subject to contract management who are not otherwise exempt from charges for treatment arrangements by the National Offender Management in National Health Service hospitals under the National Service. Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations Asked by Lord Hoyle 2011 are required to pay for treatment provided. Total audited losses, bad debts and claims abandoned To ask Her Majesty’s Government what quality arising from these charges as applied for NHS trusts in assurance procedures private sector companies will 2009-10 was £6,967,780. The department does not be subject to in the bidding process for supervising collect information from NHS foundation trusts. offenders with disabilities undertaking unpaid work The Home Office has recently consulted with all in England and Wales. [HL11410] government departments, including the Department of Health, before publishing recent consultations and Lord De Mauley: Successful bidders in the unpaid consultation responses on migration policy, and the work competition will be expected to provide evidence department has similarly consulted in respect of its that they are able to comply with the Equality Act consultation response on overseas visitor charging 2010. This requires probation trusts and private sector policy. providers to make reasonable adjustments to enable The two departments have also recently discussed disabled offenders to undertake unpaid work. The current procedures for immigration-related tuberculosis National Offender Management Service will monitor screening. compliance with the contracts.

NHS: Waiting Lists Question Policing and Crime Act 2009 Questions Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon Asked by Lord Dubs To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the average waiting time for elective surgery in To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many each of the last 34 months, by hospital trust. closure orders have been made under Section 21 of [HL11447] the Policing and Crime Act 2009. [HL11417] To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, orders requiring attendance at meetings have been Department of Health (Earl Howe): The information made under Section 17 of the Policing and Crime has been placed in the Library. Act 2009; and how many have been breached. [HL11418] Offenders: Unpaid Work To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Questions prosecutions and how many convictions by year there have been since the passage of the Policing Asked by Lord Hoyle and Crime Act 2009 under (a) Section 14, paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a etc, (b) Section 16, offence of loitering etc for probation trust or a private company will pay for purposes of prostitution, and (c) Section 19, soliciting; any prosecution of a breach of unpaid work conditions and how many of those resulted in (1) a prison following the completion of the tendering process sentence, and (2) a suspended prison sentence. for unpaid work in England and Wales. [HL11408] [HL11419]

Lord De Mauley: Probation trust contracts with the National Offender Management Service currently include The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness provision for the prosecution of unpaid work requirements. Browning): Information on the number of closure There is no intention to change this arrangement as a orders made under Section 21 of the Policing and result of the tendering for unpaid work. The probation Crime Act 2009 and the number of orders requiring trust will bear the costs of a successful prosecution for attendance at meetings which have been made under all providers of unpaid work, including the private Section 17 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, including sector. how many have been breached, is not available as it is not centrally collected. Asked by Lord Hoyle The number of defendants proceeded against at To ask Her Majesty’s Government what magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts and management levels will be available (a) within central sentenced for offences under the Policing and Crime government, (b) at the regional level, and (c) within Act 2009, Sections 14, 16 and 19 of which came into the probation trust, for the provision of unpaid force in April 2010, in England and Wales in 2010 (the work following the completion of the tendering latest available) can be viewed in the table. process for unpaid work in England and Wales. Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for [HL11409] publication in spring 2012. WA 473 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 474

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty at all courts, by sentence breakdown for offences under the Policing and Crime Act 2009, England and Wales 2010(1)(2) Proceeded Found Immediate Suspended Other Statute Offence description against guilty Sentenced custody sentence sentences(4)

2010 Street Offences Act Person persistently 340 188 188 - - 188 1959, inserted under loitering or soliciting Section 16 of the for the purposes of Policing and Crime prostitution Act 2009(3) Sexual Offences Act Soliciting another for 76 64 64 - - 64 2003, inserted under the purpose of Section 19 of the obtaining their sexual Policing and Crime services as a prostitute Act 2009(3) in a street or public place Sexual Offences Act Paying or promising to 49 43 43 - - 43 2003, inserted under pay a person to Section 14 of the provide sexual services, Policing and Crime where that person is Act 2009(3) subject to exploitative conduct to induce or encourage them to provide those services

- Nil recommendations arising from the investigation into (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate the incident in April had been accepted and were to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences being implemented at the time of the second incident for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found of self-harm in July. guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed Asked by Lord Ramsbotham for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented being taken following the incident in which a prisoner are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that in HMP Woodhill cut off both his ears; and whether these data have been extracted from large administrative data details of such action will be published. [HL11424] 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 Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The governor has arranged when those data are used. for an investigation to be undertaken into the recent (3) Came into force in April 2010. incident of self-harm where the prisoner cut off his (4) Other sentences include: absolute and conditional ear. This investigation will take into account the findings discharge, fine, community sentence and otherwise dealt with. and recommendations of the recently concluded Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of investigation into the earlier incidence of self-harm Justice. Ref: 411-11 P0 Contribution HL 11419. involving the removal of his other ear.

Prisoners: Self-harm Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Questions Question Asked by Lord Ramsbotham Asked by Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether guidance To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many about the supervision of prisoners with a history of persons prosecuted for breach of a restraining order self-harm was followed at the Close Supervision under Section 5 of the Protection from Harassment Centre at HMP Woodhill; whether specific Act 1997 were found (a) guilty, and (b) not guilty; recommendations were made after a prisoner cut and what were the principal court disposals for off one of his ears; and whether those those found guilty in (1) 2009–10, and (2) 2010–11. recommendations were followed prior to the same [HL11434] prisoner cutting off his second ear. [HL11423]

Lord De Mauley: Following the incident in April Lord De Mauley: Persons proceeded against at 2011, the prisoner concerned was placed on assessment, magistrates’ court and acquitted and found guilty at care in custody and teamwork procedures (ACCT is all courts, and sentence breakdown for breach of a the care planning system for prisoners identified as restraining order under the Protection of Harassment being at risk of self-harm and/or suicide). These procedures Act 1997 in England and Wales 2009 to 2010 (latest were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team in June available) can be viewed in the table that I have enclosed. when it was decided, based on a risk assessment of the Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for prisoner, that they were no longer required. Specific publication in spring 2012. WA 475 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 476

Persons proceeded against at magistrates’ court and acquitted and found guilty at all courts, and sentence breakdown for breach of a restraining order under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997, England and Wales, 2009-2010 (1) (2) (3) (4)

2009 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Proceeded Found Absolute Conditional Community Suspended Immediate Otherwise under Section 5 against Acquitted guilty Sentenced discharge discharge Fine sentence sentence custody dealt with Breach of a restraining 1,618 63 1,464 1,329 5 93 141 351 178 457 104 order 2010 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Proceeded Found Absolute Conditional Community Suspended Immediate Otherwise under Section 5 against Acquitted guilty Sentenced discharge discharge Fine sentence sentence custody dealt with Breach of a restraining 3,349 138 2,921 2,799 15 237 321 779 381 904 162 order

(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate Schools: Sport to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found Questions guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the Asked by Lord Moynihan heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. projected cost of ensuring that every primary school (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented has one teacher trained to teach sport, physical are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data activity and play to national curriculum level. systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a [HL11450] consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for (3) Acquitted includes: discharged and dismissed at Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): All primary teachers magistrates’ courts and acquitted at the Crown Court. meet the qualified teacher status standards. The standards (4) The sentenced column may be lower than the number include the expectation that trainees know and understand found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, the relevant curricula applicable to the age ranges that and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be they are training to teach. All primary trainees are sentenced in the following year. therefore expected to demonstrate that they can teach Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of physical education lessons before they are awarded Justice. qualified teacher status. The delivery and cost of this training is embedded within initial teacher training (ITT) courses and will vary across programmes and ITT providers, as well as the needs of the individual Schools: Leaving Age trainee. It is therefore not possible to estimate a cost Question for this. Asked by Lord Bradshaw Training of serving teachers is a matter for the employing school. The Government are providing To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the £65 million in the coming years to allow secondary transport implications of raising the school leaving schools to release a PE teacher for a day a week to ageto18. [HL11379] promote competitive sport and to embed good practice from the former PE and sport strategy, including working with primary school teachers. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Asked by Lord Moynihan Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): Under our proposals to raise the participation age, 16 to 18 years-olds will To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many have a duty to participate, but not necessarily in hours are spent each year training primary school full-time education. Young people aged 16 to 18 will teachers in the subjects of sport, physical activity still be able to leave school and have a range of and play. [HL11451] options, and many young people will also undertake part-time work while they are studying. Lord Hill of Oareford: Accredited initial teacher Transport represents one of the main costs associated training providers must design and deliver their with participation post-16. That is why the £180 million programmes to enable trainee teachers to meet the 16 to 19 bursary funding introduced from September qualified teacher status standards. The standards include 2011 will have the flexibility to help meet transport the expectation that trainees know and understand the costs for individual students where those costs have relevant curricula applicable to the age ranges that been identified as a real barrier to their participation. they are training to teach. Primary trainees are therefore This sits alongside the duty on local authorities to expected to demonstrate that they can teach physical publish a statement each year that sets out the travel education lessons. The standards do not prescribe the arrangements they consider necessary to enable young amount of time that must be spent on each of the people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education. elements of training. The amount of time that is spent WA 477 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 478 on PE in initial teacher training is likely to vary across Baroness Rawlings: The Department for Culture, programmes and providers, and must take account of Media and Sport does not collect information on any trainees’ individual training needs. individual redundancy payments. This is a matter for Training of serving teachers is a matter for the individual schools. The recruitment of school games employing school. We do not hold data on the amount organisers, who will take up post from September of time serving primary school teachers spend on 2011, is a local matter for the host school or organisation. in-service professional development activities related Asked by Lord Moynihan to sport, physical activity and play. The Government are providing £65 million in the coming years to allow To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the secondary schools to release a PE teacher for a day a object of the school games level 3 both at pilot and week to promote competitive sport and to embed national level remains the provision of inter-school good practice from the former PE and sport strategy, competitive sport for talented young people; and, if including working with primary school teachers. so, how many individual schools entered competitors under the names of their own school into competitions Asked by Lord Moynihan at the pilot events. [HL11455] To ask Her Majesty’s Government who is responsible for the delivery of the school games Lord De Mauley: Yes. The School Games will use level 3 pilot projects. [HL11452] the inspiration of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to create the opportunity for every school and every child to participate in competitive sport. Level 3 Baroness Rawlings: Nine local organising committees is designed to be the annual culmination of an all-year- have been responsible for the delivery of the school round programme of inter-school competition in a games level 3 pilot projects, chaired by a head teacher range of sports. Information on the number of individual and made up of local partners. schools entering competitions at the nine pilot events is currently being collected and evaluated. This information Asked by Lord Moynihan will be available in September 2011. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the balance of funding between departmental, Sport Sexual Offences Act 2003 England, YouthSport Trust and private sector budgets Question for the promotion of school sport including the 2011 pilot projects, broken down between levels 1, Asked by Lord Dubs 2, 3 and 4 of the school games. [HL11453] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each year since 2000, how many prosecutions and how many convictions there have been under the Sexual Offences Baroness Rawlings: Sport England (SE) has already Act 1956 for offences connected with keeping a published in its consultation document the lottery brothel, and for related matters; and how many of funding made available for school games, disaggregated those resulted in (1) a prison sentence, and (2) a by year and level. Of that, SE awarded a £755,000 suspended prison sentence. [HL11421] grant to the Youth Sport Trust to deliver development support to the pilot phase, and £400,000 has gone to the nine pilot local organising committees to allow Lord De Mauley: The number of defendants proceeded them to stage their pilot festivals this summer. against at magistrates’ courts, found guilty and sentenced In addition, SE and the Department of Health are at all courts, for summary offences of brothel keeping providing funding of £22 million to fund new school under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 in England and games organisers across the academic year 2011-12 Wales, from 2000 to 2010 (latest available) can be and 2012-13. The Department of Health is also providing viewed in Table 1, which I have enclosed. The Sexual funding of £6.4 million for Change4Life sports clubs. Offences Act 2003, which came into force in May The Department for Education is making available 2004, added Section 33A, keeping a brothel used for £65 million for secondary schools to release a PE prostitution, to the Sexual Offences Act 1956. Data teacher for one day a week to support delivery of from 2004 to 2010 under Section 33A are given in school games again across the academic year 2011-12 Table 2, which I have enclosed. and 2012-13. The Department for Culture, Media and Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for Sport is contributing up to £2 million towards the level publication in spring 2012. 4 event in 2012. Table 1: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts, for summary offences of brothel keeping under Asked by Lord Moynihan the Sexual Offences Act 1956, England and Wales, 2000 to 2010 (1) (2) Proceeded Found Number of Immediate Suspended To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Year against guilty (3) sentenced (4) which: custody sentence partnership development managers and competition managers have taken on contracts as school games 2000 22 14 14 1 - organisers during 2010 and 2011; whether those 2001 14 7 7 - - who did received redundancy pay before signing up 2002 18 8 8 - - to their new role, and, if so, how much is projected 2003 11 4 4 - - to be paid in redundancy costs; and how many 2004 27 15 10 - - chose not to make the transition. [HL11454] WA 479 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 480

Table 1: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts, found consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection guilty and sentenced at all courts, for summary offences of brothel keeping under processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account (1) (2) the Sexual Offences Act 1956, England and Wales, 2000 to 2010 when those data are used. Proceeded Found Number of Immediate Suspended Year against guilty (3) sentenced (4) which: custody sentence (4) The number of defendants found guilty in a particular year may exceed the number proceeded against as the 2005 13 11 17 2 1 proceedings in the magistrates’ court took place in an earlier year 2006 42 18 16 4 - and the defendants were found guilty at the Crown Court in the following year, or the defendants were found guilty of a different 2007 42 34 40 10 5 offence from that for which they were originally proceeded 2008 (5) 23 37 46 20 11 against. 2009 23 35 36 13 8 (5) The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for 2010 43 52 52 10 18 sentence at the Crown Court, may be sentenced in the following year. (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences (6) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates’ court for April, July for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found and August 2008. guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed Justice. for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented Somalia are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that Question these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment when those data are used. they have made of Amnesty International’s report (3) The number of defendants found guilty in a particular In the line of fire: Somalia’s children under attack, year may exceed the number proceeded against as the published on 20 July; and whether they intend to proceedings in the magistrates’ court took place in an earlier year pursue the report’s recommendations with the United and the defendants were found guilty at the Crown Court in the Kingdom’s international partners. [HL11412] following year, or the defendants were found guilty of a different offence from that for which they were originally proceeded against. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth (4) The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are aware of may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for Amnesty International’s report and the problem of sentence at the Crown Court, may be sentenced in the following the recruitment and use of child soldiers in Somalia. year. We raised this with the Transitional Federal Government (5) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates’ court for April, July during Somalia’s Universal Periodic Review in May and August 2008. and will continue to raise it in the appropriate international Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of forum. Justice. Table 2: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts, for offences of brothel keeping for prostitution Sport: SkillsActive under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 33A, as added by the Sexual Offences Act 2003(1), England and Wales, 2004 to 2010(2)(3) Question Proceeded Found Number of Immediate Suspended Asked by Lord Clement-Jones Year against guilty (4)sentenced (5) which: custody sentence

2004 3 4 4 - 1 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the 2005 11 8 6 - 4 constitutional remit of SkillsActive; and what power it has to intervene if there is stakeholder disagreement 2006 39 27 27 5 7 about the future of specific sporting qualifications 2007 41 29 28 8 13 and training. [HL11305] 2008(6) 43 37 36 10 17 2009 42 37 37 7 24 Baroness Rawlings: SkillsActive is the sector skills 2010 49 32 33 12 14 council for active leisure, learning and well-being, licensed by the Government and driven by the needs (1) Came into force in May 2004. of employers. Sector skills councils are recognised by (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate the Government as independent, employer-led to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences organisations whose role is to ensure that the skills for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found system is driven by the needs of employers. A key guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed aspect of SkillsActive’s work is to develop a framework for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for of occupational standards that meet the needs of which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. employers and underpin job roles in the sector. SkillsActive has the power to intervene in disagreements between (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that bodies regarding qualifications and training, but its these data have been extracted from large administrative data role is to represent the employer view on what they systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a need for their staff. WA 481 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 482

Telephone Hacking Arts Council England, a scheme providing new ways Question into the creative and cultural industries, offering mentoring, traineeships, work experience, apprenticeships Asked by Lord Kilclooney and careers fairs and focusing on hard-to- reach young people in the London 2012 host boroughs. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the The Arts Council-supported project CREATE Jobs public inquiry into phone hacking and media ethics will include mentoring, traineeships, work experience, headed by Lord Justice Leveson will be able to apprenticeships and careers fairs. To date, some of the investigate (a) contact between Government Ministers most innovative and interesting employers in the cultural with the main daily newspapers in Scotland, Wales and creative industries have signed up to be a part of and Northern Ireland, and (b) the contacts between the programme. Other ACE projects also enhance the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the young people’s employability, from basic through to Independent Newspaper and Media Group. vocational skills. [HL11230] Zimbabwe Lord De Mauley: The devolved Administrations Question were consulted on the terms of reference for Lord Justice Leveson’s inquiry, which will cover the whole Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass of the United Kingdom. It will have the power to look To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to at contacts between any national newspapers and any the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on politician. 11 July (WA 150), why their regular discussions of Zimbabwe with the South African Government have not included discussion of the planned deportation Young People: Creative Industries of Zimbabwean refugees from South Africa; and Question how this is compatible with their stated support of Asked by Lord West of Spithead civil society groups working on issues of concern to migrants from Zimbabwe in South Africa.[HL11456] To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 14 July Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Our engagement (HL Deb, col. 841) concerning young people and with South Africa on the question of Zimbabwe is the creative industries, what mechanisms are in focused on supporting the regional efforts to secure place to leverage maximum benefit for the reforms in advance of free and fair elections. These approximately £97 million spent on the Cultural reforms are an essential step in creating a stable and Olympiad and the festival of culture to ensure that prosperous Zimbabwe for Zimbabwean migrants to young people (a) across the United Kingdom, and return to. Our civil society partners in Zimbabwe are (b) in East London, are encouraged to pursue careers aware that the question of migrants in South Africa is in the creative industries. [HL11368] not an area where we engage directly. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Cultural Olympiad will produce dividends for young people aspiring to careers in the creative and cultural industries. Through Thursday 11 August 2011 the Cultural Olympiad, they are being given opportunities to experience new activities, develop new skills and, in Abortion some cases, interact with professionals to learn about Question working in those industries. Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool LOCOG is managing the Cultural Olympiad. To To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they date, LOCOG has raised around £97 million of investment will place in the Library of the House copies of the for the Cultural Olympiad. The majority of this money correspondence between Lord Alton of Liverpool is input directly by the funding partners to the projects and the Secretary of State for International and programmes they are supporting. Development concerning gender-selective abortion The purpose of the Cultural Olympiad is to be a and gender-selective killing in India. [HL11411] cultural festival that complements the sporting excellence of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, Baroness Verma: Yes. as with the 2012 Games themselves, we hope there will be community, social and economic spin-offs that will Africa: Aid live beyond the Cultural Olympiad. Question A number of projects are encouraging young people Asked by The Earl of Sandwich to pursue careers in the creative industries—for example: To ask Her Majesty’s Government to which African Film Nation: Shorts, providing 14 to 25 year-olds with countries they have provided or removed budgetary opportunities to learn film-making skills, with access support from in the last 10 years; and on which to professional equipment and support; the Legacy dates. [HL11457] Trust UK, funding programmes in various parts of the UK to enhance young people’s skills, confidence Baroness Verma: I have placed in the Library of the and opportunities to interact with local creative and House a table outlining the amount of budget support— cultural industries; and CREATE Jobs, supported by formally known as Poverty Reduction Budget Support WA 483 Written Answers[LORDS] Written Answers WA 484

(both general and sector)—provided by Her Majesty’s the Secretary of State (directly or through a planning Government through the Department for International inspector) in England, Scotland and Wales; and, of Development (DfID) to African countries for every those, how many were refused. [HL11429] UK financial year between 2001-02 and 2010-11. The coalition Government recently reviewed the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, overall approach to providing budget support, with Department for Communities and Local Government emphasis on reducing waste and inefficiency and (Baroness Hanham): The tables below show the total improving transparency and value for money. The number of cases involving wind turbines decided on Secretary of State has announced that over the next appeal* by the Secretary of State, for England and four years, general budget support provided by the separately for Wales, between 2006 and 2010, and the UK Government will decline by nearly half. We are number refused. implementing a shift towards targeted funding to important sectors (sector support), such as health and * The England figures below include one application education. called in for decision by the Secretary of State (allowed, ie permission granted), and two enforcement appeals I have placed a second table in the House Library, that include a deemed application for permission (notice detailing instances where funding, including budget upheld, ie permission refused for both). The Wales support, has been disrupted, delayed, or suspended figures include one application called in for decision by because the conditions set out in that policy were not the Welsh Government (allowed, ie permission granted). met, for the UK financial years 2005-06 to 2010-11. Similar information for the years prior to 2005 is not England Single turbine** 2 or more turbines All readily available, and would incur disproportionate Total Refused Total Refused Total Refused costs in collating. 2006 11 6 8 7 19 13 2007 49 30 8 6 57 36 Agriculture and Food 2008 30 20 17 8 47 28 Question 2009 52 28 31 9 83 37 2010 43 22 44 21 87 43 Asked by Lord Chidgey Total 185 106(57%) 108 51(47%) 293 157(53%)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans Wales Single turbine** 2 or more turbines All they have to implement the recommendations of Total Refused Total Refused Total Refused the 2008 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development 2006 1 1 2 2 3 3 Report to which the United Kingdom is a 2007 4 2- 3 0 7 2 signatory. [HL11373] 2008 2 2 1 1 3 3 2009 5 1 6 3- 11 4 2010 1 1 1 1 2 2 Baroness Verma: The International Assessment of Total 13 7(54%) 13 7(54%) 26 14(54%) Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development Report (IAASTD) reports, including * * Single turbines could be domestic or commercial. the synthesis report, presented a range of options for different stakeholders (Governments, private sector, Planning in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish academics and civil society) to consider, none of which Executive and the department does not hold information were prescriptive nor legally binding on any party. The on these appeals. evidence provided by IAASTD demonstrated that in some situations, benefits can be captured by accelerating the adoption of existing technologies. Government Departments: Staff In 2008 DfID doubled its investment in agricultural Questions research to £400 million over five years. The investment included research on environmentally sustainable solutions, Asked by Lord Myners the needs of farmers, gender issues, public-private partnerships, the impact of markets on poor farmers To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether and traditional and modern technologies, all of which Mr Andy Coulson had access to secret and highly are advocated for by IAASTD. DfID also supports confidential classified documents and information large-scale programmes to get research into use in when serving as Director of Communications at developing countries, working in partnership with the Number 10 Downing Street; and whether he was private sector. subject to security vetting. [HL11111]

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Energy: Wind Farms Strathclyde): I refer the noble Lord to the letter sent by Question the Cabinet Secretary to the honourable Member for Asked by Lord Reay Bury South (Ivan Lewis MP) on 22 July 2011. A copy of this is available on the Cabinet Office website and To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each of has also been placed in the Library of the House. the last five years, how many onshore windfarm (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ planning applications were decided on appeal by andy-coulson-sir-gus-odonnells-letter-ivan-lewis-mp). WA 485 Written Answers[11 AUGUST 2011] Written Answers WA 486

Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay the ongoing conflict over resources at many levels is one of the underlying causes of the current famine To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the and chronic food insecurity. In Ethiopia, where food basic background check on Mr Coulson referred price inflation is currently at 45.3 per cent, economic to by the Prime Minister in his press conference on governance has a major impact on national food security. 8 July related to his appointment as the Prime In Kenya, DfID considers that the lack of investment Minister’s Director of Communications; if so, which in long-term food security in the arid lands and lack of company was commissioned and on what date, progress on related policy and institutional issues has what were its results and at what cost to public compounded the food security situation in that region. funds; and if not, what further checks were carried out in respect of that appointment, when, and by whom. [HL11250] Overseas Aid Lord Strathclyde: This background check was Question conducted prior to Mr Coulson’s appointment as Director Asked by Lord Chidgey of Communications to the Conservative Party in 2007. On appointment to the Civil Service, special advisers To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are security cleared to the appropriate level. they are taking to ensure that the new criteria to fund emergency aid will take account of low profile Horn of Africa emergencies that do not attract media attention. Question [HL11378] Asked by Lord Chidgey Baroness Verma: The United Nations Central To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is the primary they have made of the links between poor governance channel through which we provide funding for low in the Horn of Africa and the current food profile emergencies. The flexible core funding we crisis. [HL11377] are providing to CERF and other key humanitarian multilateral agencies enables these agencies to provide Baroness Verma: The UK recognises the nexus between essential life-saving assistance in low profile emergencies. governance and food security in the Horn of Africa. We are committed to providing humanitarian aid In Somalia, the Department for International on the basis of need, and will continue to fund agencies Development’s (DfID) assessment is that the lack of or organisations working in emergencies, irrespective government which serves the needs of the poor and of media coverage.

Thursday 11 August 2011

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Col. No. Col. No. Public Disorder – Local Response and Support...... 165 Public Disorder – Support for Business ...... 163

Answers received between Thursday 21 July andMonday 25 July 2011

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. Abortion...... 357 Health: Reciprocal Agreements...... 369

Agriculture: Peat...... 357 Healthcare: Costs...... 371

Armed Forces: Afghanistan and Iraq...... 358 Immigration...... 372

Armed Forces: Pilots ...... 359 Iraq...... 372

Armed Forces: Staff...... 360 Marine Environment: Pollution ...... 372

Childcare Act 2006 ...... 361 National Countryside Week...... 373

Crime: Burglary ...... 361 National Patient Safety Agency ...... 374

Embryology ...... 362 NHS: Bed-blocking...... 374

Energy: Nuclear Tests ...... 363 Passports ...... 374

Government Departments: Research and Data...... 363 Prisoners: Self-harm ...... 375

Health: Midwifery...... 369 Schools: Work Experience...... 375

Health: Pressure Sores ...... 369 South Wales Police...... 375

Answers received between Thursday 21 July andMonday 25 July 2011

NUMERICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. [HL10942]...... 360 [HL11085]...... 372

[HL10944]...... 358 [HL11094]...... 369

[HL10950]...... 375 [HL11100]...... 357

[HL11022]...... 361 [HL11107]...... 362

[HL11036]...... 369 [HL11110]...... 357

[HL11048]...... 363 [HL11120]...... 364

[HL11050]...... 363 [HL11121]...... 364

[HL11051]...... 364 [HL11122]...... 365

[HL11055]...... 372 [HL11142]...... 369

[HL11070]...... 373 [HL11154]...... 370

[HL11083]...... 370 [HL11157]...... 371 Col. No. Col. No. [HL11170]...... 375 [HL11262]...... 359

[HL11186]...... 375 [HL11269]...... 367

[HL11192]...... 365 [HL11270]...... 367 [HL11272]...... 367 [HL11193]...... 366 [HL11273]...... 368 [HL11195]...... 366 [HL11274]...... 368 [HL11220]...... 374 [HL11275]...... 374 [HL11235]...... 374 [HL11280]...... 371

[HL11236]...... 362 [HL11292]...... 363

[HL11246]...... 372 [HL11356]...... 361

Answers received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. Abortion...... 376 Companies House: Forms...... 392

Africa: Agricultural Aid...... 377 Court of the Bank of England...... 393

Agriculture and Food ...... 378 Crime: Burglary ...... 394

Agriculture and Food: Research Funding...... 378 Crime: Stalking...... 394

Agriculture: Dairy Farms ...... 379 Crime: Suspicious Activity Reports ...... 394

Airports: Heathrow...... 381 Crown Estate ...... 396

Anti-social Behaviour: Women ...... 382 Debt...... 396

Artists’ Resale Right ...... 381 Disabled People ...... 397

Assessment of Resources Regulations...... 382 Dr Kwame Nkrumah ...... 397

Atos Healthcare...... 383 Electoral Register...... 398

Aviation: Passenger Duty...... 383 EU: Defence Procurement ...... 398

Badgers...... 384 Falkland Islands ...... 399

Bank of England ...... 385 Female Genital Mutilation ...... 400

Banking ...... 385 Finance: High Frequency Share Trading...... 401

Banks: Debit Cards...... 387 Finance: Investors...... 402

Banks: First Trust Bank...... 387 Finance: Stocks and Shares ...... 402

Banks: Stress Tests...... 388 Financial Services Authority...... 403

Benefits: Disability...... 388 Financial Services Compensation Scheme ...... 403

British Embassies: Business Plans...... 389 Firearms: Home Office Firearms Forms Working Group...... 405 Burma...... 390 Fluoridation ...... 405 Childcare Act 2006 ...... 390 Gary McKinnon...... 406 Children: Bullying...... 391 Government Departments: Research and Data...... 406 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis...... 392 Government Departments: Websites...... 411

Commonwealth ...... 392 Government: Policy ...... 412 Col. No. Col. No. Health: Cancer...... 412 Passports ...... 428

Health: Contaminated Blood Products...... 413 Pensions...... 429

Health: Reciprocal Agreements...... 414 Planning ...... 430

Health: Surgical Instruments ...... 415 Protection from Harassment Act 1997...... 431

HM Treasury: Board of Directors ...... 416 Public Records: Colonial Documents ...... 431

Housing ...... 416 Republic of Ireland...... 432

Immigration...... 417 Rifat Assad...... 432

Immigration: Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland . 418 School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ...... 433 International Monetary Fund...... 418 Sexual Offences Act 2003...... 434 Internet: Broadband ...... 419 Social Care: Funding ...... 435 Iraq: Camp Ashraf...... 420 Social Fund ...... 436 Israel...... 421 South Wales Police...... 439 Israel and Palestine ...... 421 Sport...... 439 Libya ...... 422 Sport: Swimming ...... 441 Local Government: Finance ...... 422

London Thames Gateway Development Corporation ..... 422 Sudan...... 443

Middle East ...... 423 Taxation: Corporation Tax ...... 447

Migrant Workers: Bulgarians and Romanians ...... 423 Turkey...... 449

Migration Advisory Committee...... 424 Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 449

National Insurance ...... 424 UK Financial Investments Ltd ...... 449

NHS: EU Regulations ...... 426 Universal Credit...... 450

Northern Ireland: Economy...... 426 Universities: Funding...... 450

Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission...... 427 Visas ...... 451

Northern Ireland: Recognition Payments ...... 427 Young People: Enterprise...... 452

Palestine...... 428 Young People: Politics...... 453

Answers received between Monday 25 July and Monday 1 August 2011

NUMERICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. [HL10192]...... 433 [HL11023]...... 391

[HL10322]...... 394 [HL11035]...... 414

[HL10323]...... 395 [HL11043]...... 436

[HL10324]...... 396 [HL11045]...... 423

[HL10325]...... 396 [HL11053]...... 421

[HL10999]...... 412 [HL11054]...... 432

[HL11004]...... 400 [HL11082]...... 427

[HL11012]...... 423 [HL11093]...... 390

[HL11021]...... 391 [HL11097]...... 449 Col. No. Col. No. [HL11099]...... 431 [HL11212]...... 445

[HL11126]...... 450 [HL11217]...... 398

[HL11127]...... 441 [HL11218]...... 398

[HL11128]...... 441 [HL11221]...... 419

[HL11129]...... 442 [HL11222]...... 419

[HL11130]...... 442 [HL11223]...... 419

[HL11131]...... 442 [HL11224]...... 420

[HL11132]...... 442 [HL11225]...... 420

[HL11136]...... 428 [HL11226]...... 419

[HL11139]...... 403 [HL11244]...... 452

[HL11140]...... 404 [HL11247]...... 449

[HL11151]...... 449 [HL11248]...... 380

[HL11153]...... 449 [HL11255]...... 424

[HL11156]...... 411 [HL11256]...... 424

[HL11158]...... 414 [HL11257]...... 393

[HL11162]...... 435 [HL11258]...... 393

[HL11167]...... 378 [HL11259]...... 402

[HL11169]...... 379 [HL11260]...... 401

[HL11177]...... 422 [HL11261]...... 418

[HL11178]...... 443 [HL11263]...... 416

[HL11179]...... 443 [HL11264]...... 416

[HL11181]...... 399 [HL11265]...... 445

[HL11182]...... 399 [HL11267]...... 445

[HL11183]...... 399 [HL11268]...... 446

[HL11184]...... 399 [HL11276]...... 417

[HL11185]...... 400 [HL11277]...... 417

[HL11189]...... 391 [HL11278]...... 417

[HL11196]...... 406 [HL11281]...... 414

[HL11198]...... 396 [HL11283]...... 451

[HL11201]...... 385 [HL11284]...... 429

[HL11202]...... 385 [HL11285]...... 451

[HL11204]...... 390 [HL11286]...... 430

[HL11205]...... 397 [HL11287]...... 384

[HL11206]...... 432 [HL11288]...... 384

[HL11207]...... 444 [HL11289]...... 384

[HL11208]...... 444 [HL11291]...... 384

[HL11209]...... 444 [HL11293]...... 406

[HL11210]...... 444 [HL11294]...... 407 Col. No. Col. No. [HL11295]...... 407 [HL11347]...... 385

[HL11296]...... 408 [HL11348]...... 388

[HL11297]...... 408 [HL11349]...... 386

[HL11298]...... 409 [HL11351]...... 416

[HL11300]...... 442 [HL11352]...... 398

[HL11301]...... 442 [HL11353]...... 392

[HL11302]...... 442 [HL11354]...... 382

[HL11303]...... 442 [HL11355]...... 428

[HL11304]...... 442 [HL11357]...... 394

[HL11306]...... 397 [HL11358]...... 429

[HL11307]...... 376 [HL11360]...... 424

[HL11308]...... 376 [HL11361]...... 423

[HL11309]...... 412 [HL11362]...... 413

[HL11310]...... 413 [HL11365]...... 418

[HL11311]...... 412 [HL11366]...... 377

[HL11312]...... 403 [HL11367]...... 377

[HL11313]...... 392 [HL11374]...... 377

[HL11315]...... 396 [HL11375]...... 378

[HL11316]...... 450 [HL11376]...... 378

[HL11317]...... 393 [HL11383]...... 387

[HL11318]...... 393 [HL11384]...... 394

[HL11319]...... 386 [HL11388]...... 405

[HL11325]...... 421 [HL11390]...... 447

[HL11326]...... 421 [HL11391]...... 447

[HL11328]...... 420 [HL11392]...... 447

[HL11330]...... 383 [HL11396]...... 422

[HL11332]...... 432 [HL11397]...... 406

[HL11333]...... 383 [HL11398]...... 426

[HL11335]...... 415 [HL11399]...... 383

[HL11336]...... 426 [HL11400]...... 383

[HL11339]...... 409 [HL11401]...... 388

[HL11340]...... 409 [HL11402]...... 389

[HL11341]...... 410 [HL11403]...... 382

[HL11342]...... 410 [HL11405]...... 381

[HL11343]...... 410 [HL11413]...... 446

[HL11344]...... 411 [HL11414]...... 446

[HL11345]...... 392 [HL11415]...... 390

[HL11346]...... 386 [HL11416]...... 382 Col. No. Col. No. [HL11420]...... 434 [HL11458]...... 447

[HL11422]...... 411 [HL11461]...... 439

[HL11426]...... 447 [HL11462]...... 439

[HL11427]...... 404 [HL11463]...... 440

[HL11430]...... 425 [HL11464]...... 440

[HL11431]...... 448 [HL11465]...... 440

[HL11432]...... 448 [HL11466]...... 440

[HL11433]...... 431 [HL11467]...... 387

[HL11436]...... 426 [HL11468]...... 402

[HL11437]...... 426 [HL11469]...... 427

[HL11438]...... 426 [HL11470]...... 427

[HL11439]...... 452 [HL11471]...... 439

[HL11441]...... 405 [HL11476]...... 401

[HL11442]...... 405 [HL11479]...... 453

Answers received between Monday 1 August and Monday 8 August 2011 ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. Anguilla...... 454 House of Lords: IT...... 468

Animals: Scientific Procedures...... 454 House of Lords: Telephone Hacking ...... 468

Armed Forces: Aircraft...... 455 Israel...... 469

Armed Forces: Broadband...... 455 Local Government: Consent Regimes...... 469

Armed Forces: Helicopters ...... 456 Media: Regulation ...... 469

Armed Forces: Recruitment...... 456 NHS: EU Regulations ...... 470

Bovine Tuberculosis...... 458 NHS: Non-UK Residents ...... 470

Children Act 2004...... 458 NHS: Waiting Lists...... 471

Claims Management...... 459 Offenders: Unpaid Work...... 471 Cyprus: Electricity Supply ...... 460 Policing and Crime Act 2009 ...... 472 Defence: UK-US Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty..... 460 Prisoners: Self-harm ...... 473 Egypt ...... 460 Protection from Harassment Act 1997...... 474 Energy: Green Deal ...... 461 Schools: Leaving Age...... 475 Energy: Wind Farms...... 462 Schools: Sport...... 476 Female Genital Mutilation ...... 463 Sexual Offences Act 2003...... 478 Firearms: Home Office Firearms Forms Working Group...... 465 Somalia...... 480

Government Departments: Research and Data...... 466 Sport: SkillsActive ...... 480

Government Departments: Staff...... 466 Telephone Hacking...... 481

Health: Contaminated Blood Products...... 467 Young People: Creative Industries ...... 481

Healthcare: Costs...... 467 Zimbabwe ...... 482 Answers received between Monday 1 August and Monday 8 August 2011

NUMERICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. [HL11125]...... 461 [HL11410]...... 472

[HL11216]...... 460 [HL11412]...... 480

[HL11219]...... 469 [HL11417]...... 472

[HL11228]...... 460 [HL11418]...... 472

[HL11229]...... 460 [HL11419]...... 472

[HL11230]...... 481 [HL11421]...... 478

[HL11271]...... 466 [HL11423]...... 473

[HL11290]...... 458 [HL11424]...... 474

[HL11305]...... 480 [HL11425]...... 469

[HL11320]...... 468 [HL11428]...... 462

[HL11323]...... 461 [HL11434]...... 474

[HL11324]...... 462 [HL11440]...... 468

[HL11329]...... 460 [HL11443]...... 470

[HL11337]...... 470 [HL11445]...... 454

[HL11338]...... 470 [HL11446]...... 454

[HL11350]...... 466 [HL11447]...... 471

[HL11359]...... 468 [HL11448]...... 459

[HL11363]...... 467 [HL11449]...... 459 [HL11450]...... 476 [HL11364]...... 467 [HL11451]...... 476 [HL11368]...... 481 [HL11452]...... 477 [HL11369]...... 455 [HL11453]...... 477 [HL11370]...... 455 [HL11454]...... 477 [HL11371]...... 455 [HL11455]...... 478 [HL11372]...... 456 [HL11456]...... 482 [HL11379]...... 475 [HL11459]...... 469 [HL11387]...... 465 [HL11460]...... 458 [HL11389]...... 454 [HL11472]...... 463 [HL11393]...... 456 [HL11473]...... 463

[HL11394]...... 457 [HL11474]...... 464

[HL11395]...... 457 [HL11475]...... 465

[HL11408]...... 471 [HL11477]...... 465

[HL11409]...... 471 [HL11482]...... 467 Thursday 11 August 2011

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. Abortion...... 482 Energy: Wind Farms...... 483 Government Departments: Staff...... 484 Africa: Aid...... 482 Horn of Africa...... 485 Agriculture and Food ...... 483 Overseas Aid...... 486

Thursday 11 August 2011

NUMERICAL INDEX TO WRITTEN ANSWERS

Col. No. Col. No. [HL11111]...... 484 [HL11378]...... 486

[HL11250]...... 485 [HL11411]...... 482

[HL11373]...... 483 [HL11429]...... 484

[HL11377]...... 485 [HL11457]...... 482 Volume 729 Thursday No. 188 11 August 2011

CONTENTS

Thursday 11 August 2011 Deaths of Members Announcement ...... 1501 Public Disorder Statement ...... 1502 Global Economy Statement ...... 1534 Written Statements...... WS 163 Written Answers...... WA 357