Thursday Volume 540 23 February 2012 No. 268

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 23 February 2012

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assumptions used are in table 2.6 of the published House of Commons report, which is available on the Department’s website.

Thursday 23 February 2012 Lyn Brown: In November the Chancellor published his national infrastructure plan, committing the Government to exploring The House met at half-past Ten o’clock “all the options for maintaining the UK’s aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow.” Just a month later, the Minister of State, who has PRAYERS responsibility for aviation, said that the Government would refuse permission for additional runways at Gatwick [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] and Stansted, and in January the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) described suggestions of a new airport in the BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS London area as “irresponsible environmentally” and made clear his opposition. Was the Chancellor wrong PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS to say that all the options other than the third runway The VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD reported will be considered? Which alternative solutions are Ministers to the House two messages from Her Majesty the genuinely willing to consider? Queen: I have received your humble Address praying that I Justine Greening: To be clear, the commitment in the should appoint John Rhodes Horam to be an Electoral coalition agreement still stands, but we recognise that Commissioner in place of Baroness Browning with effect maintaining a competitive international hub airport is from 1 March 2012 for the period ending on 30 September incredibly important, which is why we have agreed to 2014. I will comply with your request. publish a call for evidence alongside the new aviation policy framework in March. I have received your humble address praying that I should appoint Professor Sir Andrew Likierman to the Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): May I urge the Secretary office of chair of the National Audit Office. I will comply of State in considering aircraft capacity to look first at with your request. the possibilities of expanding existing airports east of London, rather than building new ones, and at how the Speaker’s Statement lower Thames crossing could assist with infrastructure?

10.35 am Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is right to point out two things. First, we need to look at our transport Mr Speaker: I have a short statement to make. Members system as a whole. It is about getting around, and that will be aware of reports of a serious incident in the can involve not only aviation, but railways and roads. House last night. I have been informed by the Serjeant Secondly, the matter of the hub airport is incredibly at Arms that the hon. Member for Falkirk (Eric Joyce) important. It is also a medium to long-term issue. We has been detained in police custody. The matter is being received more than 600 responses to our original scoping investigated. I take this matter very seriously, as do the document. We are considering those and will take some House authorities. I ask that no further reference should of them forward in the strategy document we will be made to these reports in the Chamber today. publish in March.

Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): Does the Secretary of State agree that, with Heathrow Oral Answers to Questions supporting more than 100,000 jobs in west London, the future of Heathrow and its competitiveness needs to remain at the heart of our national aviation strategy? TRANSPORT Justine Greening: The hon. Lady is right that Heathrow has an incredibly important role to play in aviation, not The Secretary of State was asked— just for London and its economy but nationally, and of course for the many regional airports with connecting Aviation flights that hub into Heathrow and have passengers who then travel onwards. We are absolutely aware of 1. Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): What recent that, and it is one reason we need to take a responsible assessment she has made of aviation capacity in the approach to looking at the future of aviation in our south-east; and if she will make a statement. [95946] country.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): If we are not The Department for Transport’s latest estimates of airport going to build an additional runway at Heathrow but capacity are included in “UK Aviation Forecasts 2011”. want London to maintain its international competitiveness, These assume that no new runways are built in the UK is there really no alternative but to build a new airport but, where there is no explicit planning prohibition, in the estuary east of London? Should not the Government airports develop as necessary to utilise their current show to that issue the same commitment that they are potential runway capacity. Details of the capacity showing to high-speed rail? 999 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1000

Justine Greening: My hon. Friend, for whom I have a running the railways down, because that is the long-term, huge amount of respect, demonstrates why we need to sustainable way to respond to passengers’ concerns have a measured approach to the issue, and he is right to about the level of fares. point out that we now have cross-party consensus on the fact that there should not be a third runway at Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): I, too, Heathrow. The final point that I make to him, however, welcome the right hon. Lady back to her place. is that we need to realise that capacity and connectivity Last month The Daily Telegraph was briefed that are not exactly one and the same thing. We absolutely future fare rises are “not set in stone” and are “under need to ensure that we have the connectivity for our constant review.” Will the Minister of State therefore aviation sector not only nationally but, in particular, at tell the House whether she still intends to allow train the hub airport, and in many respects that is absolutely companies to hike fares by as much as 8% above inflation the most important thing—to make sure that we stay in 2013 and in 2014, and has she taken any decisions competitive. about fare rises in the years after that?

Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): Given Mrs Villiers: As I said in my opening answer on this that my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Lyn question, the current assumption is based on RPI plus Brown) has exposed the Government’s dilemma on 3%, but we will keep those matters under review, as we aviation capacity, in that they say they want to explore did in relation to 2012, to see whether further funding all options but, as she reports, have ruled out all options, can be secured in order to opt for a different approach. and given also the report in today’s Financial Times that In reality, however, it is crucial that we get the costs of Ken Livingstone is against Boris island in order, as he running the railways down—costs that spiralled during says, to protect east London’s environment and to defend the Labour Government. They failed to respond to the the west London economy, why has the Secretary of problem and were severely criticised by their own Labour- State not responded to the offer of my hon. Friend the dominated Select Committee at the time for not doing Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) for anything serious about rail fares. We are going to get the cross-party talks to explore the possibility of a national cost of the railways down so that we get better value for aviation plan? money for passengers.

Justine Greening: The door is always open to talking Maria Eagle: The Minister seems to be saying one with the Opposition on issues of national interest. thing to the train companies and another to passengers. I have with me the invitation to tender for the west coast main line, which promises bidders that they can increase Rail Fares fares by up to 8% above inflation next year, by up to 8% above inflation the year after that and, then, by up to 2. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) 6% above inflation every year for the rest of the entire (Lab/Co-op): How her Department will calculate the 15-year franchise. So it seems that the decision has been level of rail fares for services between Scotland and taken. When is the Minister of State going to stand up England in January (a) 2013 and (b) 2014. [95947] to those vested interests and stand up for passengers?

The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs Mrs Villiers: The shadow Secretary of State has resorted Theresa Villiers): The cap on regulated fares is calculated to the same old stuff about the fares basket flexibility according to the formulae in franchise agreements. The that the leader of her party got completely wrong at current planning assumption, as set out in the 2010 Prime Minister’s questions. It was a fares basket flexibility spending review, is that the cap will increase by RPI that Labour suspended for one year and then we introduced, plus 3% in January 2013 and in January 2014 for and the Labour Administration in Cardiff are still using operators franchised by the Department for Transport. that flexibility. It is entirely disingenuous for the shadow However, no final decision has been made. Secretary of State to get up and talk about—

Mark Lazarowicz: It is good to see the Minister in her Mr Speaker: Order. We do not use the word place today, and I am sure that the whole House wishes “disingenuous” in the Chamber, and I am sure that the her a speedy and full recovery from her accident. Minister of State is happy to withdraw it. We are extremely grateful for her answer. As well as the RPI plus 3% increase proposed by the Government here, the Scottish Government are proposing Shipping (Armed Guards) RPI plus 3% increases in rail fares in Scotland and the potential removal of sleeper services and of cross-border 3. Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab): Whether she services north of Edinburgh, so my constituents and plans to consult on draft legislative proposals on use many people in Scotland face a double whammy. How and regulation of armed guards on ships. [95948] can we expect people to continue to move on to the railways when we are putting such obstacles in their The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport way? (Mike Penning): The Government are not currently putting forward any legislative proposals for the use Mrs Villiers: The hon. Gentleman raises very important and regulation of armed guards. The possession of issues, and the concerns that he raises are one reason firearms is already regulated by the Home Office under why the Chancellor secured the funding to ensure that the Firearms Act 1968. We have issued UK-flagged the 2012 increase would be just RPI plus 1%. We shipping guidance, and we intend to bring forward recognise, however, that it is vital that we get the cost of further work in the near future. 1001 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1002

Graeme Morrice: I thank the Minister for his answer Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Will there be some and welcome the announcement that armed guards can consistency on brown signs around the country? During now be used in the protection of UK ships in areas the previous Government’s period in office, the Highways affected by piracy. He will be aware, however, that the Agency removed all three signs welcoming people to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee has described Britain’s oldest recorded town. Can the Secretary of the Government’s interim guidance as “thin on detail”, State assure us that we will have our signs reinstated? while ship owners have called for regulation to clarify the use of armed guards. When do the Government Justine Greening: I think that the roads Minister will intend to bring forward clearer guidance or regulation be meeting the hon. Gentleman in the next few weeks. on this issue? We are committed to seeing how we can make better use of brown signs not only to guide motorists to their Mike Penning: The protection of the UK fishing fleet destinations but to make sure that we in the Department is a very important issue, especially given the piracy of Transport play our role in helping the tourist industry situation off Somalia. This is not a new development; to do well in this country. armed guards were on British flagged ships long before we came into power. The issue was ignored, wrongly, by the previous Administration. We therefore made a conscious Trailers (Height) decision on whether we ignored it, wrongly, under UK law, or did something about it. Guidance was introduced, although I agree with the Select Committee that it needs 5. Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): What discussions to be firmed up. At the moment, we do not need she has had with the European Commission on the legislation, but if we do, we will bring it forward. height of trailers. [95951] Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): What assessment has the Minister made of the economic impact of The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport piracy in the Gulf of Aden? (Mike Penning): I recognise that this is an important issue for UK hauliers, and I am pressing for a solution Mike Penning: That is very difficult to do because no that protects our national interests. I raised my concerns British-flagged ship under armed guard has been taken with European Commission officials at the second Asia- by pirates; they have attempted to do so but have not Europe meeting of Transport Ministers in China in succeeded. That is an indication of why it was right and October. We are engaging fully with the European proper for us to move forward on this. There has Commission on this issue, which concerns our hauliers recently been a decline in attacks. That is partly to do greatly. with the excellent work that NATO and our European colleagues are doing with the Royal Navy, partly to do Mark Pawsey: The haulage industry is important to with armed guards, and partly to do with best practice; the country as a whole and to my constituency in a lot of it is to do with the weather, as well. We keep a particular. It has worked hard to maximise efficiency by very close eye on this, because it has a significant effect making use of all the space in larger, streamlined containers. on our shipping as well as on the shipping of other Lloyd Fraser Group in my constituency, which distributes European Union member states. Mr Kipling cakes among other things, is anxious to ensure that the negotiations allow it to remain competitive. Brown Tourist Signs Will the Minister give that reassurance?

4. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): When Mike Penning: I wonder whether I need to declare an she expects to publish the findings of her Department’s interest in Mr Kipling’s cakes. We must utilise our roads review of brown tourist signs. [95950] in the best possible way. If lorries are under the weight limit, 4 metre-plus trailers are of significant importance. The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): This issue has been raised by the Austrians. I do not see The review on brown tourist signs is ongoing, and we why it should affect British hauliers in the UK. expect to publish revised guidelines in the summer of 2012. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): This Julian Smith: I thank the roads Minister, my hon. is a serious question. It is not just about the height of Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) the vehicles, but about their cabs. These vehicles are for all that he has done to sort out the brown sign killing pedestrians and cyclists in our towns and countryside. debacle at Masham in my constituency. However, given The industry knows that cabs should be changed either that we have had quotes of £184,000 for two brown on the continent or on this side of the channel. These signs, will the Secretary of State look carefully as part vehicles are killing our people and the design should of the review at why the signs cost so much? change.

Justine Greening: We have challenged the costs that Mike Penning: The hon. Gentleman raises an enormously were originally proposed, and they will be substantially important issue. However, the question was about the lower. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and to the roads height of trailers. I accept that there are other issues and Minister for working so closely with the Highways I am more than happy to meet cycling representatives Agency to reach what should be a good solution to and the industry, as I do on a regular basis. He raises a improving the brown signs for Masham, and I hope that serious issue, but it has absolutely nothing to do with we will be able to reach a successful conclusion shortly. the height of trailers. 1003 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1004

Flights (Scotland) Mrs Villiers: It is not the role of Ministers to make decisions on these deals. There are legal rules that put in place the role of independent competition authorities in 6. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): What deciding these questions. Of course the Government assessment she has made of the effect on services to take seriously the importance of regional connectivity. Scotland of the bid by International Airlines Group to That is one reason for our pressing ahead with HS2 and acquire BMI. [95953] our Y-shaped network to Leeds and Manchester, which will deliver a three and a half hour journey time to The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs Scotland, providing an excellent addition to current Theresa Villiers): The Department has made no such connectivity. assessment. The proposed sale is a commercial matter between BMI’s owner and the prospective purchaser. Freight Containers (Rail Network) Any competition issues arising from the proposed sale will be subject to the appropriate EU and UK competition authorities. 7. Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): What plans she has to ensure the rail network serving ports can carry modern freight containers. [95954] Anas Sarwar: BMI’s withdrawal of its flights from Heathrow to Glasgow last year left British Airways as the sole operator. Since then, average fares have increased The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs by 34% and the number of flights on the route has Theresa Villiers): Our policy is to continue to develop decreased by 50%, affecting 1.8 million passengers and the strategic freight network to drive UK economic more than 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. growth and support the expansion of our maritime What steps will the Minister take to ensure that Scottish trade. businesses and the wider public are given access to a much more open, fair and competitive market? Ian Swales: I welcome the public investment to upgrade the rail connection from Teesport to the east coast main line by the end of this year. However, there is still no Mrs Villiers: It is difficult for me, as a Minister, to suitable east-west rail crossing for modern containers comment on the specific deal, as that is a matter for the anywhere between the midlands and Scotland. Will the competition authorities. It is worth bearing in mind that Minister also address that problem? Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow have 60,000 such flights a year, so there is excellent connectivity as things Mrs Villiers: The Government have a major programme stand. It is important that in our discussions with the of improving the capacity of our rail network to take European Commission on its airports package we ensure freight, particularly the 9 feet 6 inches high cube containers that it is aware of the importance of regional connectivity. that are so important a part of international trade. That We will look into that in our aviation framework document. is why the railway control period up to 2014 will see Our plans for High Speed 2 will deliver a three and a about £350 million spent on upgrading the network. A half hour journey time between Scottish destinations crucial part of that is improving links to ports, for and London, which will provide an attractive alternative example between Southampton and the west coast line to aviation. and on the Felixstowe-Nuneaton line. That will provide major benefits on carbon emissions, road safety and Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): relieving congestion on our roads. BMI’s headquarters is at Castle Donington in my constituency. Many of my constituents are very concerned Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): about their employment prospects at the company. Will What actions is the Minister taking to improve access to my right hon. Friend update the House on the progress ports outside the south-east? of the proposed takeover by International Airlines Group? Mrs Villiers: The hon. Lady will have heard of the Mrs Villiers: My understanding is that the directorate- proposals being taken forward to improve gauge clearance general for competition at the European Commission to Teesport, and we are working on a number of other has been informed, and that the Office of Fair Trading schemes and projects to improve rail freight connectivity is in contact with the parties and the Commission on with our major ports. Despite the deficit and the pressing the proposed sale. need to reduce spending, our work on the strategic freight network has continued, and we propose to continue Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): it in future. That was a very feeble answer from the Minister of State. Does she realise what British Airways is doing at Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): Has my the moment? To give an example, a 9.15 pm flight that I right hon. Friend had an opportunity to quantify what was supposed to take left at 10.36, after two other extra capacity there will be for freight transport on the flights to City airport had been cancelled. It arrived classic rail network following High Speed 2? after the Heathrow Express had left and I got home at 1.15 in the morning. That is what BA is doing now. This Mrs Villiers: HS2 has done some major studies on is not a question of competition. I want the Minister to that. I do not have the numbers in front of me, but it is tell the EU that it is not acceptable to the people of clear that one of the major benefits of HS2 will be to Scotland for BA to take over the BMI franchise. It will free up paths on the existing north-south network for do what it is doing now and destroy the service from freight, and indeed for other passenger services, relieving Edinburgh to this city. the current congestion problems. 1005 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1006

Local Bus Services Norman Baker: It is fair to say that the previous Government’s research showed that only one in 10 young people receiving EMA said that it was the deciding 8. Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): What recent factor— assessment she has made of the effect of changes in funding for local bus services on staying-on rates in Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): That is education for 16 and 17-year-olds. [95955] rubbish.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Norman Baker: I do not know that it is rubbish; it is (Norman Baker): I have made no specific assessment. It Labour’s research that I am referring to. is for local decision makers to assess the impact of their On the issue of moving forward on concessionary decisions, consulting with their communities. Local fares, I do not know whether the Labour party is authorities are required to include arrangements for pledging a new spending commitment, but its own transport provision and charges for 16 to 19-year-olds research shows that £740 million would be required for in full-time education in local transport policies. The the concession that it is advocating—a few days after Department for Education is also providing a £180 million the shadow Secretary of State announced that she bursary fund to support 16 to 19-year-olds who are would have a more responsible attitude to finance. experiencing real financial barriers to participating in [Interruption.] education. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD) rose— Yvonne Fovargue: Abby Hilton, a young constituent of mine, came to me last week and told of me her Mr Speaker: Order. Before I call Dr Huppert, I say to concern that her younger sister cannot follow in her the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) that it footsteps to Winstanley college due to the rise in bus is not very good form to heckle, but to heckle when fares and the loss of education maintenance allowance. sitting in the Chamber fiddling with a BlackBerry is just What assessment has been done of the cumulative rank discourteous. It is so blindingly obvious. impact of those two policies? Dr Huppert: Liberal Democrat councillors on Cambridgeshire county council have proposed a fully Norman Baker: I have been in regular contact with funded scheme that would provide free public transport my colleagues at the Department for Education and the for 16 to 19-year-olds who are seeking education, Confederation of Passenger Transport for some months employment or training. Would the Minister support now. Local members of the Youth Parliament in East such a scheme and encourage Cambridgeshire and other Sussex have been to make a presentation to the Bus councils to look carefully at such ideas? Partnership Forum, which I chair, and I have indicated to the CPT the need to work together with the Department Norman Baker: I certainly would support such a to address the issue. scheme and I welcome that initiative. The reality is that some councils provide support for young people to get Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): to education better than other councils provide it. The Does the Minister agree that forward-thinking principals matter is largely one for local authorities. Good practice of further education colleges are using their bursaries to is out there and should be replicated wherever possible. think of innovative community transport-based solutions, to ensure that young people who find that their bus Railway Companies (Executive Pay) service has disappeared can still get to college safely, securely and cheaply and continue their education? 9. Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): What steps she plans to take to limit the bonuses and overall Norman Baker: I agree with my hon. Friend. There is remuneration of executive directors of privately owned certainly a role for community transport, which is why but publicly subsidised railway companies. [95957] we have provided an extra £20 million over the past few months for investment in it. We have also encouraged The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): the bus companies themselves to recognise that there is Bonuses at shareholder-owned private sector companies a potential future market in the age group in question. are a matter for their remuneration committees and shareholders. In respect of Network Rail, I very much welcome the decision by the company’s executive directors Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Earlier to forgo this year’s annual bonuses. this month, Barnardo’s revealed research showing the hardship experienced by young people trying to stay on in education. Its chief executive, Anne Marie Carrie, Hugh Bayley: I ask the Secretary of State to think said that it was further on that. Of the six private companies that receive enormous subsidies from the taxpayer for running “an absolute disgrace that some students are now being forced to rail franchises, only one publishes information on the skip meals in order to afford the bus to college.” remuneration of its directors—the highest paid director Bus companies tell us that, as a result of the Minister’s receives £344,000 a year. Will she consider publishing, cuts to the bus service operators grant, they cannot in an anonymised form if necessary, the salaries of all afford to offer a concessionary fare scheme for those directors and staff of companies that receive money students. Will he now review the decision to cut BSOG, from the taxpayer when those salaries are higher, say, to provide affordable transport for those young people? than her own? 1007 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1008

Justine Greening: The hon. Gentleman makes an decision to invest in transport infrastructure and recognise interesting suggestion. The Government are looking the value of that to employment, we have given substantial across the board at how we can introduce corporate sums of money to local government to progress a large governance rules that lead to a more responsible approach number of major local schemes. by companies, and that give shareholders the ability to hold their executive to account more effectively. Cycling Transparency is a key part of the Government’s agenda too, so I shall reflect on what he says. 11. Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): How much of the local sustainable transport fund and Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): I the funding for the growth strategy for cycling and encourage the Secretary of State to come to visit the walking will be spent on cycle safety in the next new Network Rail headquarters in Milton Keynes, not financial year. [95959] because I want her to interfere in remuneration—that is best left to the company—but so that she can celebrate Norman Baker: During 2012-13, £11 million pounds the 1,000 new jobs that have been created there. will be spent on Bikeability and £8 million will be spent through the growth strategy on off-road infrastructure Justine Greening: I would be delighted to visit Milton for cyclists. Funding to local authorities for cycling Keynes. Network Rail is doing a huge amount of work through successful local sustainable transport fund projects on skills and apprenticeships. We should reflect on that is at least £15 million in the forthcoming year. and celebrate it. Approximately 40% of the measures funded relate to infrastructure or training, both of which will help cycle Transport Scheme Funding safety.

10. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Which transport Tim Farron: With the recent deaths of several cyclists schemes will be funded by both her Department and in south Lakeland, especially along the A590 and A591, the Regional Growth Fund. [95958] which are managed by the Highways Agency, what can the Government do to improve safety for cyclists in The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport rural areas and especially on those roads? (Norman Baker): One transport project secured funding from both the Department and the regional growth Norman Baker: I am obviously conscious that any death fund—the low emission transport and sustainable involving a cyclist on the roads is one too many. It is fair manufacturing north-east bid from Gateshead college, to put these matters in context, however. The number of which was successful in round 2 of the regional growth cyclists killed on the roads has declined by 40%, or fund. The project was awarded £6.3 million as part of a thereabouts, over the past 15 years. My hon. Friend is £45.6 million package that includes £3 million from the right, though, to raise the particular issue of the A590 Government’s “Plugged-in Places” programme. Both and the A591, which is a county road. I have asked the funding streams support the development of high-quality Highways Agency and Cumbria county council to work transport technology for low-emission vehicles. together on this matter and to let me know what steps they intend to take to improve cycle safety there. Ian Lucas: The Labour Welsh Government are funding the building of a relief road to Wrexham industrial Drink-drive Rehabilitation Scheme estate to facilitate growth and to help create jobs. Unfortunately, the Government on the Cheshire side of 12. Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): What the border are blocking good access. The project, which assessment she has made of the likely effect of is extremely important, could help to facilitate growth, proposed changes to the drink-drive rehabilitation should the Government believe in that. Can the regional scheme. [95960] growth fund help? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Norman Baker: The regional growth fund has been (Mike Penning): The consultation document, “New very well received and is producing jobs in areas of high Approval Arrangements for Drink-Drive Rehabilitation unemployment and from where the public sector is Courses”, published in November 2011, contained an withdrawing to some extent. The fund is important and initial impact assessment outlining the costs and benefits it has been successful. My Department is investing of the proposals. heavily in infrastructure, but I will look into the specific matter to which the hon. Gentleman refers. The Under- Paul Blomfield: Does the Minister accept that there is Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the real concern among those interested in reducing reoffending, Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), will including the Justices’ Clerks’ Society, which provides reply to the hon. Gentleman. legal advice to magistrates, that introducing multiple providers in an area will lead to a price-driven race to John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): Does the Minister the bottom, with a consequent impact on reoffending agree that local government, too, has a responsibility to rates? Would not a better solution be to have competitive promote transport projects, particularly those that will tendering for a single provider in an area to ensure help to promote economic growth? quality and effectiveness of the services?

Norman Baker: I entirely agree. We inherited a substantial Mike Penning: This matter has been raised with me pipeline of schemes from the previous Government. I privately in the past couple of days by several hon. am happy to say that as a consequence of this Government’s Members in exactly the way the hon. Gentleman asked 1009 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1010 his question. I will be looking at the matter. The principle phase 2 and how we can, I hope, ensure that Liverpool of drink-drive rehabilitation schemes is important. Evidence benefits, as one of the cities that will not be on the line shows that those who take the schemes are more than but will be in the region served by it. two and a half times less likely to reoffend—or at least to be caught reoffending; we do not actually know T2. [95967] Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): In the light of whether they are reoffending, of course. However, we research from the continent showing that high-speed will consider his point. rail has an adverse effect on the economy of towns and cities not on the networks, what assessment has the Topical Questions Secretary of State made of the impact of High Speed 2 on the north-east of England?

T1. [95966]Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Justine Greening: We looked closely at the wider Poole) (LD): If she will make a statement on her economic impacts. In fact, looking at high-speed rail’s departmental responsibilities. impact in other countries, such as France, one sees that there has been a broader regional benefit. I am determined The Secretary of State for Transport (Justine Greening): to work not only with the cities where high-speed rail It has been a busy time, and over the last period we have will stop but with the broader regions served to ensure taken important steps to improve the experience of that we make the most of the huge opportunity that I passengers and motorists, through measures to improve think high-speed rail presents. customer service in garages while keeping the annual MOT test; tackling with the industry the unacceptable T5. [95970] Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) hikes that people face in the cost of insuring their car; (Lab/Co-op): Lorries are involved in 19% of cyclist providing a fairer deal for British hauliers through a fatalities. Does the Minister support the call by The lorry road user charge; and boosting capacity on the Times cycling campaign to require lorries entering city west coast main line, with more than 100 extra carriages centres to have sensors and mirrors by law to reduce under the new franchise. Furthermore, through the cycling fatalities? Civil Aviation Bill, we are putting passengers at the heart of how our major airports are run and giving The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport more protection to holidaymakers by extending the air (Mike Penning): This is an important piece of work that travel organisers’ licence scheme. needs to be done. We are looking closely at how sensors and mirrors will work, and working with our European Annette Brooke: How is it possible for a company to partners on mirrors in particular. Sensors are a big win a competitive tender to provide a bus service but to issue, and only the other day I met the family of cease operating it within months, claiming that it is someone who had been killed by a lorry driver turning unviable, and causing great concern to those in villages left at a red light. The conclusion of that discussion was dependent on the service and, presumably, extra expense that sensors would not necessarily have helped in that to Dorset county council given that this service must be case. In other cases, if the sensor is set off by bollards or restored? What advice can the Secretary of State give? traffic lights, and so on, drivers will ignore the beeping and not do what they should, which is to see whether Justine Greening: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for there is a cyclist. However, we are looking closely at this that question. She will be aware that all local bus issue, and we will work closely with everybody in this operators must have an operators’ licence, which indicates House and in the cycling fraternity to ensure that we financial standing at the time that the operator was make it as safe as possible for cyclists. licensed by a traffic commissioner. Local transport authorities can check with the Vehicle and Operator T3. [95968] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Services Agency whether operators hold a current licence. Department will soon receive a bid to the sustainable I am not aware of any barrier to a local transport local transport fund from Wiltshire council to support authority ensuring, through its procurement process, services on the Wiltshire TransWilts community rail whether the current financial status of a bus operator is partnership. Will the Minister give the bid full sound, but I shall ask my officials to explore the matter consideration? Far from being the rural branch service further with the county council. that one might expect from current service levels, the line connects all the major economic centres of T4. [95969]Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): Wiltshire with Swindon, and indeed three mainline Will the Secretary of State explain why the latest railways. proposals for a new high-speed rail service will see journey times to Liverpool increase compared with The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport earlier plans, and will she accept that people in (Norman Baker): I am aware that my hon. Friend is a Liverpool will be rightly suspicious about why they are champion of the line, and we are certainly interested in being left in the slow lane by this Tory-led proposals that integrate rail with other services. I cannot, Government? of course, anticipate the assessment of the bid, but I look forward to receiving the bid, and I recognise and Justine Greening: I will be happy to meet the hon. note his support for the scheme. Gentleman to discuss this issue because I can assure him and his constituents that people in Liverpool are T6. [95971] Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): absolutely not being left in the slow lane. They will I met recently with the roads Minister, the Under- benefit from the improvements in times on the west Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Hemel coast main line. I am happy to talk with him about Hempstead (Mike Penning), along with my hon. 1011 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1012

Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North Margaret Beckett (Derby South) (Lab): The Secretary (Diana Johnson), to discuss the much needed of State will know that there is great interest in the city improvements on the A63 and Castle street in Hull. I of Derby in the decision that she has to make about the wonder whether he can give the House, and me in procurement of eVoyager trains for Cross Country. Can particular, an assurance that pre-construction funding she update the House on that? will be announced soon. Justine Greening: I believe we are making good progress, Mike Penning: In the autumn statement we announced and the right hon. Lady will be pleased to hear that I extra funding for road projects and for projects where am meeting Bombardier later today. we could literally press the button to allow growth to take place. In what I thought was a very amicable Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con): In order meeting with the hon. Gentleman and his colleague, we to upgrade the service to half-hourly on the Fen line said that we were looking at new programmes. We are and the Norwich-Cambridge line, there needs to be an very aware of the effects of the road in question on local upgrade at the Ely North junction. Network Rail has infrastructure, particularly the port, and as we go forward conducted an economic study that suggests that this we will work with him and the local authority up there will have a positive benefit, and the Department for to see whether the project can go ahead. Transport wants to specify it in the next franchise. May I ask what progress has been made to move forward on T8. [95973] Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): HS2 will this investment? shape the economic geography of the country for decades. Will my right hon. Friend meet with The Minister of State, Department for Transport colleagues and me to discuss the importance of a stop (Mrs Theresa Villiers): I know that my hon. Friend is a on HS2 in the north Staffordshire/south Cheshire area, strong campaigner for improvements to the rail lines which contains the 10th largest conurbation in the that serve her constituency. This is something that we country? are looking at carefully. We have asked Network Rail to do important work on deciding how we might improve Justine Greening: I would be very happy to do so. My the frequency of the services in the way that she wishes hon. Friend is quite right, on behalf of the community to see, and whether the infrastructure needed to deliver he represents, to want to look at how high-speed rail that is within the budgets that have already been allocated can benefit that community, and I am happy to have to Network Rail. We will also look at what we might be those discussions with him. able to do in the next control period, as part of our high-level output specification—HLOS—statement, which we will publish in the summer. T7. [95972] Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): First, let me thank the Secretary of Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): Will the State for the response from her Minister, the Under- Minister update the House on the Department’s attitude Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Hemel towards the electrification of the midland main line? Hempstead (Mike Penning), to my letter about people There is widespread concern that, because of HS2 and pulling horse boxes over seven and a half tonnes, which other pressures, the electrification will not go ahead for we have found prevents people who go to gymkhanas quite some time. It would, however, provide a huge with their children, for example, in a larger vehicle from boost to the east midlands economy and to cities such being able to do so, because they cannot fit in a rest as Leicester. period. Can she give me any idea of how long it will take for the derogation that she is seeking from the EU Mrs Villiers: Leicester and the communities around it to allow people to carry more than one or two horses to have been running a very good campaign on this issue. gymkhanas in the summer? The Government have made it clear that we see the progressive electrification of the rail network as an Justine Greening: Although I cannot give the hon. important part of our transport and environmental Gentleman an exact timeline, I can assure him that we policy. The electrification of the midland main line has are working hard on this matter, and he was quite right been prioritised by the industry in its initial industry to raise it in the first place. plan, which will form an important part of the decisions that we have to make on what will be funded in the next T9. [95974] Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) railway control period. We will give further details in (Con): I am sure that Ministers are all welcoming The our HLOS statement in July. Times campaign for safer cycling. What steps does the Department think it can take to ensure that cyclists Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): Given join with motorists in taking responsibility for ensuring the recent disappointing Christmas drink-drive statistics, their own safety while cycling, for example by ensuring is it now time to revisit the decision not to accept the that their bicycles have bells attached and that they are North review’s recommendation to reduce the drink-drive not listening to music while cycling? limit?

Mike Penning: It is the responsibility of everybody on Mike Penning: I was not as disappointed by the the highway to ensure that they are aware of what their Christmas drink-drive campaign as the hon. Gentleman situation is, alert to what is going on around them— was. Any drink-driving is wrong, and it should not particularly if they are cyclists—and, at the same time, happen, but we targeted specific areas—namely, those visible to other road users. At the same time, however, who drink excessively and younger drivers—and that they need to be protected as well. campaign was successful. We will continue to push to 1013 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1014 ensure that people understand that they should not their careers. In that way, we want to open up opportunities drink and drive, and that if they do, they will be to young people, including young women, so that they prosecuted. do not feel that they are simply being pushed down what one might call the traditional, stereotyped routes.

Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) WOMEN AND EQUALITIES (Lab): This week I was contacted about a mother who is working 22 hours in a local shop. She cannot get the The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked— extra regular hours she wants, although she has tried hard—she cannot find alternative work, but at least she Economy has a job, is contributing to the economy and is supporting her family. Her husband has lost his job and is struggling 1. Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): What recent to get a new one because he has had a stroke. In six assessment she has made of the contribution of women weeks’ time the Government will take away the working to the economy; and if she will make a statement. tax credit from her family, and they could lose over [95935] £3,000. They will not be able to pay their mortgage; they will be better off if she gives up work; they will be The Secretary of State for the Home Department and better off if the family splits up. This is going to happen Minister for Women and Equalities (Mrs Theresa May): in April. Does the Home Secretary support this policy, Women’s role in the economy is obviously very important. which will hit thousands of working women, and what Making better use of women’s skills is good for the advice would she give to that mother now? economy and good for women. That is why we are introducing universal credit to help to make work pay— Mrs May: The right hon. Lady raises a very particular including an extra £300 million for child care. We are case, but the issue is about the welfare—[Interruption.] also supporting women’s enterprise, encouraging greater Perhaps Opposition Members could wait for me to transparency on gender equality, and working with finish my sentence before they try to interrupt. The business to ensure that more women reach the boardrooms right hon. Lady has raised a particular case, but the of our leading companies. issue is about welfare reform and the particular welfare reforms that this Government are putting through. I Fiona Mactaggart: From the Minister’s answer, one know that the Opposition find it difficult to decide would not realise that since she has been in that role, the where they position themselves on welfare reform, but it level of women’s unemployment has risen by 27%. is necessary for us to reform the welfare system. Crucially, Given that the majority of retail workers are women, what we will do—and it will be of benefit to women—is and that retail companies are now reducing the hours introduce the universal credit, which will make work that they offer to paid workers and substituting them pay. I applaud people who want to get into the workplace with unpaid workers, what conversations has she had in order to provide for themselves and their families, so with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on it is important to ensure that the benefit system makes protecting women in the retail sector? work pay. That is why we are introducing universal credit and making it easier under it for people to work Mrs May: First, I must tell the hon. Lady that there fewer than 16 hours and still have access to child care are tens of thousands more women in employment support. today than there were when her party left government in 2010. On the issue of retailers, we have an excellent work experience scheme that is giving young people Female Genital Mutilation very good opportunities for work experience, on a voluntary basis, which will help them to get into the 2. Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): What steps the workplace. I think that it is time for the hon. Lady to Government are taking to identify and safeguard girls stop talking retailers down. A career in retailing can be at risk of being taken out of the UK to undergo female an extremely good career. There are many people at the genital mutilation. [95936] top of retailing who started their working life on the shop floor, and retailers have often led the way in providing flexible working opportunities for women. The Minister for Equalities (Lynne Featherstone): I thank and commend my hon. Friend for her work on Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): According to this subject, and congratulate her on her effective leadership the Department’s own figures, women have the lowest of the all-party parliamentary group on female genital representation among engineering professionals, mutilation. The Government’s approach to ending female information and communication technology professionals, genital mutilation is set out in our “Call to End Violence architects, town planners and surveyors. What is being Against Women and Girls”. We have published guidance done to tackle that issue? for all front-line professions; we are raising awareness among children; and we are supporting front-line Mrs May: My hon. Friend raises an extremely valid practitioners. point. I have always had a particular bee in my bonnet about encouraging women to take up careers in engineering. Jane Ellison: I thank the Minister for her response We are trying to ensure that women are given proper and for her support for the all-party group. Will she information about such opportunities, by refocusing urge officials, particularly those working on the UK’s and recasting the careers advice that is given to young borders, to play their full part in enforcing the Female people and, indeed, to people of all ages throughout Genital Mutilation Act 2003? 1015 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1016

Lynne Featherstone: UK border staff already play an Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): Is the important role in our strategy to prevent FGM. As Minister aware that according to the findings of research I indicated, we have already produced the guidelines; I conducted by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, will undertake to make sure that the relevant staff read published in The Independent yesterday, 80% of young them. disabled people do not believe that the police will act on their concerns about disability hate crime? Will she Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Is undertake to talk to the Home Secretary about the not statutory personal, social, health and economic matter, in order to ensure that police authorities and, education in schools an important way of equipping soon, elected police and crime commissioners take the our young women to know what their rights are in this matter seriously? area? Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right: that is an Lynne Featherstone: I believe the hon. Lady asked me excellent piece of research. We are focusing on helping about PSHE at the last parliamentary questions. PSHE voluntary sector partners, including Radar to do more exists for a number of reasons and it is under review by to enable disabled people to report to third sector the Department for Education. We are raising children’s organisations so that they can gain the access to justice awareness of these issues and we jointly produced a that they need. film, which is being distributed. Unemployment Disability Hate Crimes 4. Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): 3. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What steps she is What steps she is taking to tackle women’s taking to reduce disability hate crime. [95937] unemployment. [95938] The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller): No one should fear abuse and Pensions (Maria Miller): The Government are helping for who they are, and tackling hate crime against disabled women to move into employment, including self- people is an issue that this Government take very seriously. employment, through the Work programme and our We are improving the recording of such crimes, and business mentoring scheme. We are also improving careers working with the voluntary partners to encourage more advice and training, and encouraging more women to victims to come forward. We will publish the Government’s enter apprenticeships. The action that we are taking to new action plan on hate crime shortly. increase flexibility in the workplace and to support child care costs will help to provide more opportunities Mark Menzies: I thank my hon. Friend for her answer, for women. but what specific measures are the Government taking to encourage victims to come forward so that we can Andrew Miller: As the Minister will know, women finally stamp out this atrocious crime? contribute significantly to the employment base in my constituency, but there are serious problems on the Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to horizon, first as a result of lost local government jobs want to know the specifics, as under-reporting is a real and secondly because of the hugely increasing demand concern in this area. That is why we continue to work for, and cost of, child care. What will the Government with the police and the voluntary sector, including with do about those serious problems? organisations like Radar, which has designed initiatives to increase the reporting of hate crime through third-party Maria Miller: The hon. Gentleman has raised some reporting organisations. I urge my hon. Friend and important points. Yes, it can be very difficult for women other hon. Members to take this opportunity to look at in the workplace at present, although, as we heard the guidance on hate crime that we issued yesterday to earlier, there are 50,000 more women in work than there see how they can help to drive awareness of this issue in wereayearago. their own constituencies. Child care can present a significant barrier to a return to employment. We will be spending some Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The Minister £300 million under the universal credit scheme to give will be aware that the recent report from the Work and more women who are working shorter hours access to Pensions Select Committee on the transition from disability child care, and, as already been announced, we are living allowance to personal independence payment has increasing early years education funding to some £760 made it clear yet again that some statements made by million to give all three-to-four-year-olds 15 hours of the Department have themselves encouraged a negative education a week. Those are some practical measures view of people with disabilities. What steps is she taking that we are taking to help the hon. Gentleman’s constituents, to ensure that anything coming out from the Department and other women throughout the country, to return to cannot be misinterpreted in that way? work. Maria Miller: I agree with the hon. Lady. Anything Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Is that fuels hostility or harassment is absolutely unacceptable. my hon. Friend aware of the specific difficulties of I believe that for too long the benefits system itself has women who want to return to work after having a trapped people in a life of welfare dependency, and that family? What help are we giving such women, particularly if we are to tackle this issue effectively, it must be those who wish to work part time for a period? subjected to a radical overhaul. Perhaps it is those who are reluctant to accept such a change in the benefits Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right: it can be system, which has trapped 5 million people on out-of-work difficult for women to return to the workplace. Programmes benefits, who are standing in the way of what is needed. such as the Work programme can make a real difference 1017 Oral Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Oral Answers 1018 by ensuring that women, and indeed anyone who wants partners, many of which have already been delivered. A to return to work, have the skills that will get them jobs. refreshed action plan will be published on 8 March The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, 2012. my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), is extending the work experience scheme Robert Flello: A recent report by Professor Sylvia so that women have a solid foundation of experience to Walby shows that Women’s Aid is daily having to turn include in their CVs, which will help them to obtain away almost one in 10 women seeking refuge because of work in the long term. the substantial cuts in national budgets. Warm words achieve nothing. What is the Minister going to do about Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): The Olympic this? Delivery Authority has set an excellent example by securing construction jobs on the Olympics site for Lynne Featherstone: The hon. Gentleman raises an more than 1,000 women. What lessons will the Minister issue that has been raised before. The Supporting People take from that in terms of using Government procurement budget is £6.5 billion. It is the largest budget and it has to ensure that women have a fair chance of obtaining been cut by only 1%, so if Women’s Aid is facing a jobs, and better-paid jobs? bigger cut, local authorities need to hear loud and clear what the Home Secretary and I have said. We have Maria Miller: We need to ensure that women have ring-fenced £28 million of central funding to send out a broad horizons when it comes to obtaining jobs in, for loud and clear message to local governments not to cut instance, engineering and construction. Through funding. Furthermore, the national helplines are still programmes such as the Work programme, we can give being funded by central Government. people opportunities to gain experience that can make a real difference to their ability to secure jobs, because Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): they can bring that experience into play during job Honour-based violence is linked to domestic violence, interviews. and I am sure the Minister is aware of a recent report Income Tax stating that there were more than 2,800 incidents of honour-based violence in our country last year. What 5. Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): How steps are we taking to deal with this horrendous practice? many women have ceased to be liable for income tax Lynne Featherstone: The Government condemn this since May 2010. [95939] awful practice. We are committed to tackling honour-based The Secretary of State for the Home Department and violence and the action plan to end violence against Minister for Women and Equalities (Mrs Theresa May): women and girls sets out our approach. It includes The Government are committed to supporting working working with partners to identify what more can be women. We have increased the personal income tax done. Next week I will be in New York to attend the allowance in successive Budgets, so that anyone earning commission on the status of women, where I will speak below £8,105 in 2012-13 will pay no income tax whatsoever. on forced marriage for Plan UK. Those changes will take 1.1 million low-income people out of tax altogether, and more than half of them will Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Aylesbury be women. women’s centre is closing its domestic violence service; two out of six of the Imkaan refuges that provide Jo Swinson: I strongly support the coalition Government specialist help for black and minority ethnic women are policy of raising the tax threshold to help people on low closing; Trafford Women’s Aid is losing half its council and middle incomes, which, of course, particularly helps funding for the refuge; Devon domestic violence and women, who are more likely to work part-time. Would abuse services are losing half their staff; in Northumbria, not more women benefit if the Government went further the counselling service, paid for by the police, at the and faster towards raising the threshold to £10,000, and sexual assault referral centre has been stopped; and our will my right hon. Friend encourage her Treasury colleagues women’s safety commission has found countless examples to make that a priority in the forthcoming Budget? across the country of services that protect women being disproportionately hit, putting women’s safety at risk. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is tempting me to go down The Government cannot palm the blame on to local a route that would be straying on to the role of the authorities. Will the Minister take her responsibility for Chancellor of the Exchequer. Decisions on the way in women’s safety seriously and urgently conduct a national which we will achieve that coalition commitment will be audit of the support available for women and girls at taken in future Budgets. risk of violence, to make sure their protection is not Domestic and Family Violence being removed? 6. Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab): What Lynne Featherstone: If we were not dealing with the steps she is taking to support victims of domestic and greatest deficit in peacetime Britain, we may not have family violence. [95940] had to do anything. As I said to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Robert Flello), the Supporting The Minister for Equalities (Lynne Featherstone): The People budget of £6.5 billion has been cut by only 1%. Government’s approach to tackling domestic and family The matters the hon. Lady raises are local matters and violence is set out in our strategy to end violence against we have made the situation perfectly clear and sent out women and girls and the supporting action plan. This a message to local government not to make the voluntary action plan includes 88 different actions for a wide sector a soft target. When the hon. Lady publishes her range of Government Departments and our external report, I trust she will send it to all local authorities. 1019 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1020

Business of the House Every time that I have raised the question of the Health and Social Care Bill, the right hon. Gentleman 11.33 am has claimed that he supports it, and I was beginning to worry that he might actually be a true believer in it. So I Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of was delighted to read that Downing street sources had the House please give us the business for next week? fingered him as one of the Cabinet’s heroic three who had briefed Conservative Home about their opposition The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George to the Bill. May I welcome him to a just cause? He joins Young): The business for the week commencing 27 February the company of patients, doctors, nurses, midwives, will be as follows: royal colleges and health managers—in fact, he joins MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY—Estimates day [4th allotted just about anyone who has anything to do with the day]. There will be debates on funding for the Olympics NHS. These are all the people who were locked out of and Paralympics, and on the Forensic Science Service. No. 10 when the Prime Minister held his self-styled Further details will be given in the Official Report. “summit” on Monday, which was just another public relations stunt from a Prime Minister who thinks that [The details are as follows: Funding for the Olympics that is what his job is about. A year ago, the Prime and Paralympics: Oral evidence taken before the Culture, Minister said he had to listen to those in the NHS, but Media and Sport Committee on 14 and 21 December now he shuts the door on them if they dare to disagree 2010, HC 689 I and II, 17 May 2011, HC 689-III, with him. 15 November 2011, HC 689-IV, and 24 January 2012, HC 689-V; Forensic Science Service: 7th report from the Yesterday, the hon. Member for Dartford (Gareth Science and Technology Committee of Session 2010-12, Johnson), explaining all this away, said that we should HC 855; Government response—The Forensic Science ignore the views of the royal college because general Service, Cm 8215.] practitioners had been opposed to Labour’s 1948 Bill founding the NHS. That was not the best argument for TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY— Estimates day [5th allotted a Conservative MP to advance, because if Labour had day]. There will be debates on transport and the economy listened to the Conservatives then, there would be no and on preparations for the Rio plus 20 summit. NHS today. The Conservative party was wrong then Further details will be given in the Official Report. and it is wrong now, so will the Government see sense, [The details are as follows: Transport and the Economy: listen to even the Leader of the House and drop the 3rd report from the Transport Committee of Session Health and Social Care Bill. 2010-12, HC 473; Government Response—4th special Fifteen Liberal Democrats signed early-day motion 2659, report from the Transport Committee of Session 2010-12, which states: HC 962; Preparations for the Rio+20 summit: 8th report [That this House expects the Government to respect from the Environmental Audit committee of Session 2010-12, the ruling by the Information Commissioner and to publish HC 1026; Government response—5th special report from the risk register associated with the Health and Social the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2010-12, Care Bill reforms in advance of Report Stage in the HC 1737.] House of Lords in order to ensure that it informs that At 10 pm the House will be asked to agree all outstanding debate.] estimates. Yesterday, there was an almost identically worded motion WEDNESDAY 29 FEBRUARY—Second Reading of the on the Order Paper, but astonishingly only four Liberal Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill, followed by Democrats joined us to vote for it—the rest abandoned proceedings on the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation their principles and shamefully scurried through the and Adjustments) Bill. Government Lobby or sat on their hands. This week, Russian scientists announced they had grown an extinct THURSDAY 1MARCH—Motion relating to CPI/RPI plant from seeds frozen in the permafrost for the past pensions uprating, followed by a general debate on 30,000 years. Liberal Democrats have clearly decided to Welsh affairs. The subject for these debates has been put their principles into a similar deep freeze. Let me nominated by the Backbench Business Committee. tell them that they are kidding themselves if they think The provisional business for the week commencing they can store them away until the next election. 5 March will include: There are rumours going around that the Deputy MONDAY 5MARCH— Opposition day [un-allotted day]. Prime Minister, who astonishingly did not turn up to There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. Subject vote last night, is encouraging Liberal Democrats in the to be announced. Lords to wreck the Health and Social Care Bill. So will I should also like to inform the House that the the Leader of the House find time for a debate on business in Westminster Hall for 1, 8 and 15 March coalition unity, to give Liberal Democrats a chance to 2012 will be: make up their minds on whether they are in the Government or not? They cannot be a bit of both. THURSDAY 1MARCH—Debate on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy. The House was grateful to the Leader of the House for announcing the forthcoming parliamentary calendar. THURSDAY 8MARCH—Debate on the common agricultural The Government are planning for the House to rise on policy after 2013. Tuesday 27 March, Tuesday 17 July, Tuesday 18 September THURSDAY 15 MARCH—Debate on the effectiveness of and Tuesday 13 November. In total, two thirds of the UK Trade & Investment. days on which the House has risen since the election have been Tuesdays. Will the Leader of the House now Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for his find time for a debate on why the Government are so statement. keen for the House to rise on Tuesdays? The Prime 1021 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1022

Minister operates a lock-out policy at No. 10 for his say that this is a more cohesive Government than the health critics, he cannot stand criticism, he gets rattled Blair-Brown Government of which she was a member. at the Dispatch Box and now it looks very much like he So far as Prime Minister’s questions are concerned, I is running away from Prime Minister’s questions at have checked the figures and can tell the hon. Lady and every opportunity. the House that the number of Prime Minister’s questions Today, Royal Bank of Scotland has announced that per sitting day has risen in this Session compared with its losses doubled last year. There have been 3,500 job the last Session under the previous Administration. I cuts and front-line bank staff have been offered a 1% pay say to the hon. Lady that the current Prime Minister is rise. With ordinary families struggling, can it be acceptable turning up for Prime Minister’s questions more often that RBS is planning to pay £400 million in bonuses to than his predecessor. His predecessor—[Interruption.] top bankers—from a state-owned bank? Is that the Government’s definition of “We’re all in this together”? Mr Speaker: Order. I am glad that the House is in a boisterous but, on the whole, good-natured mood, but I Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Anti- want to hear the answers from the Leader of the House. business, that’s what you are.

Ms Eagle: I am pro-fairness, not anti-business. Sir George Young: The previous Prime Minister was The House was conveniently in recess when last week’s absent from Prime Minister’s questions twice as often as appalling unemployment figures came out, and when the current Prime Minister has been and my right hon. the next figures are due the Prime Minister is out of the Friend, who relishes his performances in the House, has country. The Prime Minister runs away from engaging made proportionately more statements to the House with health critics, he cannot face talking about the than his predecessor and has been at the Dispatch Box economy and he has no solution to the unemployment for well over 30 hours in so doing. crisis. So will the Leader of the House now find time for So far as the banks are concerned, I remind the hon. a debate on the economy so the Government can explain Lady that, between 2001 and 2007, bank bonuses went their failing economic policies? up from £3.1 billion to £11.5 billion at a time when the This is a Government led by a Prime Minister who banks were engaged in irresponsible lending and buying dodges Prime Minister’s questions and a Deputy Prime securities that turned out to be worthless. In 2009, the Minister who spends most of his time attacking the Labour party signed off £1.3 billion-worth of bonuses Government of which he is a member. Their disastrous for Royal Bank of Scotland. That compares with the economic policy has resulted in unemployment at its figure of below £400 million that was approved today, highest level for a generation and their health policy is so that was also an unfortunate subject for her to raise. opposed by just about everyone who works in or cares Finally, on the economy, the International Monetary about the NHS. No wonder recesses cannot come fast Fund has forecast the UK to grow twice as fast as enough for the Government. Germany and three times as fast as France this year. After the Budget, we will have four days of debate on Sir George Young: I was waiting for the question the economy, which Government Members look forward about the business, but it did not come. to with relish. May I begin by disappointing the hon. Lady? There was no truth in the rumours to which she referred at the Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): The Minister for beginning of her remarks. I have supported the Health Europe has placed a letter in the House of Commons and Social Care Bill publicly and privately and continue Library, which is addressed by the permanent representative to do so. Once again, she asked us to drop the Bill. Does of the UK representation to the EU to the secretary-general she really want us to drop clauses 22 and 25, which put of the Council of the European Union, and raises the in law for the first time a duty on the NHS to tackle question of the legality of the treaty on stability, health inequality? Does she want that dropped? Does co-ordination and governance, which was signed on she want clause 116 dropped, which will prevent 30 January. It states that the United Kingdom discrimination in favour of private health companies over the NHS and is the first piece of legislation to do “must reserve our position on the proposed treaty and its use of the institutions”. so? Does she want to abolish part 1, which is all about integrating health and social care? Does she want to In the circumstances, and given that I and others have stop local authorities dealing with public health? The raised the fact that there are serious questions about the Opposition want to stop all sensible reforms and to nature and lawfulness of that treaty, and given that the drop our extra £12.5 billion investment. Government appear to share the concerns on that issue, will the Leader of the House agree to have a debate in On yesterday’s debate, I am delighted that Liberal Government time for at least three hours next week to Democrat Members of Parliament listened to the argument discuss the nature and lawfulness of that treaty? made by Members on the Government Benches and decided, on reflection, to oppose the Labour party’s motion. I gently remind the hon. Lady that I seem to Sir George Young: I understand the concern that my remember an early-day motion in the last Parliament hon. Friend has expressed. I have just announced the that was signed by a large number of Back-Bench business for next week and, sadly, there is not an opportunity Labour MPs. When it was debated in the House, they to raise the specific issue to which he has referred. I miraculously had the same sort of Pauline conversion cannot guarantee to find time in the near future for his and decided to support the Government, so she should request, but there may be other opportunities for him to be slightly more careful about the examples that she raise European business on the Floor of the House chooses. On the cohesion of the Government, I would as he has done on many occasions in recent weeks. 1023 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1024

[Sir George Young] Mr Speaker: Order. There is huge interest today, which I am keen to accommodate, but if I am to do so I Of course, there is also the opportunity of debates in will require brevity, a master class in which will be Westminster Hall or through the Backbench Business provided by the right hon. Member for Wokingham Committee in this Chamber. (Mr Redwood).

Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): Will Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): RBS has the Leader of the House take this opportunity to announce announced pay increases for investment bankers, big to the House that instead of having a pre-recess losses and no dividends for taxpayers yet again. May we Adjournment debate on 27 March, the debate will be on have an early debate on measures to break the bank up, assisted dying? Will he also reassure the House that this promote better management and get some money back is going to be an exception rather than a rule? We intend for taxpayers? to preserve the pre-recess Adjournment debate but we thought that this issue was of such importance that we Sir George Young: My right hon. Friend may have an wanted to give Members and those outside time to opportunity in the Budget debate to intervene along organise for it. those lines with his radical suggestions for a fresh approach to RBS. Sir George Young: I am grateful to the hon. Lady. There is no need for me to make the announcement Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): The Leader of because she has just done so. It is up to the Backbench the House may be aware that I have twice raised the Business Committee to reconfigure the days that we issue of wind farms being built in close proximity to have allocated to it and there is no obligation on the people’s homes. In Scotland there is a rule about how Committee to adhere to the pattern of days adopted by close wind farms can be to homes, but the Department I previous Governments. She has the flexibility and I have raised the matter with has refused on both occasions understand the strength of feeling on both sides of the to think about that. If wind farms are so perfect, why House regarding the motion she has mentioned. I am are there none in the backyards of the Prime Minister sure that a debate on that issue is an intelligent use of and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local time. Government? As a bonus, why are there not half a dozen at Highgrove? Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): Given the number of people who travel abroad for cosmetic operations, Sir George Young: The hon. Gentleman is right that, may we have a debate on the merit of taking out private as the Localism Bill went through Parliament, the insurance to cover the cost of any post-operative care, Government resisted an embargo on wind farm which people often hope the NHS will pick up at great development within a certain distance from residential expense? units, and we have resisted it subsequently. I will raise his concerns with the Secretary of State for Communities Sir George Young: I understand the point that my and Local Government. Whether to approve applications hon. Friend makes, but I am sure that she would not for wind farms at the exciting locations the hon. Gentleman want to suggest that those who come back to this mentions is a matter for the local authorities. I am sure country, having been let down by treatment overseas, that they would take on board the support for them that should be denied access to NHS treatment. If she is he has just enunciated. suggesting that people should insure themselves against Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) (Con): May we have such costs, that is a sensible and prudent suggestion, a debate on making better use of our natural resources? which I am sure my hon. Friends will want to take on Is the Leader of the House aware that later this year the board. country could be in the ridiculous situation of having some areas suffer drought while others are awash with Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): Will the water? Is it not time we had a national water grid? Leader of the House tell us which Minister is responsible for the north-east region? Across Departments, whether Sir George Young: My right hon. Friend will have an we are talking about Transport, Communities and Local opportunity to raise that matter next Thursday. I remind Government or the Department for Work and Pensions— him that in December we published the water White there is a very long list—cuts in the north-east are much Paper, which sets out a more resilient approach to the deeper than elsewhere. Of course, we can raise these water shortages he refers to. Next Wednesday we will issues individually with Ministers but when can we have debate a Bill that will enable investment in water a strategic overview of such issues? This has been infrastructure, particularly in London, in order to improve particularly problematic since the abolition of the Regional the quality of water and the reliability of supply. Select Committees. Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): With regard Sir George Young: I am amazed that the hon. Lady to the Health and Social Care Bill and future debates, is mentions the Regional Select Committees which were, the Leader of the House aware that watching the Prime frankly, a fiasco. They were poorly attended and that is Minister trying to defend the Bill yesterday reminded why we wound them up. There are opportunities for the some of us who were present at the time of Mrs Thatcher, House to debate regional issues such as London or the as she then was, trying to defend the poll tax? south-west in Westminster Hall; that would be an appropriate forum for her to pursue her concerns. Sir George Young: No, and I say that as someone who opposed the poll tax but happens to support the Health Several hon. Members rose— and Social Care Bill. 1025 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1026

Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): We should and Liverpool Street station is in a state of dereliction, heed the words of the Institute of Directors, which as I have informed the Leader of the House before, and today urged us to stop the gloom and doom about the is a negative showcase. An overarching approach is economy. As confidence is so important to economic needed. Otherwise, this will be very negative for visitors revival, will my right hon. Friend ask the Chancellor to to this country. make a statement on the really positive parts of our economy, such as agriculture, food and drink in Cornwall, Sir George Young: If I understand my hon. Friend’s which delivers more than 30% of local employment? bid, he wants the opening ceremony of the Olympics to make specific reference to Colchester and its culture. Sir George Young: My hon. Friend is right to sound a Was that the thrust of his remarks? In which case, I say note of optimism and remind us of the e-mail from the to him that we could all make similar bids on behalf of Institute of Directors, which I received just before I our constituencies. I am sure that the opening ceremony came in, cautioning against doom and gloom, and I am will do justice to the whole country, including Colchester, delighted to hear about what is happening in her and that when he sees it he will be delighted. constituency. The recovery that we all want to see will Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): be assisted by the retention of low borrowing costs, and My constituent, Jacqueline Smith, a mother of three, our whole economic strategy is engaged on ensuring received a letter from the Department for Work and that that remains the case to underpin investment and Pensions informing her that she must increase her weekly take the pressure off household incomes. work hours from 16 to 24 or lose her working tax credits, which are worth £3,000 a year. Her husband is Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): unable to work because he is the full-time carer of his Has the right hon. Gentleman seen early-day motion 2742, elderly mother. Alongside her husband’s carer’s allowance which I and a number of other hon. Members have of £55 a week, Jacqueline’s wages and working tax signed? credits are what her family depend on. Her employer is [That this House condemns the illegal and oppressive simply unable to offer the increase in hours that she employment practices of Impact Security Solutions in needs to keep her working tax credits. May we please Ormskirk and in particular its abrupt dismissal of a have an urgent debate on why the Government are constituent of the right hon. Member for Manchester, punishing families such as Jacqueline’s, who are doing Gorton in violation of his contract of employment and the decent thing and looking after elderly relatives, by despite his alleged conduct having been committed by cutting their tax credits? other employees, against whom no action has been taken; condemns, further, the foul language used against this Sir George Young: I understand that the hon. Lady employee by a member of management, together with the raised a comparable issue a few moments ago in Women bullying and pressure inflicted on him; calls on Impact and Equalities questions. I hope that she will have an Security Solutions immediately to reinstate this employee opportunity to raise this matter at the next Work and with full recompense for lost pay; further calls on the Pensions questions. It is our intention to help the Jacqueline Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to investigate Smiths of this world. For example, we have made changes this company’s employment practices; and further calls to eligibility for child care for working women and on the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and introduced a number of other measures to help people Skills to investigate the validity of the business practices in that position. However, I will make some inquiries of this company.] about that specific case and ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to write to The motion relates to the employment practices of the hon. Lady. Impact Security Solutions, a disgraceful firm that has been victimising a constituent of mine oppressively and Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): illegally. Will the right hon. Gentleman condemn this May I point out to my right hon. Friend that the debate disgraceful company and ask the Secretaries of State requested by my hon. Friend the Member for Stone for Work and Pensions and for Business, Innovation (Mr Cash) on the non-EU treaty is urgent for next and Skills to investigate its activities to see whether it is week, because the final text of the treaty will be agreed behaving lawfully in any way? at an EU summit at the end of next week? Unless we have the debate next week, its purpose will be rather Sir George Young: I understand the right hon. less. Gentleman’s concern. I do not know whether this relates to the point of order he raised earlier in the week, which Sir George Young: I am sorry to give my hon. Friend I was in my place to hear. Of course, I condemn a disappointing response, but it is the same one I gave harassment, victimisation and illegal activity wherever my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr Cash). The it occurs and will certainly draw his remarks to the Government are not planning to have a debate on the attention of my ministerial colleagues and invite them matter next week, and I would be misleading him if I to reply. said that I will plan the timetable in order to facilitate it. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): I Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): May we have a am sure that the Leader of the House agrees that, with debate on the Olympics, not on sporting matters, but on leadership, determination and imagination, we could other matters related to the games, including the souvenirs, do something about the scandal of youth unemployment. a large number of which are being sourced overseas? I mean young people at 16, post-16, post-18 and There are reports that the opening and closing ceremonies the scandal of young unemployed graduates. Surely the will exclude the traditional folk culture of the nations House, on a cross-party basis, could do something in a and the regions. Also, the railway line between Stratford debate that could lead to action on this national scandal. 1027 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1028

Sir George Young: I agree that the qualities to which a war correspondent, allied to the position of the US, the hon. Gentleman refers can make an impact. We which is now considering additional measures, may we have actually had debates on youth unemployment, and have a debate about Syria? Would that be possible? I pay credit to the Opposition for choosing them for some of their Supply day debates. He will know that the Sir George Young: I join my hon. Friend in paying Work programme is helping over 3 million people. We tribute to Marie Colvin, who went to the most dangerous recently introduced the youth contract, wage incentives places in the world to expose the most appalling regimes for 160,000 jobs, and 250,000 extra work experience and to describe what was happening to ordinary people, places to help those aged between 18 and 21. All those who were the victims of those regimes. It is a tragic loss, measures are offering better value than the future jobs and we send our sympathy to her relatives and friends. fund. I would welcome further opportunities to debate My hon. Friend may have listened to the exchange these issues, perhaps in the context of the Budget. with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on the “Today” programme, when he outlined the approach Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I am sure that we are taking to Syria, the conference that is taking that you, Mr Speaker, will be aware of the Government’s place in Tunis tomorrow, the stepping-up of emergency efforts to promote exports, and no industry is better at aid for Homs and other cities, the shaping of new doing that than the music industry. Will my right hon. sanctions to cut off funding to the military regime and Friend join me in congratulating Adele on winning her the supporting of the Syrian opposition to set out a Grammy awards and call for an urgent debate on how credible and inclusive alternative political vision. I am music contributes to our great export growth? sure that my right hon. Friend will want to keep the House informed as to progress. Sir George Young: I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Adele on her many achievements and share her Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): I was really heartened disappointment that Adele’s speech was cut short by three weeks ago when the Leader of the House told me those she called “the suits”. My hon. Friend is absolutely that he wanted to support an international women’s day right that the music industry is an important export debate, but I am really disappointed today that he has industry and that we should do what we can to encourage not announced one. Please may we have a debate on it. I will take her intervention as a bid for appropriate 8 March, on international women’s day, about women? assistance from the Chancellor of the Exchequer as he prepares his Budget. Sir George Young: I am sorry that the brief moment of optimism in the hon. Lady’s life has been shattered, Mr Speaker: Members keep commenting on the fact but the responsibility for choosing the subjects on the that the hon. Lady was there, but in fairness it ought to dates that are allocated to the Backbench Business be pointed out that she is a member of the Culture, Committee rests with the Backbench Business Committee. Media and Sport Committee, if memory serves me It is no longer a matter for the Government to find time correctly, so it is not a particularly staggering revelation for a debate on international women’s day; that that the House has just been given. responsibility has been transferred to the hon. Member for North East Derbyshire (Natascha Engel) and the Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): At Prime Minister’s Committee. It has total responsibility for choosing questions yesterday, in response to a question from the the subjects for debate on international women’s day. hon. Member for Dundee West (Jim McGovern) about the Royal Marine Reserve headquarters in Dundee, the Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): In little more Prime Minister said that than two months, voters in some of our major cities will have the opportunity to vote in referendums on whether “there is no intention to cut the number of Royal Marine reservists to have an elected mayor. Will the Leader of the House in Scotland. Indeed…we actually need more people to join the reserves.”—[Official Report, 22 February 2012; Vol. 540, c. 873.] find time for a debate so that those of us who favour such a move can argue the case, and the case for The facts rather contradict that, however. The Greenock extending the role of elected mayors and allowing electors and Inverness detachments have been shut, and we elsewhere to trigger referendums? understand that the intention is to cull the number of regulars who serve in the Royal Marine Reserve. Given Sir George Young: I cannot offer an opportunity for the difficulty and the confusion, may we have a statement an immediate debate, but there has been an opportunity, from the Secretary of State for Defence specifically on as the relevant orders have passed through the House, the Royal Marine and Royal Naval Reserves so that the for hon. Members to participate if not in the Chamber, Government’s intentions are clear? then elsewhere. I am a keen supporter of elected mayors. I hope that where referendums take place people will Sir George Young: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s support them, and I am heartened by the support of my concern and was in the Chamber during that exchange. hon. Friend for this innovation. I shall certainly ask the Secretary of State for Defence to reply to him and to respond to the issue that he has Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): Given that William raised, although I start from the premise that what the Hill is now offering odds of 5:4 on the first child of the Prime Minister says is always right. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge being born in 2012, what progress has been made in respect of a royal Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): Given the view succession Bill? As the Leader of the House knows, I of the late and much lamented journalist, Marie Colvin, offered my ten-minute rule Bill as the vehicle for the that the outrageous atrocities being committed by the change agreed by the Prime Minister at the Commonwealth Assad regime on its own people were among the worst Heads of Government conference. When will such that she had seen in her long and distinguished career as legislation come before the House? 1029 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1030

Sir George Young: I confess to the right hon. Gentleman Sir George Young: There are some questions that I that I have not been following the odds quite as closely am asked at business questions to which a response is as he has. He did introduce a private Member’s Bill, and almost impossible. I am sorry to hear of my hon. I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Friend’s experience, and I will contact whichever Minister Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean has responsibility, possibly somebody at the Department (Mr Harper), at the Department with responsibility for for Business, Innovation and Skills, and ask them to political and constitutional reform, wrote to him explaining write to him rather than to ring him up. why, sadly, we could not use his Bill as a vehicle for the royal succession Bill. But it is on the Government’s Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): May we have an agenda, and we will make announcements in due course. early debate about the health of the high street? The Leader of the House will know that yesterday Peacocks Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I do not announced the closure of 244 stores, including the one know whether the Leader of the House is having a bad in Flint in my constituency. That will lead not only to day or what, but he suggested that the Backbench 3,100 job losses, but to a big hole in the high street. We Business Committee has not awarded 8 March to a need to reflect on how we can promote the health of the debate about international women’s day. The problem is high street. that the Committee has been given no further days for such awards, so to suggest that we have not awarded a Sir George Young: There was a debate—designated, I debate to a day that we have not been given is slightly think, by the Backbench Business Committee—about misleading—[HON.MEMBERS: “Oh!”] Not misleading in the Mary Portas review. The Government take the issue any way whatsoever, just difficult to understand. seriously, and in the spring we will set out our response to the review. Mr Speaker: Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that it is slightly incorrect? Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): May we have a statement from the Ministry of Justice, following Mr Bone: Slightly incorrect, so I wonder whether the the extraordinary and absurd case whereby David Friesner Leader of the House will correct that position. was allowed to carry on practising and defending in criminal trials, despite having been convicted of an Sir George Young: The Government have undertaken imprisonable offence? He is now in prison for three to allocate roughly one day per week to the Backbench years. So far we have not had a statement, and the Bar Business Committee. If we look at the allocations since Standards Board says that the process is not acceptable. the first debate that the Committee arranged, we find May we have a statement to ensure that the loophole is that we have allocated 0.97 days per week, so it is not closed and we never again have a criminal representing the case that the Government are not honouring their a criminal? obligation to the Committee, and we hope to go on offering days to it for the remainder of the Session. It is Sir George Young: There will be an opportunity for up to the Committee then to decide what to do with the the hon. Gentleman to raise the issue at Ministry of days that are allocated. Justice questions next Tuesday. If he has not tabled a question, he might like to take his chance at topical Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East questions. I am sure, Mr Speaker, that you have noticed Cleveland) (Lab): My constituent Mike Allen has devised his interest. and successfully sold his patented portable snow and ice-clearing system, a de-icing unit called Thaw-Tec, to Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Network Rail, Eurotunnel and Asda, but Network Rail Does today’s announcement that the Royal Navy is is now trying to copy his design. The Office of the buying vessels from South Korea give us a chance to Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister are have a debate about the Government’s policy on defence aware of that, but may we have a debate on the Floor of procurement in the light of the written statement on the House about the importance of patented designs to defence that was produced without any opportunity to small and medium-sized enterprises, and their protection? question Ministers on their decision not to give priority [Interruption.] to British manufacturing?

Sir George Young: My hon. Friends behind me say Sir George Young: I may have inadvertently misled that what is needed is a good lawyer, and a number of the House, Mr Speaker, by saying that MOJ questions them may be offering their services. I say seriously to are next Tuesday; I understand that they are not. the hon. Gentleman, however, that of course I will Set-piece debates on defence procurement happened pursue the dialogue that he has mentioned with my in the previous Parliament. Days for such debates are ministerial colleagues, but it might be the subject for an now allocated by the Backbench Business Committee. Adjournment debate or a debate in Westminster Hall. Bids for debates on defence procurement are therefore a matter for that Committee, and I am sure that the David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): May we have Chairman has noted the hon. Lady’s bid. a debate about the practice of directory services companies that divert people from the numbers that they have Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): The Leader of requested, as I found out when I dialled 118 118 the the House will be aware that the Minister of State, other day to ask for the excellent Heads of the Valleys Department for Work and Pensions, my right hon. driver training school in Gilwern, where I passed my Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling), HGV test 20 years ago, and was told to ring the AA has written to journalist Polly Toynbee about her backing instead? of a militant campaign to destroy the work experience 1031 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1032

[Mr Rob Wilson] find Government business to fill the time on those Wednesdays, could we arrange to do what is sometimes programme. May we have a debate about why work done on the last day of term in school, with Members experience is important and why backing trendy left-wing bringing in board games, or perhaps the Leader of the causes and destroying jobs is not? House showing a video or leading a nature walk in Victoria gardens, to fill in the time until the appointed Sir George Young: I agree with my hon. Friend and hour for Prime Minister’s Questions? commend the forthright way in which he said that. The introduction of the new work experience scheme, focused Sir George Young: There is a motion on the Order on 18 to 21-year-olds, offers them work experience and Paper that requires the House to sit through an extra the ability to retain their benefits, which they could not day, so it is not the case that the House is being do for as long a period before. That is an opportunity—a prevented from meeting. As I said in response to an voluntary opportunity—for young people, and the initial earlier question, the ratio of PMQs to sitting days has evidence is that 51% subsequently come off benefits, so gone up during this Parliament as compared with the it is a good use of their time. I commend the employers previous one. who have offered the scheme, as well as Tesco, which has a parallel scheme that offers four weeks’ paid Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May we have a debate employment and then an opportunity for a job through in Government time to discuss the work of the Backbench an interview. It is wrong to decry these initiatives; we Business Committee? Given that so many of the requests need more of them, not fewer. to the Leader of the House appear now to be the responsibility of the Backbench Business Committee, a Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): Statistics published lot of us—even those of us who have been around for last week revealed that 4,633 people in Hartlepool are some time—find it quite confusing as to what are the unemployed—the figure is up month on month and responsibilities of the Backbench Business Committee year on year—and that the proportion of unemployed and what are the responsibilities of the Leader of the people in the north-east is the highest in any region. House. As the shadow Leader of the House now asks Government policy is not helping; in fact, it is making the Leader of the House no questions about next week’s matters much worse. May we therefore have an urgent business, perhaps we could skip this session and cut out debate about unemployment in the north-east? the party political broadcast that she makes each week, and get the Chairman of the Backbench Business Sir George Young: I would deny that Government Committee here so that we could ask her some questions policies are making the situation worse. I believe that about what her Committee can do to allocate time for the retention of low interest rates is in the best interests the debates that we would like. of creating jobs in the hon. Gentleman’s area. Unemployment is too high, but if he looks at the latest Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. It figures, he will see that an extra 60,000 people are in would be up to the Backbench Business Committee to work in the last quarter, the number of those in long-term find time for a debate on the Backbench Business unemployment has fallen, and the number of vacancies Committee. On his serious point, we have made a has begun to increase. I am not sure that the picture is commitment that by the third year of this Parliament quite as dismal as he painted it. we will move towards a House business committee to seek to integrate the work that is done by the Backbench Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Last Friday, Business Committee with what I do as Leader of the I was privileged to attend the inaugural Pride of Stratford House. There may then be an opportunity for a duet, if awards, which bring businesses, charities and citizens that is the right word, between me and whoever has together to celebrate their work for the economy and for responsibility for the Backbench Business Committee. the community. Considering that business nationally These matters are still to be resolved. If my hon. Friend invested £119 billion last year—£3 billion more than the looks at the coalition agreement, he will see that the previous year—may we have a debate about business current arrangements are interim arrangements,. working with the community so that at least Government Members can send out the message that we are pro-business Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): A year ago and not anti-capitalism? in the House, Mr Speaker, you granted me an urgent question on what was happening in Bahrain. The House Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend will be shocked to learn that we are still exporting arms and interested to hear about the Pride of Stratford to that country despite the awful repression there, which initiative, which I am sure should be replicated throughout has not much ceased. Tear gas is being thrown into the country. He is right to point to the good news in homes to terrorise people, and there are no human many parts of the country, with people responding to rights advances. It is a very shocking situation, even the initiatives that the Government have taken through overshadowed as it is by Syria, and yet we have resumed the national loans guarantee, the enterprise zones and our arms exports. May we have a debate on why we are the regional growth fund. I welcome any debate, perhaps selling arms to regimes in any part of that region where in the context of the Budget, so that we can take this despotic rulers are still repressing their peoples? agenda forward. Sir George Young: I understand the right hon. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): On the business Gentleman’s concern. There will be Foreign and of the missing end-of-term Wednesdays, Members in all Commonwealth questions on Tuesday 28 February, parts of the House find it useful to be able to question and that might be an opportunity for him to raise this the Prime Minister. If the Leader of the House cannot serious matter with the Foreign Secretary. 1033 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1034

Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con): Over clearly labelled as such, in which they have a television the recess, I was fortunate to visit Adams Foods in set. Bizarrely, despite being told by the local authority Leek, where I met the first five young people taking part that they do not need to have a Performing Right in its new apprenticeships scheme, which is giving them Society licence, they have been approached by an an opportunity to find long-term sustainable work that organisation called PPL, which claims that they need they would not otherwise have had. Will the Leader of one of its licences because of the possibility that a the House find time for a debate on how other companies member of the public may hear music from an advert might help young people in this way, and how Government on entering the service station. They have no option but policies might help them? to pay the licence fee. They face a double fine if they fail to do so within 28 days. An accountant, a justice of the Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend peace and a solicitor have confirmed that it is not a and commend the initiatives that she has been taking in public place. Can we have a debate on what defines her constituency. I would welcome a debate to talk a public place and on how PPL is allowed to enforce about the Work programme, which is helping 3 million such licences and fines on organisations? people, together with a massive increase in apprenticeships, which number over 400,000 this year. I applaud the Sir George Young: I am sure that many Members work that is taking place in her constituency to reduce have been approached by constituents with exactly the the number of young people who are out of work. problem that the hon. Lady outlines and are being asked for payment in circumstances in which they do Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): This morning not believe it is payable. The regime was introduced by the Royal Bank of Scotland announced a pre-tax loss of the previous Government—I say that as a matter of £766 million and, at the same time, announced a bonus fact, rather than to score a cheap point. I will draw the pool of exactly the same amount. In explanation, it tells matter to the attention of Ministers at the Department us that the bonus pool has been cut in half, but my for Culture, Media and Sport, because we are anxious understanding from reports in the Financial Times is to deregulate and this seems to be a regulation that it is that that is being made up for by increases in people’s worth reviewing. fixed salaries. This whole announcement takes place John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): Will the Leader of the against a backdrop of thousands of redundancies up House make time for a statement by the Ministry of and down the country. For reasons very different from Defence on the disposal of the former land forces those of the right hon. Member for Wokingham headquarters at Wilton? Will he urge it to take account (Mr Redwood), may I ask for an early debate on RBS, of the strong opinions of the Wilton eco-park development the banking system, and banking bonuses? community association, so that if its bid is financially viable, the support of local constituents will be taken Sir George Young: The Financial Services Bill, which into account when the decision is made? is going through the House, sets up a new financial structure for regulating the banks. There may be an Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend opportunity to have the debate that the hon. Gentleman for that question. His constituency is very close to mine requests when the Bill comes back to the Floor of the and I am aware of the importance of this issue. The House. I gently make the point that the party that he Ministry of Defence is in the process of disposing of supports took no action at all to control bonuses when the site and bidding is in progress. Any compliant bid, it was in government. including a bid from the organisation to which he has referred, will of course be considered. The MOD, like Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): On Monday, I attended other Departments, will have an eye on getting the best the opening of a new swimming pool and leisure centre value for money for the taxpayer. in Redditch that is partly heated by the local crematorium—an innovative scheme that is saving the Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): taxpayer £14,500 a year by not putting heat out into the Can we have a debate on what is and is not grounds for atmosphere. Will the Leader of the House congratulate banning an organisation that wishes to make a protest Redditch borough council on this innovative scheme march in an area? This Saturday, members of the English and find time for a debate when we can discuss how Defence League intend to hold a march through Hyde other groundbreaking schemes can be used across the town centre, despite it having no connection to the country? issues that it is purporting to march in support of and despite there being a history of violence wherever it has Sir George Young: I will die a happier man if the heat been. Should not decent, law-abiding citizens from all generated by my cremation can increase the temperature backgrounds be protected from this unnecessary and of any nearby swimming pool. On the point that my unwanted activity? hon. Friend makes, the Government are aware of the Sir George Young: Of course, I understand the hon. scheme. The Department of Energy and Climate Change Gentleman’s concern. My understanding is that the will shortly publish its heat strategy, which will explore Home Secretary has the power in certain circumstances the potential for better recovery and reuse of wasted to ban demonstrations and marches. I will draw his heat, using such schemes. I pay tribute to the remarks to her attention, in view of the serious issue groundbreaking scheme in her constituency. that he has raised. Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): The Richards Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): All Members brothers run a small service station in Cefn Glas in my who represent Welsh constituencies will have been delighted constituency. They employ no other staff. At the back to hear that we are to have a debate on Welsh affairs on of the service station, they have a private office that is St David’s day, after much uncertainty about whether 1035 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1036

[Glyn Davies] Budget, when there will be four days of debate. I hope that we will hear from Opposition Members an alternative such a debate would take place. Will the Leader of the and more convincing strategy than we have heard from House consider how this debate can become an accepted them so far. part of House business to remove that uncertainty in future? Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Given that 500,000 jobs have been created in the private sector since the Sir George Young: I understand my hon. Friend’s general election, many of them in manufacturing according concern, but what he suggests would go against the to my experience in my constituency, can we please have thrust of the Wright Committee reforms, whereby the a debate on the link between sound education policy St David’s day debate and other set-piece debates were and the ability of manufacturing to recruit and develop handed over to the Backbench Business Committee to the right people to continue that progress? give it— Sir George Young: I very much hope that our higher Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): education reforms will increase the linkage between There we go! what happens in our schools and universities and the requirements of manufacturing. By having a scheme of Sir George Young: It is all very well the hon. Gentleman portability, by which the money follows the student and saying that, but this Government have done something in which the student is anxious to get a job, I am sure that no other Government have ever done, which is to that we will get the linkage to which my hon. Friend give Back Benchers the right to set the agenda of the refers. House. He should be careful about grumbling about that. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): As part of national It is now a matter for the Backbench Business Committee apprenticeship week, I visited Company Fuel Cards, to weigh the priority of the St David’s day debate which is a fast-growing new company based in Barrowford against other debates that Members bid to hold on the in my constituency. The company used to subcontract same day. work abroad but has now set up an apprenticeship academy, working closely with Nelson and Colne college. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): The That is a classic example of what the Government are Baker review into extradition was published in October. trying to achieve. Can we have a debate on growth and Four months on, the publication of all its evidence has on how we can further support companies that want to been blocked by Home Office officials with no explanation. take on apprentices? Having tried all the usual channels, I ask the Leader of the House to convey to Ministers the risk that that lack Hon. Members: What growth? of transparency will undermine the ostensible independence of the review and parliamentary scrutiny? It risks, however Sir George Young: Opposition Members should look unfairly, creating the perception that there is something at the forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility to hide in the evidence. and the International Monetary Fund, which forecast growth this year at a higher rate than many of our Sir George Young: My hon. Friend rightly refers to competitor countries. the Scott Baker review, which was published in October. I say to my hon. Friend that we all have a responsibility It is a substantial document. There have been a number as MPs to draw to the attention of employers in our of debates in the House subsequently on the issues that constituencies the benefits of the apprenticeship scheme it deals with, thanks to the Backbench Business Committee. and to encourage them to take it up. There are worthwhile My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is reviewing benefits not just for the companies, but for young the Scott Baker report, together with the views that people. I am delighted to hear of the scheme in his hon. Members have expressed in those debates. I will constituency, whereby work that was outsourced is now bring to her attention the specific issue that my hon. being done in-house. I am sure that we all want to see Friend has raised about the non-publication of certain that replicated in other constituencies. documents that are in the Home Office’s possession. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): May Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): The Leader we please have an urgent debate on current employment of the House has alluded to the fact that UK borrowing law? I learned yesterday that a number of my constituents costs are at a record low. May I support the request of have been sacked in a form a collective punishment the shadow Leader of the House for a debate on the because some money went missing from their employer, economy, so that we can discuss what those borrowing who was unable to identify who had taken the money, if costs tell us about the market’s confidence in this indeed it had been taken. Although I completely back Government’s economic policies, compared with those the need for employers to have honest employees, I do of the previous Government? not like collective punishments, even for schoolchildren. I find it unacceptable that employees might never work Sir George Young: We would relish such a debate. It again because a group punishment has been imposed would allow us to discuss the low interest rates that this on them in that way. country enjoys, which I think would be prejudiced were we to listen to the siren voices of the Opposition, who Sir George Young: I recall, as I am sure do other hon. are asking us to relax the fairly tight fiscal stance that Members, a form of collective punishment at school, we have adopted. I very much hope that my hon. whereby the whole class was detained because somebody Friend’s wish will be granted in the context of the had misbehaved and remained anonymous. [Interruption.] 1037 Business of the House23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House 1038

The hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) clearly went system. I very much hope that we can take that agenda to a school of well-behaved pupils. I understand the forward, and again, a debate might be appropriate in sense of injustice to which my hon. Friend has referred. the context of the Budget. I will take this matter up with Ministers to see whether, in this day and age, that form of collective and indiscriminate James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): punishment is still appropriate. I recently visited Sandvik in my constituency, which told me that demand for tools from the automotive Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): The industry in the west midlands is the highest it has been Leader of the House may be aware of suggestions that for many years. May we have a debate in Government there was a deal surrounding the recent appointment of time on what the Government are doing to support Professor Ebdon, which was supposedly brokered before advanced manufacturing, in order to promote the jobs the Select Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills and growth that we need in areas such as the west had an opportunity to determine its view. If true, that is midlands and the black country? a grave matter. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on this issue so that we can obtain clarity and dispel the rumours of inappropriate ministerial Sir George Young: My hon. Friend draws attention to behaviour and serious disrespect of the House? the success of the automotive industry, particularly in exports. It is indeed part of our strategy to rebalance Sir George Young: The Secretary of State for Business, the economy, making it less dependent on financial Innovation and Skills made a statement about that on services and more dependent on manufacturing. We are Monday and subsequently answered questions. He made addressing the barriers to growth and encouraging it clear that he took seriously the view of the majority of innovation, exports, business investment and improving the Select Committee, then reviewed the matter, decided skills, and we have the regional growth fund, the enterprise that no new factors had been raised and went ahead zones and the national loan guarantee scheme. I hope with the appointment. It was a collective appointment, that we can develop that policy in the context of the with the support of the Prime Minister. I hesitate to say Budget and outline yet further help for the manufacturing this, but there may be an opportunity to debate the industry. Committee’s report at some point if the Backbench Business Committee so decides. I hope that my hon. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): According to Friend listened to the exchange on Monday and to the the lovely people in the Table Office, who always work responses that were given, which I found reassuring. so diligently on our behalf, every week an average of between 60 and 70 Members put in an application for a Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Job clubs Westminster Hall or Adjournment debate. Some weeks such as the newly established Wilnecote job club in that number can be as high as 150, and it never falls Tamworth provide tremendous support to young people below 40. Given that evidence, whenever a day’s sitting and the long-term unemployed, helping them take in Westminster Hall is cancelled for understandable advantage of the half a million new jobs that have been reasons, should not the Leader of the House make created in the private sector since 2010. May we have a provision for an alternative day to be substituted, so debate on job clubs to explore and encourage their that Members do not lose an opportunity to hold the excellent work? Government to account?

Sir George Young: I am delighted to hear of the job Sir George Young: I understand where my hon. Friend club in my hon. Friend’s constituency. I have one in is coming from, but I make the point that this Parliament Andover, which I recently visited. They are very worthwhile is sitting for as many days a year as previous Parliaments, organisations, giving mutual support, raising morale sometimes more, so it is not the case that we are not and providing help on applying for vacancies. As I said allowing Parliament to hold us to account. On his a few moments ago, the last quarter’s figures showed an specific question, there is a motion on the Order Paper increase in the number of vacancies. I would welcome for later today to which he has tabled amendments, and such a debate, which might be best placed in the context my hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the House will of the four-day debate on the Budget. give a coherent and compelling response to those amendments in due course. Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): Palmers department store in Great Yarmouth is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. It is a great example of a Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): Earlier this month, small or medium-sized enterprise and family business in during the freezing weather, a number of constituents the retail sector that is doing well and growing. With came to me having recently had British Gas central that in mind, may we have a debate to consider what heating systems installed, concerned that the company more the Government can do to cut red tape and was not willing to come out to repair them when they bureaucracy, to let such companies in the retail sector, broke. May we have a debate on how the large utility which are often SMEs, grow and create even more jobs? companies, particularly British Gas, treat their customers?

Sir George Young: I welcome what my hon. Friend Sir George Young: I understand my hon. Friend’s says and I am delighted to hear what is happening in his concern, and he may like to contact Consumer Direct constituency. We are scrapping new regulations that for advice and information. Some benefits are available would have cost businesses more than £350 million a under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of year and doubling the qualification period for unfair Goods and Services Act 1982, but I will of course draw dismissal tribunals, and we have streamlined the planning the problem that he mentions to the attention of my 1039 Business of the House 23 FEBRUARY 2012 1040

[Sir George Young] Pensions and Social Security ministerial colleagues at the Department for Business, Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): I understand Innovation and Skills, who are responsible for consumer that for the convenience of the House, motions 1 to 3 policy. are to be taken together.

Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): 12.36 pm May we have an urgent debate about the effectiveness and value for money of local policing? In my constituency, The Minister of State, Department for Work and recorded crime has fallen by 4.8% over the past 12 months Pensions (Steve Webb): I beg to move, and antisocial behaviour by 25%, all within the framework That the draft Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected of a very challenging financial settlement forced on us Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2012, which was laid before this House on 30 January, be by the legacy of debt that we inherited from the Labour approved. Government. Such a debate would also provide a great opportunity to explode the myth still going around that Madam Deputy Speaker: With this we shall take the the only way to improve public services is by throwing following motions, on pensions and on social security: ever more taxpayers’ money at them. That the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2012, which was laid before this House on 30 January, be approved. Sir George Young: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012, We debated the police grant a few days ago, which which was laid before this House on 30 January, be approved. would have given him an opportunity to raise the matter. I am delighted to hear of the reduction in crime in his Steve Webb: The draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions constituency, which shows what can be achieved within Increase Order 2012 provides for contracted-out defined- challenging financial targets. We have slashed bureaucracy, benefit schemes to increase their members’ guaranteed saved up to £200 million through national procurement minimum pensions that accrued between 1988 and 1997 and made the police more accountable to the public, by 3%. Increases are capped at that level when price and we are moving towards the first elected police and inflation exceeds 3%. That, of course, is an entirely crime commissioners. I am delighted to hear of the technical matter that we attend to on an annual basis, good results in his constituency. and not something that I imagine we shall need to dwell on today. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Thank The second, smaller draft order comes about for a you very much, Leader of the House. I think the House sequence of reasons. The Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 will be interested to know that 51 Members participated gave the Government the power to abolish contracting in business questions today. out on a defined-contribution basis. A written ministerial statement set the point of abolition as 6 April 2012. In June 2011, the House debated and approved the Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2011, which makes consequential amendments to primary legislation, consistent with the abolition of defined-contribution contracting out. At the time of that debate, a minor defect in the operation of article 3 of the 2011 draft order came to light. I therefore made it clear to the House that I would return with a further amending order before the 2011 order came into force. Accordingly, the Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2012 will remove the exclusion of protected rights payments from what counts as income for the purposes of income payments orders made under section 310 of the Insolvency Act 1986, and from the scope of section 159 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, which provides that guaranteed minimum pensions and protected rights payments cannot be assigned or charged. The draft order will bring consistency with our original policy intention, namely that the tracking of protected rights should cease after the abolition of defined- contribution contracting out.

Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con): Does my hon. Friend not think that it is really rather a tribute to his work that the orders are so non-controversial that there is not a single Opposition Back Bencher in the Chamber to discuss the uprating of all the benefits that this country has? I pay tribute to him and congratulate him on that stunning achievement, which I do not think has ever been replicated. 1041 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1042

Steve Webb: I am most grateful, although my initial Steve Webb: The right hon. Gentleman rightly says oratory has already drawn one hon. Member into the that the consumer prices advisory committee is looking House. If I keep going for long enough, who knows? at how owner-occupiers’ housing costs can be included My hon. Friend is right to pay tribute to the coalition in CPI—as he will appreciate, rent is already included in for finding the money to protect the most vulnerable CPI. The committee has rejected the retail prices index households at a time of economic stringency. He can approach in respect of mortgage interest and is looking share in that credit. at a range of alternatives. I understand that it is due to On the principal order—the draft Social Security report in early 2013. I have said consistently that we will Benefits Up-rating Order 2012—despite that challenging look at what it comes up with. Each year, as he knows, economic landscape, the coalition is committed to protecting the Secretary of State must take a view on the general people who have worked hard all their lives, poorer increase in prices, and will certainly have regard to the pensioners, people who are not able to work through work of the committee in doing so. their disabilities, and people who, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs and are trying to find Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I am work. Those are important aims for uprating 2012, grateful to the Minister for addressing one issue that I which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the wanted to raise with him, but I am also concerned that Exchequer made clear in his autumn statement on pensioners’ and disabled people’s experience of inflation 29 November, Official Report, column 802. is dependent on their heating costs, which was one of the main drivers of inflation last year. My concern is Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con): Has the that CPI is not a good measure of people’s experience Minister had any representations regarding the apparent of inflation, because those people experience higher iniquity of uprating by CPI on the basis of one month’s inflation than the rest of us, who go out during the day. figures—those for September?

Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is right that when the Steve Webb: The hon. Lady is right that any single uprating was considered, there was speculation that a inflation measure will not capture the full diversity of different month, or a rolling average or something like circumstances, which I accept. One of the main differences that, might be used. It was decided to continue the between RPI and CPI is that RPI includes mortgage practice of using the September CPI, but I would stress interest, which is largely irrelevant to most pensioners. that that is not a one-month figure, but a figure published By excluding mortgage interest from its basket of goods, in one month about the past 12 months. Although as it the CPI gives more weight to the things on which happened 5.2% was the peak—I think I am right in pensioners spend their money. Other things being equal, saying that it was lower in the month before and the CPI will therefore tend to be a better fit with the month after—each 12 months joins on to another spending patterns of pensioners. 12 months, so in another year, the September figure The hon. Lady is right that rising fuel prices are an could be the lowest. We took the view that that was the important issue. That is one reason why instead of established practice, and that changing it could leave simply doing our legal duty by the poorest pensioners, it open to manipulation. Although in a particular year which was to uprate the pension credit by earnings only, it can stand out, when we take one year with the next, it which was 2.8%, we chose to do a full pass-through of will sometimes be lower and sometimes higher. the £5.30 basic state pension rise to the poorest pensioner As hon. Members know, using the CPI measure of on pension credit precisely because they have faced the inflation was an important part of this Government’s pressures she describes. We are aware of that point and plans for uprating pensions and benefits. I am delighted have sought to do something in this uprating measure that we will have a debate on that very subject next to address it. Thursday afternoon—I look forward to being here at the same time and the same place next week. In addition to being the headline measure of inflation in the UK Oliver Heald: I am grateful to the Minister for being and the internationally recognised target measure of so generous with his time. Does he agree that some inflation used by the Bank of England, we believe the quite significant changes are taking place in the hierarchy CPI is a superior measure of inflation when it comes to of indexes that can be used for uprating? For example, uprating benefits and pensions, first because the CPI earnings, which was always thought to be by far the basket of goods is a better match for the spending highest measure, is at the moment the lowest measure. patterns of pensioners, and secondly because it takes In addition, changes in the housing market have affected better account of how households respond to price the CPI and RPI differential. It is therefore a moving changes. picture. It is not as straightforward as saying, “History tells the whole story.” Last year, the High Court upheld the Government’s decision that the CPI can be used for pensions and benefits uprating and we have robustly defended our Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is right. I noticed in the case in the Court of Appeal. most recent figures that the gap between CPI and RPI was just 0.3%. That is historically low, but the numbers Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): As the Minister and relative values change a great deal. That is why our knows, the UK Statistics Authority has said that CPI triple lock says of the basic state pension, “If it’s prices should be used for that purpose only if it incorporates a that give you the highest number, we’ll pay that; if it’s measure of housing costs. I know some work is being earnings, we’ll pay that; and if it’s 2.5%, we’ll pay that.” done to incorporate such costs in the CPI measure, but We were determined to ensure that pensioners got the is it the Government’s intention to use that modified best deal for the basic state pension whatever was measure when it is available? happening to the relative value of those numbers. 1043 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1044

[Steve Webb] Restoring the earnings link for the basic state pension was an early action by this coalition Government, putting As I made clear in my statement to the House at the an end to 30 years of deterioration in the value of the end of last year, this Government will use the full value foundation of retirement income relative to average of the September CPI to uprate pensions and social earnings. Better than that, we went one further with our security benefits from April 2012. At a time when the triple guarantee to pay the highest of the growth in prevailing headline figure for CPI has already fallen to earnings, prices or 2.5%, so that even in times of slow 3.6% and is forecast to fall further during this year, we earnings growth, we will not see a repeat of the small shall be uprating the overwhelming majority of pensions rises, such as the 75p rise in 2000, presided over by the and benefits by 5.2%. Labour party. In line with the triple guarantee, the new rate for the Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): Perhaps I basic state pension, received by more than 11 million should declare an interest, having reached an age at people in this country, will be £107.45 a week for a which I benefit personally from this uprating. Normally, single person, an increase of £5.30 a week. My hon. a lot of constituents who are concerned about the Friends in the coalition may be interested to know that increase will contact their MP. This year, none has that means that from April 2012, the basic state pension contacted me, which demonstrates a general acceptance is forecast to be 17.1% of average earnings, which is a among the population that the Government’s decision higher share of average earnings than in any year of the is fair. previous Labour Government from 1997.

Steve Webb: The volume of my ministerial Stephen Timms: A minute or two ago, the Minister correspondence on this issue has been very light. Almost said that this was the highest ever real-terms increase to all of it was with people who were afraid because they the state pension. had seen speculation that we might water down our promises. I have been able to write reassuring letters to Steve Webb: No. them to say that we will honour our promises in full. Stephen Timms: I thought that was what the Minister Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): I said. Perhaps he can clarify that point, because by apologise for missing the beginning of the Minister’s definition it cannot be a real-terms increase. opening remarks. Will not the change mean a reduction from 5.6%, which would have been the uprating had we Steve Webb: It is the highest cash increase ever and used RPI? Is the Minister aware that we have a Back-Bench the highest real-terms increase for about 10 years. debate on the matter because more than 100,000 people have signed a petition against the changes, particularly Stephen Timms: Given that the increase is purely in as they affect pensions? It therefore surely cannot be the line with inflation, how can the Minister describe it as a case that people are happy about the changes. real-terms increase?

Steve Webb: The hon. Lady may not have been in the Steve Webb: Because the point at which the money is Chamber when I referred to next week’s debate, when paid is not the point at which inflation is measured, so we will debate such issues at greater length. I was not when people actually get the money it will be substantially aware that it was Labour party policy to revert to more than the inflation since the last increase. RPI—its view for now is that CPI is appropriate. She might want to raise that with the right hon. Member for Stephen Timms: This takes us back to the point raised East Ham (Stephen Timms), who is on the Opposition by the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley). Front Bench. For the reasons I have given, our judgment The Minister is making a virtue out of a timing point is that the CPI basket of goods matches the spending rather than a substantial point. He is a modest man, patterns of pensioners. The Institute for Fiscal Studies and I am sure he will accept that the Government has confirmed that modelling and people’s response to cannot claim credit for inflation being slightly lower price changes is better with CPI than in RPI. No index now than it was last September. is perfect, but there is a good case for using CPI. Funnily enough, when I attended a National Pensioners Steve Webb: On the contrary, let us bear in mind what Convention event in the House a few months ago, the the Government have done: the Chancellor has taken people there all demanded CPI, which shows how the action on the taxation of petrol, resulting in inflation debate has moved on. I am sure the hon. Lady has a being lower than it would have been, and we have press release saying that more is being demanded, but successively frozen council tax in many parts of the the tenor of the debate was that there was speculation country, which is of huge benefit to many pensioners. that we would not honour our triple-lock promise. They There are many things that Governments do that influence said: “Minister, will you guarantee us the triple lock—prices, inflation. Some factors are global, which is one reason earnings or 2.5%? Will it be the 5.2% that we have just inflation peaked at 5.2%, but measures that the Government seen?” That was commendable realism on the part of have taken have also been one reason prices have been the National Pensioners Convention—that is its role in falling. That is entirely to the Government’s credit. life—but things may have moved on now it has banked the 5.2% in the current environment. In fact, 5.2% is the Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): Does my hon. biggest cash increase ever and one of the biggest real-terms Friend agree that the Government came under considerable increases in a long time. I am proud to stand by that pressure not to opt for 5.2% because informed opinion figure. thought that inflation was falling, but with strong urging 1045 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1046 from the Liberal Democrats in the coalition, the Minister 2011, however, we increased SERPS by 3.1%, and this determinedly stuck to the 5.2%, which has made it a year SERPS, as well as the basic state pension, will rise real-terms increase? by the full 5.2%. That means that the total state pension increase for someone with a full basic pension and Steve Webb: Indeed. My hon. Friend is right that average additional pension will be around £6.70 a week, there were siren voices from some quarters suggesting or £348 a year. that we could not afford, or that we should not go for, this inflation figure. He is absolutely right that the When it comes to the standard minimum guarantee coalition parties decided that it was a priority. That is in pension credit, the legislation requires only that an something that I am proud to be associated with. increase be at least in line with the growth in average earnings, so that over the long term the poorest pensioners Oliver Heald: Does the Minister agree that the see their incomes rise in line with the income of the Government have also gone further than they needed to working-age population. As my hon. Friend the Member on the pension credit? The requirement is to uprate for North East Hertfordshire (Oliver Heald) said, however, by earnings but he has gone one better by increasing it this year the relevant earnings index stood at just 2.8%. by 3.9%. So not only were the siren calls resisted, but We judged it unacceptable for the poorest pensioners on more generosity was shown to the poorest pensioners. the guarantee credit to receive the smallest cash increase of all. Our aim was to ensure that the poorest pensioners Steve Webb: There was indeed. My carefully structured received an increase in line with the cash increase to the speech is falling to ribbons. I was about to come to that basic state pension. achievement. As a result, the order increases the single person’s rate Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): Although I of the standard minimum guarantee by £5.35, taking it understand the point about the real increase in the state to £142.70 per week from April 2012. To help manage pension from £102.15 to £107.45, I do not consider it expenditure, we have funded the above-earnings increase something to be doing cartwheels about. In reality, it to the standard minimum guarantee by increasing the will not have a major impact on the lives of the elderly savings credit threshold, which means that those with across this nation, especially given that just a few weeks higher levels of income could see less of an increase. ago, the House removed £100 from the winter fuel However, given the increase to the basic state pension, allowance. Effectively, the oldest pensioners are £50 a no one should have a lower weekly income as a result of year worse off, not better off. I think that we have to get uprating. This approach enables us to target resources real. This is not enough. for the poorest pensioners on the guarantee credit. Steve Webb: Let me address that issue directly. Any I shall turn briefly to working-age benefits. The coalition pensioner will say that the basic state pension is the will ensure that the value of other social security benefits most important thing to them: they like the winter fuel is maintained, through a 5.2% rise, even in these tough payment and they like the means-tested benefit—well, economic times. That means, for disabled people above they do not always like it but it is valued by those who and below pension age, through disability living allowance receive it—but a decent state pension has been the and attendance allowance, an increase of 5.2%; for clarion cry of pensioners for decades. For 30 years, people of working age who are not fit for work, through pensions have fallen, year on year, relative to earnings, employment and support allowance, an increase of 5.2%; and consequently the ability of the basic state pension and for people who have lost their job through no fault to do its job of replacing earnings has been falling for of their own, through jobseeker’s allowance, an increase 30 years. We have reversed that. of 5.2%. These increases will ensure that the most vulnerable people in society are protected and that The pension will now rise at least in line with earnings, those looking for work get the support they need to but in years such as this, when price rises are higher move into the labour market. than earnings increases, it will rise by more. So the position of pensioners relative to people in work has The order gives real support to protect people against been improved by this uprating statement. Can we go price increases. At a time when the nation’s finances are further? Yes. And we will, because under the triple lock, under severe pressure, the Government will spend an over a typical retirement, someone retiring this year will extra £6.6 billion in 2012-13 to protect people against gain £13,000 of retirement pension over and above RPI. cost of living increases. I cannot help observing that, if Can we fix 30 years of decline in a single year? No, of someone spends too much time in the DWP, lots of course not, but we can focus the money on the thing zeros tend to make them glaze over, but this is £6.6 billion that pensioners value the most—the basic state pension. of help for some of the most vulnerable people in the As I have mentioned, with the triple guarantee protecting country: £4.5 billion more on pensioners; over £1 billion the value of the basic state pension in the longer term, more on disabled people and their carers; and over the average pensioner retiring this year on a full—I £1 billion more on people unable to work through should have said that—pension will gain about £13,000 sickness or unemployment. compared to the old price link. We have protected the triple lock, thereby securing I shall turn to the additional state pensions, which are the largest ever cash rise in the basic state pension; we commonly referred to as SERPS—state earnings-related have uprated the pension credit so that the poorest pension scheme. In April 2010, just before the start of pensioners benefit from the triple lock; and we have this Parliament, the uprating was based on the year to uprated working age benefits by 5.2%, thereby protecting September 2009, when RPI was negative. That means the real incomes of the poorest. I have outlined the that in April 2010 the previous Government froze coalition Government’s firm commitment to ensuring SERPS—I assume they thought that pensioners had that even in these difficult times no one is left behind, not experienced inflation the preceding year. In April and I commend these orders to the House. 1047 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1048

12.58 pm which is a point that he touched on in response to my intervention. Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): The Minister has helpfully explained that we are dealing with three separate The Minister has tried to paint the change as simply a orders, aspects of which are welcome but others of sensible bureaucratic change, not one that is ideologically which are decidedly unwelcome. I shall make it clear motivated or that represents a cut in the income of where we do not support the Government. pensioners, but in reality that is not the case. As the UK Statistics Authority put it last year: The Pensions Act 2008 (Amendment) Order—to give it a rather briefer title than the one the Minister used— “Questions about compensation, who to compensate and what makes minor amendments to protected rights over payments for, are straightforwardly political questions, not for statisticians.” of defined contributions contracted-out pension schemes. In other words, this is a matter for political decision. As he said, the underpinning legislation is the Pensions Let us be frank with people: the Government have Act 2008. I accept that the order is necessary to clarify a chosen to uprate benefits and pensions permanently in following order, and I have no objection to it. a way that, in the case of benefits, will usually be meaner than the method used before and, in the case of The most substantial of the orders—the one that I pensions, was meaner this year and last year, which is am sure this debate will focus on—is the Social Security why the Government overrode it last year and used the Benefits Up-rating Order 2012, which, as the Minister old method instead. said, uprates most out-of-work benefits and the basic state pension in line with the consumer prices index. For most out-of-work benefits, this will be the second George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) (Con): I seem to year that CPI has been used rather than RPI, but for the recall some embarrassment in the Labour party back in basic state pension, it is the first year. Members might 2000 when the low rate of 1.1% was used to uprate recall that, like this year, last year the Government pensions, the result of which was a 75p increase. Does trumpeted their triple lock on the basic state pension. the right hon. Gentleman agree that, under this Government, the triple lock will ensure that 2.5% is the I recall that in the debate last year the right hon. minimum that can be paid? Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes), who is sadly not with us today, congratulated Stephen Timms: Of course, that is indeed the effect of his hon. Friend the Minister on his success in introducing the mechanism that the Government have chosen. I the triple lock—only, the Government did not, in fact, would simply point out to the hon. Gentleman that if apply it last year. Under the triple lock, the basic state the previous method was still in place, there would be a pension would have been uprated by CPI, which was a higher increase in the basic state pension than the long way below RPI last year, so the Minister—prudently, Minister has announced today. I think—decided to overrule his triple lock on its first outing and instead operate the old mechanism, uprating the basic state pension by the higher rate, RPI. In doing Ian Paisley: The right hon. Gentleman has mentioned so, he exposed to public view the weakness of his triple the triple lock, which interests me and which applies lock. He had to override it in the first year it was due to only to the basic state pension. A number of charities, be applied. Advertised as a safeguard for pensioners, such as Age Concern and others, have contacted me the triple lock in fact undermines pensions uprating. about this issue. They argue that the Government should apply the triple guarantee to other elements of the state The Government have told us that the switch from pension, including the additional pension allowance. RPI to CPI is not simply a deficit reduction measure. Does he agree that that would make good sense? Instead, the justification for the switch is that, as the Minister said again today, CPI is a more accurate Stephen Timms: That is a matter that the Minister measure of changes in the cost of living for pensioners. may well want to comment on in his response to this Last year the Minister told us that he viewed CPI as debate. In my view, the triple lock is certainly not the “the most appropriate measure of price inflation for this purpose,” wonderful device that the Government maintain it is. and that he saw As I have said, it is leading to a lower uprating of the “no reason to change it in the future.”—[Official Report, 17 February basic state pension in the year ahead than if the RPI 2011; Vol. 523, c. 1174-77.] mechanism was still being used. However, the view that RPI, let alone CPI, is an adequate measure of pensioner inflation is one on which many Oliver Heald: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree pensioners would take issue with him, as the hon. that we need to exercise judgment about what the Member for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) suggested increase should be? One of the faults of the last Government a few minutes ago. I was interested in the Minister’s was to be too rigid. My hon. Friend the Member for view that the National Pensioners Convention is happy Meon Valley (George Hollingbery) has already mentioned with CPI uprating. However, as the Civil Service Pensioners the 75p increase, but there was also the freezing of the Alliance, among others, has pointed out in its briefing: additional pension, which, again, was considered a mean “The Royal Statistical Society…has said that CPI fails to act. Is it not right for the Government to take a judgment reflect the spending patterns of pensioners and the rising costs and—on pension credit, for example—to make increases they face. The Institute for Fiscal Studies”— well above the rate that they have to use, which is to which the Minister referred— earnings, and instead use a higher measure, in order to be fair? “has shown that most pensioner households are not shielded from many of the costs excluded from CPI. The UK Statistics Authority…has said that they do not believe the CPI should Stephen Timms: The hon. Gentleman’s argument is a become the primary measure of data inflation until housing costs different one from the Minister’s. The Minister says that are included,” because of the triple lock, pensioners are safeguarded 1049 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1050 and need not worry about what future judgments Ministers In the debate last year, the Minister attempted to will make. In a way, I am rather more with the hon. make something of the fact that, for five of the past Gentleman on this than with the application of the 20 years, RPI had been lower than CPI. Well, it was not formula. Again, however, I would point out that last lower last year, and it is not lower this year. RPI has year—the first year that this supposedly wonderful generally been higher. Since 1989, the gap between RPI mechanism was in place—the Government overrode it. and RPI minus X and the CPI measure has been 0.7% I am therefore not quite sure what certainty pensioners on average. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s would have for the future about whether, in the event of November economic and fiscal outlook suggests that siren voices being heard—we heard about those earlier—the the long-run difference between RPI and CPI is likely to triple lock might be overrode in the other direction, if be a good deal more, at about 1.4 percentage points. someone judges that to be appropriate. That is twice as much as that historic average, so the OBR thinks that the gap between RPI uprating and the Steve Webb: Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm CPI uprating that the Government want to apply in that the statutory position that his Government left—and perpetuity is going to get bigger, not narrower. which was the basis of the spending plans for 2012 that they published for us—was based not on the higher of George Hollingbery: I think I understood the right either prices or earnings but on earnings alone, and that hon. Gentleman to say that he has made a commitment the pension rise that his party pencilled in for 2012 was that, had a Labour Government been in power now, not five-and-a-bit per cent., but more like 2.5%? they would have uprated pensions using RPI. Has he calculated how much that might cost, and is that a spending commitment that he is prepared to make here Stephen Timms: As the Minister well knows, the basic today? Secondly, if he is arguing for RPI uprating in state pension was uprated over a long period in line future, does he have any idea of the long-term commitment with RPI. My point is simply that if that mechanism that that might involve for the Government? was still in place, there would be a greater increase in the current year than the Minister has incorporated in the order before us today. Stephen Timms: I shall deal with the last point immediately. I have said that if this Government had proposed a temporary switch to CPI uprating in order Steve Webb: But if the right hon. Gentleman thought to contribute to deficit reduction, we would have looked that in the event of prices being higher than earnings he seriously at that argument. It is the permanent downgrading would choose prices, why did he make it the statutory of the uprating method for pensions and all other position that just earnings would be used, therefore benefits that we think is wrong. pencilling in an earnings-only increase for 2012, which The DWP impact assessment from July last year told meant that we had to find extra money to do better than us that the impact on occupational pensions over the just earnings this year? next 15 years would be more than £70 billion, and I think the Minister has said that it would be more than Stephen Timms: It is probably the case that the £80 billion. It will certainly involve a very large figure Government’s poor performance on inflation—to go indeed. In this coming year, the gap between CPI and back to a point the Minister made earlier—and the RPI—the figure that has been used refers back to last resulting high level of inflation have been a surprise. I September—is relatively small, at 0.4%. I think the do not think anyone expected inflation to rise so rapidly. Minister is hoping that pensioners will not notice that However, I want to underline the point, which the his triple lock, which sounds so generous, is in fact Minister has not acknowledged yet, that if RPI was still delivering a lower increase than the long-established in place for the coming year, the increase for pensioners formula used by all Governments until this one. High would be higher than the order in question sets out. inflation makes this a substantial cash increase, but, The judgment to adopt this approach of using a given what the Minister has said about the importance permanently meaner version of uprating than was in of keeping inflation low, it is not greatly to this place before is one that we oppose. Of course there is a Government’s credit that the cash increase is so large. pressing need to reduce the deficit. We know, as does the International Monetary Fund—and, it would seem, Stephen Lloyd: Does the right hon. Gentleman agree, the credit rating agencies and, this week, the former however, that if the Labour Government had used the Defence Secretary—that reducing the deficit requires triple lock, there would never have been the scandalous economic growth, which is strikingly absent at the moment. scenario of a few years ago when Labour gave pensioners With the economy not creating enough new jobs and so an increase of 75p? many people out of work, not paying taxes but instead claiming benefits, targets for reducing the deficit will Stephen Timms: The point I am making is that if the just keep being pushed back further and further. We RPI method were in place for the coming year, the heard in the autumn statement that we will be borrowing increase would be larger than the one in the order £158 billion more over the lifetime of this Parliament before us today. than on the last estimate, because the Government’s economic policy has failed to deliver growth and the Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): I economy has flatlined. If, instead of the permanent acknowledge the right hon. Gentleman’s deep knowledge switch to CPI uprating, a temporary switch had been of this subject, but he is not giving the House an proposed—with the aim of contributing to deficit reduction entirely accurate picture. For the longest period, the over a short period—that might, in our view, have been state pension was linked to average earnings, but it suits justified, but we do not support the Government’s policy his argument today to make a comparison with RPI. of a permanent switch to meaner uprating. The huge benefit of the triple lock is that it provides a 1051 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1052

[Sarah Newton] Stephen Timms: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. People will feel that loss to a significant extent. choice. Average earnings could be taken into account, Those big figures, £70 billion or £80 billion, are a for example, and if they grew between 6% and 7%, so direct hit on the incomes of pensioners. They have paid would pensions. Also, there is always the floor of 2.5%, into a pension, in many cases throughout their entire which would prevent a repeat of the disgrace of giving working lives, on the understanding that it would be pensioners 75p, as happened under the last Government. indexed in a particular way. The Civil Service Pensioners Alliance notes that many of them will have Stephen Timms: I thank the hon. Lady for her generous remark. There is some merit in having an earnings “entered into particular financial arrangements such as the purchase of added years, the conversion of lump sums into pensions and underpin to the system, but I say again that, for the year acceptance of moves to other employers on TUPE terms on the ahead, RPI would give a higher increase than the triple basis that future indexation will be linked to RPI”. lock has delivered. That was the case last year as well, That contributory deal, understood and signed up to by which is why the Government set the triple lock aside in pensioners, is being broken for good—permanently. the first year it was supposed to be in place. This year, KPMG has estimated that the total cost of the move to the difference is much smaller, at 0.4%, and the Government CPI uprating across the pensions system to public sector must be hoping that people will not notice that the and private sector pensioners over the next 40 years will triple lock is delivering less than an RPI uprating would be £250 billion. The Government tell us—Conservative have done. However, in principle, having an earnings Members have just attempted to make this point as underpin as well is entirely helpful. well—that pensioners will appreciate the stability. I have Sarah Newton: But does the right hon. Gentleman to say that they would appreciate even more having an not see the benefit for pensioners and the wider economy income that kept pace with their costs. of the certainty provided by the triple lock? People can I want to ask the Minister one specific question. The now plan for their retirement, and the Exchequer can UK Statistics Authority has made the case that plan for the economy. “CPI should become the primary measure of consumer price inflation, but only when the inclusion in the index of owner Stephen Timms: It is not clear what the degree of occupiers’ housing costs has been achieved.” certainty is. As I have said, the triple lock was overridden I am grateful to the Minister for explaining the timetable last year because it would have given such a low rate of he envisages for a change to the CPI mechanism possibly uprating. This year, it has been applied because there is being introduced. He has not committed the Government not much difference between RPI and the triple lock. So to introducing such a change, but he has indicated when no, I do not think that any kind of rock-solid certainty they expect to be in a position to do so. However, does has been introduced; the triple lock was waived the first he acknowledge the UK Statistics Authority’s point time it was supposed to be put in place. that, as things stand, the CPI is not an adequate measure, Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): The right hon. because of the exclusion from it of important elements Gentleman talks about certainty, but will he acknowledge of housing costs? that the triple lock will give pensioners the certainty that they will no longer get the derisory 75p they got Dr Whiteford: The right hon. Gentleman has advocated when his party was in government? a temporary use of CPI, but will he clarify whether he is advocating a return to the use of RPI at some future Stephen Timms: As I have said, in the first year that date? If so, when that would be? the triple lock was due to be put in place, it was overridden, so I am not sure about the certainty to Stephen Timms: I am simply making the point that if which the hon. Gentleman refers. the Government had proposed a temporary switch to CPI uprating, perhaps for three years, that would have Oliver Heald: The right hon. Gentleman is being a bit been a reasonable proposition for us to consider. As it naughty. It is a general provision in many pension is, we have this permanent switch, which we oppose. As schemes that there is a method of indexation, and it is to what we will do when elected to government, I will often permissible to exceed it. To exceed the triple lock have to ask the hon. Lady to wait until the publication is not to break it; it is simply to be more generous. I do of our manifesto ahead of the next election, which she not think that “overridden” is the right word to use. and many others will be eagerly awaiting. Will the Minister say more about what will happen Stephen Timms: I deny being naughty. I am simply once this revised formula for CPI has been drawn up making the point that the Government have been telling and published by the UK Statistics Authority? Can he pensioners that they are now in a wonderful new era, provide any encouragement that the Government will in thanks to the triple lock, yet it had to be overridden in fact use what will almost certainly be a higher rate the first year it was supposed to be in place because it resulting from that, or will they wish to stick with the was not delivering an adequate increase. I am not current, lower CPI figure—the one being used for the persuaded that the degree of confidence that Conservative coming year? Members believe to have been bestowed on pensioners is a reality. This order also provides for an increase in the standard minimum guarantee element of the pension credit—3.9%, Ian Paisley: Far be it from me to encourage the right as the Minister said, which is above the increase in hon. Gentleman to be naughty, but is there not a earnings to which it would be statutorily tied. It is not certainty that pensioners—those over 80 in particular—are clear to me how the 3.9% figure has been arrived at; can now going to be £50 a year worse off because of the loss the Minister shed some light on that? I do not intend to of the winter fuel allowance additional payment? object to it. As the Minister also said, to pay for the 1053 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1054 increase, the threshold for the savings credit element, This year we are debating these orders as proceedings which rewards those who have made their own provision on the Welfare Reform Bill seem to be drawing to a for retirement, has been increased by 8.4%—quite a close. large amount. The maximum savings credit payable has Stephen Lloyd: I have enjoyed listening to the right been reduced by about £2 a week. The reduction in hon. Gentleman. In my time in Parliament, I have eligibility was made clear when this policy was announced, always appreciated his fairness when he debates various but the reduction in the maximum amount was not issues. I would like to press him on one matter. He said announced at that time. at the beginning of his speech that he agreed with the How many people does the Minister expect to be Government on some aspects of the uprating. Thus far, affected by those changes, and what financial savings however, I have mainly heard about where he disagrees will each of them realise for the Exchequer towards the with the Government about the uprating, so I would be cost of the slightly higher uprating of the minimum grateful if he clarified what he thinks is good about it. guarantee element of the pension credit? We need to recognise that what is happening here is that money is Stephen Timms: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman being taken away from slightly better-off pensioners for not accusing me of being naughty—indeed, rather who are still receiving pension credit in order to give to the reverse. I have drawn attention to a number of those who are dependent on the guarantee element. points of agreement with the Government. For example, I do not object at all to the Guaranteed Minimum Let me press the Minister on one specific question Pensions Increase Order. On its own, the increase in the about CPI uprating. The Government are freezing local pension credit guarantee level is welcome. We need to housing allowance rates from April in preparation for know a little more about how it is going to be funded, the linking of the benefit to CPI. To put it politely, that but it is a good thing in principle, as I said. I also made has not been well publicised. One might almost think it clear that I had no objection to the first order I that the Government would prefer it if people were not commented on. I thus hope that I will manage to made aware of it. When the policy was originally maintain my reputation for fairness—at least in the announced, the impact assessment said: hon. Gentleman’s mind. “Some savings are assumed in 2012/13, on the assumption that As the debates on the Welfare Reform Bill come to an LHA rates will be fixed at some point ahead of the first uprating.” end, it is important to place this measure in the context It did not say that it would be fixed for the entire year, of the Government’s wider changes, which will penalise which is what the Government are now saying. What is pensioners and in some cases make it impossible for the Minister’s justification for doing that? people of working age to save. Couples with one member drawing near to the state pension age are unaware that, Local housing allowance rates will be calculated annually as a result of the Welfare Reform Bill, if the other as either the lower of the rent at the 30th percentile of member is younger they will not qualify for pension local rents or the previous year’s allowance uprated by credit, so the household will not benefit from the increase CPI. That is my understanding; perhaps the Minister in the pension credit guarantee level to which the Minister will confirm whether I am right. What that means, of drew attention—I understand why he did so. Couples course, is that LHA rates will fall over time below the who live in council or housing association accommodation 30th percentile of local rents. Surely Ministers should and claim housing benefit will face the under-occupation commit to ensuring, as they seem to have indicated, that penalty; if one of them is below the age of entitlement at least 30% of local rented housing supply will be for pension credit, it will be applied to them as well. affordable to tenants on LHA; otherwise, there is no clear definition of what Ministers expect the LHA to Families on tax credits do not yet know that they will deliver in each local area. Let me ask the Minister be punished for saving. If they are trying to save up for directly: what proportion of the local housing market a deposit on a house or for a child’s university education, do Ministers think should be affordable for tenants on and have managed to save more than £16,000—such housing benefit? When will they step in, and how far people have been and are currently entitled to tax does the proportion have to fall before they will step in credits—they will not get any universal credit at all. For to uprate the LHA level back up to, hopefully, the some, universal credit will make it impossible to save. 30th percentile point? The Minister made a virtue—again, I understand why he did so—of the 5.2% increase in the level of contributory I have another query about housing benefit. In employment and support allowance in the order. What paragraph 4 of part 20 on page 14 of the order, the he did not mention was that 100,000 people will lose out maximum deductions from benefit in respect of heating, when the time limit on contributory employment support cooking, hot water and lighting, when those costs are allowance comes into effect. If, against all our efforts, included in the rent and paid to the landlord, are being the Welfare Reform Bill achieves Royal Assent in time, raised substantially by 18%. Will the Minister say a few those 100,000 people will lose out at the beginning of words about why those deductions from benefit have April and another 100,000 will lose out in the following been increased so much? year as they hit the one-year limit. That is the world that The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order the Welfare Reform Bill is ushering in. requires occupational pension schemes to uprate their We recognise that there are elements in these orders guaranteed minimum pensions by their 3% share of that are acceptable—some, let me say again for the hon. CPI, with the state meeting the remainder of the costs. Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd), are even welcome. These provide an important floor to defined benefit Other elements, however, and in particular the permanent schemes so that individuals do not get less than they adoption of a lower rate of inflation uprating for pensions would if they had remained on the state second pension. and other benefits, we cannot support. For that reason, The 3% increase would have occurred under either CPI we will be unable to support the Government in the or RPI uprating, so it is not objectionable in itself. Lobby. 1055 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1056

1.29 pm have spoken today. Like Cornwall and other rural parts Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): It is a of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland contains a great pleasure to be able to speak in the debate, and it huge number of people who are off grid. Nevertheless, saddens me that I to have to begin my speech with the there is a constant and very upsetting misrepresentation comments that I am about to make. of the Government’s policies on dealing with the important issue of fuel poverty and the excess winter deaths that During yesterday’s debate—I sat through most of it, go with it. With your indulgence, Madam Deputy Speaker, and have read the Hansard report—we were subjected I will tackle that, because such comments—which have to hours and hours of party-political point-scoring, been made persistently today—engender a huge amount with barely a mention of patients. Today, too, we have of fear among the many pensioners and their families heard very partisan comments. Rather than constructive who listen to our debates. opposition or suggestions of what the Opposition might do to help the Government tackle the difficult issues It is true that there have been changes in the winter that we face, we have simply heard opposition for fuel allowance, but there is also the warm home bonus opposition’s sake. A great many criticisms and partisan of £120. The Government have made money available points have been made, but we have been given no real for innovative projects, and I want to spend a bit of time indication of what the Opposition would do. telling the House about a project in Cornwall, the That is not just saddening for me, but very annoying healthy living programme, for which the Department of and upsetting for the hundreds of thousands of people Health has provided money this winter. Members of who sent us here, and sent us here at a time when our housing authorities, Cornwall council and social services great nation is in great peril. We have inherited a dreadful departments, GPs, Age UK and a range of other charities economic legacy, and we are facing huge changes in the are working in partnership, targeting the families—many way the world is operating. All that requires a Government of them elderly—who are at the greatest risk of suffering with terrific purpose, who are able to govern for the badly as a result of the cold weather this winter, and common good and deliver the huge changes that we making sure that all available help is provided. need now and in the future. As we all know from our constituency work, hundreds The fact that our two parties have come together in a of millions of pounds of benefits are out there for the coalition has prompted many sneers and giggles from most vulnerable people, but those are often the people the very few Opposition Members who are present to who are least likely to avail themselves of benefits, take part in this important debate; but we have come whether they take the form of actual cash benefits from together, and we are facing up to those challenges. It is the Department for Work and Pensions, free insulation, true that we must make some very difficult decisions, or advice and information. The members of that group but I believe that those decisions are underpinned by in Cornwall are doing highly effective work to ensure exactly the right principles of fairness. We as a Government that now, this winter, the help that is available is reaching are trying to live within our means, and not to spend those who need it. I am very pleased that Ministers more public money than we take in taxes. It is necessary from the Department are coming down to Cornwall to for us to make decisions about who is to receive the meet them, and to observe at first hand the way in money that we have, and we are clear about the fact that which, with the assistance of relatively modest sums—our we want the most vulnerable people in our society—those grant was £140,000—team work, thinking outside the who need it most—to receive that money. box and doing things differently is saving people’s lives and contributing to the quality of life this winter. Like every other Member in the Chamber, I know that many hard-working families in both the public and the private sector are suffering a terrific squeeze in their Dr Whiteford: Obviously I cannot speak for the Northern incomes. There are people who have experienced pay Ireland Member who raised the issue pertaining to his freezes, if not pay cuts, and people who are losing constituents, but as I represent a rural constituency in benefits. I know that the difficult decisions that we have which people pay excess prices for their fuel and often had to make will affect a large number of those hard- have no access to social tariffs, I am very concerned working families, but I also know that they have elderly about that as well. relatives and neighbours and want to see a Government The underlying issue, which I raised with the Minister, who will do the right thing for the elderly people in our is that older people and people with disabilities who society. Tough choices are having to be made—awful spend a lot of time in their houses are increasingly more decisions about child benefit, child tax credit and working affected by inflation than those of us who spend most tax credit—but I believe that those families will be of our day outside our homes. Both the Office for pleased that we are standing up to our principles, and National Statistics and the Institute for Fiscal Studies ensuring that people living with disabilities and that have pointed out that older people experience inflation elderly relatives are given a decent rise in their pensions. at a higher rate than the rest of us, as do people on low I agree with some of the comments that have been incomes. The evidence is there. What concerns me is made. I am not doing cartwheels. People living on a that CPI does not measure accurately the actual experience state pension, even those receiving pension tax credits, of people’s costs, which are higher than either CPI or are not living in the lap of luxury; that is a modest RPI— income for many people. However, I am proud to be part of a Government who are increasing benefits in a Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I way that will enable people to enjoy a decent standard remind the hon. Lady that she is making an intervention, of living. not a speech—yet. We have discussed changes relating to the cost of Before the hon. Member for Truro and Falmouth heating homes. I have a great deal of sympathy with the (Sarah Newton) resumes her own speech, may I point Members representing parts of Northern Ireland who out to her that we are discussing uprating orders, not 1057 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1058 projects in Cornwall, however fantastic they are. She the Welfare Reform Bill Committee, and I think his must make her speech relevant to the uprating orders, description of the broader context of how we are supporting not to future grant applications for very worthy projects pensioners was not sufficiently generous. What is of in her constituency. most importance for pensioners and their families is both having enough income to live on and the safe Sarah Newton: I entirely take those points on board, knowledge that there will be an NHS for them when Madam Deputy Speaker. I hope that the House will they need it. Elderly people are far and away the largest forgive my enthusiasm for the excellent work that is users of the NHS, and it is hugely helpful to them that being done in my constituency. I will now confine my this Government committed not to cut NHS comments to the subject of the debate, but I beg your expenditure—whereas the Labour party said it would indulgence, Madam Deputy Speaker: I should like to do that, and would have done so in this Parliament. The respond to the comments made by the hon. Member for fact that we are finally linking social care and the whole Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) by touching slightly range of other services that elderly people and their on the issue of the costs of heating a home. They are families need to be able to have the quality of life and part of the cost of inflation, which obviously has something independence they want— to do with the pension upratings. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. As the Minister has acknowledged, it is difficult to We are talking about pensions and benefits uprating. come up with a measure that truly reflects the costs of We are not having a wider debate on all the Government’s individual households. People with disabilities and policies. The hon. Lady must refer specifically to the pensioners will often be at home for many more hours measures discussed by the Minister when introducing in the day than other people, and will also need to keep this debate. their homes warmer, because as people age their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. That is a well-known Sarah Newton: The shadow Minister, the right hon. fact. However, I feel that the efforts that the Government Member for East Ham, referred to the wider context of are making, and especially the move towards flat-rate these measures, and I was merely responding to his pensions of £140 a week, will start to provide people comments. I shall, however, now desist from referring to with a reliable amount of income with which they will the range of policies that the Government are putting in be able to afford to heat their homes. place to support elderly people and their families. A huge problem at present is that people do not claim I support the Government’s measures. They constitute benefits that could make a real difference to them. a huge step in the right direction and I am very proud Pensioners are the people who most need the benefits, that my Government are honouring their commitment but they are also least likely to claim them. That applies and delivering a decent level of income for pensioners particularly to the group to whom the hon. Member for and people living with disabilities in retirement. I urge Banff and Buchan referred—people in their eighties. Opposition Members to desist from misrepresenting Theirs is a proud generation, a generation that has what the Government are doing, especially for people fought and lived through the war and we owe them a with disabilities and pensions, as that is creating fear great deal. They are very stoic and very proud, and they and anxiety. That is why there are 100,000 signatories to find it difficult to apply for the benefits to which they the petition. If the people who signed it knew the truth, are entitled. I think we all have an important job to do they would not have done so. It makes me very angry in speaking with one voice and saying to people of that that people are contacting me because they have been generation that they have earned the right to claim needlessly frightened by Opposition scaremongering those benefits. There should be no stigma, and we must that, somehow, the Government are going to take away make it as easy as possible for them to claim. I urge the benefits for disabled people and slash the benefits anybody who knows an older person whom they feel for pensioners. As the Minister has made clear today, may be struggling to make sure they are claiming the nothing is further from the truth. benefits to which they are entitled. The Government Let us have a constructive Opposition. The people of have been doing a lot to simplify the application process this country want a constructive Opposition who join and to make information more widely available, and the Government in tackling the difficult decisions of there are also wonderful charities and organisations, the day. They want the Opposition to stop this dangerous including the National Association of Citizens Advice party political points scoring. Bureaux, that are doing just that. I am very proud to support the Government on these 1.44 pm measures. There has long been great uncertainty about Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): I what will happen to the state pension. With the upratings apologise for not being in the Chamber at the start of and the triple lock, there is now certainty. There is a the Minister’s speech. I always find his comments most commitment to making the state pension the cornerstone informative, as he is very knowledgeable about the of planning for retirement. As the Minister said, we issues under discussion—although I do not agree with cannot right the wrongs of the last decade in one fell many aspects of Government policy in this area. I had swoop, especially as we are facing the most difficult not intended to speak in the debate, but have been financial situation in a generation, but the message that spurred to do so by the assertion that these proposals today’s measures and commitment send out is that are uncontroversial, particularly in relation to the retail people can plan for the future as they can have confidence prices index and consumer prices index change. That is in respect of their pension. That is very important. certainly not uncontroversial. The right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) I shall restrict what I say to the issue of RPI and CPI. rightly said that we should consider the upratings in a We have already had the biggest public sector strikes— broader context. I had the great privilege of serving on indeed, the biggest strikes—for generations because of 1059 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1060

[Katy Clark] In the short term, this is the wrong measure. I say to Government Members that their policies of austerity the change from RPI to CPI. I believe the Minister is are not working. shaking his head, but union members are very concerned about the cumulative impact of this change over many Sarah Newton indicated dissent. years. Katy Clark: The hon. Lady may shake her head, and Today’s debate has focused more on pensioners than she has spoken about many aspects of Government on social security benefits. It is unfortunate that the policy, but she must be aware that the cumulative effect Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, my hon. of the policies that her Government are pursuing is to Friend the Member for Aberdeen South (Dame Anne take money out of the pockets of some of the poorest Begg), is unable to be present as she had a fall earlier and the most vulnerable in this country, and out of this week. She has a huge amount of expertise in these some of the most deprived communities. That is the subjects and her contribution will be greatly missed. I wrong economic policy, it will not lead to growth and it am sure all Members will want to send her best wishes clearly is not the policy we need for social justice. It is for a speedy recovery. one reason why the gap between rich and poor is increasing so greatly at the moment. The social security ramifications of these changes are The hon. Lady spoke about Labour manifesto policies, less spoken about because there is less lobbying on but the Conservative party gave assurances before the social security issues. Although those in receipt of benefits election that it had no plans to change the current contact their MPs about the issues affecting them, there index-linking of pensions. The Liberal Democrats also are not many well-funded organisations representing said that they regarded index-linking rights as protected. them and lobbying MPs. There are more pensioner No doubt they will say, “We opened the books and organisations and the National Pensioners Convention everything was very different”, but the point I am has been mentioned. It and other organisations, including making is that these measures will have long-term Age UK, have contacted MPs about the issues under cumulative impacts that will hurt the poorest and most discussion today. They are calling on Members to vote vulnerable in society. against the proposals and, in particular, against the social security benefits uprating order, especially because Sarah Newton: I completely disagree with the suggestion of the RPI and CPI change. That highlights how that we are targeting the most vulnerable people, but my controversial this issue is, and we will return to it again question to you is: can you remind the House what next Thursday when we debate the petition. happened to the gap between the richest and poorest people in this society under Labour? There is much controversy because the change will result in pensioners and those in receipt of social security Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I benefits receiving smaller increases in most years. The would love to answer that question, but I am prevented switch from RPI to CPI will greatly affect the living from doing so. The hon. Lady knows that she is not standards of both pensioners and those in receipt of supposed to address the Chair in that way. In responding benefits cumulatively over a long period of time. CPI to her point, I hope that the hon. Member for North inflation is usually about 0.7% lower than RPI inflation. Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) will come back to That is because of how the rates are calculated. As a discussion of the uprating order. result, the increase in public sector pensions this year will be 5.2%, whereas under RPI it would have been Katy Clark: I am very grateful for that, Madam 5.6%. I am sure the Minister will challenge that finding Deputy Speaker. if he disputes it. The impact of the changes to benefits and pensions uprating will be similar to the impact on wages that is The Labour party does not necessarily oppose the being seen at the moment, whereby the incomes of the change in the short term—over a period of four years. lowest paid are decreasing in real terms; the change However, I do not support that position. This change is from RPI to CPI means, as I have said, that the rate of dangerous because of the impact it will have year on increase in the incomes of those on the lowest incomes year. Organisations including Age UK say that someone will reduce. I am sure that many of the hon. Lady’s who retired on 1 April 2009 with a £10,000 state pension constituents will come to see her to discuss benefit or public service pension will now have a pension of issues over the forthcoming period, and the impact of £10,846, whereas if the RPI link had been retained the all this will become clear over a long period of time. It sum would have been £11,046. The cumulative loss to will have an impact on the communities we represent. such people is already £350, therefore. Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Has the hon. The real concern is the cumulative effect that this Lady considered putting this in context? People on low change will have over a long period of time, particularly incomes are nevertheless receiving a relatively high increase for someone who is retired for a lengthy period, and here, whereas many who are working and are on low that is why I am speaking today. For example, someone incomes are receiving no increases at all. Although I who had a 25-year pension—of course not everybody think she is very genuine, her appeals need to be put in will be lucky enough to have one of those—would lose context and she needs to consider the situation of those £35,000 over the lifetime of that pension. The cumulative in work. effect is substantial. Indeed, the Office for Budget Responsibility has recently spoken about the long-term Katy Clark: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s difference between the two measures, and the significant contribution, and I agree fully with what he is saying; change and reduction in living standards that will take we do need to take into account the public sector place over time. freezes and the fact that many on modest and low pay in 1061 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1062 the private sector have had their salaries reduced—they used will be 18 months out of date by the end of that have definitely not received substantial increases. That uprating year, which is about to commence. The forecast is exactly the point I am making: measures such as this, is for 2.8% and if we had followed that, rather than the which keep down and restrain the incomes of those on 5.2% figure, £3 billion would go to Her Majesty’s Exchequer. modest and low incomes, are not the policies that are Now, for those who will say, “Ah—he wants to be needed. Of course, executive pay and the incomes of the beastly to pensioners,” I have that one covered, too. highest paid are increasing at the same time, but I shall Pensioners, as distinct from non-pensioner benefit recipients, not dwell on that today because it is not the subject of should have the benefit of the triple lock using not the this debate. However, I hope that we will continue to September 2011 figure but that for the year before the discuss it in the House and that action will be taken by uprating year—that is, from the fiscal year we are in the Government. now, from April 2011 to April 2012. As I said, that In conclusion, we will be focusing, yet again, on these would be 4.4% rather than 5.2%. If we gave pensioners issues next week, and of course court proceedings are that benefit, as we would differentiate the uprating for taking place, but I felt that I had to put my deep pensioner and non-pensioner benefit recipients, non- concern about this change on the record. My concern pensioner recipients would get 2.8%. We could, nevertheless, arises not just because of the annual change this year, save the Exchequer £1.7 billion. Using a more rational which will have a detrimental impact on people’s pockets and economically literate uprating figure, rather than now, but because of the cumulative effect that this the figure from the September prior to the fiscal year policy will have over many generations. The impact will that is being uprated, would mean that we could save be an increase in the gap between rich and poor in this the Treasury money. country, and I believe that that should not be the policy Let me make one point about the idea of basing of this or any Government. calculations on Bank of England inflation forecasts from April of this year to April 2013. I know that some 1.55 pm people are very sceptical about Bank of England forecasts. At least one of them is present in the Chamber—or two Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con): I wish including me—and that is my right hon. Friend the to say something about the public spending implications Member for Wokingham (Mr Redwood), who is very of using the September 2011 CPI figure for uprating distinguished and hugely learned. Even if one were to and about the fairness of doing so. Using that September say that 2.8% for the fiscal year 2012-13 is a bit on the figure for the following April-to-April fiscal year means low side and that the Bank might be wrong, inflation is that it will be 18 months out of date by the end of still very likely to fall to 3%. There are three reasons for 2012-13. If the Government had not used the September that: first, the VAT increase is falling out of the calculation; figure and had instead used the six-month average to secondly, the inflationary effects of the massive decline the end of 2011 of 4.7%, the Treasury would have been and depreciation in sterling are being unwound; and, able to save a remarkable £780 million compared with thirdly, world commodity prices, particularly as regards the 5.2% uprating. energy products, fuel and so on, are coming down, too. Alternatively, the Government could have decided to So there are at least three reasons—probably more—for take an average figure from April 2011 to April 2012, believing that the next 12 to 18 months will see a using a forecast for the current quarter. Had they done declining trajectory in price inflation. so, the figure would have been not 5.2% or 4.7%, but Let me say a few words about the practicality of 4.4%, which would have saved Her Majesty’s Treasury using forecasts as I have suggested. The flexibility that I £1 billion from the uprating—and there is more. Let us am seeking as an alternative to sticking to a rigid just ask ourselves what this uprating is really about. It is September forecast for a full six months before the year done to compensate benefit recipients for the cost of of uprating begins can be seen in New Zealand, where living increases from April 2012 to April 2013—it is they distinguish between pension benefits, which are about the actual cost of living. The Bank of England not allowed to fall below 65% of average earnings in forecast for what inflation will average during that that year or rise above more than 72%, and non-pension period is 2.8%, rather than the 5.2% that we are being benefits, where the Government have discretion. That invited to sign up to. If that 2.8% figure were used, the would be much more sensible and the discretion could welfare bill saving to Her Majesty’s Treasury would be be used on the basis of the forecasts, which are more more than £3 billion. relevant and relate to the year in which one is trying to Times are tough and we need to look after the most compensate benefit recipients rather than using an out- vulnerable in society, but I am also a public spending of-date September number. hawk. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is doing very There is a key point, which was raised in the press good work in setting out an austerity programme, but it and media last autumn, about whether it can be right—my is not nearly austere enough for me. The public spending hon. Friend the Member for Enfield North (Nick de implications of this uprating are terribly important, Bois) touched on this—for non-pensioner benefit recipients and I hope that the Minister will explain in a little more who are receiving a 5.2% increase to receive it at a time detail than he did in reply to my earlier intervention when those who are working on very low incomes are what the Government’s thinking was at the time of the not receiving any kind of uplift at all and have to cope very public discussion in September and October, in the with the ravages of the rising cost of living. We know run-up to the pre-Budget report, about what we should that that is something that not only right-of-centre do about this September figure. Conservative Members of Parliament like me will say. I repeat that that figure does not begin to reflect the My point is not a million miles removed from the actual cost of living for the 12 months from April 2012, excellent Government policy of a benefit cap of £26,000 which this uprating is meant to cover. The figure being for any family that does not have anyone in their household 1063 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1064

[Mr David Ruffley] has also been a commensurate over-compensation for non-pension benefit recipients relative to the working in work. Why should people who do not work get a poor? better deal than those who try to do work of some description, whether it is part time or otherwise? Stephen Lloyd: I thank my hon. Friend for that I find it difficult to justify to my constituents how this question, but I disagree as I think that it is even more Government have doggedly stuck to a September CPI important that people in receipt of JSA and DLA at uprating. The thrust of my remarks is based on the this time, when things are so difficult, are seen, shown grounds of fairness to those who are working, poor and and proven by the Government to be in a difficult on low incomes and of affordability to Her Majesty’s position through no fault of their own. We want to Treasury at a time when we are trying to squeeze every show that they are entitled to that extra uprate. I possible pound of taxpayers’ money spent in the public appreciate that my hon. Friend and I might differ interest to make it work more effectively and to get the ideologically on that, but I hope that he accepts that my deficit down. Some of the figures amount to billions—not belief, although it is different, is profound. just millions—and that money could be used to do On pensions and the £5.30, I remember canvassing in good things. We could potentially reduce the deficit Eastbourne a few years ago when the then Chancellor faster than projected or target tax cuts. There is money of the Exchequer had just introduced the 75p rise. Not to be squeezed out of the budget of the Department for only were the pensioners I spoke to absolutely incandescent Work and Pensions. with rage but they did not understand. A lot of the In that spirit of honest inquiry and with a desire to people I spoke to genuinely believed, rightly or wrongly, squeeze public spending harder and to see a better deal that the then Chancellor was on their side—I respect for those who are not benefit recipients but nevertheless that totally—and that is what shocked them. They just work hard at the bottom end of the labour market so could not believe that such a derisory payment could be that they have justice, too, I believe that a 5.2% uprating made. It is therefore very encouraging that at this time, sends entirely the wrong message. It also sends the in such an economic crisis, we are sticking to the triple wrong message to me as a believer in introducing serious lock and CPI, and doing it at an uprate of £5.30, which incentives to work rather than incentives to receive is about £21.80 or whatever a month, compared with benefits. what it was before. However, I have some frustrations, which are shared 2.6 pm by the hon. Member for Truro and Falmouth (Sarah Newton). It is very hard for the coalition Government Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): It is a pleasure to to get the information out there about the uprate on speak in this debate because, unlike my hon. Friend the disability living allowance. My hon. Friend the Minister Member for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley), I am knows that I have lobbied fiercely to him personally extremely proud that despite the chronic economic that that uprate should happen, but as hon. Friends challenges that we face, the Government have uprated have mentioned today, one would not think from the by 5.2%. I am what is termed an orange book Liberal, overwhelming response we have had in our inboxes that so I am fairly hawkish on the budget, but clearly not as we had stuck to our guns on that. I pay tribute to the hawkish as my hon. Friend. To me, when things are so coalition Government on this issue: they have done difficult and so many people are being squeezed, including the right thing. those in work, and when people in the public sector, because of the austerity measures, are not getting their On CPI and RPI, I have a lot of time for the right salaries uprated, it is even more important that the hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms) on pensions coalition Government should stick to their guns and generally. He brings a very good and forensic brain to uprate pensions by 5.2%. That is laudable. To me, this whole area, and I listened carefully to what he said. personally, it is even more important that they uprated To be honest, I think he made some good points. There the disability living allowance and jobseeker’s allowance will be years when the challenge concerning the swapping by 5.2%. I am utterly supportive of the Work programme from RPI to CPI will be greater, but equally there will to get people back into work, but I am bullish about the be years when it is lesser. I know that the Government’s fact that it is terribly important that people who receive figures are for a 20-year period and that, for the average DLA, JSA and so on should receive the additional pensioner, the figure will be equal to £13,000 more, over uprating. It demonstrates the coalition Government’s and above what it would have been with RPI. I am commitment, which I believe to be genuinely profound, getting so many conflicting details and reports on this, to try to make this as fair as possible, irrespective of the and I have sort of decided that, even though I understand economic challenges. where the Government are coming from with CPI change, we should stand back a wee bit and see how the figures To be in a position in which we can say that we have develop over the next few years. Certainly, in the Minister’s uprated pensions by the highest ever figure in, frankly, wind-up I would be grateful for a little more detail the worst economic crisis since the great depression, let about the pluses of CPI and about the £13,000 figure. I alone the second world war, is something of which I am would find that very helpful, as, I am sure, would many very proud and of which the coalition Government of my colleagues on the Liberal Democrat Benches. should be very proud. What I do accept about CPI is that it strips out the mortgage side of things. I totally understand that because, Mr Ruffley: Let me be clear: although we all welcome certainly in my constituency, most elderly constituents the generous uprating for pensioners, does my hon. tend to own their own homes, it is a more accurate and Friend, like me, draw a distinction between the uplift for stable indicator. However, I would be grateful for a bit pensioners, which we welcome, and the fact that there more detail on that. 1065 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1066

Finally, and I have to be a bit partisan here, I find My hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and extraordinary the Opposition’s blanket opposition to Arran (Katy Clark) emphasised the great concern there CPI, with no caveats at all, because I know that the is outside the House regarding the permanent switch Labour party is introducing CPI for all its own staff’s from RPI to CPI and declared her support for an pensions. I am a little confused about some of the immediate return to RPI indexing. She emphasised that rationale there. I know that others want to speak, so let CPI indexing means a smaller rise for pensioners and me conclude by saying that I am delighted by the move out-of-work citizens over time. My right hon. Friend on pensions regarding the triple lock, which the Minister the Member for East Ham referred to the 0.7% average will know was one of the Liberal Democrats’ key manifesto difference between an RPI and a CPI measure and my promises at the election. I am equally delighted that we hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran stuck to our guns on that issue. There was quite a lot of emphasised from the Back Benches that if we had been battling and lobbying inside Government, as one would using the RPI measure this year, the increase would expect in a coalition, but it was all done with great have been 5.6% rather than 5.2%. She set out the real courtesy. I am delighted that the 5.2% is not only in cumulative impact that the switch in indexing will have relation to pensions but is also for some other benefits, over time on the pensions and benefits of some of the such as DLA, jobseeker’s allowance, carer’s allowance more vulnerable members of our society. and attendance allowance, as I have already discussed. The hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds (Mr Ruffley), We in the coalition are determined to get through this in what he described as a spirit of honest inquiry, set mess with the robust austerity programme. I entirely out some challenges for those on the Government Front concur with my hon. Friend the Member for Bury Bench. He emphasised the public spending implications St Edmunds on this. It is the only way we can get of a 5.2% rise based on a CPI measure in September. If through this; otherwise, the bond markets would kill I understood his argument correctly, he would have us—we both know that—and that would ramp up preferred to use either a six month figure, which he interest rates. I am delighted that despite all the challenges, calculates would save the Treasury £780 million, or an we are trying profoundly, and as well and as fairly as we average over 12 months until April 2012 using a forecast can, to ensure that everyone in the country has to step for this current quarter. That would have created an up to the plate. That means that, yes, we have the Work overall indexing figure of 4.4% and saved £1 billion, programme for people who are out of work, but it is according to him. He put that in context by explaining also about trying to ensure that people in that situation that the real cost of living increase in the coming year get a good uprate. That demonstrates that when it will be 2.8%, which, if applied, would save the Treasury comes to the facts, by contrast with the hyperbole one £3 billion, based on his calculations. sees in the media, the coalition Government are determined to do things right and fairly. Thanks to the decision on these upratings, this is one Mr Ruffley: The hon. Gentleman is reciting the argument of the times since I have been elected that I have felt brilliantly, but those are not my figures; they are my genuinely proud to be a Member on the coalition figures checked with the House of Commons Library. Government side. I really mean that. That decision is entirely commendable and I look forward to hearing Gregg McClymont: I thank the hon. Gentleman for the Minister’s response. that clarification. As a public spending hawk, as he described himself, he would much prefer one of those figures to be used, although he indicated that pensioners 2.15 pm should receive 4.4% and those out of work should Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and receive 2.8%, which would lead to an overall saving of Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): I shall not detain the House £1.7 billion, based on the figures he cites. I am sure that for long, I hope. We have had an interesting debate, the Minister will be happy to deal with this matter. The which was begun by the Minister and my right hon. hon. Gentleman also emphasises the overall issue of Friend the Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms), work incentives. If people are in work but seeing a real who discussed some of the technicalities and complexities squeeze on their incomes and living standards, in his of uprating. I shall confine my remarks largely to the view there is an issue of work incentives. most controversial of the motions—the motion on the The hon. Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd), draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012. from the Back Benches of the second coalition party, The contributions from Back Benchers have illuminated described himself as hawkish, but not as hawkish at the some of the issues at hand. The hon. Member for Truro hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds. He was particularly and Falmouth (Sarah Newton), who is no longer in her pleased that DLA, GSA and other out-of-work benefits place, made a heartfelt defence of what she described as are receiving the full uprating and described the pension the coalition’s sense of national mission. “Our great increase as the highest ever—perhaps I can come back nation is in great peril,” she declared, although I am to that later. He praised the shadow Minister in particular glad she cautioned that she is not doing cartwheels. I for his work on pensions. Alas, I suspect that he was would never have made such a claim. She suggested referring to my right hon. Friend the Member for East that there has been a constant and very upsetting Ham, rather than me. My right hon. Friend is indeed an misrepresentation of the Government’s wider policy in impressive parliamentarian, and I join the hon. Gentleman this area, which she sought to correct by sharing the in his praise. The hon. Gentleman also said that he had experience in her constituency. Not content with her sympathy with Labour’s position on RPI but was prepared party being in government, she was also keen to give the to reflect over the coming years on how CPI operates Opposition the benefit of her wisdom on how they and is keen for the Minister to give a little more detail should proceed on these and other matters. on how CPI will operate. 1067 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1068

[Gregg McClymont] 2.25 pm

The Minister set out the Government’s position clearly: Steve Webb: I am grateful to all hon. Members who they are spending money via this uprating to protect have taken part in this debate. The hon. Member for some of the most vulnerable in society. There will be a Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) deserves particular CPI increase of 5.2% on the basic state pension and the credit for being here throughout and not making a additional state pension—SERPS—and a 5.2% increase speech, but we are grateful to her for her interventions. in most out-of-work benefits. They will also raise the I shall respond to the key points that have been made. I pension credit minimum income guarantee above earnings was going to respond first to the right hon. Member for to 3.9%, rather than 2.8%, to be paid for, as was East Ham (Stephen Timms), but I shall do so at the end discussed earlier, by raising the threshold for those if he has time to come back and join us. eligible for savings credit by 8.4% and reducing the My hon. Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth maximum savings credit payable per week from £20.52 to (Sarah Newton) has also been surprised by the timing £18.54. of the winding-up speeches. I am grateful for her contribution and her important point about the significance The Minister also set out his view that CPI is a better of the take-up of these benefits. It is all very well us measure of pensioners’ cost of living. That is contestable, sitting here debating the rates, but if people do not as the debate so far has suggested. In particular, my claim the benefits, it is a slightly academic exercise. My right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham raised hon. Friend was right to highlight the importance of the issue of housing costs, among other things, and the our making sure that the benefits are taken up— Minister has undertaken to look at the work of the [Interruption.] I am delighted that she is rejoining us. I Consumer Prices Advisory Committee on integrating was welcoming her comments about benefit take-up, housing costs into the CPI index. and today we have published the latest take-up figures for income-related benefits in the final year of the The hon. Members for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) previous Government. They demonstrate that in the and for North Antrim (Ian Paisley) contributed to the benefits under discussion many billions of pounds go debate in interventions. They noted that, if we are unclaimed, so she is absolutely right that we should do looking at the cost of living for pensioners, we must all we can to encourage people to claim them. emphasise the cut in winter fuel allowance in the round and heating costs more widely. Those are things that the My hon. Friend will have seen in these uprating Minister will be aware of as he goes forward. orders that we are trying to shift the balance towards the benefits that people really do claim, such as the state The Minister and the hon. Member for Eastbourne pension, and even within pension credit we have loaded emphasised that this was the largest real-terms increase the balance towards the guarantee credit, which is more in the pension for about 10 years. There was an interesting likely than the savings credit to be taken up. On today’s exchange between the Minister and my right hon. Friend figures, for those who are entitled to savings credit only, the Member for East Ham on what exactly that amounted the take-up rate is less than 50%, so it is vital that when to. The Minister’s explanation, as I understood it, was we set benefit rates we ensure that people claim them. I that by the time the increases work through the system was grateful to her for her insight on that point, on the to the recipients, inflation will have fallen. My right certainty that the triple lock gives pensioners and on the hon. Friend rightly suggested that the Government fact that we have stuck to it despite difficult economic should perhaps not take too much credit for inflation times, and I can assure her that we will continue to being so high and then falling—perhaps that was a do so. quirk of timing, rather than the result of Government The hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran policy. (Katy Clark) was entirely straight with the House, However, it is clear that, with a Backbench Business saying that she does not agree with the CPI measure or Committee debate on the switch from RPI to CPI with her Front Benchers. On the issue of whether that is scheduled for next week, this remains a live issue, and I controversial, of course it is, but all I was saying is that I am sure that it will be articulated in greater detail next last joined the National Pensioners Convention at a week. As my right hon. Friend the Member for East time when no decision had been made, so it is worth Ham indicated, the official Opposition could have looked winding the House back to that point. closely at a temporary switch to CPI, but we cannot In the press there was speculation that we might support a permanent switch from RPI when there is so introduce a freeze—I shall return in a second to the much doubt about CPI as an accurate measure of the points made by the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds cost of living. There is merit in an earnings underpinning, (Mr Ruffley)—or use a forecast, a moving average or but it has been noted more than once that in the first anything to get the number down. At that point, I was year of its existence the Minister picked his own lock, staggered to go to an NPC event and be—“harangued” so to speak, and there was a greater increase in the state would be uncharitable—forcibly encouraged to deliver pension than there would have been with the triple lock. 5.2%. Having seen that delivered, I would, if I were the Although there is merit in an earnings underpinning, NPC, then demand 5.6%. I understand that, but it is the fact remains that if RPI had been used last year and worth reminding ourselves of the pressure that the this year the increase would have been greater. Government were under to do less, so 5.2% was an entirely decent settlement in the current economic climate. That said, and given that we cannot support a permanent switch from RPI, we support certain things in these The hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran uprating orders, but we cannot support the Government made an important point about the cumulative effect, today. which was her key theme. She made an important point also about working age, but to focus on pensioners I 1069 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1070 note that there are two cumulative effects going on at Steve Webb: Indeed. If one could obtain pretty the same time: one is the triple lock and the other is robust and independently accepted forecasts—although CPI, which applies to additional pensions. The question that prompts at least two questions—there would have is, which is the greater? to be a decision about whether one used “forecast, forecast, forecast” or “history, history, history”. In terms The hon. Lady mentioned someone with an occupational of the orders, I am concerned with the decision that we pension of £10,000 a year, but from memory—this is had to make about this year. Had we switched from only from memory—the average occupational pension history to forecast just at the point when forecast was in payment is about £4,000 a year, so her example is helping us, I think that we would have been criticised. more than double the typical, and our estimate, looking With an historian sitting opposite me, I hesitate to say just at the cumulative impact over a retirement of the that no one can argue about history, but at least there is basic pension, is where the £13,000 figure comes from. some certainty in the past. We now have the Office for Looking purely and cumulatively at the triple lock, Budget Responsibility, and we have the Bank of England, because the earnings figure is normally more than RPI, so we could get an objective future figure. However, if we find that people will get more through that. CPI is we did that and the future started to turn out differently, on average less than RPI, so on the additional pension there would be a lot of pressure with people saying, they will get less. “You forecast this figure but it is turning out to be The cumulative effective of the two is beneficial to more”. There would also be pressure to make in-year those with lower occupational pensions, but less corrections, whereas nobody can argue about history, beneficial—indeed, there are net losses—to those with and that gives us a certain amount of certainty. Having higher occupational pensions. So the hon. Lady is probably said that, I understand my hon. Friend’s comment right: someone on a £10,000 occupational pension will about the point of indexation being to match the inflation get smaller net increases and someone on a £3,000 experience. occupational pension will get bigger net increases overall. That is taking account of the two policies. She is right My hon. Friend talked about in-work and out-of-work that these policies have a cumulative effect. For example, benefits and the relative position of pensioners, as did on the CPI link for local housing allowance, the my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Government have said that they will continue with that Lloyd). I remind him that we have different approaches for two years and review the position having done so. I for pensioners and for non-pensioners. The statutory am grateful to the hon. Lady for drawing the House’s position for non-pensioners is generally CPI or, in some attention to the Chair of the Select Committee’s unfortunate cases, discretionary, while our policy for pensioners is accident. I am sure that we all wish her our very best for triple lock. We are in very strange times, with CPI, RPI a speedy recovery. and earnings going all over the place. In more normal times, when earnings rise faster than prices, pensioners My hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds will generally get bigger increases. observed that the September 2011 figure was a peak. He said that by the time we get to April 2012 it will already I entirely agree with my hon. Friend about the be a bit out of date and that by the end of 2012-13 it will burdens on the low-paid. That is why we are keen to be 18 months out of date. This involves two separate raise the tax-free personal allowance, among other questions: first, whether we should use forecasts or measures. Nobody would say that being in a low-paid historical figures; and secondly, what we should have job is a comfortable place to be, especially with pay done this year. The VAT increase in January 2011 was a freezes. On average, people affected by the tax significant driver of the 5.2% figure. Had we, for example, credits changes are on incomes of some £17,000 a year, chosen to look at inflation only over certain months, or but someone who is drawing employment and chosen to switch to the future just at the precise point support allowance is on an income of about £3,500 a when something quite big happened historically, people year. It is a question of how much scope the person might have queried our sincerity. At times in the late has to accommodate and absorb these inflation 1970s and ’80s, some Governments switched to and fro shocks, and that was the judgment that we made. between forecasts and historical figures, and there was a Most of the time, earnings rise faster than prices, and sense that that had nothing to do with compensating for the gap between jobseeker’s allowance and low-paid inflation but was merely trying to find a low number. It people’s wages is increasing year after year. In the past is important that we have a system for compensating for 20 years, it has probably increased 17 or 18 times. In inflation that we stick to and a separate system of general, that will be the sort of outcome that we get. Of judgments on what the country can afford, whereby if course, as soon as we introduce universal credit, that we cannot afford 5.2%, we should say so. We should not will institutionalise the gap between out-of-work and try to think of a period that will give us a lower number. in-work benefits in the way that I think he wants My hon. Friend is right that if we had used a lower to see. inflation measure we could have saved a lot of money, but that is the answer to a different question. My hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne welcomed the 5.2% increase, particularly for working-age disabled people. I am grateful for his representations on that. He Mr Ruffley: The burden of my argument did not is right that we need to protect people who are not able relate especially to last autumn’s figure but to the principle to work. He asked about the evolution of CPI and RPI. of whether, for a 12-month period in which one is Just to be clear, the £13,000 figure was reached by seeking by an uprating to compensate benefit recipients comparing our triple lock, based on OBR-type assumptions, for the cost of living, one should use a figure, whatever with the RPI policy of the past 30 years. We asked what it is, that is six months’ prior—that is, the September somebody retiring on a full pension this year would figure. have got had RPI been rolled forward and what they 1071 Pensions and Social Security23 FEBRUARY 2012 Pensions and Social Security 1072

[Steve Webb] The right hon. Gentleman asked about the savings from the savings credit change. We over-indexed the would get under the triple lock according to realistic guarantee credit compared with statute, so it is 3.9% assumptions about earnings and prices. The difference rather than 2.8%. That cost us £200 million, which between the two is a cumulative £13,000. That figure we have to find by cutting back the savings credit. has changed. I used to say that it was £15,000, then the There is therefore no net saving on pension credit as a OBR changed its numbers and I said that it was £10,000. whole, but rather redistribution from the savings credit We now say that it is £13,000. The figure will change, to the guarantee credit. I hope that that answers his but over time earnings tend to grow faster than RPI, so question. the basic pension will tend to grow faster than it would The right hon. Gentleman said that the Government have done. That is something that we need to communicate had been secretive about the link between the local over the coming years. housing allowance and CPI, and about the freeze in I wrote down a bizarre phrase that was used by the April 2012. I accept that not many people listen to our right hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms). He debates in the House, but I announced that measure said that the triple lock “undermines pensions uprating”. from the Dispatch Box on 6 December 2011. I think People can check his speech, but that is what I thought that he might even have been here. I said: he said. That is nonsense. The triple lock reinforces “As part of the preparation for this change, we need to fix pensions uprating because it always gives pensioners LHA rates, to establish a baseline… As the new cycle for uprating the best deal between CPI, earnings and 2.5%. LHA will be annual, we have decided that the baseline should be one year ahead of the first uprating event. Therefore, LHA rates will be fixed from April 2012.”—[Official Report, 6 December Stephen Timms: Will the Minister give way? 2011; Vol. 537, c. 164.] The measure was therefore announced before Christmas. Steve Webb: I will in a second. Clearly, those numbers Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman had his mind on all fluctuate relative to each other. Perhaps the right other things at the time. hon. Gentleman can confirm whether he disputes the The right hon. Gentleman asked why the deductions fact that £13,000 extra compared with the policy that from heating and so on in the social security order are his Government adopted for 13 years is the result of the relatively high. The deductions are linked to the component triple lock? indices of CPI. Those things have gone up by more than inflation. Each year, we link them to what has actually Stephen Timms: I want to focus on the year ahead. happened to the cost of those items. Therefore, had the Will the Minister confirm that the triple lock will deliver costs been lower, we would have used a lower figure. a lower uprating than would RPI? That is just for consistency. I stand before the House having just announced Steve Webb: It is interesting that the Labour party £6.6 billion of spending. With due respect to the hon. has said that it does not support the orders, which Members who have attended the debate, it has not include a CPI increase, and yet is not going to vote received a huge amount of scrutiny, but as was said against them. I assume that it will not vote against them during the debate, that is because people overwhelmingly as there are only about four Labour Members here. think we have done the right thing. We have recognised It is unclear what the right hon. Gentleman is saying. that pensioners, who will get two thirds of the money, He does not think that there should be an RPI increase. should benefit from the triple lock, that the poorest Whether RPI is higher than CPI this year could be a pensioners should be protected, that disabled people debating point. Of course RPI is higher, as he well should be protected from inflation and that people who knows and as we all know. However, he is not in favour are out of work through no fault of their own should of using RPI this year, but favours a temporary move to not suffer a cut in their real living standards. It is CPI. I am not sure what debating point he is trying therefore my great pleasure to commend the orders to to make. the House. The right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East (Gregg Question put and agreed to. McClymont) asked about CPIH, which is CPI including the housing costs of owner-occupiers. We are entirely Resolved, open to looking at that. We are not going to say that we That the draft Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected will definitely use it, because we do not know what it is, Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) (Amendment) what it will include or what its properties will be. It Order 2012, which was laid before this House on 30 January, be would be premature of us to sign up to a prices index approved. that we have not seen and that has not even been invented yet. We are entirely open to considering whether PENSIONS that is the right measure to use when the Secretary of Resolved, State decides the general increase in the cost of living That the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2012, for September 2013, which is when it will presumably which was laid before this House on 30 January, be approved.—(Steve happen. I have said that consistently. Webb.) The right hon. Member for East Ham asked why we had increased the standard minimum guarantee by 3.9%. SOCIAL SECURITY That is the cash pass-through. We have given the basic Resolved, state pension £5.30. We wanted people on the minimum That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012, guarantee to get at least £5.30. It turns out that it will be which was laid before this House on 30 January, be approved.—(Steve £5.35. That is 3.9%. Webb.) 1073 23 FEBRUARY 2012 1074

Business without Debate Sittings of the House (20 and 23 March)

DELEGATED LEGISLATION Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): As announced Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing yesterday, the three amendments in the name of Mr Philip Order No. 118(6)), Hollobone have been selected.

EUROPEAN UNION That the draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Second 2.41 pm Agreement amending the Cotonou Agreement) Order 2011, which was laid before this House on 19 July 2011, be approved. The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of —(Mr Dunne.) the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): I beg to Question agreed to. move, That— (1) there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 20 March; and (2) this House shall sit on Friday 23 March. On Tuesday, the House agreed to a series of Adjournments up until January 2013, which my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House set out in the business statement on 9 February. I think the whole House will agree that it is for the benefit of the House that Members, staff and the House authorities are given as much certainty as possible of recesses, as far in advance as possible, to enable the effective scheduling of hon. Members’ other work and major work projects in the House, among other things. If passed, the motion will achieve two things in relation to the forthcoming business of the House in March. First, it provides that there will be no Westminster Hall business on Tuesday 20 March. It will not have escaped Members’ notice that that is the date scheduled for the attendance of the two Houses on Her Majesty in Westminster Hall for the presentation of Humble Addresses, as my right hon. Friend announced in the business statement on 19 January. I am sure Members will recognise the need to suspend regular Westminster Hall sittings on that day, which is entirely in line with precedent. Secondly, the motionprovides that the House will sit on Friday 23 March. That proposal was announced in the business statement on 9 February, together with our reasoning that it would allow the continuation of the Budget debate while still providing time for the Backbench Business Committee to schedule a debate on the day before the recess had it wanted to, as has been past practice.

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): My hon. Friend is making the Government’s position clear. Will he confirm to the House that all dates announced are always provisional? The House agreed to the dates set for Adjournments on a “forthwith” motion, which could not be debated or amended. This debate is therefore the first opportunity that we have had to debate and amend a motion.

Mr Heath: Obviously, “forthwith” motions can always be objected to if hon. Members have problems with them. I can only assume from the silence when that motion was moved that there were no objections. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that all future business is always provisional until we get to the point at which it is no longer provisional, and it is open to the House to change its mind. However, I say again that it is very helpful to have some certainty, not only for Members, who have busy diaries to arrange, but for the staff of the 1075 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1076 23 March) 23 March) [Mr Heath] very seriously, and I am afraid I have very little time for claims that are posturing nonsense of no substance House, who will also wish to make arrangements. I whatever. believe it is good practice to try to provide that certainty It might be helpful if I inform the House that there is as far as possible. a precedent for the proposal to sit on a Friday to allow I understand that my hon. Friends the Members the continuation of the Budget debate before a recess. for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) and for Kettering We do not have to delve too far back to find it—it (Mr Hollobone) do not entirely share what I had hoped happened under the previous Government, during my might be a consensus on the matter. They have tabled period in the House and that of many right hon. and amendments showing plainly that they do not share hon. Members, on 11 April 2003, just nine years ago that consensus and we will discuss them today. I also and a passing moment in the time scale of Parliament. note the point of order made by the hon. Member for During points of order on Tuesday, the hon. Member Rhondda (Chris Bryant) on Tuesday. He was very keen for Rhondda, who I again note is not yet in his place, to make his point then, but perhaps not so keen to make asked what business may take place on a Friday sitting it today when we are actually having the debate. His and specifically about statements and urgent questions. absence will be regretted by everybody. He clearly felt As we know, the Government rightly remain accountable very strongly about the motion but is otherwise engaged through statements and urgent questions on a sitting today. Friday, but we have not the slightest intention of changing Standing Orders to allow for oral questions on that day, The Opposition sought to amend the motion on which would require wholesale changes to the rota. Tuesday in order that the House would sit on Wednesday That is entirely in line with precedent, including under 28 March. Let me make it plain that the Government the previous Administration—on Friday 11 April 2003, are not opposed to sittings on Wednesdays, but the in similar circumstances, no oral question session took proposal for the House to rise on Tuesday 27 March place. It is a wonder that the hon. Member for Rhondda, was announced when the calendar was last issued in having been a business manger in his time, now takes a October 2011. My hon. Friend the Member for very different view of what should happen in the House Wellingborough made the point that the calendar is from that which he proposed from the Dispatch Box always provisional because it is always subject to the previously. progress of business. But my point, again, is that the Government are conscious that we have announced Amendments (a) and (b), tabled in the names of the recess dates and Members and staff will have made hon. Members for Kettering and for Wellingborough, arrangements for the Easter recess. It would now be would establish sittings in Westminster Hall on Monday inconvenient, at least for some, to change them. 19 March and Friday 23 March. There is a problem with this and I ask the hon. Members to address it if I have heard reports that the Opposition—laughably they speak to their amendments. In the absence of any in my opinion—are accusing the Prime Minister of other changes to Standing Orders, it would fall to the running scared from Prime Minister’s questions, which Government to nominate business in Westminster Hall is a triumph of hope over experience on their part. They for those two days. There are colleagues of mine in say that that is why we have scheduled the Friday and government who might appreciate the generosity of not the following Wednesday. As I said, that is an these amendments from two notable members of the entirely laughable proposition and it is totally without Backbench Business Committee. They have obviously basis in evidence. recognised that, at the moment, the Government have no control over the time allocation in Westminster Hall, I have had the benefit of considering the evidence and wish to correct this anomaly. and it might help if I enlighten the House on it. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House perhaps Mr Bone: Unusually, the Deputy Leader of the House alluded to some of this information in business questions. is struggling to think of things to do on these days. We The frequency of Prime Minister’s questions per sitting heard in business questions the need for international day has risen in this Session compared with the last women’s day to be debated. That seems an appropriate Session of the previous Administration, so there is no debate to have, and everybody would be very happy. reasonable accusation that we are manipulating the calendar so that there are fewer Prime Minister’s questions sessions. Mr Heath: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is right that everybody would be very happy, but the fact remains It is also true that the current Prime Minister is that the Backbench Business Committee, of which he is turning up to Prime Minister’s questions more often such a distinguished member, now has responsibility for than his predecessor, who was absent from the Dispatch scheduling debates on those days. If his amendments Box for Prime Minister’s questions twice as often as the were successful, these days would not be available to current Prime Minister has been. We know the record the Committee, so it simply could not be done under the of the previous Prime Minister—I think I coined the terms of the Wright Committee proposals. That is the expression “McCavity” to describe him, because where sadness of what is obviously a well-intentioned thought there was trouble, he was always somewhere else—but on his part. The Standing Orders get in the way, and we nevertheless, for the Opposition to suggest that the are as bound by the Standing Orders as any Member. current Prime Minister is avoiding his commitments is absolute nonsense. The Prime Minister has made more Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I am surprised statements to the House per sitting day than his predecessor that the Deputy Leader of the House would struggle to and has spent more than 30 hours at the Dispatch Box think of suitable business to take up the time in Westminster in so doing. He takes his responsibilities to the House Hall on either the Monday or the Friday were the 1077 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1078 23 March) 23 March) amendments to be passed, because today in business should not decide what happens in Westminster Hall. questions 37 subjects were suggested for debate. I am That is the position that we are in, and to move away sure that the Government could pick from that huge list from it without careful consideration of why and how two or three suitable topics on which the House could we should do so would be a mistake. hold the Government to account. I know that the hon. Gentleman recognises the progress that we have made. He is trying to ensure that the Mr Heath: I am sure that we could, but that would be Government are properly held to account, and he is to return to the dark ages when the Government decided absolutely right in that, as is his hon. Friend the Member what was debated in the House, rather than the Backbench for Wellingborough. He will recognise that the Government Business Committee, and I do not want to do that. I am have already introduced elected Chairs of Select a great believer in the Backbench Business Committee Committees, Back Benchers having control of the agenda and in the need for us to continue making progress through the Backbench Business Committee and extra towards a House business committee in due course. I do time for the scrutiny of Bills on Report—all things that not want to return to the time when the Executive improve the scrutiny of Ministers by Back Benchers. decided what the House could debate. The idea that That is absolutely right, and the balance has genuinely Ministers should retake possession of Westminster Hall shifted towards Parliament and away from the Executive. and decide what the House should debate on those days I want to maintain that. on the basis of their prejudices and requirements rather than of what is properly decided by the Backbench The hon. Member for Kettering and his colleague are Business Committee is wholly retrogressive. So I will putting forward proposals with the best of intentions, hold firm to the principle behind the Backbench Business and I understand that. However, I do not think they are Committee and the Wright Committee reforms that we either necessary or desirable at this point, although I am have put in place. I certainly do not think that we certainly prepared to go away and listen to the points should move away from that principle without the benefit that they make and consider how we can best accommodate of a more thorough inquiry. proper scrutiny, as I always have done. I commend the hon. Gentlemen on the spirit of their amendments; The Procedure Committee recently reported on new equally, I will ask the House to reject them if they are and inventive ways in which Westminster Hall could be pressed. I have set out what the purpose of the House used. It is absolutely right that the House, in the future, should be in agreeing to the motion before us and in be given an opportunity to consider those proposals in rejecting the amendments. I commend the motion to more details. There are colleagues in government who the House. would be delighted to take up the hon. Gentlemen’s suggestion of giving more power to the Executive, and at some point a Minister from the Dispatch Box might 2.58 pm ask for their support and would be grateful for it when Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): that time comes. But it will not be this Minister on this The motion before us gives the Government the day. opportunity—or the right—to table the extra day’s debate required for the Budget. In tabling the motion, the Mr Bone: I am grateful for the Deputy Leader of the Government had a clear choice: they could have extended House’s honesty on that point. Will he name those business to Wednesday 28 March, but instead they have members of the Government, please? chosen to extend it in the preceding week, to Friday 23 March. Mr Heath: No, because I was being entirely speculative, and idle speculation is not something that we should The first point to make about today’s motion is that it indulge in from the Dispatch Box, as the hon. Gentleman clearly illustrates the Government’s incompetent will readily recognise. As I have said, my view is that we management of the business of the House, in that it was must keep to the reforms that we have put in place and only last October—when it was absolutely known that not move backwards. the Budget statement would be made on Wednesday 21 March—that the recess from Tuesday 27 March was Mr Hollobone: I am struggling to identify the principle determined. The incompetence of the Government, in that the Deputy Leader of the House is purporting to being unable to arrange their business in the required uphold, because he is effectively telling the House that it time for the debate on the Budget statement, is staggering. is better for the Government to scrap completely a day’s The fact that we have to be here today, debating and business in Westminster Hall than to decide what business putting right the Government’s incompetence and their should take place on an alternative day. mistake in timetabling the Budget business, is staggering. However, even given the situation that they are in, the Mr Heath: I have to say that days are scrapped in this Government have not decided to put the start of the House for all sorts of reasons. However, as a matter of recess back by one day, but have, in effect, chosen to go fact, we sit more often, and as the hon. Gentleman will for a Friday sitting. recognise, we have provided a huge range of Given the Government’s incompetence in scheduling opportunities—more than before—for Members to have business, there is a further question that begs to be their say. However, there are times when the House is answered. Why are they not making the more obvious not sitting—when public holidays occur, for instance—and choice of extending the business to Wednesday 28 March? we do not automatically say, “Well, we’ll sit on the Is it because the Prime Minister does not like being held Sunday, because the Monday is no longer available.” to account in this Chamber? Is he trying to avoid Prime Instead, we look at the calendar of the House as a Minister’s questions? The evidence is crystal clear. An whole and we ensure that there are ample opportunities. analysis of recent parliamentary recess dates shows that The principle—I will set it out again—is that the Executive the House of Commons has risen on a Tuesday, rather 1079 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1080 23 March) 23 March) [Angela Smith] Angela Smith: I think the hon. Gentleman asked that question only a few minutes ago—[HON.MEMBERS: than the more usual Thursday, on 63% of occasions “You didn’t answer.”] The question was answered. since the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) became Prime Minister. Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): I am moved to suggest to my hon. Friend that one of the reasons that the Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): If that is previous Prime Minister felt able to leave the Wednesday really the case, how does the hon. Lady account for the Question Time to his deputy was that he trusted her. fact that the present Prime Minister has spent more time at the Dispatch Box than the previous Prime Angela Smith: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Minister did? That is another reason for my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) Angela Smith: It has to be said that the previous finding it impossible, on occasion, to get to the Dispatch Prime Minister faced up to his global leadership Box. He gave global leadership in the credit crunch, and responsibilities in the face of the biggest recession in he trusted his deputy. Whether this current Prime Minister this country for 60 years, unlike the present Prime trusts his deputy is open to question. Minister, whose global leadership involves standing on All the evidence suggests the opposite of what we the sidelines and walking away from negotiations. Our have heard, and that our Prime Minister is a leader who previous Prime Minister played his part and led the cannot get his facts straight and who is increasingly world in showing the way out of the previous crisis. running scared of being held to account on the detail of his Government’s policies. With your indulgence, This Government’s unwillingness to be held to account Mr Deputy Speaker, I will illustrate this point with is becoming more apparent by the day. First, they examples. Let us take, for instance, what the Prime rushed through the Commons a number of highly Minister claimed only the other week: controversial pieces of legislation in the early days of this Parliament, denying this Chamber the right to “The proportion of police officers on the front line is up”.—[Official proper scrutiny of their provisions. Report, 8 February 2012; Vol. 540, c. 295.] That is a misleading claim, if ever there was one. Of course, his reference was to the proportions of front-line Mr Bone: The hon. Lady is making a fair point, but it officers rather than their overall numbers. Thus, where is one that could equally have been made about the last perhaps 12 front-line officers were assisted in their work Government. Is it the Opposition’s view that we should by six support staff, there might now be only six front-line now get rid of programme motions? officers and only two support staff. The proportion would be higher, but the number of front-line officers Angela Smith: That is not necessarily the case. What would have been cut by 50%. In the end, the Prime we are discussing today is the need for competent Minister will not be able to continue to defend the line scheduling of the business of the House, rather than that front-line policing is being protected when budgets last-minute motions on the Floor of the House as a are being cut by 20%. About 16,000 police officers are result of the Government getting themselves into a hole likely to lose their jobs, and the Prime Minister knows in regard to the time they have allowed for debate. that he will be called to account for that at Prime The Bills to which I have just referred are now bogged Minister’s Questions. down in the Lords, with the detested Health and Social The Prime Minister has, of course, already been Care Bill alone requiring more than 1,000 Government called to account at the Dispatch Box by the Leader of amendments so far. Furthermore, we have Ministers the Opposition for his Government’s disastrous Health regularly ignoring the rights of this House over important and Social Care Bill. Only yesterday, we witnessed in announcements about Government policy.Many Members this Chamber the Prime Minister thrashing around, will recall the occasions on which it has been necessary desperately trying to trade insults and to deploy soundbites to point out to the House that a Minister has yet again in an attempt to deflect attention from his unpopular briefed the media, before briefing the House, on an and unwanted top-down reorganisation of the NHS. important matter. Two weeks earlier, just before the recess, the Prime Now, we have a Prime Minister who will apparently Minister claimed at Prime Minister’s Question Time do almost anything to avoid being held to account at that 100,000 more patients are being treated every month. PMQs. The House is therefore entitled to ask why the It was possible to make that claim, however, only if one Prime Minister is so reluctant to account to his peers for compared May 2010 with November 2011. If one compares his actions. This is, after all, the man whose self-confidence May 2010 to May 2011 and November 2010 to November led him to say, live on air, “Bring it on!” when asked in 2011, one finds that the figures are, in fact, static. 2009 whether he was looking forward to the general Equally, the Prime Minister claimed that there were election. This is the man who wanted to “Fire up the 4,000 extra doctors since the election. That is true, of Quattro”, and who gave voters the clear impression that course, but it is not something that he can take credit he was a man who meant business and knew what he for. After all, it takes between five and seven years to was about. train a doctor and the extra numbers are therefore a legacy of the previous Labour Government. Brandon Lewis: Given the hon. Lady’s comments So there we have it—a Prime Minister who knows about the Prime Minister attending Prime Minister’s that his cavalier approach to answering the questions questions, what does that tell us about the previous posed to him by this House is under pressure, who Prime Minister, who spent about half as much time at knows that his slapdash approach to Prime Minister’s PMQs as the present one? questions is being increasingly exposed, thereby revealing 1081 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1082 23 March) 23 March) him and his Government as incompetent and not up to me that they receive an average of some 60 to 70 applications the task of taking this country through the very challenging a week for Westminster Hall time from Back Benchers, times in which it finds itself. No wonder this Government that there can be as many as 150, and that the number want to avoid Prime Minister’s questions wherever possible. never falls below 40. What better evidence could there It is the one occasion every week when the spotlight is be of the popularity of Westminster Hall among Members? on everything they do, and they increasingly worry that Effectively, however, the Leader and Deputy Leader of they will be found wanting. In the interests of accountability the House are denying Back Benchers the opportunity and democracy, we oppose the motion. of a day’s debate there.

3.7 pm Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): We heard the Deputy Leader of the House suggest that the real Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I beg to move problem was that the Government did not want to amendment (a), after ‘(1)’, insert dictate what was debated on Monday. Is there not a ‘there shall be a sitting in Westminster Hall on Monday 19 March simple solution? The ballot could proceed in the normal between half-past nine o’clock and two o’clock;’ way, the listing for Tuesday could be provided, and the Government could then accept it and transfer it to Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): With this it Monday. That would help everyone out. will be convenient to take the following: Amendment (b), at end add Mr Hollobone: I am most grateful for that suggestion. ‘, and there shall be a sitting in Westminster Hall between When I flagged up the issue during business questions half-past nine o’clock and two o’clock.’. earlier today, the Leader of the House said that the Amendment (c), at end add Deputy Leader of the House would provide a powerful ‘and, notwithstanding the decision of the House of 21 February, response to my amendments during his speech. I do not on Wednesday 28 March.’. know whether the Deputy Leader of the House left his notes in the Leader of the House’s office, but his Mr Hollobone: I give notice that I shall endeavour to contribution certainly did not constitute a powerful press amendments (a) and (c) to a Division, so the response to the amendments, which I found disappointing. Whips can get on their BlackBerrys and signal the This could have been the occasion for the establishment troops that their presence in the Chamber will be required in the Chamber of a new doctrine, the Heath doctrine, later. I do so more in disappointment than anger because to celebrate Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee. The Heath I thought that the Leader and Deputy Leader of the doctrine could have stated that whenever a sitting in House were bigger men than this. On this occasion, Westminster Hall is cancelled for understandable reasons, much against their normal form, they have shown a the parliamentary air time must be replaced by an lack of imagination and a lack of innovation. Although alternative sitting. The Deputy Leader of the House they do a tremendous job for this House, it is at times would have been applauded by Members on both sides like this that we gently need to remind them that they of the House, and I am disappointed that he did not are the Leader and the Deputy Leader of the House of choose to grasp that chalice. Commons, and that they are here to represent the My hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough is interests of Back Benchers as well as those of Her right: there are all sorts of innovative ways in which the Majesty’s Government. On occasions such as this, there Government could overcome the difficulty of allocating is a simple solution to ensure that the accountability of the time. If we accept that, as the rules stand, it is up to Government is maintained. the Government to decide what debates take place, the The Government motion proposes Government could say, for example to the Speaker’s “no sitting in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 20 March”. Office through the Table Office, “We must allocate this The reason for that is entirely understandable. Her time, but will you invite applications from Back Benchers Majesty the Queen is coming to Westminster Hall on to fill the slot? We will then take your recommendation that day to celebrate her diamond jubilee, so it is entirely for filling the time appropriately.” That would have been appropriate that normal sittings in Westminster Hall the imaginative and innovative solution that I would should be cancelled for that day. No one has any argument expect from our two colleagues, and I am sorry that with that. What the Leader and Deputy Leader of the they did not think of it. House should have proposed, however, is the rescheduling There is no shortage of potential debates in Westminster of that lost parliamentary time at some other point in Hall. Only today, we heard 37 Back Benchers call for the parliamentary calendar, because effectively some of debates on a range of subjects: cosmetic surgery, north-east our precious parliamentary air time is disappearing. regional strategy, the Royal Bank of Scotland, drought My amendment (a), supported by my hon. Friend the and the national water grid, the Olympics, working tax Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone)—to whom I credits, youth unemployment, music exports, Syria, must say a huge thank you—suggests that that air time international women’s day, elected mayors, design patents, should be replaced on the previous day, Monday 19 March, directory inquiries, high streets, defence procurement, while amendment (b) suggests Friday 23 March as an work experience schemes, unemployment in the north-east, alternative. business in the community, the Backbench Business Westminster Hall is an important part of parliamentary Committee, arms exports to the middle east and north procedure. The Leader of the House and his deputy Africa, apprenticeships, local heating schemes, music have previously told the House that they support it and licences in public places, bans on protest marches, the feel that it does a valuable job, and evidence from the economy, education and manufacturing, employment Table Office supports that. The hard-working, diligent, law, Professor Ebdon, job clubs, small and medium-sized capable, lovely, kind people in the Table Office have told enterprises in retail, manufacturing, energy companies 1083 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1084 23 March) 23 March) [Mr Hollobone] On a partisan point, I take completely the opposite view to the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge and their customers, and the efficiencies of police services. (Angela Smith), because I think that the Prime Minister That is just the list for today; I am sure that in most does extremely well at PMQs. I understand her point of weeks many further requests are made to the Leader view—she thinks he does particularly badly—but these and Deputy Leader of the House. differences are what makes for good debate and for the sense of occasion. I suspect that the Prime Minister Representations to the Backbench Business Committee enjoys Prime Minister’s questions and that he will be continue to flood in, too. There is a long list of outstanding disappointed that he is not able to come here on that issues for which it has not been possible to allocate any Wednesday. I suspect—this will doubtless be written time, simply because the Government have not allocated down and used against me at some future point—that the Committee sufficient time to be able to debate them. the Prime Minister is being given bad advice. I do not When the Backbench Business Committee was established, know whether it is coming from the Leader of the we were promised that it would get 35 days per Session. House or the Government Chief Whip, but someone is The gentleman’s agreement—to use a sexist phrase—was telling him, “Look, it would be a good idea to have the that that would, in effect, be 35 days per year. This Adjournment on the Tuesday, so that you don’t have to Session lasts for two years, however, and although I am go through all the hassle of Prime Minister’s questions not a great mathematician, I believe that the Backbench on the Wednesday.” That is bad advice, wrongly given, Business Committee should therefore be allocated 70 days and I suspect that the Prime Minister is disappointed for the discussion of issues Back Benchers wish to raise, that he will not have the opportunity to address the but today’s Order Paper reveals that it has been allocated nation on that day. only 53 and a half days, and we are about to go into On a serious level, all this does mean that the nation March. It appears that we will fall well short goes without Prime Minister’s questions for a month of that 70 total, therefore. Some of these outstanding when it need not do so. According to the Government’s issues could be scheduled for debate in an extra day in timetable, the last Prime Minister’s questions before the Westminster Hall. That would go some way towards recess will be on Budget day, Wednesday 21 March, and dealing with the large number of issues that have come the next Prime Minister’s questions will take place on before the Committee. the first Wednesday when Parliament comes back— Amendments (a) and (b) are reasonable measures Wednesday 18 April. So for almost a month the nation intended to preserve the power of this Chamber to hold will be deprived of Prime Minister’s questions. Will the the Government to account and to allow Back Benchers wheels come off the country, will the nation stop working on both sides of the House to raise constituency interests and will everything grind to a halt? No, of course that and concerns. Even at this late stage, it is not too late for will not happen, but there is no need to have a month the Leader and Deputy Leader of the House to have between Prime Minister’s questions. We are talking what was called this morning a Pauline conversion and about the Prime Minister of our country, and it would to say, “Yes, this is a good idea from the Members for be a good precedent—perhaps this could be the Young Kettering and Wellingborough. We wish we had thought doctrine—if the sign-off note before entering a recess of it, but we’re going to be charitable because we know were the Prime Minister answering questions from hon. that these two fine gentlemen have the best interests of Members in this House, to set the nation off for the the House at heart. We will support amendment (a).” If recess. Would that not be a wonderful parliamentary they were to say that, no one would cheer them louder occasion? than my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough and me. Angela Smith: The hon. Gentleman makes a strong case about PMQs. Will he acknowledge that the Prime Amendment (c) would allow for an extra sitting day Minister will be absent again on the week prior to on Wednesday 28 March. That is a separate issue from 21 March because of a visit to the United States, so we the rescheduling of Westminster Hall time. It is, in part, will have the pleasure of the Prime Minister’s presence to do with the issue raised by the hon. Member for and responses in PMQs in only one week out of five? Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith) about Prime Minister’s questions, but not for the reasons she suggested. Mr Hollobone: I did not know that, and I am most I think the Prime Minister does extremely well at PMQs. grateful for the helpful intervention. No doubt the It is an occasion when the great British public tune in to nation will be disappointed by that. I suspect that hon. see Parliament at work. If we ask our constituents Members on both sides of the House will relish the whether they watch any of the parliamentary television opportunity to see how the Deputy Prime Minister coverage, most of them will say that they do not, but performs, and that may well make for a rather more most of those who say they do will watch PMQs. It is a entertaining Wednesday in that particular week. I am regular half hour each week which people know is making a genuine point when I say that there is no need worth watching for information, news and, frankly, to have a month’s gap in between hearing from the entertainment. The great British public look forward to Prime Minister, given that we could have a new Young Prime Minister’s questions and I think that, just on the doctrine that says that it is important for the Prime basic level, it is a shame that the nation and the House is Minister to sign off on the Session before the recess denied an opportunity for Prime Minister’s questions, starts. regardless of who the Prime Minister is and of which party is in power, because it is a great British occasion. Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I am listening carefully It is a shame that by having the Adjournment on the to my hon. Friend, but I wish to take issue on one Tuesday, we do not get Prime Minister’s questions on matter. I hear from the Prime Minister almost daily in the Wednesday. the media, in one way or another. We will not be 1085 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1086 23 March) 23 March) deprived of the Prime Minister. He may not be in be objected to at 10 o’clock at night and rather than PMQs, but he is most definitely available and speaking arranging a debate, the then Government tabled them to the nation much more often than PMQs occur. night after night, hoping that we would not turn up to object. Of course, we did turn up every night and Mr Hollobone: Of course my hon. and gallant Friend eventually they had to give way. The Government have the Member for Kettering—[HON.MEMBERS: “Beckenham.”] seen straight away that they needed to give the opportunity WhatdidIsay?[HON.MEMBERS: “Kettering.”] I am for this debate and they have done so very quickly, sorry. I know Beckenham very well and I am very albeit on a Thursday when there are not normally many pleased that my hon. and gallant Friend is the Member Members about, which could have meant that they for it. I am delighted by his intervention and he is risked losing the debate. Then I realised that this is a absolutely right in what he says. It is an echo of the House matter, so they would not possibly be considering debate we had on ministerial statements, in that so much putting a Whip on. I have had an electronic message of our political life in this nation nowadays is conducted saying that we are suddenly on a three-line Whip, but not in this Chamber, but in the 24-hour news media. Of that must be a mistake and I dare say that the Whip will course anything that the Prime Minister or any Minister disappear to change the whipping any second now. I am says on a TV channel is not subject to scrutiny by elected making a serious point, however, and I am very pleased Members of this House. The important thing about that the Government have allowed this debate. I want to Prime Minister’s questions, and one of the great privileges speak briefly about the three amendments, but I should of our great British democracy, is that we have the say at the very beginning that I have had a text message opportunity once a week to question for half an hour from Thomas and I must make it absolutely clear that the most powerful individual in the land. That is a very he regards the Deputy Leader of the House as a goodie. important and, I would suggest, cherished part of British The Government are absolutely right to put the extra political life. It is a huge shame to dismiss that by having day on Friday 23 March. I agree entirely, as it makes an early recess so that, effectively, it does not take place. eminent sense that the Budget debate should run That is my simple point and I suspect that the Deputy consecutively, so I welcome and support that decision. Leader and Leader of the House agree with it, but I am It also makes a great deal of sense, because of the very sad that they are not prepared to take it up. timetable of the Budget debate, to have that debate on a The other point about losing the sitting Wednesday is Friday. that other things happen on sitting Wednesdays as well I also take the opportunity to thank the Government as PMQs. The rest of the House is in operation and we for the introduction of the Backbench Business Committee; are talking about losing yet another day in Westminster they were instrumental in setting up one of the greatest Hall—yet another day on which a series of Back Benchers’ movements towards parliamentary democracy for a debates will not take place. Effectively, although I know very long time. Having said that, there is the issue of the Select Committees can sit when the House is in recess, it Westminster Hall sitting, to which my hon. Friend the will mean another day on which Select Committees are Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) referred, to not sitting and scrutinising the business of Departments. address. It is a scrutiny day and its loss denies people the There are other knock-on effects from this House not right to a debate. I have to say that the Deputy Leader sitting on a Wednesday. of the House’s argument that the Government would By moving amendment (a), I want to tell the House have to choose the topics was a little hard to swallow. that we have the opportunity to establish two new Some people do not think that Westminster Hall is a doctrines in commemoration of Her Majesty’s diamond very important Chamber or that the debates in it are jubilee: the Heath doctrine, which will say that whenever important. I absolutely disagree. Westminster Hall debates a day’s sitting in Westminster Hall is cancelled it will be are equally important as those in this Chamber. Indeed, replaced by an alternative day, and the Young doctrine, I often chair Westminster Hall debates and I would which will say that just before the House goes into argue that debate in Westminster Hall is better. recess there should be a Prime Minister’s questions on that Wednesday to send the nation off on a happy note. Mr Hollobone: My hon. Friend is making a very I suspect—and hope—that the Leader and Deputy powerful speech, as usual, to which I am listening with Leader of the House are big enough men to take up that close interest. Perhaps one reason why there are not challenge and establish those doctrines, but we will see more Members in this Chamber to hear this debate is whether that is true in the Lobby later. that there is a packed Westminster Hall debate taking place on The Times’s cycling campaign. Does that not 3.27 pm illustrate the point about the power of Westminster Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): It is a great Hall and the importance attached to it by hon. Members? honour to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone), who made a most excellent Mr Bone: I am grateful in one way for that intervention. case that has probably already persuaded the Deputy The only problem is that that was exactly the next Leader of the House to agree to the amendments. The paragraph in my speech. Westminster Hall will now be danger of my speaking, of course, is that I might packed with people discussing cycling. That was close dissuade him. Now we are to have Heath time and to being the lead story in a lot of media outlets this Young time, the Deputy Leader of the House might morning, so the suggestion that Westminster Hall is not have to consider declaring an interest in the debate. important from a national point of view is incorrect. I start by congratulating the Government on doing Let me give another, more personal example of how something that we never saw under the previous important Westminster Hall is. More than two years Government. Whenever these motions on the sittings of ago, the Speaker graciously granted me a Westminster the House came along and were opposed, they used to Hall debate to discuss a constituent of mine—a five-year-old 1087 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1088 23 March) 23 March) [Mr Bone] would not be inconvenienced. Of course, all the arguments we have made for not losing the Westminster Hall day boy who was suffering from a very nasty cancer called apply equally to that Friday. If the Government do not neuroblastoma. Due to red tape, he was not allowed to want to accept amendment (a), I think amendment (b) enter a trial that could have increased his chance of would do the trick and I would be happy for it to be survival from 20% to 70%. To cut a very long—and made. unfortunately continuing—story short, the excellent Health I do not want the Deputy Leader of the House to Minster at the time, Ann Keen, turned up to that worry that he would lose the title of Heath days, because debate, listened to the argument and went away and there is no precedent for Westminster Hall to sit on sorted the problem out. That little boy then got treatment Fridays, so that, too, would be a new and good way of on the NHS in Germany. I believe that if it had not been putting Parliament first. One of the concerns I have for that Westminster Hall debate, that little boy would heard is the difficulty of getting Members to turn up on not have got that cancer treatment. So, the loss of a extra days, but of course only the Members interested Westminster Hall day could be very damaging. in the matter being debated need to turn up for Westminster In amendment (a), Monday 19 March is selected as a Hall and there are no Divisions, so it is not the case that day for the relevant Westminster Hall sitting. That everyone would have to come along. would be a suitable day because it is close to the day we I will concentrate on what I think is the main amendment, are losing on Tuesday 20 March. Also, the House will amendment (c). In essence, it would make Wednesday be sitting on that day, so it will not inconvenience 29 March the final sitting day before the Easter recess. Members in any other way. On 26 May 2009, our We have heard the argument that it should be a Wednesday excellent Prime Minster, who was then simply the leader so that we can have Prime Minister’s questions. When of the Conservative Party and was about to embark on the previous Government avoided sitting on a Wednesday, a very successful election campaign, produced a speech I argued from the Opposition Benches that it is essential called “Fixing broken politics”. Anyone who does not that Prime Ministers are scrutinised as often as is practically have it should really get it and have it on their wall. It possible, because the House does not sit for a full year tells how Parliament is going to be transformed and and there are huge gaps, and I still argue that now that I many of the things in that speech have been done. There am on the Government Benches. If we have the option are one or two other things that are still to be sorted of breaking up on either Tuesday or Wednesday, let us out, but we are getting there. In that speech, he said: make it the Wednesday. If Members want to call that “The House of Commons should have more control over its Young time, I am more than happy to agree. own timetable, so there’s time for proper scrutiny and debate.” I heard the argument that the hon. Member for That is what we are arguing about tonight. I think the Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith) made about Prime Minster put his point across perfectly and I could not having the Prime Minister here. The idea, from an not agree with him more. By moving the Westminster hon. colleague, that the Prime Minister turns up so Hall sitting, we would be fulfilling the Prime Minister’s often because he does not want the Deputy Prime desire by allowing Back Benchers to have a say in the Minister to answer questions—I mean, how far-fetched timetable. We would also be fulfilling the Prime Minister’s can she get? When the Deputy Prime Minister speaks at desire for more and proper scrutiny of government. As the Dispatch Box, he sounds to me like a Tory, and we we all know, Westminster Hall is one of the best places should hear more of that. Actually, it would be a very to scrutinise the Government on a particular issue. good idea for the Prime Minister, even if he was available Therefore, if we move the Westminster Hall sitting, on the Wednesday, to step aside so that the two deputies rather than cancel it, the House will definitely benefit. could have a go. I think everyone in the House would I am fully aware, as is my hon. Friend the Member for enjoy that. Kettering, that there is no precedent for Westminster I will come now to what I think is the most important Hall to sit on a Monday, but by being the first Government and serious part of the debate. It is a slightly complex to have a Monday sitting, we would really show the issue. The Backbench Business Committee, which has House and the public that the Executive are determined been given the Tuesday for Back-Bench business at the to be scrutinised and to put Parliament first. That end of term, has allocated it for a debate on assisted would be an extension of what the Government are dying. We have done that because we recognise that already doing and it is quite appropriate and right that assisted dying is an important matter that the whole it should be called the Heath doctrine. I remember that House should vote on, and on a free vote—I am sure when the Deputy Leader of the House and I sat on the that all parties will have a free vote. We also wanted to Opposition side, he had rather similar views to mine. I give notice of the debate so that Members who are do not know why, but sometimes when Members move interested could prepare for it. It is not a debate that we to the other side of the Chamber their priorities and can have the following week, as we need time to prepare judgment are affected. He could show that that has not for it. The usual channels had promised us a date in happened to him and we could have this wonderful March so that we could tell people when there would be doctrine. a debate on assisted dying, but we were not given a date. I understand that there is a problem with Mondays We were in a dilemma. How could we give a future because, according to the rules of the House, the debate date for a debate on assisted dying so that Members would have to start at half-past 9 in the morning, which could prepare for it? The only date we could possibly might make it difficult for Members from further away give was the end of term, 27 March, but by doing so we to attend. That is why I also support amendment (b), had to get rid of the Hollobone day—the pre-recess which would put the lost Westminster Hall day on the debate on the new format, in which Ministers come Friday when the House is already sitting for the Budget along and answer groups of Back Benchers. Many Back debate. Members would already be here and therefore Benchers who do not normally speak in the Chamber 1089 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1090 23 March) 23 March) speak on those days about important constituency matters. we have the chance to hear the Prime Minister responding So we had to decide, should we have the Hollobone day to questions. Sadly, the contribution by the hon. Member or the debate about assisted dying? We felt that we had for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith) from to have the debate about assisted dying, and that was the Opposition Front Bench, was designed almost to the only way we could schedule it, on a fixed date in turn us off the idea of supporting the amendment. We March, and give people the notice that they deserve, but do not need the amendment to hold the Prime Minister we were conscious that we would lose the end-of-term to account; it reminds us of how we got into this debate, which many people think is important. situation in the first place. So the solution is to make Wednesday the last day of We used to have the Budget on a Tuesday. It would term. It would be a Back-Bench business day, and we inevitably unravel—this was a Labour party Budget— could have the pre-recess Adjournment debate then, during the course of the afternoon, and then the Prime too. We would have Prime Minister’s questions and Minister would have to answer for the Chancellor’s then the Adjournment debate, and the advantage is that failings on the Wednesday. The former Prime Minister we would not only get to scrutinise the Prime Minister Mr Blair decided that that was all far too embarrassing, or Deputy Prime Minister, which any parliamentarian and moved the Budget to a Wednesday so that he had a would want, but let Back Benchers raise issues that were whole week before having to answer to the House for important to them, with a Minister or, sometimes on the unravelling of his right hon. Friend’s Budget. We those occasions, a Whip responding to the debate. cannot go back this year, because Her Majesty is coming That is why on this particular occasion, amendment to Westminster Hall, but in future years the Budget (c) is very important. The Deputy Leader of the House should go back to a Tuesday, with the opportunity for did not address it in his speech, perhaps because he had the Prime Minister then to make telling points about it not thought or did not know about it, but now that I on the Wednesday. have explained it I hope that he will accept it. If he does, Notwithstanding the specious justification put forward we will not need to press amendments (a) or (b), because by the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge for the great advantage of amendment (c) is that it also supporting amendment (c), I shall support it for different involves a day on which Westminster Hall sits. There and more reasonable reasons. would be none of the problems to which he refers, because it would be a normal sitting day, and the 3.45 pm Backbench Business Committee or the Speaker would be able to allocate the debates. Mr Heath: With permission, I will respond briefly to The Deputy Leader of the House and the Leader of some of the points that hon. Members have raised. the House have done much to improve parliamentary First, let me say that I absolutely bask in the approbation scrutiny; I genuinely mean that. On this occasion, without of Master Thomas Bone. His views on who are goodies any detriment whatever to the Government, we can and who are baddies now represent the signal sign of move Parliament forward, so I urge the Deputy Leader respect across the country, and I am very pleased to of the House to support at least amendment (c). know that I am a goodie. I entirely agree with the hon. Member for Wellingborough 3.41 pm (Mr Bone) about the importance that we as Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): I shall parliamentarians should attach to sittings in Westminster make a short contribution to this debate. In so doing, I Hall. I regularly hear people speak as though a debate very much welcome the Government motion, particularly there was a second-class debate, as though it was beneath the part that states them even to appear there to speak to a motion that mattered to them, and as though the House was “this House shall sit on Friday 23 March.” disrespecting the issues that are debated there. Nothing By putting forward the motion, the Government have could be further from the truth. Until this House recognises reinforced the case for the House working a five-day the value of Westminster Hall debates and, indeed, week. You will recall, Mr Deputy Speaker, that many debates that are now held here in time allocated to the years ago we used to work many more Fridays, which Backbench Business Committee rather than in Government were not just the exclusive domain of private Members’ time—until we understand the esteem of those Bills. Indeed, I remember whole-day debates on Fridays occasions—we are doing ourselves a great disservice. about issues such as road safety. If that precedent operated now, instead of the debate about cycling taking Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): I place in Westminster Hall as we speak, it could take would like to add to what the hon. Gentleman has said place on the Floor of the House, in the main Chamber, about Westminster Hall. I have just been over there on a Friday. myself, and an absolutely huge debate is taking place By re-establishing the principle that it is perfectly about The Times’ safe cycling campaign. In fact, it is reasonable and, indeed, desirable for the House to work virtually standing room only, even for Members who a five-day week, the Government will, I hope, think wish to participate. That is a serious debate that more in terms of sitting on other Fridays when private demonstrates that Westminster Hall can be a very good Members’ business will not have precedence—Fridays, place to have important debates. for example, during the debate on the Queen’s Speech, when there would not be any votes but when many Mr Heath: It can indeed, with the one proviso being Members would want to participate, as they will on the that the debate must be on a matter that does not need Friday during the Budget debate. That is an important resolution by a Division at the end. Yesterday, I heard precedent which should be welcomed. an excellent debate, which I sat through in its entirety, Amendment (c) would make the motion even stronger, on the very sad issue of Kevin Williams and the events as sitting on Wednesdays is important, not least because in Sheffield those many years ago. It was a superb 1091 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1092 23 March) 23 March) [Mr Heath] The question is how we can reasonably limit the demand and provide time. If we are going to change our debate, with every contributor making extremely valuable arrangements, we should not make it up as we go along. comments, and yet some were also moved to say that it We need to come to a properly considered view, taking was a shame that it was not taking place in the Chamber into account all the pros and cons, as we have done and that the Government—despite the fact that it has previously when we have changed the Standing Orders. nothing to do with the Government—had chosen to put I simply do not accept that bringing forward an ad hoc it on in Westminster Hall. That is a very unfortunate suggestion without the benefit of Standing Orders, in way of expressing things because it gives the public the the way that has been suggested, is the right way to idea that matters of huge concern to them are somehow proceed. devalued by being debated by parliamentarians in The hon. Member for Wellingborough said that this Parliament in a place where, yes, matters are not subject House should have more control over its own timetable. to a decisive vote, but some matters one would not I absolutely agree with that, and that is what we have expect to be so. given it. However, I do not think it encourages the I am glad that the hon. Member for Wellingborough House to be sensible in the use of its time if we ask it referred to the use of the debating time immediately to reverse on 23 February a decision that it made on before the recess. He knows that I relish my involvement— 21 February—to say on the Thursday the opposite of others may not—in pre-recess Adjournment debates. I what it said on Tuesday. I therefore think that we should sometimes feel that I have rather more speeches to reject that proposal. respond to than I have time available, but that is a The hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge different matter. Those debates are clearly valued by (Angela Smith) talked about incompetence. I will point Members of the House. I hope it is a tradition that we out incompetence: incompetence is the Opposition not can largely keep to, but I entirely understand the reasoning being able to tell us until a day before what they will that the Backbench Business Committee has applied in discuss on an Opposition day, when they have had this case. weeks to prepare for it. She said that the reason the As regards the amendments tabled by the hon. Member previous Prime Minister was so frequently away from for Kettering (Mr Hollobone), I am glad that the hon. Prime Minister’s questions was that he was going around Members for Wellingborough and for Christchurch the world saving it. I am not sure that we all recognise (Mr Chope) entered a reservation about having Westminster that description. Hall debates on a Monday morning. Those of us who The hon. Lady said that the Leader of the Opposition live a little further away from Westminster would find it enjoys Prime Minister’s questions. I can see that he rather difficult to get to those comfortably as well as might take some comfort from being surrounded by being in our constituencies at the weekend. well-wishers, all desperately hoping that he will do In moving the amendment, the hon. Member for better than the previous week, with the right hon. Kettering mentioned what my right hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (David Miliband) willing Leader of the House said in business questions earlier him forward and the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and asked me to be powerful in my advocacy of the and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) looking at his successor case. I think the Leader of the House said that I was with avuncular charm. All those things might spur the required to be not powerful but coherent and compelling. Leader of the Opposition on to another of his It certainly is not for me to decide whether I have been relaunches—the man has been relaunched more often coherent or compelling; the vote will determine that in than the Padstow lifeboat. However, it is the purpose of due course, so let us see. the House not to give those opportunities to the Leader The thrust of what the hon. Member for Kettering of the Opposition, but to ensure that Ministers are held said is that there are huge demands on time in this to account. This House sets out its business in a proper— House. Of course he is right. There has always been [Interruption.] Oh! Isn’t it wonderful? The hon. Member great demand for time by Back Benchers who have for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), who had such strong matters that they wish to debate, and there has never views about this business earlier in the week that he been sufficient time on the supply side to meet that raised a point of order, has arrived one minute before demand. Even if the House were to sit in continuous the vote to say something from a sedentary position. Session, it would not cope with the demands that are expressed every week at business questions, which are I commend the motion to the House. I ask it not to so ably answered by my right hon. Friend the Leader of engage in ad hoc changes to our Standing Orders by the House. accepting the amendments. I hope that we will always ensure that the House has adequate time properly to I have worked out what it would take to give a proper scrutinise the affairs of Government. debate to each of the 51 topics raised in business questions this week. Of course, different topics are Question put, That the amendment be made. raised every week. We would need to more than double The House divided: Ayes 75, Noes 240. the time that we sit in this House each week. Does anyone think that is practical? Does anyone think we Division No. 479] [3.54 pm could double the time that we sit each week? There AYES probably are some people who think that is practical, but most people understand it is in the interests of Alexander, Heidi Beckett, rh Margaret Members that they sleep occasionally and in the interests Allen, Mr Graham Bell, Sir Stuart of constituencies that their Members sometimes visit to Austin, Ian Blenkinsop, Tom hear what real people have to say about real things, Bain, Mr William Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben rather than simply spending their time in the House. I Baron, Mr John Brown, Lyn think it would be impossible to meet the demand. Bayley, Hugh Bryant, Chris 1093 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1094 23 March) 23 March) Campbell, Mr Alan McDonnell, John Garnier, Mr Edward Maynard, Paul Chope, Mr Christopher Michael, rh Alun Garnier, Mark McCartney, Jason Connarty, Michael Mills, Nigel Gauke, Mr David McCartney, Karl Corbyn, Jeremy Nuttall, Mr David George, Andrew McLoughlin, rh Mr Creasy, Stella Onwurah, Chi Gibb, Mr Nick Patrick Cunningham, Tony Paisley, Ian Gilbert, Stephen McPartland, Stephen Davies, Philip Pearce, Teresa Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl McVey, Esther Durkan, Mark Pound, Stephen Glen, John Menzies, Mark Eagle, Maria Raynsford, rh Mr Goldsmith, Zac Mercer, Patrick Efford, Clive Nick Goodwill, Mr Robert Metcalfe, Stephen Evans, Chris Reeves, Rachel Gove, rh Michael Miller, Maria Fitzpatrick, Jim Reynolds, Emma Graham, Richard Mordaunt, Penny Fovargue, Yvonne Seabeck, Alison Grayling, rh Chris Morgan, Nicky Gapes, Mike Sharma, Mr Virendra Green, Damian Morris, Anne Marie Gilmore, Sheila Skinner, Mr Dennis Greening, rh Justine Morris, David Goodman, Helen Slaughter, Mr Andy Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Morris, James Greatrex, Tom Smith, rh Mr Andrew Griffiths, Andrew Mosley, Stephen Greenwood, Lilian Smith, Angela Gyimah, Mr Sam Mowat, David Griffith, Nia Spellar, rh Mr John Halfon, Robert Mundell, rh David Hamilton, Mr David Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Hammond, Stephen Munt, Tessa Hamilton, Fabian Tami, Mark Hancock, Matthew Murrison, Dr Andrew Henderson, Gordon Thornberry, Emily Hands, Greg Newton, Sarah Hillier, Meg Timms, rh Stephen Harrington, Richard Norman, Jesse Hilling, Julie Turner, Mr Andrew Harris, Rebecca Offord, Mr Matthew Hopkins, Kelvin Umunna, Mr Chuka Hart, Simon Ollerenshaw, Eric Howarth, rh Mr George Vaz, rh Keith Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Opperman, Guy Jamieson, Cathy Weir, Mr Mike Heald, Oliver Ottaway, Richard Heath, Mr David Paice, rh Mr James Jones, Susan Elan Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Heaton-Harris, Chris Parish, Neil Woodcock, John Lazarowicz, Mark Henderson, Gordon Pawsey, Mark Wright, Mr Iain Leslie, Chris Hendry, Charles Penning, Mike Mactaggart, Fiona Tellers for the Ayes: Hinds, Damian Percy, Andrew Malhotra, Seema Mr Philip Hollobone and Hoban, Mr Mark Perry, Claire McCarthy, Kerry Mr Peter Bone Hollingbery, George Pickles, rh Mr Eric Hopkins, Kris Pincher, Christopher NOES Horwood, Martin Poulter, Dr Daniel Howell, John Raab, Mr Dominic Afriyie, Adam Chishti, Rehman Hughes, rh Simon Reckless, Mark Andrew, Stuart Clappison, Mr James Huhne, rh Chris Rees-Mogg, Jacob Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hunter, Mark Reid, Mr Alan Baker, Norman Collins, Damian Huppert, Dr Julian Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Baker, Steve Colvile, Oliver Jackson, Mr Stewart Robertson, Mr Laurence Baldry, Tony Cox, Mr Geoffrey James, Margot Rosindell, Andrew Barclay, Stephen Crabb, Stephen Jenkin, Mr Bernard Rudd, Amber Barker, Gregory Crouch, Tracey Johnson, Gareth Ruffley, Mr David Barwell, Gavin Davies, David T. C. Johnson, Joseph Russell, Sir Bob Bebb, Guto (Monmouth) Jones, Andrew Rutley, David Beith, rh Sir Alan de Bois, Nick Jones, Mr Marcus Sanders, Mr Adrian Benyon, Richard Dinenage, Caroline Kawczynski, Daniel Sandys, Laura Beresford, Sir Paul Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Kelly, Chris Scott, Mr Lee Berry, Jake Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Kirby, Simon Selous, Andrew Bingham, Andrew Doyle-Price, Jackie Knight, rh Mr Greg Sharma, Alok Binley, Mr Brian Duncan, rh Mr Alan Kwarteng, Kwasi Shelbrooke, Alec Blackman, Bob Duncan Smith, rh Mr Lancaster, Mark Shepherd, Mr Richard Blackwood, Nicola Iain Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Simpson, Mr Keith Boles, Nick Dunne, Mr Philip Latham, Pauline Skidmore, Chris Bradley, Karen Ellis, Michael Leadsom, Andrea Smith, Miss Chloe Brady, Mr Graham Ellison, Jane Lee, Jessica Smith, Henry Brake, rh Tom Ellwood, Mr Tobias Lee, Dr Phillip Smith, Julian Bray, Angie Elphicke, Charlie Leech, Mr John Soames, rh Nicholas Brazier, Mr Julian Eustice, George Leslie, Charlotte Soubry, Anna Bridgen, Andrew Evans, Graham Lewis, Brandon Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Bruce, Fiona Evennett, Mr David Liddell-Grainger, Mr Stanley, rh Sir John Buckland, Mr Robert Fabricant, Michael Ian Stephenson, Andrew Burley, Mr Aidan Fallon, Michael Lidington, rh Mr David Stevenson, John Burns, Conor Field, Mark Lilley, rh Mr Peter Stewart, Bob Burns, rh Mr Simon Fox,rhDrLiam Lloyd, Stephen Stewart, Iain Burrowes, Mr David Francois, rh Mr Mark Lopresti, Jack Stewart, Rory Byles, Dan Freer, Mike Lord, Jonathan Stride, Mel Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Fullbrook, Lorraine Luff, Peter Stuart, Mr Graham Carmichael, Neil Fuller, Richard Lumley, Karen Sturdy, Julian Cash, Mr William Gale, Sir Roger Main, Mrs Anne Swayne, rh Mr Desmond 1095 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Sittings of the House (20 and 1096 23 March) 23 March) Swinson, Jo Wharton, James NOES Syms, Mr Robert Wheeler, Heather Afriyie, Adam George, Andrew Thurso, John White, Chris Andrew, Stuart Gibb, Mr Nick Tomlinson, Justin Whittaker, Craig Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Gilbert, Stephen Truss, Elizabeth Whittingdale, Mr Baker, Norman Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Tyrie, Mr Andrew John Baker, Steve Glen, John Uppal, Paul Wiggin, Bill Baldry, Tony Goldsmith, Zac Vara, Mr Shailesh Williamson, Gavin Barclay, Stephen Goodwill, Mr Robert Vickers, Martin Wilson, Mr Rob Barker, Gregory Gove, rh Michael Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Wollaston, Dr Sarah Barwell, Gavin Graham, Richard Walker, Mr Charles Wright, Jeremy Bebb, Guto Grayling, rh Chris Walker, Mr Robin Wright, Simon Beith, rh Sir Alan Green, Damian Wallace, Mr Ben Young, rh Sir George Benyon, Richard Greening, rh Justine Walter, Mr Robert Zahawi, Nadhim Beresford, Sir Paul Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Watkinson, Angela Tellers for the Noes: Berry, Jake Griffiths, Andrew Weatherley, Mike Mr Brooks Newmark and Bingham, Andrew Gyimah, Mr Sam Webb, Steve Jenny Willott Blackman, Bob Halfon, Robert Blackwood, Nicola Hammond, Stephen Question accordingly negatived. Boles, Nick Hancock, Matthew Bradley, Karen Hands, Greg Amendment proposed: (c), at end add— Brady, Mr Graham Harrington, Richard ‘and, notwithstanding the decision of the House of 21 February, Brake, rh Tom Harris, Rebecca on Wednesday 28 March.’—(Mr Hollobone.) Bray, Angie Hart, Simon Question put, That the amendment be made. Brazier, Mr Julian Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Bridgen, Andrew Heald, Oliver The House divided: Ayes 79, Noes 240. Bruce, Fiona Heath, Mr David Division No. 480] [4.7 pm Buckland, Mr Robert Heaton-Harris, Chris Burley, Mr Aidan Henderson, Gordon AYES Burns, Conor Hendry, Charles Burns, rh Mr Simon Hinds, Damian Alexander, Heidi Jones, Susan Elan Burrowes, Mr David Hoban, Mr Mark Ali, Rushanara Kaufman, rh Sir Byles, Dan Hollingbery, George Allen, Mr Graham Gerald Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Hopkins, Kris Ashworth, Jonathan Lazarowicz, Mark Carmichael, Neil Horwood, Martin Austin, Ian Leslie, Chris Cash, Mr William Howell, John Bain, Mr William Lewis, Mr Ivan Chishti, Rehman Hughes, rh Simon Baron, Mr John Mactaggart, Fiona Clappison, Mr James Huhne, rh Chris Bayley, Hugh Main, Mrs Anne Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hunter, Mark Beckett, rh Margaret Malhotra, Seema Collins, Damian Huppert, Dr Julian Bell, Sir Stuart McCarthy, Kerry Colvile, Oliver Jackson, Mr Stewart Betts, Mr Clive McDonnell, John Cox, Mr Geoffrey James, Margot Binley, Mr Brian Michael, rh Alun Crabb, Stephen Jenkin, Mr Bernard Blenkinsop, Tom Onwurah, Chi Crouch, Tracey Johnson, Gareth Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Paisley, Ian Davies, David T. C. Johnson, Joseph Brown, Lyn Pearce, Teresa (Monmouth) Jones, Andrew Bryant, Chris Pound, Stephen de Bois, Nick Jones, Mr Marcus Campbell, Mr Alan Raynsford, rh Mr Dinenage, Caroline Kawczynski, Daniel Chope, Mr Christopher Nick Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Kelly, Chris Connarty, Michael Reckless, Mark Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Kirby, Simon Corbyn, Jeremy Reeves, Rachel Doyle-Price, Jackie Knight, rh Mr Greg Creasy, Stella Reynolds, Emma Duncan, rh Mr Alan Kwarteng, Kwasi Cunningham, Tony Seabeck, Alison Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Lancaster, Mark Davies, Philip Sharma, Mr Virendra Dunne, Mr Philip Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Durkan, Mark Skinner, Mr Dennis Ellis, Michael Latham, Pauline Eagle, Maria Slaughter, Mr Andy Ellison, Jane Leadsom, Andrea Efford, Clive Smith, rh Mr Andrew Ellwood, Mr Tobias Lee, Jessica Evans, Chris Smith, Angela Elphicke, Charlie Lee, Dr Phillip Fitzpatrick, Jim Spellar, rh Mr John Eustice, George Leech, Mr John Fovargue, Yvonne Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Evans, Graham Leslie, Charlotte Gapes, Mike Tami, Mark Evennett, Mr David Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Gilmore, Sheila Thornberry, Emily Fabricant, Michael Lidington, rh Mr David Greatrex, Tom Timms, rh Stephen Fallon, Michael Lilley, rh Mr Peter Greenwood, Lilian Turner, Mr Andrew Field, Mark Lloyd, Stephen Griffith, Nia Umunna, Mr Chuka Fox,rhDrLiam Lopresti, Jack Hamilton, Mr David Vaz, rh Keith Francois, rh Mr Mark Lord, Jonathan Hamilton, Fabian Weir, Mr Mike Freer, Mike Luff, Peter Henderson, Gordon Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Fullbrook, Lorraine Lumley, Karen Hillier, Meg Woodcock, John Fuller, Richard Maynard, Paul Hilling, Julie Wright, Mr Iain Gale, Sir Roger McCartney, Jason Hopkins, Kelvin Tellers for the Ayes: Garnier, Mr Edward McCartney, Karl Howarth, rh Mr George Mr Philip Hollobone and Garnier, Mark McIntosh, Miss Anne Jamieson, Cathy Mr Peter Bone Gauke, Mr David McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick 1097 Sittings of the House (20 and 23 FEBRUARY 2012 1098 23 March) McPartland, Stephen Skidmore, Chris Business of the House (Private McVey, Esther Smith, Miss Chloe Menzies, Mark Smith, Henry Members’ Bills) Mercer, Patrick Smith, Julian Metcalfe, Stephen Soames, rh Nicholas 4.18 pm Miller, Maria Soubry, Anna Mills, Nigel Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of Mordaunt, Penny Stanley, rh Sir John the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): I beg to Morgan, Nicky Stephenson, Andrew move, Morris, Anne Marie Stevenson, John That Private Members’Bills shall have precedence over Government Morris, David Stewart, Bob business on 6 and 13 July, 7 and 14 September, 19 and 26 October Morris, James Stewart, Iain and 2, 9 and 30 November 2012 and 18 and 25 January, 1 February Mosley, Stephen Stewart, Rory and 1 March 2013. Mowat, David Stride, Mel Apparently I was coherent and compelling in the last Mundell, rh David Stuart, Mr Graham debate, as we won the vote; let us hope that I am as Munt, Tessa Sturdy, Julian lucky this time. The motion gives precedence to private Murrison, Dr Andrew Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Members’ Bills over Government business on the Fridays Newton, Sarah Swinson, Jo that have been set out by my right hon. Friend the Norman, Jesse Syms, Mr Robert Nuttall, Mr David Tomlinson, Justin Leader of the House in the business statement on Offord, Mr Matthew Tredinnick, David 9 February. I do not intend to detain the House for too Ollerenshaw, Eric Truss, Elizabeth long on this issue. Standing Orders set out that there Opperman, Guy Tyrie, Mr Andrew should be 13 such Fridays per Session. Members are Ottaway, Richard Uppal, Paul aware of the dates set aside in the next Session, and I Paice, rh Mr James Vara, Mr Shailesh have received no representations about the unsuitability Parish, Neil Vickers, Martin of any of them. Paterson, rh Mr Owen Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa I am aware that some thought is being given to the Pawsey, Mark Walker, Mr Charles Penning, Mike timing and process of the private Members’ Bill system Walker, Mr Robin Penrose, John by the Procedure Committee. It is, however, quite right Percy, Andrew Wallace, Mr Ben that we should proceed on the basis of the present Perry, Claire Walter, Mr Robert position until we have received alternative proposals Pickles, rh Mr Eric Watkinson, Angela from the Committee and the House has decided whether Pincher, Christopher Weatherley, Mike to agree to them. The House might be able to have that Poulter, Dr Daniel Webb, Steve wider debate at a future date, but today’s motion is Raab, Mr Dominic Wharton, James simply to give effect to the dates as provided for in the Rees-Mogg, Jacob Wheeler, Heather Standing Orders. No amendments to the motion have Reevell, Simon White, Chris been tabled, so it is a simple choice: does the House Reid, Mr Alan Whittaker, Craig want 13 Fridays devoted to private Members’ Bills or Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Whittingdale, Mr John not? Robertson, Mr Laurence Wiggin, Bill Rosindell, Andrew Williamson, Gavin 4.20 pm Rudd, Amber Wilson, Mr Rob Ruffley, Mr David Wollaston, Dr Sarah Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): I am Rutley, David Wright, Jeremy glad to have the opportunity to debate this matter, as Sandys, Laura Wright, Simon the Government were intent on putting it through without Scott, Mr Lee Young, rh Sir George Selous, Andrew debate. The Deputy Leader of the House has just said Zahawi, Nadhim Sharma, Alok he regards this motion as provisional, which rather Shelbrooke, Alec Tellers for the Noes: concerns me. I was hoping to congratulate the Government Shepherd, Mr Richard Mr Brooks Newmark and on having endorsed the principle that the traditional Simpson, Mr Keith Jenny Willott 13 Friday sittings for private Members’ Bills would have precedence in the next Session. The hon. Gentleman Question accordingly negatived. has told us that that is what he is doing, but that it could be subject to change later on. When he responds to this Main Question put and agreed to. short debate, I hope he can assure us that if there is any Ordered, recommendation for change, it would apply only to That— subsequent Sessions rather than to the next Session, (1) there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall on Tuesday whose Fridays have been allocated for private Members’ 20 March; and business in the motion. (2) this House shall sit on Friday 23 March. It is important that we have had this much notice of the allotted Fridays, which should enable greater attendance than has been evident on some Fridays in this past long Session. The minimum notice given by the Deputy Leader of the House is five months and the maximum is more than 12 months. It should be possible for Members of all parties to arrange their diaries to make their constituency business subordinate to the business in the Chamber of the House of Commons on these Fridays. As I say, this debate provides an opportunity to remind colleagues of the importance of putting these dates in 1099 Business of the House (Private 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Business of the House (Private 1100 Members’ Bills) Members’ Bills) [Mr Christopher Chope] have been made on it—indeed, it could well have completed its passage through the House—had the Government their dairies. Then, if they have been successful in the not delayed the moving of its money motion by nine private Members’ ballot, they can avoid being embarrassed months. because they have committed themselves to some other I hope that, in seeking the House’s approval of the activity on one of the key Fridays. proposed dates, the Deputy Leader of the House will That said, I hope that the Government can be deemed place on record his intention of ensuring that the timetable to have endorsed the principle that they support Friday is realistic, and that the Government will not try to sittings, which the previous debate showed that they muck about with money motions as they have done believe in in principle. I hope that these Friday sittings during the current Session. will definitely happen during the next Session and that this motion is not in any way provisional. 4.26 pm Mr Heath: With the leave of the House, Mr Deputy 4.23 pm Speaker. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I am grateful This has been a wonderful opportunity for a short to speak in this short debate. I would like to congratulate debate about the dates of private Members’ Bills. We the Government on putting down so early the days are always happy to have a debate when the House allotted for private Members, so that we can put them in demands one. Equally, we are always happy for there our diaries and be pretty sure that the debates are going not to be a debate when the House agrees to something to happen on those dates. I accept, of course, that they without objection. That always strikes me as a sensible are provisional, but this is a very good guide. use of time in the House, which, as we have already Will the Deputy Leader of the House explain why, if heard in previous debates, is at a premium. the Government can do that, they cannot allocate the I am grateful to the hon. Members for Christchurch 25 Backbench Business Committee days in the same (Mr Chope) and for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) for manner in advance, which would be most useful to us? I making clear the value of being given the earliest possible entirely agree with the opening comments of the Deputy notice of dates when they are available to us. We always Leader of the House: he was very coherent and persuasive try to accommodate the House as best we can by in the earlier debate, but in arguing a case that was providing early notice, and that goes for the printed completely hopeless. On reflection on the figures, he calendar as well. That too is provisional, but it helps might realise that the number of Members voting for Members to identify how the timetable fits in with their the motion was less than half. In fact, there were massive personal and political arrangements. They can then abstentions, which most people would regard as a warning notify us if there are difficulties, although on this occasion shot or perhaps as a defeat for the Government. no one has mentioned any problems with the dates that have been allocated. 4.24 pm This is provisional in the sense that any decision by Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I welcome the House can be rescinded by the House. Not so long the publication of the suggested 13 sitting Fridays for ago, the House was invited to rescind a motion that it private Members’ Bills, but I must add that I think it had passed only two days earlier. I cannot say whether discourteous to the House for the Government to publish at any time in the next year the House may wish to the calendar and circulate it widely before a motion has rescind the dates that it has chosen for private Members’ been passed on the Floor of the House. I understand Bills, but I hope that it will not do so, because it makes that the calendar was published several weeks before sense for us to be able to plan. today’s debate and, ultimately, the decision. We are also in the hands of the Select Committees, The timing of some of the Fridays is different from including the Procedure Committee, which examines that in previous years. For example, I think that this is the proposals for private Members’ Bills. I have no idea the first occasion on which both Fridays during the what the Committee will say, and it would be improper September sitting have been devoted to private Members’ if I did. If it produces recommendations and they are Bills, and I should be interested to hear from the Deputy put to the House, the Government will of course respond, Leader of the House why those two dates have been and the House will determine whether there is to be a chosen. I am not sure whether it is a good thing or a bad change. Again, that would not be a matter for me, as thing, but presumably there is at least a modicum of a Minister, to determine. reasoning behind it, and I should like to know what that As for the question of whether adequate time is reasoning is. provided by the procedures governing private Members’ I should also like the Deputy Leader to reassure me Bills, we are bound by a Standing Order of the House, that the Government have no intention of doing in the but within what that Standing Order sets out, we try to next Session what they did in the present Session, when provide the days that seem to us to be most suitable. The they blocked the progress of at least two private Members’ Fridays in September have been included because it has Bills by failing to move in a timely manner the money been suggested that it would be helpful for Back Benchers motion attached to them. I refer, of course, to the Local to be able to make progress with their legislation then, Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, promoted but if the House were to recommend otherwise, we by my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch would obviously pay attention to that view. (Mr Chope), and the Daylight Saving Bill, promoted by The arrangements for money resolutions and the like my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Rebecca are normally determined on a Bill-by-Bill basis with Harris). The latter attracted huge support from Members both the Member responsible for the Bill and the Minister on both sides of the House, and more progress would who would have an interest in it. There is not a Government 1101 Business of the House (Private 23 FEBRUARY 2012 1102 Members’ Bills) position on that. That often involves complex negotiation, Ricky Burlton because we all want good private Members’ legislation that the House can support where appropriate, while Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House also ensuring proper scrutiny. That is our intention, and do now adjourn.—(Stephen Crabb.) the intention of the House. 4.32 pm Mr Bone: Will the Deputy Leader of the House address the issue of why we can publish the private Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): I am pleased to Member’s days but we cannot publish the Backbench have secured this important debate to raise the tragic business days? death of my constituent, Ricky Burlton, and to highlight significant flaws in the current process, under which Mr Heath: The answer to that is simple. Private unqualified drivers are able to procure motor insurance Member’s Bills are dealt with on Fridays so they do not and vehicle excise duty, which in this case played a compete for time with Government legislation. As we significant part in Ricky’s tragic death. Aged only 20 know, Government legislation does not always run in a when he was killed, Ricky was struck by a car on the straight trajectory, not least because we are dealing with A10 southbound exit near Hoddesdon on 4 June 2010. two Houses of Parliament, and there are therefore It is believed that an Albanian national, known as variables. We do not want to give people a firm calendar Georgios Tsoulos, who had been living in the UK on which they then make their arrangements only for illegally under a false Greek identity, was behind the them subsequently to find that it has been changed at wheel of the car that hit and killed Ricky. late notice. Following the incident, Mr Tsoulos was transferred The hon. Gentleman has a point in respect of whether to hospital to receive treatment for injuries he sustained the Backbench Business Committee, the Government to his face. While awaiting a further transfer to Moorfields and others who have an interest should consider whether eye hospital, he absconded and has not been seen since. there might be a way of accommodating fixed-point He is still wanted for questioning, of course. debates, as it were, on matters that there is a relevant Ricky’s parents, Dawn and Mark, are in the Gallery. time to discuss. We should address that question in the Although they know that nothing will bring Ricky back context of the review of the operation of the Backbench into their lives, they came to see me to highlight how an Business Committee. uninsured, unqualified driver with a false identity was Sadly, we are not yet at a point where we can decide able to drive a taxed and insured car. They wished to with certainty and long in advance which day in the draw attention to the probable scale of the problem legislative week will be given over to what activity of the and, more poignantly, to help prevent others from House, because there are too many imponderables. As a experiencing such tragic events. I pay tribute to Ricky’s Government business manager, I would love to know parents for their determination to prevent other parents well in advance the position in respect of every Bill from having to go through what they have been through. before the House, but I listen to what both Houses say The chain of events that led to Georgios Tsoulos and respond accordingly. We all must accept that that driving the car that is suspected of killing Ricky is, means that there will be uncertainties in the future sadly, straightforward, so let me recall the narrative programme. On that basis, I commend the motion to briefly. Having established an address, Georgios Tsoulos the House. was able to purchase motor insurance, probably doing Question put and agreed to. so online. Although his lack of a valid driving licence Ordered, would have invalidated his insurance policy in the event of an accident, he was still able to procure it legally, as That Private Members’Bills shall have precedence over Government business on 6 and 13 July, 7 and 14 September, 19 and 26 October people can. It is not illegal to purchase car insurance and 2, 9 and 30 November 2012 and 18 and 25 January, 1 February without having a valid driving licence, even though and 1 March 2013. most insurance companies I have spoken to have told me that they would not choose to insure an individual who did not have a driving licence. This debate invites the Minister to become aware of this situation and, where possible, to answer the following questions: why would and why can someone without a licence, particularly someone using an illegal identity, gain insurance that enables him to drive a car with a very reduced chance of being apprehended? What is the scale of the problem? What steps could we take to mitigate this behaviour? Why would an individual who had no legal right to be in the UK and no valid UK driving licence wish to purchase motor insurance, which would of course become invalid in the event of an accident or a collision? The answer is obvious: it is so that he can use the insurance to obtain road tax, with the combination of those two things minimising the likelihood of him being picked up by an automatic number plate recognition—ANPR— camera. This gives an unqualified and potentially dangerous individual the ability to drive unchecked and unstopped. 1103 Ricky Burlton23 FEBRUARY 2012 Ricky Burlton 1104

[Nick de Bois] driving licence? I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response, but the answer could be very simple. We We encountered a few problems when we tried to could, I anticipate, grant insurance companies real-time look into how many people are driving without motor access to the DVLA database to allow them to validate insurance. In respect of those driving with a false identity an individual’s driving licence status, when considered and without motor insurance, we are trying to establish appropriate, and require new policy holders to submit and prove a negative, which is always difficult. We had their details on their application, which is not yet required. previously written to ask the Department for Transport I was pleasantly surprised to discover that some work whether it kept figures on this. It does not, of course, had been undertaken between the DVLA and insurance but the Department referred me to a quote from the companies to seek such a solution, but it appears that Motor Insurers Bureau stating that 23,000 people are there might be some resistance from the DVLA. I would injured and 160 killed every year by uninsured drivers. welcome any clarity that the Minister could provide It is not unreasonable to assume that a fair proportion either during the debate or afterwards. of these people are driving taxed cars as a result of It appears that from 2009 until August 2011 more gaining—albeit invalid—insurance, and thereby avoiding than £840,000 has been spent by the DVLA on something early detection. We have no idea, of course, how many known internally as the industry access to driver data people are driving on a false identity, but it is reasonable project. I am told that the intention of the project is to to assume that a significant number are doing so. Those allow prospective insurers access to an individual’s driving figures fundamentally suggest that the size and scale of entitlement and their current endorsement history, but insurance-fraud-related injuries and deaths caused by it would also allow us to extend that benefit to rooting unqualified drivers is significant. out possibly fraudulent applications. Although having Insurance companies are not unaware of this problem. already spent close to £1 million, the DVLA has been They are aware that people are using insurance policies unable to confirm if and when such a system will be in to conceal their lack of licence and, thus, their illegal operation. I am sure that cost-benefit analyses and driving. The Association of British Insurers has told me discussions are under way with the insurance companies, that identify fraud, especially the growing use of fraudulent but after such a long time, it would be useful to know driving licence details, is a huge concern for the industry. whether it is anticipated that the plans will be developed The insurance companies have highlighted the fact that any further. they have processes to try to deal with this issue. They As I draw to a conclusion—I thank the House for its will assume that a contract is entered into in good faith, patience—it is important that we remember the human but where they have doubts they will often, in order to impact of all this. Those driving without the skill, reduce the level of policies taken out using fraudulent ability or right to do so, who either hide under a false information, present photocopies of driving licences to alias or take out motor insurance so that they can the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and pay a fee obtain vehicle excise duty to minimise their chances of to establish whether there are any doubts about validity. detection, are a serious threat to citizens anywhere in The number of insurance companies conducting these this country. Our citizens could be run down at any time checks, however, still seems relatively small. For example, as a result of a deliberate attempt by a person to take a in 2010 more than 210,000 applications were made by car on the road when unqualified to do so, which results insurance companies to access the DVLA database to in that person being a dangerous driver. check an individual’s driving licence status, compared Ricky Burlton paid a heavy price for that and his with total sales of 24 million new policies each year. I family continue to pay that heavy price. The loophole hasten to add that the vast majority of those policies that allows individuals to purchase insurance without a will be for re-insurance, but even if less than 5% were driving licence and go on to tax their vehicles is creating first-time policies, checks are still proportionately small, the ability for dangerous, unlicensed drivers to drive leaving more scope for fraud and illegal driving to go freely across the UK. I hope that as a result of this unchecked. debate, the wishes of Ricky’s parents that this matter is The circumstances that I have outlined conspire to taken forward, and that their campaign and concern are make it all too easy for illegal and irresponsible drivers registered, are fulfilled. I hope also that we might make to take to the road, and that is not helped by the lenient some progress in clamping down on this very dangerous punishments when individuals are prosecuted for motoring- loophole. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response. related offences in this category. Figures released to me by the DVLA show that as of 26 September 2011, 4.45 pm nearly 240,000 individuals on its database were classed The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport as non-licence holders who had committed and been (Mike Penning): It is an honour and a privilege and convicted of driving-related offences. That includes a quite humbling to be the Minister responding to this staggering 1,218 people who have been convicted of 10 Adjournment debate, which has been secured by my or more such driving offences without having a valid hon. Friend the Member for Enfield North (Nick de licence. I note that one individual is registered as having Bois), who is a good friend. As a father, I can only 31 driving convictions for not having a licence. It seems imagine the pain and suffering that Ricky’s family have to me inherently wrong that we cannot prevent such gone through. I know they are here in the Gallery today, people from reoffending at such levels. and I hope that some of my comments and those of my Such individuals are aided by their ability still to hon. Friend will help to bring them some comfort. I purchase motor insurance policies without having their commend them for their dedication to the campaign driving licence status checked. How can we seek to ease they have been working on for some time with my hon. the problem of individuals fraudulently purchasing car Friend and others on how we can close this loophole. I insurance by claiming to have a full and valid UK hope also that they and anyone else watching the debate 1105 Ricky Burlton23 FEBRUARY 2012 Ricky Burlton 1106 will understand that Adjournment debates are usually a had committed to doing that and the legislation is now very personal affair between a Member of Parliament on the statute book, and that has been a great asset in and a Minister. The fact that there are very few Members driving uninsured drivers off the road, but it is also a here in no way reflects how seriously the House or the great asset to insurance companies and their profits, as Government take the issue. Indeed, there are more here we can imagine. than there usually are and that is because of the seriousness However, as my hon. Friend suggested, the DVLA of the debate. had already spent a great deal of money trying to give For me, this issue came to light many years ago, long this porthole facility to the insurers. Some 18 months before I came to the House, when I was a fireman in ago I made a speech to the insurers and said, “We will Essex. All too often, we would attend an incident and give you this facility. It is expensive, so we will need the police would whisper to us, “Another uninsured some financial help from you as well, because you will driver,” or “Another one with no licence.” One thing get a tangible benefit from this, along with all of us.” I was determined about when the Prime Minister gave There have been some difficulties with those negotiations me the honour of being the Roads Minister was that I in recent months, which I think is what my hon. Friend would look really carefully at the skills that drivers need alluded to in his earlier comments. However, I am to ensure their safety and that of others. I also wanted absolutely determined that this will happen. to look carefully at the whole area of car insurance, Some people—the politically correct, in my view—have which we should remember is compulsory. Unlike many suggested that giving that information to insurers would other types of insurance, which we can choose whether be wrong because it would infringe data protection and or not to take out, many of the things that are required the individual’s rights. I think the opposite. If someone by legislation when one drives a car are there because is asking to be insured, which is a legal requirement for the state says that drivers have to have them. I was very being on the road, they should supply all the relevant conscious that we should look at the driving test, at the information to the insurer so that it can make a judgment MOT, a review of which we announced in the House in on whether it wishes to insure the individual, because the past couple of days, and at insurance. Why is it so there are plenty of people out there who insurers would expensive? Why have there been so many uninsured not want to insure—my hon. Friend alluded to some of drivers out there? Why is fraud so easy at times? Why them in his comments. The insurers could then make a are people being allowed to do that and injure and kill judgment on the cost of the premium. other people while also pushing up the cost of insurance Of course, insurance is all about risk. Around 50% of through their actions? all insurance claims are personal injury claims, which is I commend the previous Administration because it something else we are working on. In this area, I was started the process of change by bringing in things like told that we should be okay, but I said, “Let us look at it the continuous insurance legislation that says that if another way.” If a broker or someone who is looking for someone owns a vehicle for which a statutory off road insurance online is unwilling to reveal that information notification has not been made it must be insured, no to the insurance company, that is fine and they should matter where it is. It might be in someone’s garage or in not tick the relevant box, but I am pretty sure that the their friend’s yard but if the owner has not made a insurance company will not insure them, because they SORN, they must have an intention to drive it. That have something to hide. I think that we have gone over change started to deal with the 1.2 million vehicles on that issue now; there are still some concerns on how our roads that are not insured. However, it did not quickly we can get that facility, but I am absolutely address the issue of those who are fraudulently driving determined to do so. a vehicle or taking out insurance. Nick de Bois: I am grateful to the Minister for his One group whom we have not discussed yet are those thought-out response to the questions I raised. I think who commit fraud almost unintentionally, such as parents that we could also give some financial encouragement who say, “It’s so expensive for Johnny or Mary to insure to insurance companies. At present, if a vehicle is their car; I’ll insure it for them and say that I’m the main uninsured, insurers have to run a fund that means that driver and that they are an additional driver,” when in they meet third party liability costs, which is a growing fact they are not. That is also fraud and when insurers cost to the industry, so I would have thought that they realise that that is the case they cancel the insurance should factor that into their calculations. when someone tries to make a claim. That is a big issue and that boosts up costs. Mike Penning: My hon. Friend must have been reading This issue is fascinating to me, and my hon. Friend my mind, because I was about to say that the feasibility the Member for Enfield North is right that it is quite of this proposal is not just about the necessity of simple to address. The DVLA holds the details of driving people who have done awful and terrible things, anyone in this country who holds a British driving such as what was done to Ricky, off the road, but about licence, so it should not be rocket science to say that if helping us all financially. We all know about the sheer an overseas national or anyone without a British driving cost of insurance; we have seen the publicity in the licence tries to get insurance and road tax, as my hon. newspapers in the past few years. A lot of that is the Friend has described, to make it more difficult for the result of uninsured risk. We need to ensure that insurers—in authorities to realise that they are driving illegally, my negotiations and discussions with them I have reiterated surely those two parties—the DVLA and insurers—should this, because DVLA is my responsibility as Minister—do be able to talk to each other, whether through the not go down blind avenues by saying, “This will cost us Motor Insurers Bureau or the Association of British X, so what benefit will we get from it?” There is obviously Insurers. I asked that question very early on and was a tangible benefit—one of the benefits my hon. Friend told, “It’s quite difficult, Minister. Let’s get the continuous alluded to—but there are others, and it is not just in this insurance legislation out of the way first.”The Government sort of case that we would benefit. 1107 Ricky Burlton23 FEBRUARY 2012 Ricky Burlton 1108

[Mike Penning] but it will not pick up whether the driver has a licence, even though it will bring up whether they are insured. When I listened to my hon. Friend’s speech I noted There is another little problem, which my hon. Friend very carefully that this was about people reinsuring. touched on, and it is to do with the new legislation on There is a big problem with drivers not telling their continuous insurance, because, as he quite rightly asked, insurers when they are handed fines and points by the if a driver does not have a licence why would they insure courts. They should tell them immediately, and the the vehicle? The answer is that it may be off the road, insurers should certainly be informed when they do and although the driver might not want to SORN it, their renewals. I think the insurance companies need to they might want to insure it so that if, for instance, their do more than simply ask, “Have your circumstances garage caught light and was not covered by their house changed?” insurance, the vehicle, which might be a classic or Only the other day, my insurance company texted me something like that, would be protected. So we must not to tell me that my insurance was due for renewal. The put into the box marked “criminality” people who do text told me how much it was—it had gone up, as not deserve to be, because there may be a tangible usual—and that the insurance company will take it out reason for their behaviour. But that is a small element of my bank account at the end of the month and I do and no excuse not to progress. not need to do anything. That is very dangerous. It is As we move forward, as we use the technology that convenient, both for me and, obviously, for my insurer, we have, as insurers see how they can gain the financial but there is no transparency for me, as the person being benefits and as consumers see the benefits, we as a insured, on whether there have been any changes in my Government have to enforce the legislation, which is on circumstances. I know that the small print on all policies the statute book for a reason. It is on the statute book says that we should inform the insurer, but the process so that everybody knows what will happen if they are should be much more difficult—just for that spare hit by someone else or injured by a vehicle. moment—so that we are able to gather the information There is, as my hon. Friend said, a substantial cost and know exactly what is going on. It is in many ways from claims due to uninsured third parties, and it is just as bad as a parent insuring themselves for their something that we are going to drive down with the child, but it is certainly not as bad as the case under current legislation, but I hope that literally in the next discussion, because, as my hon. Friend suggests, such few months we will come to an agreement with the behaviour often occurs for a reason. insurers and their representative bodies. There is the People who do not have a driving licence take out will to do so, and where there is a will there is a way. It is insurance not because they think, “This is protecting something that I am determined to drive forward not the public or someone else”; they do so to cover up only for Ricky’s parents, but for all others on the road, something. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: if you go whether the issue is a financial one or involves those out on patrol with the police, you see that the modern who have lost their loved ones, too. technology in ANPR cameras is absolutely stunning. Question put and agreed to. The police know whether the driver has an MOT, is insured or is the registered owner. All those things flash 4.57 pm up in an instant, and the technology is being rolled out, House adjourned. 343WH 23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 344WH

The Times has rightly highlighted the shocking rise in Westminster Hall the number of cyclists who have been killed or seriously injured on our roads. Between 2010 and 2011, the Thursday 23 February 2012 number rose by 8% in the face of increasing safety in almost all other forms of transport. Although each of [MR MIKE WEIR in the Chair] those injuries or deaths is a tragedy, cycling is still a fundamentally safe form of transport. The increase in BACKBENCH BUSINESS injuries should be seen against a backdrop of increasing cycling numbers, which we should welcome. Cycling Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): I [Early-day motion 2689, The Times “Cities fit for cycling” congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this fantastic campaign, is relevant.] debate and on his excellent work in the all-party Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting be parliamentary group. With regard to road safety, does now adjourned.—(Mr Vara.) he also welcome the initiative by the British Cycling website, which looks at mapping routes and accredited 2.30 pm safe routes to help people plan their journeys safely? Will he pay tribute to the excellent work of Sport Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I thank the England in supporting cycling throughout the country? Backbench Business Committee for granting this important debate. I also thank my fellow officers of the all-party parliamentary cycling group, especially the hon. Member Dr Huppert: I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. for Dudley North (Ian Austin) and my hon. Friends the I do indeed support the great work of Sport England. I Members for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) and for Winchester will talk about route finding later. The excellent website (Steve Brine), for their support. I thank, too, Adam CycleStreets also allows people to find routes that are Coffman, who administers the group for us extremely safer and more direct. A recent survey by Sustrans well. We run a range of events, including an annual found that 56% of the British public feel that urban parliamentary bike ride. Of the current ministerial team, roads are unsafe to cycle on. all of whom are cyclists to a greater or lesser extent, two have taken part in the bike ride. I hope that the Minister Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): I will agree to join us this year, perhaps with other reiterate the message of congratulations to the hon. colleagues from the Government or, indeed, with other Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing this colleagues from this debate. debate. I have had many letters from my constituents Apart from the 30-minute Adjournment debate that I about it. In the last year, two cyclists were killed on the secured on cycling in England last year, MPs have not Bow roundabout, which is in the constituency of my had a substantial debate on the important issue of hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse cycling for several years, which is worrying. I welcome (Jim Fitzpatrick). Many of my constituents use that the Committee’s decision to rectify that. The sheer roundabout. Although I appreciate the point about the number of Members here—I think we are outdoing the overall safety of cycling, there are serious concerns number in the main Chamber at the moment—and the about road safety in parts of London—for instance, in number of signatures on my early-day motion 2689 Tower Hamlets. It is important to raise such concerns show the importance of the issue. [Interruption.] Iam and ensure that the Mayor of London takes them informed by the knight on my right, my hon. Friend the seriously. He must put in place measures that ensure Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell), that 44 Members proper safety in such areas. We cannot have more are here. Moreover, some 2,000 cyclists cycled around deaths taking place, so we need to place the right Parliament last night to show their support. emphasis on the serious dangers that exist, on which The impetus for today’s debate is the “Cities fit for many people have campaigned. cycling” campaign. I wholeheartedly congratulate The Times on launching it; it is a really fantastic achievement. Dr Huppert: I thank the hon. Lady for making that The campaign has an eight-point manifesto, which looks point. I suspect that many Members wish to intervene, at lorries, junction redesign, a national cycling audit, and I will give way as many times as I can as long as infrastructure investment, training, 20-mile-an-hour zones, they are brief. cycle super-highways and cycling commissioners. About I met the Mayor’s director of the environment yesterday 30,000 people, including myself, have now expressed specifically to talk about the Bow roundabout. I notice support for those eight points. More importantly, they that the London cycling campaign has some proposals have also been backed by organisations such as the AA on the matter as well. It is not in my constituency and I and the RAC, which is testament to the breadth of the am not an expert in the details. There are clearly other support. such junctions where much more work needs to be done The campaign has increased the public debate about to make them safe. cycling and brought it further to the Government’s attention. Yesterday, at Prime Minister’s questions, the Prime Minister responded to my calls for him to support Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab) rose— the campaign as well. Later today, my own city council, the Liberal Democrat-controlled Cambridge council, Dr Huppert: I should like to move on from the Bow will debate and, I hope, pass a motion in support of The roundabout. Members will have the chance to speak Times campaign. It is the first council in the country to later. I do not want to take up too much of anyone else’s do so. time. 345WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 346WH

[Dr Huppert] cycling could be done. Cycling is efficient; we can use it for our basic transport needs. In the UK, cycling accounts There is rightly intense media interest when cyclists for just 2% of all trips. That number should be far are killed or seriously injured. Such stories are vital and higher. often harrowing. The Times campaign is partly based on the awful injuries suffered by Mary Bowers, who is a Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): I cycled in to the journalist and a former student from my constituency. House of Commons today from Fulham. Members can The stories highlight the need for improved safety. One see that from my helmet hair. I support my hon. Friend of the problems is that Government policy has tended and The Times campaign, and I hope that my local to be largely reactionary and that has put people off cities in the north-east—Newcastle and Gateshead—will cycling, which is a real problem. The evidence is clear institute the campaign as part of their ongoing work. I that the more people who cycle, the safer that it gets. represent the small rural towns of Hexham, Ponteland There is a strong group effect in that regard. and Prudhoe. Does my hon. Friend agree that we can One study showed that if the number of cyclists is apply this campaign to all such rural towns? doubled, the accident risk is reduced by more than a third. The Dutch have a lower accident rate because of, Dr Huppert: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. not in spite of, the number of cyclists. Anything that Rural towns and rural areas can also do things to deters people from cycling is very damaging and risks promote cycling. The details will obviously be different, increasing the dangers for all. but the principle is the same. The benefits from having more cyclists on our roads are also the same, in that Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ drivers and other road users will understand what is Co-op): As most of the items concerning cycling in my happening. constituency are devolved matters, I will not take up time speaking about them. On this very point of the Mr Slaughter rose— increase in numbers, I represent a constituency and a city that has a good record in increasing the number of Dr Huppert: The hon. Gentleman is being very persistent, cyclists, and that has happened over many years. Does so I will give way. the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the key factors in getting a change in attitude and increasing the numbers Mr Slaughter: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman; is consistent support from local authorities and active he is being very generous. Does he agree that one easy organisations? That is the key to getting the long-term and cheap way of improving cycling safety is to improve change that we all want. training? One of my constituents, Philippa Robb of londoncycletraining.co who is here today, says that two Dr Huppert: Local activity is absolutely critical. In hours of training costs £70 and would absolutely transform my own area, Cambridge city council has long prioritised cyclists’ safety on the road. We are not talking about this matter. When I was a councillor, I chaired the millions of pounds of infrastructure investment. Of traffic management committee. Local activity in other course we need other measures as well, but surely that is areas is also important, so the Cambridge cycling campaign something that the Government can do. Companies, and the London cycling campaign do a lot of excellent too, can get involved. They often sponsor the cycle-to-work work to keep up the pressure. scheme but not the training. Several hon. Members rose— Dr Huppert: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct Dr Huppert: I am not going to list every cycling about training support, and I will talk later about that campaign in the country; I am sure that they are all issue. I am very pleased that the Government have excellent. Today, I hope that all Members will have a continued to fund Bikeability training for young people. chance to speak and to focus on how cycling in this It is very important to catch people at a young age. country can be further improved and encouraged. Both The Times campaign and the all-party parliamentary Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Will my group take a holistic view about promoting cycling as a hon. Friend give way? whole. That is what I hope that we can discuss today. The debate is long overdue and the need for change is Dr Huppert: I will give way to my colleague on the pressing. Home Affairs Committee and then I will make some Let me talk briefly about the positives of cycling in progress. case some Members are not aware of them. Cycling is the most efficient form of transport in the world. So Michael Ellis: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend many studies have highlighted its energy efficiency compared for giving way and I congratulate him on securing this with cars, trains, buses, planes and even walking. A debate. I have had a number of letters from my constituents 2009 study by Professor David MacKay found that an in Northampton North, which is a business hub with a average cyclist will use less than a third of the amount lot of haulage traffic; lorries and the like. Those vehicles of energy required to walk, a sixth of the energy needed can and do present a danger to cyclists. Does he have to travel by coach and an eightieth of the energy a car any suggestions about how that problem can be alleviated? would use. When we consider that efficiency and the average distances that people travel, cycling becomes Dr Huppert: A number of things have been done, and almost a no-brainer. Three-quarters of our journeys in a number of other things can be done about that this country are five miles or fewer. Most cyclists could problem, including providing sensors and mirrors around travel such a distance fairly quickly. Of course cycling is vehicles and training. There are various exchange not the answer to each of those journeys, but more programmes to allow cyclists to understand what it is 347WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 348WH like to be in a heavy goods vehicle and heavy goods five gold medals. Our national cycling team is world- vehicle drivers to understand what it is like on a bike, so renowned, but our provision for cyclists off the track is that there is more awareness and everyone can behave deeply inadequate. more sensibly. What can the Government do to encourage our most Why are so few people cycling? It is not for a lack of effective yet underrated form of transport? This is not bikes. Each year, more bikes than cars are sold in the just about spending large amounts of cash. There are a UK. Also, the costs of cycling are quite low. Bikes lot of small and cheap changes that will make a very big are not as expensive as a car or a travelcard; a cyclist difference to cycling in this country. does not have to join the AA; and maintenance costs are low. All a cyclist has to do is to eat some food. Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Will Cycling is also reliable: there is no waiting around for a the hon. Gentleman join me in congratulating bus or train; cyclists will not be caught up in traffic; and politicians of all parties in London who have overseen a if—unfortunately—a cyclist is late, it is normally because significant rise in cycling in the capital? Does he agree they left too late. that, although the number of people cycling in London has risen dramatically, car use is projected to increase at Rehman Chishti: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? least as fast as that of bicycle use, if not faster, and therefore that how we manage the road space to Dr Huppert: I have already given way once to the accommodate the growing demand from both cyclists hon. Gentleman, so I am afraid that I will not give way and drivers needs to be a critical element in planning for again. the future? The health benefits of encouraging cycling are also huge, but they are not properly estimated. Obesity costs Dr Huppert: Absolutely—managing road space is our country around £20 billion a year, which is about as key. Of course, a cyclist takes up a lot less road space much as the entire budget for the Department for than a car user, so when we move people over to bikes Transport. We know that investment in active transport— from cars we actually free up space, which is very walking and cycling—pays massive dividends. Rather valuable. I emphasise the point that the hon. Lady interestingly, some studies have shown that the average makes about cycling being a cross-party issue. There are life expectancy of cyclists is up to two years longer than differences between us in the parties, but I hope that this that of non-cyclists. That is good news for us, but less debate will not become a party political knockabout. I good news for those debating the pensions issue. do not think that any of us wants that to happen; this Cycling is good for the environment. Even if one issue is too important to the public. takes into account the food that cyclists eat, where it The reforms that we need are not new. Many of the comes from and how it was produced, carbon dioxide proposed reforms that we will hear about today have emissions are a fraction of those from other vehicles been called for by cyclists for years. National organisations and typically very little other pollution is emitted. such as CTC, which was formerly the Cyclists Touring Club, and local groups such as the Cambridge cycling Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): On participation, campaign have worked very hard for sensible policies last May, I got on the back of a bike for the first time in and support. As a party, the Liberal Democrats have 20 years, alongside 150 other Huddersfield Town fans, been pushing for those policies for many years, and I as we cycled from Huddersfield to Brighton, raising am delighted that somebody from my party—the Under- £250,000 for the Yorkshire ambulance service. That Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the fundraising trip was so successful that more than Member for Lewes (Norman Baker)—is the Minister 300 Huddersfield Town fans will ride from Yeovil to with responsibility for cycling now. Huddersfield this May. That is a massive increase in We have been able to make some progress. Just participation. Many of those charity cyclists are riding recently, some extra money was provided for cyclists, for charity for the first time and, indeed, riding a bike with £7 million going to improve cycle-rail integration, for the first time in many years. So there are a lot of new which is absolutely critical. Someone can do a huge initiatives, particularly based around charity, and they amount with a train and a bike, and it is very important increase participation in cycling. that cyclists have places to park their bike and that they can get their bike on the train. I have been working for a Dr Huppert: Absolutely. There are a huge number of long time to achieve some of those things at Cambridge cycling activities to participate in. We must ensure that station. people are aware of them, so that we can bring more people into cycling. Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): I On the subject of participation, the current score is congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. that 53 Members are in Westminster Hall today for this On the point about trains, I have been working very debate, including the Minister. closely with the Ealing cycling campaign, specifically As I have said, cycling is efficient, cheap, reliable, about the fact that not everyone wants to cycle all the healthy and environmentally friendly—by all accounts, way to work. Sometimes, people want to cycle to the it is a public policy maker’s dream—and I have not even train station, get on the train and then be able to get off mentioned cycling as a leisure activity, including road the other end. Does he agree that it is very important biking or mountain biking, or as a sport. We have some that we encourage more train operators to make it of the best international cyclists in the world. We should easier for people to take their bikes on trains and also note that just last week Great Britain came top of the that stations, including the parking centres, are made medals table in the track world cup, with an outstanding more cyclist-friendly? 349WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 350WH

Dr Huppert: Definitely. I hope that the money that I Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) support have just referred to will help—it is being matched by the moves of the Strawberry Line Association, which is some other support—and I talk quite regularly to the trying to use the old railway that runs through Somerset Association of Train Operating Companies about what to promote both cycling and, of course, walking—but we can do to improve matters. In addition, I think that mostly cycling—and to enable children in particular to we are finally about to make some progress at Cambridge go to schools that are at either the Cheddar end or the station, which I am delighted about. Wells end of that route? There is another issue. Cycle parking applies throughout our towns and not just at the stations. As well as the fact Dr Huppert: There are a lot of greenways such as that that it is possible to fit in more bikes than other vehicles, one that can be used. In some parts of the country, they which is very helpful, cyclists actually spend more when are used extensively and they are very good things, they go shopping than people who go by car. So it whether they run along a canal or an old railway line, would be quite good for our economy to see more unless, of course, it is planned to turn an old railway people cycling. line into a new railway line; that might be happening. A further issue is getting people started and helping But there are certainly great opportunities, such as the them to find a route that they can follow to get to where one that my hon. Friend describes. they want to go. There is an excellent Cambridge-based The small scale matters, but the Government need to company called CycleStreets that has route-mapping encourage a much broader and long-term shift towards across the whole country. All our constituencies are cycling. Some of that work costs money, but not a vast covered by that provision. It is free online, and I can amount. To get to European-standard cycling towns recommend the iPhone Bike Hub app, which will even would cost about £10 per person per year, which is not a suggest the quietest routes or routes that avoid hills if huge or unthinkable sum. that is what people want; people have to cycle the remaining hills themselves. The development cost for In 2010, my hon. Friend the Minister announced a that provision was around £40,000, to generate something new local sustainable transport fund that is worth more that covers the whole country. It was developed using than £500 million. Every local authority applied for open public data and private sector initiative, and I money from that fund, and 38 out of the 39 successful hope that MPs, councils, train operators, event organisers bids included cycling aspects. That was a huge step and others will link up to the CycleStreets website, so forward, which I am delighted to endorse. that they can give cyclists specific information on how to get to a station, event or wherever they are trying to Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): I thank my get to very easily. hon. Friend for giving way, and I must say that I also support the campaign by The Sunday Times. The main Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): On thing that will increase the number of cyclists in our road space, I just wanted to ask—as someone who has towns and cities is better safety. As a keen cyclist myself, been knocked off his bike twice—if the hon. Gentleman I often find when I cycle in Reading that it is an agrees that what we really want to move to is what extremely risky business. Does he agree, therefore, that happens in great European cities such as Munich, where local authorities need to do a lot more, and that simply there is clearly defined space for pedestrians, road users painting some white lines on the road is just not good and cyclists, with the space for each group clearly enough? We need much more action from local authorities, marked? as well as from Government.

Dr Huppert: There are many cases where clear Dr Huppert: Local authorities at their best have some segregation, including dedicated cycle routes, is absolutely fantastic schemes. At their worst they paint a few white the right thing, but we must also look at policies across lines, which then stop suddenly and do not go anywhere, the whole country. In rural areas, that suggestion simply so we need the right infrastructure. More can be done would not be sensible. We need the right solution in the with a local sustainable transport fund. I want to see right place, and I think we can deliver that. that fund grow and I want a clear message from the There are a number of measures that companies Minister that schemes with lots of cycling in them are should adopt, such as providing showers and lockers at more likely to be successful. We need to increase work, which will help to promote cycling and, in turn, substantially our national spend on cycling infrastructure, cycling will help to improve employee well-being and and that would be one way to do it. Local authorities productivity. The cycle to work scheme works very well, are investing in some of these schemes, but they need to but the tax problems need to be resolved and the do more. They should also look at other options to scheme should be promoted a bit further. increase permeability using things such as contraflow cycle lanes, which we have used safely in Cambridge for Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I want to point out that the many years. county freight route through Somerset, which is the A371, exactly illustrates the problem that was mentioned Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): On local just a moment ago by my hon. Friend the Member for authorities and highways departments, some of the South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous). On that problems I find when cycling on main roads are grids route, there is certainly not space to allow cyclists a and resurfacing. There may be limited white lines to dedicated route; actually, there is not even space for protect cyclists, but it is amazing how those grids may cyclists, pedestrians and those who drive their freight be sunk into the road and, especially in the evenings, we vehicles along that route as they head towards the go over them, they damage the vehicle and—worse— smallest city in England, which is Wells. Will my hon. someone comes off. 351WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 352WH

Dr Huppert: The hon. Gentleman has highlighted a the argument of cyclists versus car users versus taxis or number of problems. We need to have better quality whatever to everybody behaving safely, we would all do roads. As a cyclist, I find that what may be a relatively much better. small hole for a car becomes very large for a cyclist, particularly if we have to swerve round it. Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) (Lab): On safety, at the end of my road in Hackney, Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Will there is a ghost bike permanently fixed to the wall, the hon. Gentleman give way? because of a cyclist who was doing his best. He was killed by a lorry trying to turn out of my road. One of Dr Huppert: Can I just make my next point? I will try the things that we want to do is not just make life to take as many interventions as possible, but it means convenient for cyclists, but save lives. that other people will not be able to speak. The much lamented Cycling England was excellent at Dr Huppert: Absolutely. We need to save lives, and providing accurate information and advice, so that councils promoting cycling is a good way to do that. could find out ahead of time what would work and It is important that users of heavy goods vehicles and what would not. They could advise on junction design other road users know how to deal with cyclists. Driving and the disadvantages, for example, of having mixed tests could be improved so that how to deal with cyclists shared-use pavements. Cycling England was excellent becomes part of the test. I hope that the Government value for money and a great resource for the country. To will consider that. We can get this modal shift. In my quote Jed Bartlet, “Can we have it back, please?” constituency, a quarter of adults cycle to work or Improving road layout does not have to be expensive. education. We can get there. The changes to the rules that the Government have Finally, as The Times has so powerfully advocated, made for 20 mph zones, which are much safer, have we must have a cohesive strategy regarding cycle safety. reduced the costs of implementation. Good planning For me, the most sensible way to look at cycle safety is can ensure that cycle facilities are integral to new from the bottom up. The work done by Caroline Pidgeon, developments, rather than retrofitted later. who chairs the London Assembly Transport Committee, shows the grass-roots local changes that can make a Mr Cunningham: Earlier in his speech, the hon. difference. She has worked extremely hard as an advocate Gentleman referred to transport costs. Given that fuel for cycle safety in London. Tragically, 16 cyclists died prices, bus fares and so forth are rising, it is cheaper to on London’s roads last year. Caroline has met some of cycle. Has he had any discussions with the transport the families affected by those tragedies and they are companies themselves? united in calling for better protection for cyclists. We need to see segregated cycle lanes, Trixi mirrors, 20 mph Dr Huppert: As part of my role as co-chair of the speed limits and the training that we need. Liberal Democrat committee on transport, I have had Through local campaigning, such demands are now several conversations with transport committees. I will at the forefront of the London elections, The Times happily talk to the hon. Gentleman about the details campaign and the national agenda, with immediate later. changes hopefully happening over the coming months. The issue is not simply about infrastructure. We have to look at training and education for cyclists and drivers Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): I am grateful to alike. I am pleased about the Bikeability scheme, which the hon. Gentleman. As the newspaper has it, “The will train 400,000 nine to 11-year-olds a year. It is vital debate begins and he’s pedalling first.” that our children are introduced to the benefits of cycling at a young age, that they are encouraged to cycle Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one crucial thing to school and that they are given the training to do so in cycling safety is the use of lights at night? So often we safely. I would like to see all cyclists cycling safely and see other cyclists on the road at night without lights on legally, as all road users should. their bicycles. Does he agree that it would be helpful if cycles were made that already had lights on them that Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): It may surprise could not be taken away? Does he agree that it would be some to know that I cycle in London. Twice I have been a great thing to have all 54 cyclists here today on our hit from behind by motorists. I noticed in the three bikes cycling from Parliament to the Mayor’s office with years that I cycled—until I was very badly hurt—that the daddy of parliamentary bicycling, the Leader of the many cyclists totally ignore red lights. It is also up to the House of Commons, my right hon. Friend the Member cycling community to behave properly. It is not only the for North West Hampshire (Sir George Young), and the responsibility of Government or motorists. I am sure Mayor of London joining us on a cycle ride to raise that everyone here obeys red lights. I used to watch funds for cycling safety? about 50% of the cyclists go straight through red lights and I saw accidents occur because of that. Dr Huppert: That is an excellent idea. I look forward to the hon. Gentleman’s joining us for the parliamentary Dr Huppert: I am not sure that the 50% figure is bike ride. We will see if we can attract such coverage and accurate. Several studies have shown that it is smaller interest. than that. The key point is that all road users should behave legally. Drivers should not speed and should not Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman use their mobile phones. Cyclists should not go through has talked about cycle safety in relation to road users. red lights. Everybody should stick to the rules and then Will he say a little about cyclists in relation to pedestrians everybody would be safer. If we can move away from and pavements? 353WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 354WH

Dr Huppert: The answer is clear. Where cyclists are Mr Mike Weir (in the Chair): Order. There is not allowed to cycle on pavements, they should not do obviously a lot of interest in the debate, so I would so. People who cycle dangerously in that way should encourage hon. Members to make brief speeches and stop doing that. We must remember the figures: 1.1% of shorter interventions. pedestrian fatalities are the result of collisions with cyclists. The rest are all collisions with motor vehicles. 2.59 pm We must remember that the bigger problem is cars hitting pedestrians. Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): Let me start by thanking my co-chair of the all-party group on cycling, Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): As my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), and the knows, I am an enthusiastic cyclist. He has described at more than 50 MPs who are present for the debate. Let least a dozen, if not more, initiatives that are necessary me also thank The Times, whose cycling safety campaign to achieve the objectives that we all want. If we want to triggered the debate. achieve safety on our roads, perhaps we should have I have been cycling all my life. As has been said, it is a one or two initiatives instead of a dozen or more. great form of transport and a great way of keeping fit Perhaps we are trying to do too much to improve safety and improving our health. It is also good for the economy, on our roads. it gets cities moving more efficiently and it helps us tackle climate change. All that is great, but this campaign Dr Huppert: I am afraid I do not agree with that is important for a much simpler reason: if people want comment. We can do a lot all at once. We need to get the to ride a bike, they should be able to do so safely. When safety improvements, the training and everything else it comes down to it, that is what the campaign is all that I have spoken about. about. I have been a member of British Cycling and the The Minister has made progress on Trixi mirrors and Cyclists Touring Club, I have tabled parliamentary 20 mph limits. There is more to do on segregated cycle questions, I have raised issues on the Floor of the lanes and training, as well as regulations for heavy House, I have backed loads of campaigns and I have goods vehicle sensors, as in the private Member’s Bill attended countless seminars, conferences and meetings, promoted by my right hon. Friend the Member for but The Times has, in a few short weeks, achieved a Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith), whom I am delighted breakthrough for which we in cycling have been to see here. campaigning for years. Its campaign was triggered by The Government should also look at sentencing the tragic accident that so badly injured Mary Bowers, a and prosecution with respect to crashes involving friend and colleague of staff at the paper. cyclists, and consider new measures such as proportionate The paper has raised the profile of cycling safety, liability. There are far too many stories of people who urged readers to lobby their MPs, forced the issue on to have been killed or seriously injured, while the guilty the agenda and lobbied Ministers for change. Already, party seems to get away almost scot-free. It is appalling 30,000 people have backed the campaign, with 20,000 that so many cyclists feel excluded from justice. The on Twitter. Despite the weather, 2,000 people rode to Government have taken steps on this, but there is much Parliament last night, and more have lobbied their MPs more that can be done to prevent tragedies on our to sign the hon. Gentleman’s early-day motion. There roads. are also more MPs here than I have ever seen in a On 14 March, the all-party parliamentary cycling Westminster Hall debate, which is fantastic. group will launch the “summer of cycling”. We have The editor and his colleagues are personally and, I brought together the key cycling organisations to work think, emotionally committed to the campaign. He under one banner this year, linking events such as plans to attend the debate, which shows how important National Bike Week, the Tour of Britain, and the Big the paper thinks it is. All that should show Ministers Pedal. Our aim is to persuade each of the millions who that the campaign will continue, gather pace and strength, get involved every year to get one new person on a bike. and attract more supporters in Parliament and the I hope that all hon. Members and Ministers will support country until its demands are met. that. I want to make sure that everyone who wants to For many years, cyclists have worked from the bottom speak gets in, so I will move on to some of the issues up through campaigns to promote cycling and put it on The Times campaign has raised, on which I hope we will the national agenda. The Government must also do hear specific responses from the Minister. First, what their part. In the year of the London Olympics we have consideration has he given to requiring by law that a unique opportunity to take radical steps to promote lorries in city centres have sensors, audible alarms, extra our most efficient form of transport. The Government mirrors and safety bars? As RoadPeace points out, have done some work on that, and yet with increasingly HGVs cause more than half of cyclists’ deaths in London, congested cities, more competition for resources and so will he support that organisation’s proposal that the need to improve public health, the need for investment lorries with safety technology qualify for lower premiums? in cycling has become more acute. We cannot miss this Secondly, will the Minister ensure that the 500 most golden opportunity to create a safe, sustainable transport dangerous junctions are identified, redesigned or fitted network. For too long cycling has been undervalued with priority traffic lights for cyclists and with mirrors and not supported. The Government must listen to the so that lorry drivers can see cyclists? Thirdly, we need to more than 50 Members here today and take further undertake a national audit to find out how many people action to promote cycling now. cycle and how cyclists are killed or injured so that we can use that information effectively to underpin cycle Several hon. Members rose— safety work. 355WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 356WH

Will the Minister earmark 2% of the Highways Agency needs to be committed to cycling. We also need commitment budget for next-generation cycle routes with clear signage from the Department for Education if we are going to so that cyclists can safely find their way? On that point, get more youngsters cycling. Given the health benefits why can he and his colleagues not spend a larger proportion of cycling and the need for dangerous drivers to be of their Department’s budget on cycling? Cycling is caught and prosecuted properly, the Department of booming in Britain and is worth about £3 billion to the Health, the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice economy, but whereas the Netherlands spends £25 per need to take cycling much more seriously, too. What person on cycling each year, Britain spends just a pound. can the Government do, therefore, to give the Minister The benefits of increased spending are clear from what the power and authority to get all these Departments has happened in London, where £5 per person has been working together effectively? spent each year for more than the past 10 years, leading to a huge growth in cycling. That compares with the Guy Opperman: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? 79p per person spent elsewhere in the UK. Given cycling’s economic benefits and the savings it could bring the Ian Austin: Yes, of course—actually, I won’t, because NHS, such an approach would save the Government the hon. Gentleman has already intervened once, and huge sums in the long run. loads of other people want to get in. If the Government cannot give the Minister the Tony Cunningham (Workington) (Lab): My hon. Friend power I described, what about appointing a Minister in talks about the economy, but perhaps he could say a each Department as a cycling champion or establishing little about the huge impact cycling has on tourism. The a cross-Government committee of Ministers? C2C—coast-to-coast, sea-to-sea—cycleway goes through We need the Government to ensure that cycling provision my constituency, and there are a number of small bed and safety are properly considered at the outset in and breakfasts and hotels, so the benefit is enormous. looking at all major transport issues and during the planning and implementation of urban developments. Ian Austin: That is absolutely right. Cycling makes a That would mean that we never again saw junctions huge contribution to the economy in cities, towns and such as the Bow roundabout and Vauxhall cross, which rural areas right across the UK. can subsequently be put right only at huge cost. That is What plans does the Minister have to improve training the central point made by British Cycling’s road safety for cyclists, as well as for drivers—particularly those manifesto, but it is clear that things are not currently who share bus lanes with cyclists—to ensure that cycle dealt with in that way. Earlier this month, for example, safety is a core part of the driving test? One of the best the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. ways of improving safety is getting more people cycling, Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), who so will the Minister meet Ministers in the Department has responsibility for road safety, admitted that no for Education to discuss putting cycling on the curriculum, specific consideration had been given to cyclists’ safety in the same way as swimming, so that every child learns in the research into trials of extra-long lorry trailers. to ride a bike safely and more children take part in I also want to speak about the derisory sentences cycling? drivers often receive after killing or injuring cyclists. For One big barrier to getting more people cycling is the example, British Cycling employee Rob Jefferies was fear many people have of it, so ensuring that more killed when hit from behind on an open, straight road in people learn to cycle properly would help address that daylight by someone who had already been caught for perception. Making cycling safer in local residential speeding. Unbelievably, the driver got an 18-month streets would also help. That is another of the demands ban, a retest, 200 hours’ community service and a small from The Times, which wants 20 mph as the default fine. That is in line with the guidelines, so there is no limit in residential areas where there is no cycle lane. hope of an appeal. The lorry driver who killed Eilidh Jake Cairns admitted Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): As my hon. in court that his eyesight was not good enough for him Friend knows, Bristol was given cycling city status a to have been driving, and he was fined just £200. couple of years ago, and I very much support his call for a 20 mph limit. I met the Colombian ambassador Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Eilidh this morning, and he told me that, for the past 25 years, Cairns was the daughter of a constituent of mine, and I Bogota has closed its streets from eight o’clock in the want to place on record the campaign her family have morning until two in the afternoon every Sunday and been engaged in ever since, which has led to a motion bank holiday so that people can cycle, and up to 1 signed by more than half the Members of the European million people will come out cycling. Is that perhaps Parliament. It was also very much behind the efforts I something we should explore so that people can get made through a ten-minute rule Bill to highlight some their first experience of cycling on a traffic-free road? of these issues.

Ian Austin: That is a brilliant idea. I have seen it done Ian Austin: The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely in Seattle, and it has hugely increased the number of right to mention that. He and his constituents should be cyclists. commended for the campaign they have run. Can we encourage each local authority area to appoint When Cath Ward was killed, the driver was convicted a cycling commissioner to push forward reforms? In of careless driving and received a short driving ban. He that respect, I would go further than what The Times is will be back behind the wheel very soon. Cath’s friend asking for. Cycling obviously involves the Department Ruth Eyles wrote to me: for Transport, but local roads are run by local councils, “What shocks me is that the driver who killed Rob Jefferies will so the Department for Communities and Local Government be able to drive again in 18 months.” 357WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 358WH

[Ian Austin] are parents who want to get their kids on a bike—should e-mail or write to their MP, or go to their surgery, and She said: persuade them to back this campaign. I want every MP “If that young man had had a legal firearm and had accidentally who has attended the debate to join the all-party cycling shot and killed someone through carelessness, would he be given group, raise the issues in the Chamber, work with us a new licence 18 months later?” and back our campaigns to boost cycling and improve We need the sentencing guidelines to be revised, in the safety for cyclists. That would be the biggest tribute we same way the way guidelines for assault were revised, to could pay to Rob Jefferies, Eilidh Jake Cairns, Cath reflect the harm the victim suffers. Will the Minister Ward and of course to Mary Bowers and all of those press the Ministry of Justice to change the guidance, to injured or killed while cycling. ensure the punishment fits the crime and, more importantly, to deter drivers from engaging in the stupid and dangerous 3.12 pm driving that puts cyclists and other road users at risk? My central point is that, as the CTC report “Safety Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): This important debate In Numbers” points out, the more people who cycle, the has stimulated the interest of a number of my constituents, safer cycling will be. Since 2000, bike use in Britain has many of whom are members of the Congleton cycling quadrupled. The number of those cycling in London club. Sadly, one of them, my constituent Karl Austin, has soared by 150%, and the number of deaths is down was tragically killed while competing in a cycling time by 60%. Between 1985 and 2005, the number of those trial in June 2011. He was riding in the South Pennine cycling rose by 45% in the Netherlands, and fatalities Club 10 on the A50 at Etwall, when he was struck from fell by 58%. behind by a heavy goods vehicle. Karl was very well liked in the community and loved by his family, and is This summer, as the hon. Member for Cambridge missed dearly.Following his tragic death the CCC chairman said, gives us a huge opportunity to transform cycling initiated a JustGiving campaign for the Wheels for All in Britain. Britain’s brilliant cyclists look set for huge charity, which provides adapted cycling equipment and success here in the Olympics, and also in some of cycling activity programmes for people with disability world’s other biggest races. As a result many more and differing needs. I pay tribute to Karl, his family and people—particularly youngsters—will get on their bikes. the work of the CCC. With the “Summer of cycling”, which I hope the Minister will today commit to fund, we aim to double the number I have met members of the cycling club in Congleton of people cycling this year. Let us get all the political and they are fine examples of the close-knit community parties and cycling organisations, and the media, following I represent. The many representations I have received the lead of The Times and working together to transform from them confirm that a good number of people are the number of people cycling, and their safety. reluctant to cycle because of concerns about road safety, whether on city, urban or rural roads, whether those As hon. Members can imagine, there are many things concerns are based on actuality or on misplaced fear. on which I disagree with Prime Minister, but it was They are valid concerns, and that is why I am here to fantastic when, as the Leader of the Opposition, one of support the Times campaign. I want to quote some of the ways he chose to try to show that he was a different the well-made points that constituents have made in sort of Conservative was getting on his bike. It was correspondence with me. Michael Bolton points out great as well that he backed the Times campaign yesterday, that we should review planning of the next generation but the truth is that he has the power—more than any of cycle routes and says of us—to act and get the Government focused on improving safety for cyclists. “they are often poorly designed, poorly maintained and in the vast majority of cases put the cyclist at a disadvantage because they have to give way to other traffic at every junction and when Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I thank the hon. the lane suddenly and inexplicably ends.” Gentleman, with whom I enjoy working on the all-party group. I want to back him up on his points about the Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): That is a valid point, Prime Minister having the power, and about Departments and I am concerned about inconsiderate car owners working together. In Winchester we have works above parking on cycle lanes and forcing cyclists off, often on junction 9 of the M3, which are needed and wanted, to busy roads and at junctions, which puts lives at risk. and have been campaigned for by Members of Parliament; but they threaten to put a stop to national cycle route 23. With a little more thought and planning we can avoid Fiona Bruce: My hon. Friend makes a good point, such situations. Such not-joined-up thinking is literally and has saved me making it. getting in the way of cycling. As to the training of cyclists and drivers, Michael Bolton is delighted that the Government have pledged Ian Austin: That reinforces the point I made earlier to continue the support of Bikeability training in schools. about ensuring that cycling is at the heart of all major I welcome their pledge of £11 million for that, and their transport schemes, at their inception and in their execution commitment to improve the driving test and driver and development. training. Finally, the campaign and today’s debate, with the number of MPs present and the outside interest, show Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): On cycling that the issue will not go away. The Times is committed safety, does the hon. Lady think we should do something to campaigning on the issues for as long as it takes. I to improve the safety of cycles and cyclists, by requiring want to say that people—whether they are Sir Chris all new bikes to be sold fitted with lights, all new cyclists Hoy or Victoria Pendleton, a club cyclist like me or a to be given a high-visibility vest and offered a low-price commuter; whether they ride once a year on holiday or helmet, and schools to do far more on cycling safety 359WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 360WH and training? Should not cyclists be trained to behave Mr Austin writes that Karl, who was a very well-known responsibly, in addition to all the road safety measures racing cyclist and had competed for 35 years all over that she has outlined? England, was very safety conscious on the roads, and on the day he died was wearing bright clothing. He adds: Fiona Bruce: The hon. Gentleman makes excellent “he had attached to the rear of his bike a very small but super-efficient points and he is right that we need to consider a “Exposure Flare” rear light. This emits a very bright pulsating red compendium of solutions to the problem. light, which on a wide, straight road such as the A50 should have been visible for hundreds of yards. A fellow competitor on that On training, my constituent points out that it will evening saw Karl’s bright light and had Karl not been killed later help if we train young people, was going to ask him where he could buy one, as it was so “to redress the years and lost generations where cycling has been powerful.” side-lined.” Just a few days ago, a report was published in which He adds: the head of the Scotland Yard’s road death investigation “Not only does it benefit the children now with greater unit, Detective Chief Inspector Oldham, stated that independence, less obesity and much greater road awareness but motorists who cause death on the roads should face will also mean that the next generation of learner drivers should stiffer penalties. Mr Austin says that he is now left with have a greater understanding of road etiquette and the place of the fact that his son’s case will be dealt with in a cyclists.” magistrates court, rather than in a Crown court with a Incidentally, he feels that that should be extended to judge presiding. He will be dealt with in a court where “include funded cycle training for adults and greater cycle awareness petty criminals are dealt with. He says: within the instruction given to drivers in general and professional “Is killing a man through carelessness on a par with minor drivers in particular”. offences? Under similar circumstances”— Mr Bolton says that wider implementation of a 20 mph that is, killing a man— speed limit would not only make things safer and more “where no vehicle was involved, would that qualify for a magistrates pleasant for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly in court?...To lose a child under any circumstances is utterly devastating. residential areas, but reduce the differential between the But to have that death…treated in such a…trivialising manner, time taken for journeys made by car or by bike, thus just deepens the wounds further. My wife and I have suffered all “making journeys by bicycle that bit more enticing.” this before, in 1986, when our only daughter was killed in a car crash; her killer charged with ‘driving without due care and He supports appointing cycling commissioners. I suggest attention’ and fined about £200.” that we might consider the appointment of voluntary local champions in that regard, in these times of local With great grace, however, Mr Austin says that he is funding austerity. not vengeful towards the HGV driver, who himself has to live with the consequences of the incident. He ends Bob Norton, the chair of the Congleton cycling club, his letter to me by saying: raises two innovative points. He suggests that in most of “Whatever sentence he would have faced would be as nothing the EU, national legislation adopts the position that the compared to ours”, less vulnerable road user causing harm is deemed to be responsible or culpable, unless evidence is produced to even if the case had been dealt with in a Crown court. Is show the contrary. Secondly, he says that the UK should Mr Austin’s letter alone not sufficient reason for us all legislate for a minimum passing distance, along the lines to consider the issue of road safety for the benefit of of those in force in other European countries. everyone: cyclists, pedestrians and drivers? Other residents, Nick Harwood and Paul Fradley, Mr Mike Weir (in the Chair): As a result of the point out that the poor state of road maintenance is a number of Members who wish to speak in this debate, I serious concern, as other hon. Members have mentioned. am, with the authority of the Chairman of Ways and Often Means, imposing a time limit on Back-Bench speeches “a cyclist may have to move out from a line close to the left hand of seven minutes. The rules are exactly as they are in the edge of the thoroughfare into the path of fast moving cars, lorries House. Each of the first two interventions accepted and vans.” stop the clock and gives the Member who gives way an They comment that extra minute, and I appeal for short interventions. “secure bike storage at railway stations and in town centres could Unlike in the main Chamber, the mechanisms here all work together to enable more people to leave the car at home”. do not yet enable the Member speaking to see a countdown My constituent David Ball supports the campaign to clock in the displays around the room. To assist Members, raise driver awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists, I will cause a bell to be rung when a Member has one and reminds us that, whereas some people say that minute left. cyclists do not pay road tax, neither do cycles emit CO2, or damage roads, as cars do. 3.21 pm Finally, I want to quote from the letter I received from Keith Austin, whose son was killed when he was Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): I hope to take hit from behind by an HGV.He is disappointed—to say considerably less time than the limit, given the impressive the least—to find that the CPS number of Members who have turned up today. The “have ensured that the driver is to be sentenced in a magistrates last time so many Members turned up was for a debate court, not the Crown Court”. against the BBC’s local radio cuts. It properly did a He writes that U-turn, so let us hope that this debate has as much effect on Government policy. “it does seem to highlight the unwillingness of the…CPS to bring adequate prosecution against drivers who kill cyclists. Perhaps I do not want to repeat things that have already been you can use something from my letter in the debate in Parliament, said, and most of my remarks will, I hope, be directed if you are called.” in a friendly way to the Minister. As a number of hon. 361WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 362WH

[Mr Ben Bradshaw] gears only when Andrew Adonis was Transport Secretary. The reason for that was because he was totally committed Members have already said, and as the hon. Member to cycling. He banged heads and got me, as the then for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) made clear, we do not Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and need to reinvent the wheel. There is a general consensus the then Health Secretary, my right hon. Friend the about what works and what needs to be done, and he Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), together. It was was absolutely right to say that the single most effective about getting those Ministers together, at Secretary of thing that we could do to make cycling safer is to get State level, to agree to policies, to push them through more bikes on the road—critical mass and safety in and to ensure that we confronted—I am afraid that if numbers. the Minister has not already discovered this, he will do Speaking as a cyclist of more than 20 years in London so—a cultural problem in parts of the Department and and a non-car owner for more than 15, the situation in in local government, which are still, in many cases, London has been transformed. I feel much safer cycling dominated by the road lobby. The Minister will find it in London now than I ever have, because there are more essential to have the full support of his Secretary of bikes on the road. I do not always feel that safe in other State in driving the agenda forward. It would reassure parts of the country, including in my own constituency, me and everyone else present today if he could assure us where there are fewer bikes on the road and where I am when he replies that he has that full support and political given less space by a vehicle. Getting more people on clout at the top of his Department. bikes is the best way of making cycling safer. Having said that, my constituency, Exeter, was one of The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport the fortunate cities that was a cycling demonstration (Norman Baker): I will tell the right hon. Gentleman town under the Labour Government. We had a total now. I have the full support of the Secretary of State, transformation in cycling over a short time—a 47% increase who is signed on to the agenda. I do not believe that in cycling between 2005 and 2011. I went back to my there is a cultural problem in the Department. primary school when I worked for the BBC to do a documentary about cycling and I discovered that the Mr Bradshaw: That is encouraging. bike sheds had been dismantled. When I was a child, we It is also important that the Ministers in his Department all went to school by bike. Now, nobody did; that was speak with one voice. I have noticed a slight discordance about 15 years ago. in respect of some of the things that the Minister has One of the most heartening things that has happened said and of some of things that the Under-Secretary of in Exeter is that although nationally the rate of cycling State for Transport, the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead to school is around 3% for secondary schools and (Mike Penning)—I am not sure whether he is still the 1% for primary schools, in Exeter, now, after such a Road Safety Minister—has said, including two completely short time, it is 20% for secondary schools and 10% for different responses to letters about liability. primary schools. We know what works, and we do not I was extremely pleased to hear what the hon. Member need to reinvent the wheel. for Cambridge said about liability. It is important. If we I stress the need for co-ordination. I was extremely look at all the other northern European countries that pleased to hear the hon. Member for Cambridge call have a much better record on cycling and cycling safety gently for the restoration of Cycling England. One of than we do, we will see that they all have a liability rule. the things that will dog the Minister, which also dogged It will make a real difference in this country, making me as a Minister and fellow Labour Ministers throughout motorists much more careful and wary around cyclists. our years in government who were committed to the The Minister’s letter on the issue was quite positive, and agenda and to trying to get something done, is that it gave me hope that the Government might do something there are many disparate voices that speak for cycling in about it. However, I am afraid that the letter from his this country, and it is vital, if we want to get anything hon. Friend in the same Department, the hon. Member done, that they are brought together in one effective for Hemel Hempstead, pretty much ruled it out. It is body. That is what Cycling England did, and it was a important that the Government speak with one voice tragedy that the Government decided to abolish it. I on the matter, that one Minister takes leadership on hope that the Minister listens carefully to the sage cycling issues and that the matter is led, as I said, right advice of his hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge from the top. and reinstates Cycling England. He will find having that The Times’s manifesto is fantastic. I would say that it single body incredibly helpful. is a modest manifesto. I hope that my own Front Bench Another important thing, which was mentioned by will endorse it; I do not see any reason why the manifesto my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Ian should not be endorsed in all its detail. Austin), is co-ordination in Government. He is absolutely right. Unless we can get all the different Departments Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I agree with the that are interested in cycling working together on the right hon. Gentleman on The Times’s manifesto. Does matter, and unless we get real leadership at the top from he agree that we must not forget rural areas in cycling? the Prime Minister and, crucially, from the Secretary of The roads are narrower, and there are people in my State for Transport, the Minister will not get the progress constituency who commute by cycling. I would like to that we need. see more about that in the manifesto. Labour made some incredible progress in the 13 years that we were in government. We had big increases in Mr Bradshaw: Absolutely, although contrary to most cycling, the cycling demonstration towns, big increases people’s prejudices, I have one of the most urban seats in investment in cycling and improvements to cycling in the country. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside, safety. If I am to be perfectly frank, we went up a lot of where many of my constituents go cycling. They feel 363WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 364WH safer in the city of Exeter than they do on country match, as hon. Members might imagine I would be, in lanes, largely because of the absolutely intolerable speeds the south of France last summer. Everyone had to rush that people drive at on many country lanes. I feel much back from the cricket game in order to watch some safer cycling in my constituency, in urban areas and in major cycling activity. I suspect that it was almost as big London than I do in the country, specifically because of as the FA cup final. the speeding problems; I know that horse riders face a I am very convinced about what will happen during similar danger and nervousness. the course of this year. We have the Olympics, which I If the Government goes down the route of raising the am sure will encourage many more people to get involved speed limit on our motorways to 80 mph, I hope that as in cycling. I am sure that both Victoria Pendleton and a quid pro quo, they will introduce 20 mph speed limits Chris Hoy will not only win gold medals, as I very much in our urban areas. That would be a huge step forward hope they do, but be elected—or be in the region of to improve cycling safety. We all know the statistics being elected—as BBC sports personality of the year. about how likely it is that someone will survive or die if If we are to improve the number of people who are they are hit at 30 mph or 20 mph. It would make a big cycling, we need to ensure that it is safe. I will be frank difference. and honest with hon. Members: I have not been on a bicycle for a very long time. I want to be very supportive Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): In Brighton and indeed of what The Times is up to, because there are a Hove, we have very successful routes on the seafront lot of lessons to be learned not only from abroad, but with shared pedestrian access. Does the right hon. from London and the good work that Boris Johnson, Gentleman agree that we should be encouraging Brighton the Conservative Mayor, is doing. One thing we need to and Hove council to mark that space in bright colours? do is ensure that our pavements and roads do not The safety of cyclists is about not only roads, but where become a battleground between motorists, cyclists, we have shared access on pavements. pedestrians, shop mobility scooter users and anyone else who has to use them. Mr Bradshaw: We have already addressed some of the challenges faced when cyclists and pedestrians are Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con): My hon. Friend is put together. My preference is to separate them if at all right, but is it not also true that we need more dedicated possible. Sometimes it is not possible. Where it is not cycle tracks? That is certainly the case in my constituency. possible, there should be clear demarcation, because we However, they are very expensive and money is tight. do not want the matter to become an argument between One way we could get more cycle tracks is for local cyclists and pedestrians. They are both vulnerable road businesses to be involved, as has happened in London. users and are much more vulnerable than people who If we could get local businesses and large employers to are surrounded by metal. I absolutely agree with the sponsor dedicated cycle tracks in return for a discount hon. Gentleman. I wish the Minister well. I hope that he in their local rates, that might be a way forward. takes on board the points I have raised—this is about political leadership and working together—as he will then succeed. Oliver Colvile: I very much agree with my hon. Friend, but we also need to make it much easier for people to be noticed when they use cycle tracks and for there to be 3.30 pm delineation of cycle lanes. For example, the Mayor of London has ensured that there are blue cycle lanes, Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) especially along the Embankment. That makes it much (Con): It is a pleasure to serve under you, Mr Weir. I easier to identify where cyclists are. I therefore propose congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge to write to my city council—as I am sure that the hon. (Dr Huppert) on securing the debate. I also pay tribute Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck) to Mary Bowers who has been in hospital and is in a will also do—to urge it to create a city where cycling is coma. I hope that she, and anybody who has suffered safe and that is fit for cycling. from a similar accident, gets better soon. I thoroughly agree with the eight points that The It is coincidental that she shares a name with a man Times has raised in its campaign. However, we should called Henry Robertson Bowers, who, many hon. Members go further. One of the key issues is ensuring that there is may know, was with Captain Scott in the Antarctic and greater visibility. As I say, cycle lanes must be easily made a significant contribution to scientific environmental identified and well delineated. We must also ensure that work. I hope that Mary Bowers’ tragic accident ends up there is better lighting, which is a very good example of having a similar impact on cycling issues. why we should be campaigning for the Daylight Saving A large number of people from my constituency have Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for written to me––around 30. I work very much on the Castle Point (Rebecca Harris). We could then have basis that, for every one person who writes to me, strong lighting and ensure that drivers can see cyclists. 20 other people think the same way. If my mathematics Stronger lamps and louder hooters, rather than just is right, 30 multiplied by 20 comes out at 600, which is those insipid little bells, on cycles are also important. nearly half my parliamentary majority. I am therefore We must ensure that we can all be aware that cyclists are very aware of what the impact of that could be. about. I am delighted and surprised at the number of people Of course, I also agree with people wearing DayGlo who take to cycling in Plymouth, despite the fact it is a jackets. We should reduce the amount of signage on our very hilly city, and at the number of cycle clubs in south streets. Often signage is littered everywhere and ruins Devon. In many ways, we are very different from continental our streetscapes. We should also stop lorries coming Europe. I know very well that whenever I am driving in into town centres during rush hour, when people are France, I see cycle clubs going out. I was at a cricket commuting to work. We also need to create more cycle 365WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 366WH

[Oliver Colvile] all vehicle drivers how dangerous it is for them to be driving at speed on any rural roads and, indeed, obviously racks. In a hilly constituency in a city such as mine, it on urban roads. Those who have had the pleasure of might also be helpful to ensure that there are more cycling in France will know that French drivers traditionally charging points for people with electrical bicycles. pull out considerably wider when they overtake, beep their horns and leave cyclists a proper, decent space. We Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): I absolutely need to have that mentality here, so that when someone agree with my hon. Friend’s suggestion that there should wants to overtake a cyclist, they give them the same be greater restrictions—time restrictions, at least—on berth as a car or a tractor, rather than trying to squash the use of HGVs, particularly in the cities. Does he in and pass by while a vehicle is coming in the other agree that there should be greater use of the River direction. Cyclists are often faced with the extremely Thames to get rid of HGVs from the roads altogether? dangerous and difficult situation of being squashed We should put much greater emphasis on the use of the into the hedge. Thames for the movement of freight. I have been told I have never had quite so many vitriolic e-mails as that one barge will potentially remove 14 trucks from when I spoke up in a debate in the previous Parliament the road. and suggested that all our speed signs change to kilometres per hour, so that when a driver saw a 30, that would be Oliver Colvile: I do not disagree with my hon. Friend. 30 kph, and when a driver saw a 40 it would be 40 kph. However, I should point out that the River Thames Effectively, that would give all urban roads a 20 mph does not flow as far as Plymouth at the moment. speed limit. I am pleased to say that that is being rolled However, no doubt, there could be an argument for out in many areas near schools, and I think that many ensuring that what he has mentioned happens. of us have seen that in our own areas. We need to come My final point is that cyclists are not the only people back to that idea, particularly as, coming from outside using roads; we also have motorists, pedestrians and London, I have never known why everyone in London shop mobility people. I have certainly been approached has to race between one set of traffic lights and the next. by people in my constituency who are very concerned to That determination to get to the next red light as fast as make sure that there is better training. I would be very possible always strikes me as bizarre. grateful if cyclists would stop using pavements as a grand prix track, because I find that intimidating. Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): One suggestion about why people might do that is the absence of hills. One never knows: if all of this begins to happen and If more people came to some parts of the United this agenda is taken forward, I might end up getting Kingdom, including our nation of Wales, they might back on a bicycle. That will ensure that a wonderful see what a wonderful place it is in which to cycle. In programme called “Fat Man on a Bicycle” produced by October, Etape Cymru came into my constituency and Tom Vernon, a well-known broadcaster, becomes a there were 1,600 cyclists, so there are great opportunities. reality. Does my hon. Friend agree that one reason why many of us are so pro-cycling is because we see the potential 3.38 pm for tourism?

Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): My comments will be Nia Griffith: Indeed. There are many wonderful Sustrans brief because I do not want to repeat too much of what routes across Wales, but they sometimes take the cyclist other hon. Members have said. The first thing we have down very narrow lanes, which can be dangerous. I to remember is that cycling is universal. Whether someone found myself spending most of the day jumping into is an 80-year-old former miner or a young person, the hedge because there was no room for me and the cycling gives freedom, independence and enjoyment. combine harvester coming down the lane. However, we need a much safer environment if we are to encourage more people, particularly the young, to Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ cycle. We need to take great leaps forward in safety. Co-op): Does my hon. Friend agree that boroughs such I am extremely lucky because in my constituency we as Hackney, which provide free cycle training up to have some magnificent purpose-built cycle tracks. We level 2, are exemplars? The problems that she describes have a millennium coastal path all along the coast and a can also be tackled by good training to command the route using a former railway track, which climbs very road and have the same rights as car drivers. gradually at a perfect gradient up to Tumble and beyond. However, we need to ensure that it is safe for cyclists to Nia Griffith: Absolutely. It is important for drivers to go wherever they need to go, not just on the purpose-built have training; for cyclists it is crucial. routes but wherever they want—for example, to work or to the shops in their locality, and when they travel Mark Lazarowicz: Sustrans and other national cycling elsewhere for work or holidays. Cyclists need to be safe groups are important and we all welcome them. However, both on urban and rural roads because, as my right it is also important to recognise what can be done, hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) particularly in urban areas, with small, but crucial, said, it is often when people go out into the rural or minor engineering works. We all know of examples semi-rural areas that they pick up speed, they are not so where cycle routes suddenly come to a dead end, and aware and it becomes much more dangerous. sometimes it is more difficult and dangerous to get off We need much greater awareness among drivers—all the cycle route and back on to normal traffic. That drivers of all vehicles. We can tackle that through the could be addressed by councils quite simply and easily. learner-driver approach, the test and so on. However, That is as important in its own way as having national we need a very high-profile campaign to bring home to routes. 367WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 368WH

Nia Griffith: Absolutely. We need to have a seamless that crucial message. I cycle to work most days in transition and ensure that people are not confronted Westminster. When I first started cycling in London with a situation where they have to move across a large 30 years ago, I felt a bit of an oddity, but now whole stream of traffic. pelotons sweep past me. Maybe that is because I am Returning to the issue of speed, we need to look at getting slower, but it certainly feels a lot safer when the design of speed humps. Some humps, as cyclists there are more cyclists around. know, are a nightmare. Humps made of metal right I welcome the campaign from The Times, but I would across the road can be slippery for those of us who have like it to be broadened to include rural cycling. I represent not moved on to the mountain-style bike and are still a rural constituency. Some 36 people were killed on using old touring-type tyres. That needs to be looked at. rural A roads, and 26 on urban roads. It is between five With the humps made of rubber, cyclists have to decide and 10 times more dangerous to cycle per mile on a whether to squash right into the curb, go over the rural A road than it is in the city. I would particularly middle, or try to pull out and go in between the two bits like to remember the 11 people from my constituency of rubber. That is a nightmare for some people in who were killed or seriously injured cycling between towns, so we need to consider the types of humps used. 2005 and 2010. In pressing for change, may I also urge I am in favour of humps. I am not one who does not the Minister to consider a change to the language and think they should be there, but they should have a stop calling them accidents? I suggest that driving and design that allows cyclists to cope with them. overtaking at 60 mph on a rural lane and hitting a Cyclists need somewhere safe to put their bicycle cyclist is not an accident—that is a crash. It minimises, when they have reached their destination so that it can and makes it worse for the victims’ families if we call be chained up and cyclists are not left wondering, “Will them accidents. Let us abandon the language of denial it be moved off these railings? Will I be allowed to and neglect. leave it here? Will it be taken away?” There should be a I am grateful to my many constituents who have feeling that cyclists are welcome to come by bike. It is written to me today to give me their ideas, one of which amazing how many of our leisure centres and supermarkets was on speed limits. I know that other hon. Members still do not have proper facilities to chain up bicycles. I have referred to this, but the Netherlands is rolling out believe that one of our Members lost his bike changing to 60 kph on rural networks. That is the somewhere outside a supermarket in west London not equivalent of 40 mph, as the hon. Member for Llanelli so very long ago. (Nia Griffith) said. Will the Minister consider that We should remember that cycling makes us feel better. change? It is disappointing to hear that perhaps that is We might think that we do not want to go out in the not something the Department will press forward with. cold and the wet, but we will get to work or other On behalf of all hon. Members, I press him to reconsider. destinations feeling much warmer because of the blood I would also like to reconsider, as many hon. Members circulating and, as has been pointed out, we will live have, the issue of a safe passing distance of at least one longer for it. However, we have to take the issue of metre. That should made very clear, be part of the safety, above all, really seriously. If we want to encourage driving test and in The Highway Code. young people and say to our children, “Get out, get a Cycle training is improving. This weekend, I will visit bit more independent, enjoy going out to places on your a Steiner school with a wonderful organisation called own”, then we need to ensure that we proceed in the Always Be Cycling. Not only does it give excellent same way as Exeter when it was chosen as a cycling city. training to both children and adults, but it teaches We need the same for many more of our cities and people how to repair their bikes. Most people own a towns. I hope the Minister will consider what can be bike, but not everybody uses it. Part of the reason for done about that. that may be that they lack the confidence to repair it. I I will not repeat all the excellent points that other urge the Minister to continue to give more support to hon. Members have made, but let us remember that this such excellent cycling training schemes. I would like to is an issue that should affect every area in which we see safer manhole covers—non-slip manhole covers would cycle, not just the purpose-built areas. We should make be an excellent development—and more training for an effort, in a joined-up way across Government, to get lorry drivers. Finally, I want the Minister to focus on that cycle policy right for everybody. how we separate vehicles from cyclists in rural areas. I pay tribute to the parents at the Steiner school in my 3.46 pm constituency who got together and formed the sustainable transport action group, and actively considered how Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): Some 30 years many children were cycling to school—a miserable 2.8%. By ago, I fell in love on a tandem. I have to share the working closely in co-operation with local landowners, tragedy with hon. Members that last week I turned 50. the parents have increased that figure to 9.1% in just On my last day of being 49, my husband turned up on two years by introducing a safe off-road route. This the front half of my tandem like a knight in shining demonstrates that we really do see effective change. lycra and whisked me off for 28 miles on Dartmoor and In contrast, in another part of my constituency, at a 3,000-foot climb. Frankly, I could not care less about Littlehempston, with regard to which the Minister has being 50—it was a wonderful evening. already been helpful, it is a scandal that at the home of It would be a shame if we did not add the joy of the transition movement—Transition Town Totnes—we cycling to this debate. Cycling makes us feel glad to be have possibly the only bridge in the country that keeps alive, improves our mood and quality of life. That is communities apart. The final link in National Cycling important, because we need to get more people cycling. Network 2, the route running all the way from Kent to There is safety in numbers, but we do not want to Cornwall, could be joined up if there were a safe route frighten people away from cycling—we need to send through Totnes to Littlehempston. At the moment, if I 369WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 370WH

[Dr Sarah Wollaston] from the proposed HGV road-charging scheme is good and I hope that the Minister will tell us that the Government were a parent in Littlehempston I would not want my will consider that positively. children to cycle to school. The road between Totnes More generally, funding measures to improve conditions and Paignton is hideously dangerous. I have cycled it for cycling cost little in comparison with the costs of myself many times. making and maintaining roads. Switching a small If only the bridge were open and there was co-operation proportion of the Highway Agency budget to provide with landowners and, crucially, the co-operation of a cycle ways, as The Times campaign rightly proposes— sustainable steam railway—the South Devon Railway— which had the bridge built. The real scandal is that Mr Mike Weir (in the Chair): Order. I am told that £87,000 of public money went towards the £173,000 there may be two Divisions in the House. I suggest we cost of building that bridge. suspend the sitting for 20 minutes. We have all heard the bogus arguments about cycling, including the dangers of vandalism and all that stuff—the 3.54 pm resistance that is sometimes seen from communities and Sitting suspended for a Division in the House. landowners who do not understand the real benefits that cycling can bring their communities. [HUGH BAYLEY in the Chair] Mr Bradshaw: I should like to highlight another example, which is the failure so far to complete the cycle 4.18 pm route from Exeter to Dawlish, a wonderful route along On resuming— the Exe estuary, because of the failure of the landowner— the Earl of Devon—to agree to a new bridge over the Hugh Bayley (in the Chair): Order. Before continuing railway. That bridge would be publicly funded, but he with the debate, it might be helpful to tell colleagues just does not like the look of it. that, as a result of the two Divisions, the debate will now run until 5.54 pm. I shall start the winding-up Dr Wollaston: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for speeches at 5.20, leaving a few minutes at the end for the that. hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert). Let us sweep away some of these bogus arguments and have real involvement and drive. I should like Mr Andrew Smith: I was making the point that funding Devon county council, for example, not to be put off measures to improve cycling conditions cost little in from issuing compulsory purchase orders where there comparison with making and maintaining roads. Switching are short gaps, so that the local community can really a small proportion of the Highways Agency budget to benefit. In this Olympic year, I should like to think that provide cycle ways, as the campaign by The Times a child living in Littlehempston might be able to start rightly proposes, could transform cycling provision and their future Olympic cycling career by cycling from achieve huge cost savings if factoring in the health, Littlehempston to Totnes. environment and reduced road congestion effects. Local highway authorities should match that with a similar 3.42 pm switch of funds to provide for cycling and maintenance of cycle tracks. Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): I welcome We also need town and city-wide planning of cycle this debate and the increased attention to the need for infrastructure and clear accountability for its delivery. I action to make cycling a real choice and to make it more cycle in Oxford, as do many local residents, and the convenient and therefore more attractive, and, as the quality of provision is patchy—reasonably good in parts, hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) said, more with dedicated lanes, marked cycle routes and priority enjoyable. at traffic lights, but bad in others, with dangerous As other hon. Members have said, The Times sections of road, poor road surfaces and potholes close campaign has done a great job in massively raising the to the kerb where the cyclist will usually be. The need to profile of cycling. I also place on the record my join up the cycle network is pressing, so that people’s appreciation of the work done by Cyclox, the cycling journeys can be made safely by bike right across the organisation in my constituency, and by Sustrans, city. After an energetic and successful campaign, we British Cycling and CTC. have achieved 20 mph limits in all Oxford residential As other hon. Members have said, action on the areas, but the big issue is enforcement, so that motorists threats to cycling is crucial for the health and environmental realise that it is a legal limit and not a voluntary benefits that it brings and to cut the carnage of serious aspiration. accidents and deaths. In Oxford last October, Joanna We should also ensure that there are safe routes to Braithwaite, who worked as personal assistant to the school for children, so that more parents are confident rector of St Aldate’s church in my constituency, was that in encouraging their children to cycle they are not killed cycling to the church. She was knocked down by putting their lives at risk. The benefits for children’s a cement mixer lorry. There have been other deaths, too, health could be huge, cutting the danger, pollution and in Oxford in recent years, usually involving lorries turning— congestion of the school run and helping promote each one an horrific, avoidable tragedy. cycling for generations to come. Better, more careful use I strongly support the call for sensors, truck turning of road maintenance expenditure is also needed, ensuring alarms, mirrors, safety bars and HGV training to cut improvements for cyclists at little or no cost simply by the risk to people cycling. The shadow Secretary of designing in their needs from the outset, which is sadly State’s proposal to pay for this by hypothecating income far from standard practice. In many instances, major 371WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 372WH roads and pavements are being rebuilt and a dedicated during the past couple of years there has been a positive cycle lane could be added for only a fractional increase movement towards cycling. As a result of investment in cost. from Transport for London, the Smarter Travel Sutton Cyclists need to be given a fair deal where there are initiative in my London constituency saw a 75% increase roadworks. Too often, the signing and guarding blocks in cycling in just three years. That was achieved not by off the cycle way as if it is somehow not important. My building expensive infrastructure, but by going out to constituent Graham Smith has sent me photos of that people and reminding them about the facilities available in Oxford, and cyclists as a result were forced into a locally—for example, telling someone who perhaps had busy carriageway. Practice on signing and guarding falls not been on their bike for 30 years that at the end of within the remit of the code of practice, under the New their road there was a cycle track that they could use to Road and Street Works Act 1991, and chapter 8 of the go to work and back safely. The increase was achieved “Traffic Signs Manual”. I suggest that the Minister just by behavioural change and talking to people, and looks at the guidance closely and takes steps to ensure with a significant increase in cycle proficiency training that it responds sympathetically to our shared desire to for 2,400 children. That clearly required investment, but enable more journeys by bike, and so that highway not huge sums of money. authorities properly comply with their duty of care to I hope that the Minister will respond specifically to all road users, which surely must mean equal care for The Times manifesto and its eight points. Perhaps he cyclists. will confirm which of those he believes are achievable This has been a great debate. Let us ensure that it is and over what sort of time scale he thinks they can be not only a worthy venting of concern and aspiration, achieved. Points 4, 5, 6 7 and 8 are all eminently but a catalyst for action to make cycling in this country achievable because they either do not require significant as good as it could be. When our road and track cyclists sums of money, or they require only a transfer of are showing the brilliant best that UK cycle sport can funding within a Department. achieve, let us make the joys and wider benefits of cycling safely accessible to all. Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I agree with my right hon. Friend that we should support The Times manifesto. Does he agree that it is important to put the 4.22 pm matter into context and emphasise the health benefits, Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): I apologise, and the relative risk of cycling, which is still a relatively Mr Bayley, for missing the opening speech of this debate. safe activity? Cyclenation has calculated that the health I had a long-standing commitment to meet a school benefits outweigh the risks by about 20:1, and that it is party, but I am sure that I would have agreed with every still safer and healthier to cycle than not to cycle. word that my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) said. I am pleased to have heard from my Tom Brake: I agree with my hon. Friend. Clearly hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) that there are risks associated with cycling, but they are she fell in love on a tandem. The only time I have been relatively small, and the undue focus on accidents is not on a tandem was with Mark Oaten, and I assure my helpful. Newspaper coverage of deaths in accidents hon. Friend that I did not fall in love. In fact, I think I involving vehicles is not as extensive as that given to nearly died, because riding a tandem is not quite as easy accidents involving cyclists. There are definite health as it looks, as Mark Oaten found out. benefits, and we should take them on board. The health benefits for those who continue to cycle or take up Liberal Democrats are often accused of being fanatics, cycling later in life are long lasting. usually Eurofanatics, but I am proud and happy to confess to being a cycle fanatic. My addiction to cycling There is an issue for cycle manufacturers. I do not started in my early 20s when I spent six months on a know what the experience of hon. Members with children bike, cycling around Europe and on the other side of is when they try to find bikes for their children, but the iron curtain. It was a fascinating journey, and one manufacturers’ undue emphasis on producing mountain that I would like to experience again in the near future. bikes is not helpful. They are quite heavy for a girl or If any colleagues are keen to take part in the Blenheim boy who may not be confident on a bike. Manufacturers palace triathlon in June, I encourage them to join me, should provide more flexibility and choice in the market. because I will be taking part, and cycling is an important My final point concerns cycle training, and the figures component. I am looking for partners for that, but it from Sutton where there was a 75% increase in cycling will not involve a tandem. in just three years. A key issue that was identified in I welcome The Times campaign. I have attended a achieving that was that cycle training for adults should number of debates on cycling, and this is the most be targeted and specific. That is not spelled out in detail crowded that I have ever attended. Clearly, when The in The Times manifesto, but I hope that the Minister Times and The Independent swing behind such a national will pick up on it because if we are serious about getting campaign, it attracts attention, which is very welcome. adults back on to their bikes 20 or 30 years after they It also reflects the fact that cycling is becoming not a last did so, specific and targeted training is needed to minority interest, but one in which people see the potential convince them that it is a safe, healthy and fast way of for significant health and economic benefits, as well as getting around. benefits for tackling congestion. One statistic that I have retained from our briefings today is the fact that 4.29 pm 56% of short journeys of fewer than 2 miles take place Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): This by car. That is a telling statistic that we should address. has been an interesting and important debate, and I It is not impossible to reverse the trend. In recent commend the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), decades there has been a trend away from cycling, but and The Times, for running such a strong campaign and 373WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 374WH

[Alison Seabeck] Alison Seabeck: My hon. Friend is absolutely right and I will touch on safety around lorries and larger highlighting the dangers that are faced by cyclists every vehicles later in my remarks. day on our streets, as exemplified by the horrific accident Apart from the hills, one reason that people in Plymouth of The Times reporter. Let me emphasise the comments do not cycle much concerns the way they interact with that have been made about her recovery. traffic. The national campaign will no doubt help mobilise Many of the issues raised cut across Departments, ideas about better safety and help raise awareness. Let and it is important to send a message, perhaps through me describe briefly what is happening in my constituency. the Minister, about the need for those Departments to Plymouth city council has produced a cycling leaflet work together—I will return to that point. One issue which is both myth busting and promotes the health that Members have raised repeatedly during the debate benefits of cycling. The hon. Member for Plymouth, concerns sentencing policy and the fact that someone Sutton and Devonport and I will continue to maintain who goes out in their car or lorry and uses it irresponsibly pressure on the council on issues such as potholes close as a lethal weapon may not be treated in the same way to the kerb, which is a problem that affected one of my as someone who goes out with a club in their back 70-year-old constituents. I knocked on her door and pocket and damages another individual. We need to when she opened it I saw that she was badly bruised. look at the way that courts view drivers who have She told me that she had been out on her racing bike behaved irresponsibly. and hit a pothole. People of all ages cycle, but if I would describe myself as a lapsed cyclist. My bike someone like my constituent takes a tumble, it can be hangs, rather forlornly, in the cycle shed close to my more serious. London flat, awaiting reuse. Why amIalapsed cyclist? We are all, of course, aware of the health benefits of Well, I have had a couple of near misses on London cycling, but we must ensure that those benefits outweigh roads—a number of other Members have already the dangers and hazards and mean that people like me commented on their experiences. My experience involved can go out and cycle with confidence. We have to do a classic problem for a cyclist. I was at a junction and a more to develop safe cycle routes in Plymouth, and the car wanted to turn left. Although I was in my bright local Labour party is keen to be more proactive in that yellow fluorescent top, it was completely oblivious of area. Plymouth has a good history of road safety—Leslie me and winged in front of me. I was lucky; I suffered no Hore-Belisha, one of my predecessors, was responsible major injuries but only came off my bike. The motorist, for the Belisha beacon on pedestrian crossings. however, carried on, completely oblivious to the fact I have also been impressed by the local Plymouth that they had left a cyclist slammed into the railings. cycling campaign run by my constituents. They are My constituency in Plymouth is extraordinarily hilly—the aware of the bad press that cyclists can receive for hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport inconsiderate riding in and around the city centre, and (Oliver Colvile) has touched on that—and it is not good they have suggested a city centre cycling code. They for cyclists’ knees. Oddly, however, that is not the reason strongly promote helmets, high visibility jackets, lights why people do not cycle in Plymouth as much as they and a better awareness of riding in traffic. I was extremely could. interested to hear about the training for adults that was mentioned by the right hon. Member for Carshalton Mr Bradshaw: One issue that has not yet been raised and Wallington (Tom Brake). in the debate concerns the importance of cyclists such as my hon. Friend claiming their road space. The problem Jeremy Corbyn: Do the police and the community in seems to be that people, especially women cyclists, do Plymouth also enforce no cycling on pavements and no not have the confidence to claim the road space that jumping of red lights as part of the city centre cycling they deserve, even though doing so would make them code? much safer. People should get out into the road and give themselves plenty of space away from parked vehicles. Alison Seabeck: The city centre cycling code is not yet If they do that, vehicles that are turning left will be in place, but there are definite problems about cyclists more likely to see them. jumping red lights. It irritates me no end and I often shout at cyclists who do it. That is perhaps not very Alison Seabeck: My right hon. Friend makes a good responsible, but it is something that irritates me. The point, drawing on his cycling experience. Some roads Plymouth cycling campaign has been working in the have junction spaces in front of the cars where cyclists city centre, and as the hon. Member for Plymouth, can go, which makes the experience much safer. Sutton and Devonport will confirm, action has been taken there regarding both cyclists and skateboarders. Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): I will be brief. The Plymouth cycling campaign also has a effective My hon. Friend has a proud record of working closely “give me space” T-shirt—that returns to the point raised with local government. May I draw her attention to the by my right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter London borough of Ealing? It has just renegotiated its (Mr Bradshaw) and the hon. Member for Totnes refuse contract, and one condition is that every refuse (Dr Wollaston), who said we need to treat cyclists, and collection lorry must have triple mirrors, which allows it motorcyclists, as though they are cars and give them complete visibility, and shielded rear wheels so that road space. That is a good idea, but it is a small local there is none of the horror of people falling under initiative that hopes to continue raising awareness and wheels and getting chewed up. That is something that safety. I hope that the Government will look at supporting can be done right now with our local councils. One of local authorities and schemes that opt to give greater the good things—probably the only good thing—about priority to cycling safety. Yet again, that is a plea for part-privatisation is that it provides an opportunity for cross-departmental working, together with the Department contracts to be renegotiated. for Communities and Local Government. 375WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 376WH

As we have heard, The Times has made several proposals, other towns. It is critical to ensure that people can cycle including the identification of the 500 most dangerous around in such places in safety, because they, too, junctions—I have no doubt that cyclists will be queuing contain traps for cyclists. up to identify them. One needs to go only a short distance from my flat in London to see two ghost cycles, Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): Does my which are a telling reminder of the tragedies that can hon. Friend share my concern that in new developments, happen. The installation of sensors and extra mirrors in which sufficient parking spaces have often not been on trucks is one measure that can be taken. That may provided, cunning car owners end up parking dangerously involve costs for haulage companies, but when weighed and often to the detriment of cyclists? against the loss of a life or a life-threatening injury, it seems a price worth paying. The campaign for safety Neil Carmichael: That is a very good point. People will enhance people’s enjoyment in cycling and bring parking on double yellow lines is infuriating enough, obvious health benefits. I urge hon. Members to support it. but if someone is blasting down on a bike and they find that a car is parked on a route that should normally be Several hon. Members rose— used by cyclists, that is disgraceful, selfish behaviour and inappropriate in any respect. I thank my hon. Hugh Bayley (in the Chair): Order. We are in an Friend for the intervention. unprecedented position in having so many people who The one thing that I want to encourage through my want to contribute to the debate. Nine Members wish to speech is parking and riding. I am talking about people speak and 40 minutes remain. I will, therefore, impose a taking their bike in a car to the vicinity of where they four-minute limit on speeches. As stated previously, want to be, getting rid of the car outside the town and hon. Members will hear the bell after three minutes. using their bike to go about it.

Ian Austin: On a point of order, Mr Bayley, is it Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): I totally possible to continue the sitting? agree with my hon. Friend about that, but I wonder what assessment he has made of the potential for getting Hugh Bayley (in the Chair): Unfortunately not. The people out of towns and cities, particularly this city, and rules are passed by the House and there may be Members into the surrounding countryside on the train, either who have set aside time until six o’clock but who might with their bike or renting a bike at the other end of their not be available afterwards. It is beyond my pay grade journey. They could get out to the South Downs national to change that, but the hon. Gentleman could raise the park or the new Shipwrights way in East Hampshire point in the main Chamber if he wished. and experience the wonderful countryside that my hon. Friend has talked about.

4.49 pm Neil Carmichael: My hon. Friend cannot have read my speech, because I have only some notes, but he is Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): It is a pleasure to absolutely right. It is so important to encourage people speak in this excellent debate on such an important to take their bikes on trains to get them to the places subject. My family are keen cyclists, and I know how where they need to go. That is partly about integration. much enjoyment they get from it. My hon. Friend the I hope that the Minister takes that point on board, Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) made the point that because I have seen students and others struggle with cycling is something that we should enjoy.It also encourages the idea of taking their bike on to a train. Rail franchise a healthy lifestyle. People should be encouraged to operators, especially in the south-west, might want to think of walking and cycling before driving a car, which note that. is the right attitude. As I was saying, park and ride is certainly worth The other thing that I have observed about cycling is considering. I shall make one final observation before I that people notice more about the environment that get to my main point. In Stroud, we have a lengthy they are cycling through, be it the countryside, towns or canal, and one of the great things about the regeneration whatever. Cyclists can engage with the countryside and of that canal is that it is providing fantastic routes for with the people alongside them—other cyclists and so cyclists. My wife and the rest of my family often use on. It is a very good social activity. There is a lot to be them. said about being a cyclist—a lot that matters. My main point is this. Many people have been talking I also want to draw attention to the role that charity about road design and so on. It would be a good idea bike rides can perform in making cycling look and be a for the Department for Transport to take a close look at much more useful thing to do. My wife has done a very what happens in Europe, because in Europe there is long cycle ride from London to Brussels in support of a much more integration between road users—between health charity. I noticed two things about that. One was cyclists and car drivers. It is important that we get that that Europe is very well prepared for cyclists. The other point across. Most of my cycling is done in France, was that the project attracted a huge amount of justifiable where cyclists can get about with considerable safety support and interest. Charity bike rides are one way of because the roads are properly designed to accommodate promoting cycling. them. We would do well to note the importance of One of my hon. Friends stressed the importance of properly integrating road planning with the interests of towns. I think that that is important, because although cyclists. we are celebrating and noting the value of cities, it is critical to remember that people live in towns, too. In Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): My hon. Friend my constituency of Stroud, there is obviously Stroud has been extremely generous in taking interventions. He itself, but also Nailsworth, Dursley, Stonehouse and is talking about the importance of planning. Does he 377WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 378WH

[Mr Robin Walker] which all Labour Members will support completely. [Interruption.] I do not want to bring a class element agree that cycle-to-work schemes and planning for the into the debate. industrial environment are also very important to take There are serious issues of cycle safety. We should be into account how people integrate cycling? Would he realistic about that, but not in a way that puts people off commend schemes such as the Worcester Bosch expansion cycling. It is important to keep a balance. plan and the Worcester technology park, where a very significant cycle-to-work scheme is being planned? Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) (Lab): I agree Neil Carmichael: Absolutely. My hon. Friend is right. with my hon. Friend that London is perhaps the best We are all agreeing with one another. This is a great city in the UK for cycling, but does he agree with me moment, in contrast, perhaps, with yesterday. We all that the gold standard for cycling is in Holland? It is not know the risks of cycling, but we are prepared to take in Leeds, I am sorry to say; Leeds is pretty poor. York is those risks because we understand them. It is not necessarily good. But the gold standard is in Holland and especially the case that everyone is aware of them. the city of Amsterdam. Would he like the standards My final point about Europe is that it has places that apply there to be introduced in London and other where people can put their bikes once they have arrived places in the UK? at their destination. Jeremy Corbyn: Absolutely. I have cycled many times Hugh Bayley (in the Chair): Order. I have to call the in the Netherlands, and the cycle routes there are incredible; next speaker now—Jeremy Corbyn. there is no question about that. It is possible to get off a boat at the Hook of Holland and get all the way to 4.45 pm Copenhagen almost without touching a main road. The system and the facilities in the Netherlands are superb. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Thank you, A Dutch railway station is a bit like Cambridge: there Mr Bayley. You are an excellent cyclist yourself, so you will be hundreds of cycles outside the station. Cambridge are totally unbiased in the Chair. I always appreciate is probably the only station in this country—perhaps your wearing a badge saying, “I stop at red”—that is a this applies to Oxford as well—with that number of message to many other cyclists. I will say only a few cycles parked outside it. That indicates the transport things and very quickly, so that everyone who wants to integration there. can speak. There is a question about getting through to road First, I thank The Times for its campaign and the planners about cyclists and the need to incorporate all-party cycling group for its work. That campaign and cycling in designs. Coming back from my one and only the work that has been done have made a big difference. visit to Beijing, I met an engineer, a Chinese gentleman, The fact that various newspapers have taken up the on the plane. I have never forgotten this. He said, “How issue in a good way has meant that we have got this did you find Beijing?” I said that I thought that it was a debate, that there is a greater emphasis on it and that lovely city and very interesting, but I was very concerned cycling will be treated as a normal part of transport and about the pollution and the traffic. He said, “Don’t not something else. worry. We are going to sort out the traffic problem.” I I pay tribute to many local groups in my constituency. said, “How are you going to do that?” He replied, The Islington cyclists action group has for many years “We’re going to get rid of all these damn cycle rides so been badgering the council and everyone else about that we can get more cars on the road.” Unfortunately, cycle safety, junctions and everything else. It is part of it was a very long flight home, because he then proceeded the development of cycling in London. I do not know to give me a long and totally incoherent explanation about other hon. Members, but I received several hundred about how cars took up less road space than bicycles. I e-mails in advance of the debate. I thank every single still have not fully grasped his logic. Perhaps there was person for writing and particularly those who wrote to not any there. ask me why I had not signed my own early-day motion. [Laughter.] It is okay if people are not reading too In road planning, the question is not just of having carefully what they are supposed to be writing about. cycle lanes, important as they are, but what happens at the junction. Too often, a cyclist gets to a junction and I imagine that London is now seen as the most they are exposed to a great deal of danger. Some pro-cycling city in the country. Certainly, as someone junctions are well organised. Hyde Park corner, for who has cycled in London for more than 20 years, I example, has cycle routes through the middle, but the have noticed the increase in the number of cyclists and, traffic light phasing is not particularly good and I to be fair, an increased awareness by many car, lorry, suspect that that leads to danger. We also have to give a bus and taxi drivers of the needs of cyclists. That is very message to cyclists. I say this as someone who has spent welcome indeed. their lifetime cycling, and I have cycled in many countries The cycle hire scheme in London is very successful. and I feel very passionately in favour of cycling. I Large numbers of people use it, and it has introduced a calculate on a daily basis the average number of cyclists whole new generation of people to cycling. I am particularly coming into central London who jump red lights. It is pleased that we have it. I am also pleased with the reducing: it is down from 50% to about 25% of the pledge from Ken Livingstone that it will be made free peloton that arrives at the average bunch of traffic for older people, because as he rightly points out, the lights. It is dangerous and unnecessary and, by and majority of people using the cycle hire scheme in London large, the police make no effort to enforce traffic rules earn more than £50,000 a year. He wishes to make any more than they do to stop cyclists riding on pavements cycling a slightly more egalitarian form of transport, in an extremely dangerous way; a very small number do 379WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 380WH it, but it is dangerous. I wish the cyclists’ campaign well. the problems that we have there. Sitting listening to this This debate is a real achievement for those of us who debate, it seems that there is a recurring theme—a cycle spend our lives cycling and who demand better facilities. route that is all but complete but for one little bit where something or someone is getting in the way. I gently 4.51 pm suggest to the Minister that he might like to ask officials to review the national cycle routes and where we have Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): In reference to what our problems and see whether he can unblock them. my right hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) said, I have never been on a I pay tribute to the CTC in Winchester and Sue Coles tandem with my predecessor. in particular. I worked very closely with her on the M3 problem. She puts together a full calendar of cycling Jeremy Corbyn: It is early days. events in the city. We already have a cycling champion in the city: Councillor Jacey Jackson, who has done a Steve Brine: The hon. Gentleman has taken the words brilliant job over the years in helping so many right out of my mouth. children get their cycling proficiency badges, and I pay tribute to her. I congratulate the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing the debate. It is a pleasure to I wish The Times campaign well. Yes, we want to work on the all-party parliamentary group with him make our cities less dangerous places in which to cycle, and the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin). but I want to be more ambitious than that. We want to There are not many all-party groups where MPs can make cities not just less dangerous but a pleasure to meet, we hope, future Olympians and get police outriders cycle in; many of them are, but let us go further. to cycle them through the centre of this, the greatest city on earth. That is what happens in our all-party group, 4.55 pm and it is a pleasure to be part of it and this debate today, which our all-party group has been instrumental in Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ securing. I thank the Backbench Business Committee Co-op): I apologise for not being here at the beginning for granting the debate. of this debate. As vice-chair of the all-party group and as the Member of Parliament for the London borough Over half term, I was cycling in Cornwall. I went on a that claims to have twice as many cyclists than any other 15-mile ride on the famous Camel trail on a beautiful London borough, I am very proud to be here today. Friday afternoon last week. My pleasure was only However, given the explosion in cycling in London dampened by the fact that I was pulling two small recently, I am not sure whether we can still lay claim to children in a pod behind the bike. I can recommend that that boast, but no one has yet contradicted me. to Members only if they want to build their thighs, and for no other reason. I summarily agree with the issues that have been raised about design, speed and driver training. On Having just popped out for a couple of votes, I was design, I will highlight what has been happening in struck by what an amazing day it is out there and what a Hackney. The council has removed a lot of the railings day it would be for cycling. For me, this debate is a bit that were barriers to the road, which has made it better like watching “Ski Sunday”; I really want to get out for pedestrians and much safer for cyclists. It is a really there and do it. As I live in Winchester, it is a lot easier simple thing that can be done. It does not cost a great to get out there on a bike than it is to get on some skis. deal of money, but it takes a bit of vision. The fact that I pay tribute to The Times for its campaign. It has we have so many cyclists has meant that the council has really struck a chord with many of my constituents, a had to take that view and has done so very well. large number of whom e-mailed me ahead of today’s I want to make three—four if I have time—simple debate, and I thank them all for that. Obviously, I wish key points. First, cycle training for cyclists is important. Mary Bowers all the best. Hackney provides free cycle training. As a middle-aged We have heard today about the benefits of cycling for mother of three, I have been out there and done the individuals, the economy, the transport system and the training. I cannot describe how happy my husband is environment. Many people have started to realise the that as I take my baby on the back—my precious benefits, and I hope that many more will. I pay tribute cargo—I am now much bolder and more confident. As to the current Mayor of London for the work that he my right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) has done in the city. He is a controversial figure in many said, I grab that road space now in a way that I was a bit ways, but he will be remembered for Boris bikes long apologetic about doing before. I recommend such training after he has gone. to all nervous hon. Members. However, unless I have In my constituency of Winchester, which likes to the outriders with me, I still find Trafalgar square a challenge Cambridge as cycle city—[Interruption.] The little nerve-racking. None the less, cycling around Hackney hon. Member for Cambridge shakes his head. In without the barriers in place is a very pleasurable experience, Winchester, so much good work is being done to encourage partly because so many people cycle and partly because cycling and to improve road safety for the residents. of our canal. Whenever I am in the constituency, I cycle around the Secondly, training for heavy goods vehicle drivers is city; it is far easier and cheaper than finding a parking an important issue. Hackney provides such training as a space in Winchester. It is the start of the South Downs free service, and it is important that other boroughs way; it has national cycle network tracks that go all the take that lead. It can be done affordably. As drivers way from Southampton, across Isle of Wight, from must be licensed, it could be part of the licensing Alresford to Alton and beyond. agreement. It does not necessarily have to cost a great I mentioned earlier in my intervention the infamous deal of money, and I hope that the Minister is looking junction 9 above the M3 and national cycle route 23 and closely at that idea. I have sat in a cab and seen the blind 381WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 382WH

[Meg Hillier] developed by The Times. I was going to quibble with just one of those key points, but I do not think that I spot for a driver. Even with the bells, the whistles and have the time to do so. the mirrors, it is a very large blind spot and it has made I want to pick up on the point made by the right hon. me think more carefully about how I will cycle around Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) and say that this large vehicles. issue is not just about our cities. Some of the most Nearly 80% of the lorries that are involved in fatalities dangerous roads for cyclists are our rural roads. I do are construction vehicles, which again raises the issue of not know what is currently in the Highway Code or the training. Good companies will ensure that their drivers advice given to learner drivers, but we should treat undergo such training. We have a big issue about freelance cyclists—wherever possible and particularly on our rural skip drivers. The challenge is to get those who are not so roads—as if they were a young girl on horseback. Cars interested in taking up such training to do so. should slow up and not try to overtake if there is traffic Hackney now has a cycle officer on the council, coming in the other direction. So long as the visibility which is really important. The Times campaign, which I and sightlines are right, they should pull out slowly and fully endorse, calls for a cycling commissioner, and we purposefully and go into the opposite carriageway if have that in an embryonic form. there is nothing coming in the other direction. Our cyclists, particularly our young cyclists, deserve no less. I want to give a thought to people who have had accidents but survived. Head injuries are a real issue, I am proud to represent a constituency—Woking—that and I represent Headway East London, which was the has made outstanding progress on encouraging cycling brainchild of Dr Richard Greenwood. A number of in recent years. More than 26 km of off-road network people survive accidents, and that can mean a lifelong has been added in Woking since 2008, including a sentence for them and for their families. Let me just flag substantial route along vast swathes of the Basingstoke up the fact that there are real issues about the support canal towpath, thus demonstrating that it is often possible that is provided in the welfare system for people with to open up significant new routes, even within highly head injuries. built-up areas. In addition, I look forward to the culmination of the Hoe valley scheme, which the Prime Minister Finally, I am proud that Harry Dobbs Design, which visited recently. Basically, that scheme aims to take lots has designed bike parking for New York, is based in of homes out of the local flood area, but there will also Dalston, just outside my constituency. In the past, I be new homes, including affordable homes, and new championed secure bike parking when it was introduced parkland, which will have terrific new off-highway cycling in Finsbury Park; it was only the second area in London routes. to do so. There are still far too few of such schemes. The idea of coming back and finding a wheel or a saddle Many colleagues have said that the promotion of missing puts many people off cycling. The Minister safe cycling is crucial. In Woking, we have had special should answers questions about why Network Rail has activities such as “neon nights”, which are supervised such woefully minimum standards on parking, when we evening cycle rides to promote the use of high-visibility should have the best integration possible. clothing and lights, encouraging cyclists to be seen and to be safe. I started my contribution on a very sombre note, but 4.59 pm let me end on a light one. I very much enjoyed the Jonathan Lord (Woking) (Con): I congratulate the speech of my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile), who talked this debate and on his excellent introduction. about being a fat man on a bicycle. My younger brother—he In September 2008, one of my Woking constituents, is younger than me, but the same sort of age—was Nicholas Wright, was killed following a collision with a getting corpulent a few years ago. Within a year, he had heavy goods vehicle in London. His mother recently successfully competed in L’Étape, which as I understand wrote to me, saying: it is a stretch of the Tour de France that amateurs can “He was on his bicycle cycling, as he did every day, from ride. So I say to my hon. Friend, “Set your sights high, Waterloo Station to the City where he worked as an IT project my friend”, and if he succeeds in riding L’Étape, perhaps manager… He was an experienced cyclist and a volunteer Advanced we can go on a tandem together, as my hon. Friend the Motorist Supervisor. Had the lorry been fitted with a mirror that Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) talked about, but I allowed the driver to see directly down in front of his lorry, the would first like to have proof beyond all shadow of a death of my son would have been avoided.” doubt of his stability and fitness for purpose. Given What an awful waste of a young husband, father and that proof, I look forward to that prospect and perhaps loving son. His family still miss him terribly and his we can do it in aid of charity. wife, Caroline, has been in touch with me in support of the cycling campaign run by The Times. The untimely 5.3 pm death of Nicholas Wright is, of course, reminiscent of the dreadful accident that befell Mary Bowers of The Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): I am not Times. quite sure how to follow that last point by the hon. I am delighted by the huge amount of support that Member for Woking (Jonathan Lord), but I do want to campaign by The Times has generated and we should say what a fantastic debate this has been. It is so good to study carefully the 7,000 stories about cycling in this see so many right hon. and hon. Members here to country that have been given to that campaign, to see support this excellent campaign on cycling. what first-hand guidance they can give us as we try to I may not look like it, but I am a reasonably regular make cycling much safer. I broadly welcome most of cyclist. A number of years ago, however, I was knocked the key points of the “Cities fit for cycling” manifesto off my bike outside Stockwell tube station. The driver 383WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 384WH of the car drove off. After that incident, I was put off they can just come out of their houses, get on their cycling for a couple of years. However, I have got back bikes and cycle somewhere safely, we will have far more on my bike and last year—I want to put this down on cyclists. the parliamentary record—I completed the London to Brighton cycle ride, even getting up Ditchling beacon Heidi Alexander: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. without getting off my bike. Anyone who has ridden up I was about to make the point that, when a cyclist that horrible hill will know what I mean. arrives at work, especially if they are not as fit as they Part of my reason for speaking today is that every should be, they will need to find somewhere to have a day that I come to work—whether I am on my bike, shower and sort themselves out. So it is incumbent going to the train station or in my car, and I admit to upon employers and the planning departments in councils, driving into Parliament on the occasions when the when they are considering new developments, to find a House is sitting until 10.30 at night—I go past a “ghost way to make cycling easier and more convenient for bike” on Lewisham roundabout, which shows where people. someone has lost their life while cycling. When anyone Lots of things can be done. We must address safety, goes over Lewisham roundabout, they feel like they are but we must also make cycling more convenient, which taking their life into their own hands, and the same is is absolutely key. I will not take up any more time today, true whenever anyone goes over the roundabout at as other hon. Members who want to speak. I pay tribute Elephant and Castle. This year alone two cyclists have to the campaign and to the hon. Member for Cambridge been killed at the Bow roundabout in London. I do not (Dr Huppert) for securing this debate, and I really hope think that we should wait until people lose their life that it results in the changes that we all want to see. before we act. We must find a way to get in the investment to tackle those really key junctions and roundabouts where, as anyone who rides a bike will know, cyclists 5.8 pm fear for their lives. Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): I congratulate Cycling safety is also about basic road maintenance. my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) We have heard lots of right hon. and hon. Members on securing this important debate and I also congratulate talking about the horrendous potholes that exist. As a The Times for its leadership on this issue. There has south-east London MP, if I cycle into Westminster, I go been an impressive turnout today of Members from all back home down the Old Kent road and there is a huge parties, and I truly hope that this debate can be part of rut that cyclists get into. When cyclists get into it and a momentum for change. lorries and buses are going past on the right-hand side, they are never sure how they will get out. When I am in In East Dunbartonshire, seven cyclists have been that situation, I think to myself, “It can’t be beyond the killed or seriously injured on our roads since 2006. That wit of man for Transport for London and the local is indeed a sobering statistic. However, we are fortunate councils to get together and sort out this stretch of to have an award-winning organisation called the East road.” Some really basic issues need to be addressed. Dunbartonshire Cycle Co-operative. Under the dynamic leadership of Mark Kiehlmann and with a committed and growing team of volunteers, the organisation has Meg Hillier: My hon. Friend has talked about cyclists secured funding and put in place a range of different who get injured. Last year, in Hackney, including my initiatives to get people cycling and enjoying using bikes constituency, between January and October there was as a means of transport. So far, it has delivered 1,000 one fatality of a cyclist, which is tragic, but there were hours of cycle training, including cycle mechanics, because, 36 serious injuries. As she suggests, it is not just the as was mentioned earlier, being able to fix a bike is very cyclists who die who should make us act; we should also important. remember those cyclists who are seriously injured and who often have to live with their injuries for the rest of There are cycle clubs at many local schools. There has their lives. been a cycle map with different routes distributed to more than 20,000 individuals, and we now have an annual cycle festival with more than 1,000 people Heidi Alexander: My hon. Friend makes a very important participating. Summer cycle rides are organised. point, and we must tackle these basic issues of safety on Importantly, it is often the children who are enthusiastic our roads if we are to get more people to cycle. In and they are encouraged to bring their parents to get addition, if we are to get more people to cycle, we must them cycling for the first time in 15 or 20 years. When also tackle the perception of what it is like to cycle. As a we have families cycling together, it is more likely to be woman, I think that some of the time women can be a something that sticks. bit put off by cycling, including by the idea of turning up at work after cycling. The group has even organised a Guinness world record attempt for simultaneous bike bell ringing with the help of Classic FM and the “Blue Danube”. It has Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Although achieved great success. In less than a year, there has safety issues are absolutely paramount—there are loads been a 5% modal shift in cycling to school in one town. of junction issues in my own city of Edinburgh—one of St Matthew’s primary now has nearly 20% of the pupils the things that makes cycling so popular in other countries cycling to school, which is a great achievement and is that, partly because of the sheer number of people shows what can be done. It has also inspired other who cycle, people do not have to go through all that initiatives. We have Bishopbriggs BMX club for 10 to stuff about needing to have all these things to put 19-year-olds, with 100 members. One of its founders, on—the helmet and everything else—which can be off- Christopher Eastwood, was a winner in the first national putting. If we can get to the stage where people feel that BMX competition at the end of last year. 385WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 386WH

[Jo Swinson] Jane Ellison: I am sure the Minister heard that plea. I echo the words of my hon. Friend the Member for Mountain biking is popular in Scotland. The charity, Totnes (Dr Wollaston) by saying let us celebrate the joy Rebound, is trying to ensure that new facilities can be of cycling. My father is a veteran road racer. In his put in place in East Dunbartonshire, particularly in youth, he was a stage winner of the Tour of Britain on Lennox forest, where it is hoping to build tracks that more than one occasion. He still goes out with his can be used both as a leisure pursuit and to host friends who are in their 60s, 70s and, I think, 80s, and competitions and events. I look forward to meeting that does hundreds of miles a month around the Yorkshire local group tomorrow. dales. They are collectively a great testimony to the joys I want to touch on two issues. One is a slight controversy of cycling and to its great health benefits. I am not about cycling on pavements. I had an initiative in my remotely in his class, but my bike is an invaluable way of constituency called Cycle Train. Children as young as getting around my constituency, particularly at weekends five would cycle to school on the pavement, with an between engagements. I have sometimes taken cycle adult at the beginning and at the end of the group of superhighway 8. I am lucky, because it runs from children cycling. Once the pupils had passed their cycling Wandsworth to Westminster. proficiency test, they would move to cycling on the I want to focus on one specific area, which is the role road. It was a safe way for children to get to school, but of our highway engineers in making junctions and it had to stop, because it was not in accordance with the cycling safer. Many people have highlighted particular law. Although there are undoubtedly problems with junctions and problems in their constituencies. Some irresponsible cycling on pavements, there is a role for particularly bad junctions in London where terrible responsible, supervised pavement cycling for young children. accidents and fatalities have occurred have been mentioned. We would not expect five or six-year-olds to cycle on the The Mayor of London has asked Transport for London road, but getting practice in place would be helpful. I to review hundreds of key junctions. I hope that that discussed it with the then Minister with responsibility review will generate fresh ideas and fresh thinking, and for cycling in 2009 with a delegation. I hope that the that hon. Members around the country can ask their Minister with responsibility for cycling now will consider local highway engineers to look at the ideas and take that. them up. People have alluded to the lessons to be learnt I strongly support point 6 of The Times campaign for from continental Europe and the excellent engineering 20 mph limits. There is a big campaign in my constituency and integration solutions that we see there, but there is to encourage that in residential areas. It is very popular also innovation going on in Britain. Transport for London indeed. I hope that my local council will outline a engineers have been working on particular junctions timetable for moving towards that. I understand that and roundabouts. I met them recently at a problem one time pressure is upon us. With so much enthusiasm for in my patch. They are also working with cycling groups this debate, perhaps we need further debates on this and others to look at specific junctions that have been issue, even on the Floor of the House. I hope the highlighted in this debate. enthusiasm for the debate today and the wealth of ideas I put on record a word about the early-start initiative, put forward will empower and embolden the Minister which is a proposed new design that will be introduced with responsibility for cycling. He is no doubt keen to first at the Bow roundabout, and to which other hon. take this forward and make a real difference on this Members have alluded. It will have two lines of signals. issue. Cyclists will have an early start on the traffic. They will come up to a signal ahead of the vehicular traffic and get a head start. They will have their own lights to get 5.12 pm away so that they are potentially 12 metres ahead of Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): I congratulate the other traffic, before it even sets off. There is interesting hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing thinking and good innovation there. It is hoped that it this debate. I also congratulate The Times on its campaign. will be in place in time for the Olympics, but certainly This debate is happening in Back-Bench time. It is an later this year. The idea is for cyclists to get to the front illustration of how Back-Bench time has enabled the of the queue without having to filter through general House to be topical. Perhaps that flexibility was not traffic. There will be a generous space for them to wait. there before. One reason why the Backbench Business Cyclists will have their own space in front of the traffic Committee awarded time today was because the hon. and get ahead of it early. Hopefully, because of that Member for Cambridge made the case that it would be early start, the potential for conflict on difficult left topical to hold this debate at a time when our constituents turns off the roundabout will be reduced. are so engaged with the issue. I will also say, for the I hope the Minister will monitor the success of the record, that debates that have been this well subscribed scheme, because it clearly has potential application in Westminster Hall have on occasion bid successfully around the country at other roundabouts that suffer for more time. some of the same problems. With that call to look at what our engineers can do for us, and echoing the words Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): The of the many hon. Members who have talked about the hon. Lady may not be aware that I presented a ten-minute joys of cycling, I again congratulate the hon. Member rule Bill on Tuesday, which incorporates many aspects for Cambridge on securing this debate and The Times of The Times cycling campaign. If the Minister could on its campaign. I thank the many constituents who persuade the Leader of the House to find time for a contacted us with their interesting stories and asked us Second Reading of my Bill, we would be able to further to take part in this debate. I think this is the beginning debate the merits of this campaign and bring it into of a big conversation rather than a one-off debate. I am legislation. delighted to have taken part in it. 387WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 388WH

Hugh Bayley (in the Chair): I am pleased to say that I am also aware that there has been a tendency, every Member who was standing was able, on an however well meaning, to give the impression that the abbreviated basis, to contribute to the debate. We now responsibility to prevent collisions rests simply with come to the wind-ups. cyclists. Despite the importance of cycling proficiency and awareness, we must never believe that they can be a 5.17 pm substitute for measures to improve road junctions, create Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): It is a alternative cycle routes and improve safety equipment pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Bayley. on HGVs. That is the real lesson of the campaign, and It is entirely appropriate that a well-known and regular it should be the focus of our response. parliamentary cyclist such as yourself should be in the In responding to the challenge that has been put to us Chair for part of our debate at least. as parliamentarians, it is important for us to be careful It has been an excellent debate. There is a simple not to give the wrong impression about the safety of reason why we are holding this debate today—the awful cycling and risk discouraging people from getting out day last November when a young news reporter, Mary on their bikes. We need to make it clear that cycling Bowers, was critically injured just yards from her workplace. casualties are down 17% across the last decade, at a time Other Members have described the experience of their when increased numbers of people were taking to their constituents’ lives being similarly affected. Mary Bowers bikes. Cycling becomes safer, as my right hon. Friend was crushed by a lorry while cycling. I have been to see the Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) and others have the junction in Wapping. It is little short of a miracle said, the more people there are on bikes out on our that she is still with us, and of course she has an roads. Therefore, it is important that as we address unimaginably tough and lengthy recovery ahead of her. safety issues, we do not put people off. To the immense credit of The Times, it has not just Cycling is one of Britain’s success stories in recent accepted this appalling tragedy. It has recognised that years, and it is important that we talk it up—there are collisions involving cyclists are not simply accidents, 20% more people cycling than a decade ago. Yet, if we but have a cause and therefore can be prevented. They go to the Netherlands, as I did as part of our policy are ultimately the consequence of our collective failure review, it is apparent how much further ahead parts of to do enough to make our cities fit for cyclists—the apt the continent are. In Holland, a third of all trips to and title of the campaign that The Times has launched as a from rail stations are by bike, compared with 2% here. I result. have seen for myself the fantastic facilities for cyclists at This is campaigning journalism at its best and, despite stations in Holland—not just bike spaces, but covered the progress made, I know that all those involved at The staffed storage with people on hand to repair and Times will continue to work hard on their campaign to maintain bikes while their owners are off at work during gather more and more support. I know that MPs from the day. The matter is about spending—10 times more all parties have been impressed by the personal commitment per person is spent on cycling there than in the UK—but that the editor of The Times, James Harding, has given it is also about attitude and commitment. to this issue. He contacted all MPs personally in advance I am proud of the steps forward that we took when of this debate, and he is here to listen to it. we were in office, as my right hon. Friend the Member It is entirely appropriate that the all-party group on for Exeter set out in his remarks. Those increases in cycling secured the debate. I congratulate the hon. cycling numbers and reductions in cycling casualties did Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing the not happen by chance, but through some of the decisions debate and on his own work to support cycling, as that were taken. I pay particular tribute to my hon. co-chair of the all-party group. I also congratulate the Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim other members of that group—not least my hon. Friend Fitzpatrick), and I am glad that he has been able to join the Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin)—on their us. I know that he was respected across the whole House work, some of which we have heard about today. as a Minister in the Department for Transport for his Something that has had an impact on me and our passionate and energetic advocacy of improving road thinking on the issue comes from the moving piece by safety, which delivered policies that saved lives. Times journalist Kaya Burgess, who has been a driving I particularly want to recognise what was achieved force behind the campaign. Writing about his friend, he through Cycling England and the national funding of said: the “Cycling city and towns” programme between 2005 “Mary, a news reporter, would be first to ask why it is not and 2010. For the first time, we saw proper, dedicated mandatory for lorries driving on city streets to be fitted with investment in measures to boost cycling numbers. The sensors and mirrors to pick up cyclists in their blind spots. Or why reports from each of those towns and cities are on the training for cyclists and drivers on how to share the road responsibly DFT website and worth a read. Progress was made up is so poor. Or why some junctions are so dangerous that jumping and down the country, including a 36% rise in the a red light can actually be a safer option than lining up alongside availability of cycle parking in Aylesbury; the quadrupling HGVs at the lights like a racetrack starting grid. Or why London trails so far behind cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen in of the number of children cycling in the schools targeted terms of the infrastructure and legislation to protect vulnerable in Colchester; the introduction of bike swap, recycle cyclists and to help the drivers who are trying to avoid them.” and resale schemes and new cycle spaces at schools; and What struck me was just how obvious the changes the establishment of school bike clubs. There were also that we need to see are. The issue is not one that needs a new dedicated cycle lanes and controlled crossings. major ideological debate between us all to be won; some I regret that, instead of rolling out the success of common sense and a renewed commitment to cycling those projects across the country, the Government chose safety would do. None of those things need be impossible to abolish Cycling England, along with its £60 million or even difficult to deliver. It is about will as much as annual funding, and end the “Cycling city and towns” money. scheme. That was a mistake. While I recognise and 389WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 390WH

[Maria Eagle] As part of the costed approach to spending we have set out, we would not have made that cut, and the Government welcome the local sustainable transport fund, it is not a ought to look at it again. great deal of money spread over the whole Parliament, Fourthly, while it is vital that we never give the and cycling is just one area among many that the fund impression that responsibility for safety rests solely with has to cover. While the £15 million of additional targeted cyclists, we have heard how important cycling proficiency funding announced a few days ago by the Minister is for children and young people is. The Government also welcome, that comes nowhere close to replicating should therefore look at restoring cycling proficiency’s the levels of support that went before, let alone increasing position as an ongoing dedicated funding stream, rather them, as we clearly need to do. than relying on bids to the local sustainable transport I would like briefly to set out a few conclusions that fund. I also worry about the impact of the decision to the Opposition have already reached in the policy review cut funding for the “Think!” road safety campaign. The that we, as a party, have been carrying out. They have Government should also look again at their decision to been reached as a result of listening to cyclists and of abandon the need for schools to develop school travel The Times’s campaign. plans and encourage working between local authorities and schools to encourage cycling and promote safer First, we have heard that our roads have simply not routes. been designed with cyclists in mind, which has been the case over many decades. We will need to spend significant Fifthly, we have heard concerns about the decision to sums of money to address the deficiencies. Therefore, as give the green light to longer heavy goods vehicles. We a first commitment, let us at least agree that we will not should take steps to switch freight from road to rail, not repeat the mistakes of the past, and let us start taking make it more attractive to do the reverse. The Department into account the impact of road design on cyclists. I for Transport projects that rail freight will increase by propose that we subject all future road and other major 262% by 2025, following the approval of longer HGVs. transport schemes to a cycling safety assessment before Yet, if it had not gone ahead with that change, it says approval, in the same way that all Government policies the projected growth of rail freight would be 732%. and spending are subject to an economic impact assessment Heavy goods vehicles are three times as likely to be and an equality impact assessment. That might enable involved in fatal accidents compared with all other us to avoid some of the mistakes that we have made vehicles, and the dangers for cyclists are significant. I over the past decades. hope that that Government will think again about that and abandon the plan. I also hope that Ministers will Secondly, we have heard why we have to move faster consider our suggestion for an HGV road charging at improving safety on existing roads, in addition to scheme, with an estimated annual income of £23 million. ensuring that new road and transport schemes consider Let us hypothecate that new income to work with the the cyclist. We have heard how that is especially the case road haulage industry on equipping lorries with safety at junctions—almost two thirds of cyclists killed or equipment, such as side under-run protection to avoid seriously injured were involved in collisions at junctions. cyclists falling under the wheels, and blind spot mirrors. It is time to agree that a specific proportion of the We also need to improve driver training and awareness. roads budget should be set aside for improving our Finally, I have previously made a commitment to existing roads. As part of our responsible approach to restoring the national targets on reducing deaths and public spending, where we have backed two thirds of serious injuries on our roads. I worry that the Government’s the Government’s spending cuts, we have made clear decision to axe those targets risks our collectively taking how we would fund £100 million each year to begin that our eye off the ball, and that we will see as a result a work. Let us recognise that simply painting a thin reversal of the incredible progress that was made over section at the side of the road a different colour does the past decade. I hope that the Minister will take those not create an adequate safe cycle route. We need to look things into account in his reply. at proper separation, as is common on the continent, and at other measures, such as traffic light phasing to give cyclists a head start. 5.30 pm Thirdly, we have heard calls to do more to encourage The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and enable our local authorities to promote cycling. At (Norman Baker): I congratulate my hon. Friend the the least, let us create a best practice toolkit based on Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), as everybody what we have learned from the “Cycling city and towns” else has, on securing the debate. Let me make it absolutely programme. Let us also back local authorities that want clear at the start that I am delighted by the turnout and to extend their 20 mph zones in residential areas. by the cross-party nature of the vast majority of We have listened to the concerns regarding the contributions. As far as I am concerned, the more Government’s decision to end ring-fenced road safety interest in cycling there is, the better, because, frankly, grants to local authorities and all support for speed that helps me and the Under-Secretary of State for cameras, including removing 100% of the funding available Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel for road safety capital. By removing ring-fencing of Hempstead (Mike Penning), in our work in the Department what remained, cash-strapped councils were faced with to make sure that the issue goes even further up the raiding road safety money to fill the gap caused by agenda than it has done so far. There is a good story to other cuts that they face. It is worrying that Ministers tell, to which I will come very shortly. have said in parliamentary answers: The structure of the reply I want to give—I say this “No assessment has been made about the effect on road for the information of colleagues here—is to refer briefly accidents that may result from changes to road safety grants.”— to what the Government have done generally, to deal [Official Report, 2 December 2010; Vol. 519, c. 948.] with the specific points raised by The Times campaign 391WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 392WH and then to pick up other points that hon. Members directly for issues that Members have argued for today. I have made. My normal habit is to take a large number am very happy to say that. There is £8 million for of interventions. However, if hon. Members will forgive Sustrans and specific routes, nearly all of which will me, on this occasion I will not—at least not at the probably be off-road. That will secure the separation beginning of my contribution—because I want to get Members rightly identify as being useful for safety through the points made and respond to them properly. purposes and for getting more people to have confidence I will respond to the right hon. Member for Exeter in cycling. Some £7 million will go the Cycle Rail (Mr Bradshaw) first. He asked if we would do a U-turn. Working Group, which is an extremely useful body that I encourage him not to go down that particular road will help provide better infrastructure at our railway because we are doing a lot of what he wants, much of stations to improve the encouragement of end-to-end which is also in the pipeline. If we were to do a U-turn, journeys and deal with the deficiencies that people have that would not be welcome to him. rightly identified at some of our major stations. Match funding for that will add a further £13 million to make Mr Bradshaw rose— £28 million for that package, which was announced just last week. So there is no shortage of funds coming from Norman Baker: I just said that I will not take the Government in terms of the commitment to cycling. interventions, so I will stick with that. However, I will come back to the right hon. Gentleman later if time We are also in discussions with Network Rail, which allows. has allocated a further £7 million towards cycle improvements at stations. There will be a transformational Mr Bradshaw: I was actually supporting the hon. arrangement at our railway stations as a consequence of Member for Cambridge, who said that he thought it the Cycle Rail Working Group and Network Rail. was a mistake to abolish Cycling England because it was an important body that campaigned coherently. The hon. Member for Leeds North East (Fabian That is what is missing now. Hamilton), who is no longer in his place, said that Amsterdam was the place to emulate. Of course, Norman Baker: I wrote down what the right hon. Amsterdam and the Dutch experience is fantastic. I Gentleman said, but let us not argue about the nuance have been to Leiden to see how they do it over there. of that. Suffice it to say that we are doing a lot of good Frankly, I am very envious of what they have been work, to which I will now refer. able to achieve in Holland so far. He did himself a First, the coalition agreement explicitly refers to the disservice by not referring to the Leeds cycle hub, which promotion of cycling. That document was put together is a major achievement that put cycling bang in front of quickly and it is short, but cycling is very clearly mentioned. the station there. That is an example of the integrated As a coalition Government, we recognise that it is good cycle approach everyone wants to see—not simply for the economy, good for the environment and good somewhere to put a bike, but somewhere to put a bike for personal health to get more people cycling. That is safely under cover. People also want somewhere to hire the direction of travel we have been trying to pursue a bike and to get a bike repaired when they go off to since the Government were formed. The local sustainable work. They can then pick the bike up when they come transport fund has been mentioned by some hon. Members back in the evening. That is the sort of integration we this afternoon. are keen to develop. I hope that more of those hubs will be introduced with the money that Network Rail has Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con): Will allocated—the £7 million. my hon. Friend give way? Let me make it clear that the bikeability funding has Norman Baker: I will in a moment because my hon. been guaranteed for this Parliament. That was a request Friend has not spoken so far and I promised I would let made by cycling groups when we took office. They said him in. That is an exception to the rule. that the most important thing was bikeability, so we said as an Administration that we will guarantee that Without arguing about the detail of the local sustainable right through the Parliament—£11 million this year and transport fund, I want to put it on the record that I was £11 million next year through to the next election. I advised that the £560 million, which is a very substantial hope that that underlines our commitment to bikeability. sum, is greater than the aggregate of the schemes under the last four years of the previous Government. I do not I was asked about bikeability for adults. There is a want to make a partisan point, but I say that in response range of training available to suit all requirements, from to the suggestion that we have cut funding. We have not; the complete beginner who wants to boost their confidence we have increased it. to those who want to develop more advanced skills. My hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge suggested Some local authorities are providing free or subsidised that we should do even more in the local sustainable adult cycle training. I am considering further what we transport fund for cycling. As he recognises, 38 out of might do, if anything, to deal with the need to ensure the 39 projects so far awarded money have involved that adults who want to have training can access it. cycling. We cannot go much further than we have gone I should also say that, on a personal level, I was asked already in ensuring that cycling is reflected. The bidding on day one if I wanted a ministerial car and I said no. for tranche two closes tomorrow. I can tell him that However, I do have a ministerial Brompton, which is there are a large number of cycling elements in that and, parked downstairs somewhere in the House of Commons. no doubt, a large number of projects will be funded as It is important that those of us who want to cycle do so part of tranche two of that important fund. and indicate that it is not a minor activity for a few Last week—as the shadow Secretary of State, the people. Cycling is central to how we want to get around hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) individually and as a society. That is a key message I mentioned—I was able to find a further £15 million want to get across. 393WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 394WH

[Norman Baker] that then detect bus stops, litter bins and everything else, it is possible that drivers will ignore them, and that I have also formed a cycle stakeholder forum, which could make the situation worse. We have to be careful, was established last year. The cycle groups represented therefore, that what we do achieves the result we all and I agreed that the forum should not be a talking want, which is to reduce cycle injuries and to ensure shop. It is about getting things done. There are a series that lorry drivers are more aware of cyclists. That is a of sub-groups, including a safety sub-group that is technical caveat, but we are leading discussions at European meeting on 6 March to take forward a range of proposals. level to consider what can be done to achieve the best We are very interested in listening to those involved, outcome. and that forum provides very useful advice. We want as The second point states: Ministers to ensure that we understand what the cycling groups and others regard as important. “The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and On safety issues, Members rightly said that more Trixi mirrors”. people are cycling. When more people cycle, motorists I am happy to say that in the past two weeks I gave adjust. Motorists are far more tolerant of cyclists when authority to all local authorities in England to install they are in large numbers and are more common than Trixi mirrors as and where they deem it appropriate. they are of individual cyclists. The right hon. Member Previously, that was a London pilot only and local for Exeter and others said that if we get more people authorities had to come to me with lots of paperwork cycling, it makes it safer. That is another reason to to ask for permission, which was nonsense. Local authorities encourage the development of cycling in our country. are able to make their judgments about their own We should also encourage councils—as we do—to take junctions and where they should apply the mirrors. I forward their plans to improve cycle infrastructure in encourage local councils to do so. It is not our job in their areas. We want more people cycling. central Government to determine which junctions around It is also worth pointing out—as others have, including the country should be fitted with Trixi mirrors, but it is the shadow Secretary of State—that it is not a question our job to give a lead to local authorities. We have done of the campaign being about an unsafe activity. Cycling that and I strongly encourage local authorities, on the is not an unsafe activity. She rightly referred to the fact record, to look at their junctions to see what might to that the incidence of collisions has decreased. That is a done to take that further. result of a great effort, and we are all pleased with that. Road safety is a criterion under the local sustainable If we consider the long-term trend over the past 20 years, transport fund. Bids can come in, and have come in, to cycling is getting safer, with the rate of those killed or improve road safety for cyclists at junctions and elsewhere. seriously injured decreasing by 50% from more than We will look sympathetically at any such bids in the 1,500 per billion miles cycled to between 800 and 900. I next round. We have also published guidance on cycling very much welcome that downward trend. We obviously infrastructure through the “Cycle Infrastructure Design” want that to continue as a result of the efforts we put in. and the “Design Manual for Roads and Bridges”documents I know that that is a priority for the Under-Secretary of to try to give clear guidance to local authorities about State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for how best to incorporate the needs of cyclists into the Hemel Hempstead as well; he has made that very plain. roads they are designing. On the number of deaths, any death is too many and is a tragedy for the families involved. However, we can Jack Lopresti: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend take some comfort from the fact that the average between for giving way. My own local authority, South 1984-88 was 186 deaths a year. That figure is now down Gloucestershire council, is working very hard to promote to 111, which is about a 40% decrease. It is 111 too cycling, both in my constituency and across the wider many, but it is going in the right direction in terms of Bristol area as part of the West of England partnership, the long-term trend. The casualty rate per billion miles thanks to the funding that has been recently secured is down 43%. However, we must do more. We must through the first phase of bidding for the Government’s make every effort to ensure that that rate continues to local sustainable transport fund. The council has submitted decrease, and we intend to try to do that. a larger funding bid as part of the next bidding round. I I welcome The Times campaign and the eight points urge the Minister to look favourably on that bid and it identifies. It is really helpful and positive, and I am support local efforts to promote more sustainable means delighted that it has been taken up not just by hon. of travel across the sub-region. Members of all parties, but other newspapers, too. I hope the campaign will continue, because it is putting Norman Baker: I hear that that bid has come in. I had cycling centre stage, and that has not been the case for better not comment on it until I have evaluated it, but some time. The first point states: the hon. Gentleman has placed his point on the record, “Lorries entering the city centre should be required by law to which is no doubt what he wanted to do. fit sensors, audible turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.” The third point in The Times campaign asks for: The Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. “A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead is leading in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to discussions at European level on improving standards underpin effective cycle safety.” for heavy goods vehicles to help reduce accidents caused The Department for Transport already maintains a by poor visibility, and to look at those precise issues. We range of data sources on cycling levels and road casualty want to ensure that any steps agreed achieve the outcome statistics, and we consider them very seriously. This year we want—that is the very careful caveat we put on that. we have also commissioned a new question in the Sport For example, if we have sensors on the side of lorries England Active People survey to give us more detailed 395WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 396WH information on cycling at local level. That will be public I happen to think that that is a good idea, especially for information and we will be happy to share it with hon. large urban areas. Ultimately, it is a matter for local Members. authorities to take forward, not for us to dictate to The fourth point makes the suggestion that them. I would certainly endorse and welcome any such “the Highways Agency should earmark 2 per cent of its budget action by local authorities. for next-generation cycle routes”. I hope that hon. Members will see that we are doing, I am hesitant about a specific figure, because it seems a and have done, quite a lot already. Of course, more little arbitrary. I agree, and the Under-Secretary of needs to be done and I welcome the excellent campaign State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for from The Times and the signatures—I was told there Hemel Hempstead agrees, that we have to reflect on were 25,000, but now it is up to 30,000—which it has what the Highways Agency does and where it might do managed to accrue. more on the roads for which it is responsible. For The right hon. Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith) example, it has traditionally been the Highways Agency’s asked what the requirements were on roadworks to look approach to put cycle lanes next to improved roads as out cyclists on roadworks sites. I am advised that the opportunity costs have been made available, but that code of practice contains advice on signing, lighting has sometimes meant that cycle routes stop in the and guarding road and street works, including provision middle of nowhere. Looking at those sorts of routes for cyclists, and that utility companies must comply first seems to be a sensible first step. My hon. Friend the with it. This is in the process of being revised, with a Member for Hemel Hempstead has indicated that he is note on the need to take account of cyclists in particular. undertaking a stocktake of Highways Agency routes to consider what we might do further in that regard. An issue was raised about Ministers working together across Departments. I assure hon. Members that that The fifth point was: does happen. For example, I have met one Health “The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle Minister to talk about the benefits of cycling for health safety should become a core part of the driving test.” purposes, and how we can work together on that. I have Apart from the bikeability matters to which I referred, also met a Minister at the Department for Education there are six questions in the driving test on vulnerable about encouraging children to get to school by bike. road users. We are considering how to increase motorists’ That sort of co-operation does, I am happy to say, awareness of cycling issues. We welcome initiatives such already exist. I have no doubt that we could do more, as Exchanging Places, which was mentioned earlier. I but we are working to try to ensure that that works welcome the commitments made by the freight industry, across Government as far as possible. including the Freight Transport Association, regarding cycle safety to encourage all drivers of large vehicles to May I just say that starting a speech: become more cycle aware. I mentioned that I had established “Thirty years ago, I fell in love on a tandem”— a cycle safety sub-committee of the stakeholder forum. is probably the best opening line I have heard for quite It meets next month and deliberately includes motoring some time? I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member organisations. The AA, the Road Haulage Association, for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) on her 50th birthday. The the Freight Transport Association will all, I hope, be issue of safer manhole covers is serious for cyclists and present at that meeting so that they, not just the cycling motorcyclists. We are looking at that, not least because groups themselves, are aware of the cycling issues. The they are subject to metal theft—it is on the agenda. I driving test has been made more realistic and less have referred to the separation of routes for cycles and predictable. We are considering how to improve training vehicles. The money we are giving to Sustrans will, I for drivers after they pass their test to help them develop hope, go some way towards dealing with that. On their driving skills and knowledge with regard to cyclists. guidance to councillors with regard to road design, that The sixth issue in The Times campaign was the 20 mph is covered in the guidance notes, “Cycle Infrastructure speed limit, which hon. Members have suggested should Design”, which cover local roads and providing appropriate become the default speed limit. I hope hon. Members measures for cyclists. Much of that guidance on traffic know that I have already taken action on that front—last management measures also includes guidance on cyclists. year, in fact—to make it much easier for local authorities I hope that they cover that issue, but we are happy to to introduce 20 mph zones and a 20 mph limit by look at it again. reducing the bureaucracy, removing the requirement to My hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington submit a whole load of paperwork and allowing them, (Mr Leech), who has long been a champion of road for example, to have roundels painted on the road in safety in the House, advised me to speak to the Leader place of repeater signs, therefore reducing the cost of of the House, who is interested in cycling, to advance such 20 mph limits. We have done that already. Some my hon. Friend’s 10-minute rule Bill. I will pass on the local authorities, such as Portsmouth, have done a great message. That is probably as far as I can go in promising— deal of work on 20 mph limits and I congratulate them [Interruption.] The Leader of the House is here and has on that. I encourage other local councils to follow suit. heard that remark. Point 7 states: I have tried my best to get through as many points as “Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling possible. If I have missed any point, it is not for lack of super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme trying. I will write a letter to any hon. Member who has in London.” raised a specific point and place a copy in the Library. What can I say, except that I agree? We will send the message out from the Department for Transport to 5.50 pm encourage that action to be fulfilled. The eighth point states: Dr Huppert: Thank you for chairing the second half “Every city…should appoint a cycling commissioner to push of this debate, Mr Bayley. The attendance at this excellent home reforms.” debate shows how much we all care about cycling. More 397WH Cycling23 FEBRUARY 2012 Cycling 398WH

[Dr Huppert] and to our parliamentary bike ride on 13 June. Special celebrities may yet join us at both those events. than 75 Members have attended, including three Ministers: This is an immediate issue, but we need to keep it the Leader of the House, the Minister, who has going for the future. It is not just about them and us: it responsibility for cycling, and the Under-Secretary of is about making roads and cities that work for everyone. State for Transport, the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead Safety is important. We should also remember all the (Mike Penning), who has responsibility for road safety great benefits of cycling: it is cheap, healthy, efficient, and whom I am delighted to see at this important event. sustainable and fun. We must remember the sheer joy of I am delighted by the largely consensual nature of the cycling. debate. If all debates in the House of Commons were Cycling must become a normal activity that people like this, we might make more progress on a number of can engage in from eight to 80, and beyond both those issues. This shows that the Government have a clear ages. I thank all hon. Members who have attended and mandate to act now and act strongly. I hope that the those in the Public Gallery and others out there who Minister for Cycling wins the fights that he will have to have been following the debate. Many congratulations have with the Treasury and all sorts of people to make to The Times for all its work in leading this campaign. much further progress on all these issues, which all hon. We can make a difference. [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, Members care about so much. hear.”] I encourage hon. Members to join the all-party cycling Question put and agreed to. group, if they are not already a member, and have more such events. I invite all hon. Members to our annual reception and the launch of the “Summer of cycling” 5.52 pm on 14 March, which will be a huge event for the year, Sitting adjourned. 81WS Written Ministerial Statements23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 82WS

Analysis of the consultation responses showed that a Written Ministerial substantial majority of respondents were opposed to there being any restrictions on a borrower’s ability to Statements make early repayments. A smaller number of respondents were sympathetic to the principle of protecting the progressive nature of the student support system, but Thursday 23 February 2012 most of these felt that restrictions on early repayments were generally an ineffective way of delivering progressivity. Having carefully considered all the evidence and responses submitted, we agree that individuals should be allowed BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS to repay without penalty if they so wish. We have therefore decided that we will not make any changes to the status quo and will not implement any early repayment City Skills Fund system. The proposed new student finance package is fair, sustainable and progressive and will remain so. The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong A list of respondents and summary of responses can Learning (Mr John Hayes): I am writing to inform the be viewed online at: http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/ House that we are announcing the availability of the early-repayment/. city skills fund, worth £4.5 million in total, designed to help cities and their surrounding areas realise the positive DEFENCE impact of high-quality skills training on their local economies and on the lives of people in their areas. This Annual Tri-Service Survey follows the announcement made on 8 December 2011 by the Minister of State, Department for Communities The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the right (Mr Andrew Robathan): Today I am publishing the 2010 hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) who is recruit trainee survey annual report. All recruits and responsible for decentralisation and cities, of the publication trainees passing through phase 1 and 2 training are of “Unlocking Growth in Cities”, which described a offered the opportunity to participate in the survey new framework for the relationship between our largest which is anonymous and administered independently cities and central Government on behalf of the services by an external contractor. Cities are at the heart of our nation. As ever, they The annual report contains the views of recruits and embody the best of what has been achieved and what trainees about topics such as: the preparation for joining could be. Each of us values civic pride and wants to and their treatment during phase 1 and 2 training, food, inspire still greater civic purpose. Economic growth accommodation, access to instructional and welfare fuelled by the progress of citizens and communities staff and complaints procedures. Overall the results are feeds purposeful pride. Inspired by our determination positive and importantly, the findings are used by service to build ever more confident civic life and appreciative training headquarters and units to monitor the training of the central role of local government in doing so, we environment and make improvements. have jointly planned a new initiative to secure economic During preparation of the 2010 recruit trainee survey growth by feeding opportunity. annual report, a contractor’s error was discovered in the In particular, I want cities to be able to develop previously published annual report for 2009. The data apprenticeship hubs and, working with colleges and error relates to the findings on four questions in the independent providers, to tailor skills provision to the fairness, equality and diversity sections of the previously needs of employers. published report. The 2010 RTS annual report has been The fund will be administered on my Department’s prepared using the corrected 2009 data where trends are behalf by the Skills Funding Agency. I am today writing reported. I therefore intend to place a revised version of to the core cities and London to invite them to express the full recruit trainee survey 2009 annual report in the an interest in bidding to the fund for up to £500,000 Library of the House together with the 2010 recruit each. Copies of the letters will be placed in the Libraries trainee survey annual report. of both Houses. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Student Loan Repayment Foreign Affairs Council/General Affairs Council

The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): The The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 27 February and Willetts): I am today confirming that there is to be no the General Affairs Council on 28 February.Both meetings system of charges introduced for early repayment of will take place in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the student loans. Foreign Secretary will attend the Foreign Affairs Council. Last year, we consulted as to whether there should be I will attend the General Affairs Council. a charge for early repayment, and if so, what form such a charge would take. This consultation, which closed on FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL (FAC) 20 September 2011, prompted 154 responses from the Syria general public and key stakeholders including a diverse We hope to secure Council adoption of strong range of HE providers and representative bodies, consumer conclusions and a new package of sanctions to put groups, employers and professional bodies. pressure on the Assad regime, in the light of the UN 83WS Written Ministerial Statements23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 84WS

General Assembly resolution of 16 February and the GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL (GAC) Friends of Syria group meeting in Tunis on 24 February. March European Council We also hope that the FAC will agree to press for more Ministers will discuss preparation for the March EU action on the humanitarian front, and highlight the European Council being held the following week need for more support for the Opposition. (1-2 March); which will focus on economic policy; Egypt preparation for international summits (G8 in May, G20 in June and the Rio plus 20 in June) and Serbia. The Council will reflect on the transition in Egypt, which is at a key point following parliamentary elections. i) Economic Policy Further progress on the elections is threatened by the Ministers will discuss economic and employment policies continued deterioration in the economy, crackdown on with an emphasis on green growth and on structural civil society and recent violence. We hope the Council reforms to increase competitiveness and create more will adopt conclusions that maintain the pressure for jobs, in line with the statement from the January progress and set out EU support for Egypt, once there informal European Council. That Council agreed to has been a fair and free transition to civilian rule. accelerate action on the digital single market and legislation that will strengthen further the single market; Serbia/Kosovo for instance in the services and energy sectors. We expect Ministers to discuss progress in the The statement of the January informal European EU-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. Council can be found at: This will be followed by a more in-depth discussion at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/ the GAC the following day, where member states will docs/pressdata/enyec/127599.pdf. consider whether to grant Serbia EU candidate status. In preparation for the March European Council, the The Government welcome progress made by Serbia and Prime Minister jointly wrote a letter with 11 other Kosovo in the dialogue so far, and urge both sides to EU member states to Herman Van Rompuy, President maintain a constructive engagement in the process. The of the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, Government urge Serbia to continue to make every President of the European Commission, to outline a effort to meet the requirements set out by the European plan for growth in Europe. I have placed copies of Council in December. The Government are also a strong this letter in the Libraries of both Houses. supporter of Kosovo’s EU future. There will also be a discussion on the reforms MEPP implemented under the European semester and the Over lunch, Ministers will be updated on contact Commission will announce their new recommendations between the Israelis and Palestinians, with an assessment for 2012. The UK specific recommendations for 2011 of the current state of Palestinian reconciliation talks. focused on addressing the fiscal deficit, housing benefit This discussion is not expected to lead to formal reform, encouraging financing, particularly for small conclusions—which are instead expected at the subsequent and medium-sized enterprises and measures to tackle FAC in March. unemployment. The UK specific recommendations can be found at: South Caucasus http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st11/ Ministers hope to discuss developments of the EU’s st11399-re01.en11.pdf. engagement in the south Caucasus since the last FAC ii) International Summits discussion in June 2010, when the Council agreed the Ministers will discuss the EU’s approach to the upcoming following conclusions: G8, G20 and Rio plus 20 conferences. The May G8 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms data/docs/ summit in Chicago will focus on political and global pressdata/EN/foraff/115147.pdf. issues. The June G20 summit in Mexico will focus on economics and finance and is expected to include We expect conclusions to be adopted covering the green growth. The June Rio plus 20 will cover green EU’s relationship with the three countries of the south growth in the context of sustainable development Caucasus, and covering efforts to achieve peaceful settlement and institutional reform. of the conflicts in the region. We believe the conclusions iii) Serbia should emphasise that forthcoming elections in the south Caucasus should meet internationally recognised The March European Council is expected to endorse democratic standards. the decision on Serbia reached at the General Affairs Council (please see link). Somalia Serbia My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to Ministers will be expected to make a decision, in the brief the Council on developments at the 23 February light of the discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council, London conference on Somalia. This may be followed on whether to grant Serbia candidate status. The discussion by further, concrete EU action to be agreed at the was deferred to this GAC from the December European March FAC. Council. The December European Council tasked the Council with examining and confirming whether Serbia Brazil/Mexico has continued to show credible commitment and made Baroness Ashton may brief on her recent visits to further progress in the dialogue, among other issues. Brazil and Mexico. Following this, there may be a short The December European Council conclusions can be discussion on the current state of the EU’s relationship found at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms with each of these emerging powers. data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/126714.pdf. 85WS Written Ministerial Statements23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 86WS

Bulgaria and Romania reduce poverty in the region through promoting sustainable We expect Council conclusions in relation to Bulgaria growth and good governance, in particular in Kyrgyzstan and Romania’s progress on the co-operation and verification and Tajikistan, and through building on the positive mechanism (CVM), a safeguard measure to monitor opportunities for regional development. progress for acceding states in the areas of freedom, Central Asia is equally important to our security security and justice. The Council is expected to welcome interests. We have a shared interest in regional stability the interim reports on the progress in Bulgaria and and in achieving a stable transition and secure future Romania under the CVM and acknowledge the continued for Afghanistan, which borders three of the central efforts by Bulgaria and Romania to meet the objectives Asian states. We welcome the constructive role the set under the mechanism. Further reports are expected central Asian states are already playing in helping secure in the summer of 2012 including the overall assessment Afghanistan’s long-term stability, including through of progress since accession of Bulgaria and Romania to infrastructure projects. We are keen to see them co-operate the EU in 2007. ever more closely with Afghanistan on such “connectivity” Lunch with Herman Van Rompuy projects and make their voices heard in regional dialogue. Following the GAC, Herman Van Rompuy will present, They can also play a key role in helping us support the over lunch, the latest progress on the intergovernmental International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and treaty. The intergovernmental treaty is expected to be UK forces in particular as we actively look for ways to signed in the margins of the March European Council improve our supply lines into and out of Afghanistan on 2 March. through the Northern Line of Communication. More broadly, we and the international community must engage with the central Asian states on a range of security Central Asia issues, including counter-narcotics and border security, conflict prevention and crisis management work, counter- radicalisation, and some aspects of defence reform and The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): Last co-operation, if we are to promote effectively wider year the countries of Central Asia celebrated the regional security and stability. Ministry of Defence 20th anniversary of their independence from the Soviet Ministers will be visiting the region shortly in support Union. 2012 marks two decades since the UK established of UK security goals. diplomatic relations with these countries. Underpinning our prosperity and security interests is The central Asian states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, our commitment to promote the UK’s core values in all Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—were in many our activities in the region. The central Asian states will respects dealt a difficult hand at independence. Their continue to face many challenges in this regard, and mixed record in responding to the challenge of several of them have a considerable way to go before independence over the past 20 years, in a resource-rich meeting their international commitments on human but unstable and landlocked region, reflects that. Active rights, democracy and the rule of law. We need to be and constructive UK engagement with these countries clear both in recognising their deficiencies in these areas remains essential. They constitute a region of growing and in voicing our related concerns. But we also believe importance for the UK’s prosperity and security interests. that, as in other parts of the world, the most effective We have a commitment to promoting the core values of way to address such concerns is through constructive rule of law, human rights and democracy that we hold engagement, both with Governments and civil society dear and that we regard as the best basis for future in the region. Promoting international standards, working stability and growth in this region. With our new embassy bilaterally and multilaterally to support the region as it in Bishkek opening in December 2011, we now have seeks to reform and, when necessary, robustly raising embassies in all five countries. our human rights concerns with the host Governments Central Asia’s scope for economic development is will remain at the heart of what we do. considerable. We must proactively pursue commercial opportunities and seek to unlock the region’s energy potential. The UK is already among the largest international investors in Kazakhstan, and we are rapidly developing HEALTH our trade relations elsewhere in the region: UK bilateral trade with central Asia in 2011 was more than double that in 2010, standing at some £1.1 billion by November. National Health Service Charges We want this trend to continue. We also give priority, bilaterally and with our EU partners, to the diversification of energy supplies—including through the development The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon of a southern corridor bringing gas from the Caspian Burns): Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly region via Turkey to the EU. Visits such as that by the to increase certain National health service charges in Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate England from 1 April 2012. Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) to Kazakhstan in September 2011 are There will be an increase in the prescription charge of a key component in supporting our prosperity goals. 25p from £7.40 to £7.65 for each quantity of a drug or We need more regular contacts of this kind with the appliance dispensed. region. The cost of a prescription prepayment certificate As another important element of the UK’s engagement, (PPC) will remain at £29.10 for a three-month certificate. the Department for International Development continues The cost of the annual certificate will remain at £104. to play an active role in the region. Their bilateral PPCs offer savings for those needing four or more programme, set at £14 million per year, is helping to items in three months or 14 or more items in one year. 87WS Written Ministerial Statements23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 88WS

Regulations will also be laid to increase NHS dental Optical voucher values from 1 April 2012 charges from 1 April 2012. The dental charge payable Type of optical appliance for a band 1 course of treatment will increase by 50p from £17 to £17.50. The dental charge for a band 2 course of treatment will increase by £1 from £47 to £48. E. Glasses with bifocal lenses: £64.20 The charge for a band 3 course of treatment will increase spherical power of ≤ 6 dioptres, cylindrical power of ≤ 2 by £5 from £204 to £209. dioptres. Dental charges represent an important contribution to the overall cost of dental services. The exact amount F. Glasses with bifocal lenses: £81.60 spherical power of > 6 dioptres but < 10 dioptres, cylindrical raised will be dependent upon the level and type of ≤ primary dental care services commissioned by primary power of 6 dioptres; spherical power of < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of > 2 care trusts and the proportion of charge-paying patients dioptres but ≤ 6 dioptres. who attend dentists and the level of treatment they require. G. Glasses with bifocal lenses: £105.80 Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and spherical power of ≥ 10 dioptres but ≤ 14 dioptres, cylindrical fabric supports supplied by hospitals will also be increased. power of 6 ≤ dioptres. The range of NHS optical vouchers available to children, people on low incomes and individuals with H. Glasses with prism-controlled bifocal lenses of any power £205.10 complex sight problems are also being increased in or with bifocal lenses: value. In order to continue to provide help with the cost spherical power of >14 dioptres with any cylindrical power; of spectacles and contact lenses, optical voucher values cylindrical power of > 6 dioptres with any spherical power. will rise by an overall 2.5%. Details of the revised charges are in the following I. (HES) Glasses not falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 8 £191.00 tables. for which a prescription is given in consequence of a testing NHS Charges - England of sight by an NHS Trust. New Charge (£)

Prescription charges Single item 7.65 3 month PPC 29.10 12 month PPC 104.00 Care Quality Commission

Dental Charges Band 1 course of treatment 17.50 The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): Band 2 course of treatment 48.00 I wish to inform the House that the Department is Band 3 course of treatment 209.00 today publishing the report of its performance and capability review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The review is intended to provide robust assurance to Wigs and Fabrics the public, the Department and Parliament that CQC is Surgical brassiere 25.70 improving its performance and that action will be taken Abdominal or spinal support 38.80 to build and sustain its capability for the future. Stock modacrylic wig 63.35 The review ran from October 2011 to February 2012, Partial human hair wig 167.85 and was led by a panel of senior departmental officials Full bespoke human hair wig 245.40 and external reviewers, chaired by the permanent secretary. The review gathered evidence from a range of external Optical voucher values from 1 April 2012 stakeholders and CQC staff. It also considered findings Type of optical appliance of the recent reports from the Health Select Committee and the National Audit Office. A. Glasses with single vision lenses: £37.10 spherical power of ≤ 6 dioptres, cylindrical power of ≤ 2 The review sets out recommendations to challenge dioptres. CQC and support its continuing improvement by providing clearer strategic direction, strengthening the CQC board B. Glasses with single vision lenses: £56.40 and developing and delivering the underlying regulatory spherical power of > 6 dioptres but < 10 dioptres, cylindrical model. These recommendations will be important to power of ≤ 6 dioptres; ensure that CQC builds and sustains its capability for spherical power of < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of > 2 the future. The review also recognises that the Department dioptres but ≤ 6 dioptres. has more to do as a sponsor and work is under way to strengthen accountability arrangements across all the C. Glasses with single vision lenses: £82.60 Department’s arm’s length bodies. spherical power of ≥ 10 dioptres but ≤ 14 dioptres, cylindrical I have today placed in the Library copies of a letters power of ≤ 6 dioptres. exchanged between the permanent secretary of the Department and the chair and chief executive of the D. Glasses with single vision lenses: £186.50 CQC, together with a copy of “Performance and Capability spherical power of >14 dioptres with any cylindrical power; Review: Care Quality Commission”. Copies are available cylindrical power of > 6 dioptres with any spherical power. to hon. Members from the Vote office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office. 89WS Written Ministerial Statements23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 90WS

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme and consider possible measures including the need for quotas. My hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk intervened to stress that the UK did not favour quotas. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Instead the UK preferred positive measures such as Burns): “The Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme— putting pressure on companies to set their own targets; 11th Report to Parliament” has been published today. requiring companies to disclose information on gender The Department published the first report on the balance; and making changes to training and mentoring. “Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme” (PPRS) in He further highlighted that the significant recent increase 1996 following a comment by the Health Committee in women on UK company boards proved that such that the “Department of Health should introduce greater measures work. transparency into the PPRS”. Since then, the Department The second debate was on the implementation of the has published a report to Parliament on the operation Europe 2020 strategy in the field of employment and and management of the scheme most years, the last social policy. It centred on a set of Council conclusions report being December 2009. This latest report covers on the joint employment report priorities for action. an update on the operation of the 2009 scheme, and Member states acknowledged the challenging economic other developments on PPRS since the last report. In and social climate and emphasised the importance of addition, an update has been provided on innovation tackling youth unemployment. My hon. Friend the provisions under the 2009 scheme, Government support Member for North Norfolk intervened to set out details for the life science industry and an update on international of the UK youth contract, which would provide nearly price comparisons. half a million work places for young people. He also emphasised the importance of removing barriers to A copy has been placed in the Library. Copies are participation in the labour market through welfare reform, available for hon. Members from the Vote office and for generating skills through apprenticeships and reducing noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office. burden on business through smart regulation. The Council also adopted conclusions on priorities for action in the areas of employment and social policies WORK AND PENSIONS and the joint employment report. My hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk abstained on behalf of the UK on parliamentary scrutiny grounds. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Under any other business the Commission stated that Affairs Council it had taken due note of the intention of nine member states including the UK to retain transitional arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian workers. The presidency The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions provided information on the preparation of the tripartite (Chris Grayling): The Employment, Social Policy, Health social summit. The Commission and presidency provided and Consumer Affairs Council met on 17 February information on preparation for the G20 meeting of 2012 in Brussels. The Under-Secretary of State for Labour and Employment Ministers; and on the Euro- Business, Innovation and Skills, my hon. Friend the Mediterranean employment and labour high level working Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), who is group. Finally, the Employment Committee and Social responsible for Employment Relations, Consumer and Protection Committee chairs provided information on Postal Affairs, represented the United Kingdom. their work programmes for 2012. There were two discussions at this Council. The first My statement of 9 February 2012 ahead of the was a debate on women on company boards. The Employment and Social Affairs Council referred to a Commission presented the economic case for greater discussion about proposals related to posting of workers. diversity on company boards and stated that progress That discussion was removed from the final Council to date was poor. It outlined its intention to take stock agenda.

11P Petitions23 FEBRUARY 2012 Petitions 12P

Communities and Local Government has undertaken a Petition number of steps to support the voluntary sector and community facilities. Thursday 23 February 2012 In September 2011, the Department issued new Best OBSERVATIONS Value guidance: a “fair deal”which cuts back unnecessary red tape on local authorities, while introducing new COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT requirements for councils to consult with local voluntary organisations on changes to funding and service. It will Park End Community Centre (Middlesbrough) also give the voluntary sector the opportunity to offer The Petition of residents of Park End, Middlesbrough, options for reshaping and improving local authority services. Declares that the Petitioners are concerned about the prospective closure of Park End Community Centre, The Community Right to Buy, being introduced through which recently received £102,000 in lottery grant funding the Localism Act 2011, will offer new rights for voluntary for a multi-games court, a skate park and a garden; that groups to protect community resources like leisure centres, the Petitioners believe that this is a much-treasured village halls and libraries. Groups will have the time community facility used regularly by residents of all they need to develop business plans and raise funds. ages and that the Petitioners are concerned that the This crucial breathing space will ensure that they are closure of the centre will also have a negative impact on not squeezed out of open market sales of valuable local staff and users of the nearby Park End Medical Centre. assets. We have extended funding for the Asset Transfer Unit by £1 million into 2011-12 enabling the unit to The Petitioners therefore request that the House of continue to offer practical support to communities who Commons urges the Government to ask Middlesborough want to take on public assets such as youth centres, Council to ensure that funding for Park End Community museums and former town halls for the benefit of local Centre remains in place and that the centre remains people. open. The Localism Act also introduces a Community Right And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tom to Challenge. Voluntary groups that have a track record Blenkinsop, Official Report, 14 December 2011; Vol. 537, of working with their community and delivering results c. 891.] will have the chance to show what they can do to run [P000989] and improve local services. The new right will put them Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities on the front foot when it comes to taking over a local and Local Government: service and has the potential to open up new funding The support for local community facilities is a matter streams. Middlesbrough can expect Formula Grant per for the local discretion of the council, in consultation head of £577 in 2012-13 compared to the national with local communities. However, the Department for average of £525.

883W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 884W Written Answers to Departmental Responsibilities Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Questions and Pensions with reference to his Department’s delivery plan, what milestones were not achieved in 2011; and whether there are any milestones he expects Thursday 23 February 2012 not to achieve in 2012. [94475]

Chris Grayling: All the milestones listed in the 2011-15 Department for Work and Pensions’ business plan are monitored on a continual basis and progress reports are WORK AND PENSIONS published each month on the Department’s website. The three milestones for which the Department missed implementation in 2011, along with the reasons for Departmental Data Protection having done so as appeared on the Department’s website, are as follows: Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for (i) action 3.1 (iii): Introduce jobseeker’s allowance for lone Work and Pensions how many cases of (a) data loss parents whose youngest child is 5 or over. and (b) breaches of confidentiality occurred in his Reason for missing implementation: Department in 2011. [95723] The introduction of this change is linked to the Welfare Reform Bill 2011 gaining Royal Assent. This Chris Grayling: The Department notifies the Information change cannot be introduced until two months after the Commissioner of more serious incidents involving data Bill gains Royal Assent. security, and publishes details of such cases in the (ii) action 4.7(ii): Publish the Government’s response to the annual Resource Accounts. No incidents were notified Green Paper on state pension reform. in the period from 1 January 2011 to 31 March 2011. Reason for missing implementation: Details of any cases that have arisen during the The Government’s consultation on options for reforming remainder of 2011 will be published in the Resource the state pension system for future pensioners ended on Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2012, after the June 24, 2011 and we published a summary of responses accounts have been finalised. on 27 July, 2011. We are continuing to consider the issue Less serious incidents that arise are managed locally, of state pension reform. Once a decision is taken we will and the details of these are not collated centrally. To do publish a White Paper and impact assessment as part of so would involve disproportionate cost. the usual process. (iii) action 6.2(ii): Reduce follow-on queries from 80 million automated letters issued each year. Departmental Procurement Reason for missing implementation: The Department has decided that there would be Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work little benefit in progressing the Transforming Letters and Pensions what proportion of the total value of project in a cost-effective way before the planned contracts issued or to be issued by his Department in introduction of universal credit. Although the underpinning 2011-12 have required successful organisations to put technology will be re-used in universal credit, the programme up a capital bond; and if he will make a statement. of changes between now and the introduction of the [94909] new benefit would be largely nugatory and the Department has decided, therefore, to close the project early. Final Chris Grayling: In the financial year 2011-12 to date, closure activities are now well-advanced and we expect the Department has not awarded any contracts where the project will terminate later this year. successful organisations have been required to put up a As of 31 January 2012, actions 3.1(iii) and 4.7(h) capital bond. For the remainder of the financial year, remain outstanding. there are no contracts in train where such a bond will be The Department is currently reviewing its commitments required. for 2012 and these are due to be published in its business plan in the spring. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which contracts his Department has E-mail tendered or will tender in 2011-12 which require successful organisations to have a capital bond of more Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Work than £5 million; which contracts have not required such and Pensions if he will take steps to encourage the use a bond; and if he will make a statement. [94925] of e-mail in preference to printed correspondence for communications between his Department and hon. Chris Grayling: In the financial year 2011-12 to date, Members. [94856] the Department has not tendered or awarded any contracts where successful organisations have been required to Chris Grayling: The Department will want to consider put up a capital bond of more than £5 million. For the this issue in the light of the views of hon. and right hon. remainder of the financial year, there are no contracts Members and having taken account of previous and in train where a capital bond of £5 million or more will existing experiments of the use of e-mail in preference be required. to printed correspondence. 885W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 886W

Employment and Support Allowance: Pensions benefits uprating exercise. Given its other priorities, in particular making work pay and the state of the public Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for finances, the Government considered that the disregard Work and Pensions for what reasons people in receipt remained set at a reasonable level and decided that it of contributory-based employment and support was not appropriate to increase it. allowance (ESA) receive a lower rate of ESA if they Farms: Accidents have saved for a pension. [94721] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Chris Grayling: Employment and support allowance and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number (ESA) is intended to provide a measure of income of accidents on farms in (a) England, (b) Cumbria replacement for sick and disabled people of working and (c) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in age. Where people have a significant personal pension each of the last five years. [95719] or have retired from their regular occupation with a significant occupational pension before reaching state Chris Grayling: HSE holds details of fatal and non-fatal pension age, we believe it is right to take some account injuries to workers (i.e. employees and the self-employed) of that pension income in deciding the amount of and members of the public on farms reported to it contributory benefit that they should receive. Before the under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous introduction of ESA, this was already a well-established Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). It should principle within other contribution-based benefits, such be noted however that the Labour Force Survey suggests as incapacity benefit and contributory jobseeker’s allowance. significant underreporting in this industry. In calculating entitlement to contributory ESA, the The details of injuries sustained to workers and members first £85 of any occupational and personal pension of the public recorded by HSE are set out in the income is disregarded, along with half of any excess. following tables. The data for 2010-11 is treated as The threshold is regularly reviewed as part of the annual provisional until April 2012.

England Workers Members of public Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total

2006-07 19 284 459 762 5 39 44 2007-08 27 336 514 877 1 46 47 2008-09 16 352 532 900 4 38 42 2009-10 28 393 524 945 3 61 64 2010-111 18 284 456 758 6 45 51 Total 108 1,649 2,485 4,242 19 229 248

Cumbria Workers Members of public Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total

2006-07 1 11 4 16 0 0 0 2007-08 3 8 6 17 0 0 0 2008-09 1 6 2 9000 2009-10 2 7 5 14 0 1 1 2010-111 26614022 Total 9 38 23 70 0 3 3

South Lakeland2 Workers Members of public Fatal Major Over 3 day Total Fatal Non-fatal Total

2006-07 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 2007-08 2 2 2 6 0 0 0 2008-09 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 2009-10 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 2010-111 1 113 011 Total5 8619011 1 Provisional. 2 The statistics cannot be broken down to the level of the Westmoreland and Lonsdale constituency.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work HSE also actively promotes health and safety on and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to farms through a programme of farming safety and improve safety on farms. [95721] health awareness days (SHADs) in England, Scotland and Wales. SHADs are half-day training events based on practical demonstrations of everyday hazards faced Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive by farmers, farming families and workers. The events (HSE) investigates reported fatal and selected non-fatal target family farmers, the self-employed and those injuries and complaints made about poor health and employing up to four people. safety practices on farms. 887W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 888W

Formally, HSE promotes health and safety in the industry Bill with the UN Conventions on the Rights of the through the work of its Agriculture Industry Advisory Child; and if he will make a statement. [92003] Committee. This committee provides a mechanism for bringing together and consulting with the industry and Maria Miller: The Government have considered the for helping to set priorities to promote the attitudinal and compatibility of the Bill with the UN Convention on cultural changes required if there is to be sustainable the Rights of the Child and are satisfied that the provisions improvement in the industry’s health and safety are compatible. performance. Over the past 12-15 months, HSE has specifically Universal Credit been working in partnership with the key industry stakeholders and, among other things, is supporting the Farm Industry Safety Partnerships led by the National Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Farmers Union (NFU) and the similar group in Wales Work and Pensions what plans he has to provide led by NFU Cymru. HSE is currently exploring the information on the different sections of universal credit scope for further partnership working in Scotland with which are being paid when it is paid as a single NFU Scotland and other stakeholders. These partnerships payment. [94729] are actively developing a range of activities and initiatives to promote health and safety through their respective Chris Grayling: As a result of feedback from expert memberships. users and claimants during development, UC payment screens have been designed to include a payment overview Jobcentre Plus: Training screen which displays the main components of UC and a detailed payment screen which shows a full payment breakdown. Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training programmes Jobcentre Plus staff undertake to ensure they remain qualified to offer (a) Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work careers and (b) benefits advice to job seekers. [94710] and Pensions what effect the introduction of universal credit will have on the income of people who receive Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus staff receive comprehensive disability living allowance and become councillors. learning which includes exploring all aspects connected [94738] with finding, getting and keeping a job—as required by current benefit regulations; this learning is frequently Chris Grayling: Disability living allowance (DLA) updated. With regard to offering careers advice to will be disregarded as income in the calculation of jobseekers, although Jobcentre Plus staff are experts in universal credit. Personal independence payment, which job search activities, for any in depth careers advice for will replace DLA, initially for people of working age jobseekers we work in partnership with the local careers (16 to 64) from 2013 will be treated in the same way. services who have staff fully qualified in careers advice. DLA and PIP will be separate benefits outside universal The learning for the advisory teams has recently been credit and will not be means tested. They will continue enhanced to cover benefit conditionality, a benefits to be paid to people both in and out of work. Allowances quick reference guide and other recent Government for councillors, less relevant expenses, are currently initiatives. The learning programme supports individuals treated as earnings in certain income-related benefits. in advising the jobseeker about benefit conditionality We are considering how best to take such earned income and expected roles and responsibilities. They can also into account under universal credit and work is ongoing. give jobseekers an idea of benefits and indicative income they would be entitled to if they started or increased Work Programme their hours of work by providing better calculations and encouraging jobseekers to use the online support Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for provided by the Benefit Adviser Service. Work and Pensions how many employer contacts his There are a number of supporting products and Department has made to confirm that a Work Programme guidance in place to assist advisers in providing advice participant has ceased to receive benefits since the inception to jobseekers. These products include a new Adviser of the Work Programme. [94683] Knowledge Hub, which is an easily accessible intranet platform, designed to bring together information and Chris Grayling: The Department will begin conducting intelligence about the labour market into one place. in work checks in relation to the Work Programme in There is also the Advisory Services Team Intranet site, April 2012. which is a key communication tool regularly used by Managers and Advisers to access key information and news updates relating to their work. Jobcentre Plus Work Programme: Scotland guidance for advisers is maintained by expert teams who review the guidance regularly to ensure it is up to Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work date and fit for purpose. and Pensions (1) which organisations participating in the Work Programme are providing work placements in UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child Scotland; [96142] (2) which organisations provide mandatory work Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work placements through Work Programme prime providers and Pensions what assessment he has made of the in Scotland; and where such organisations are based; compatibility of the provisions of the Welfare Reform [96144] 889W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 890W

(3) which organisations applied to provide mandatory Conservation of Seals Act 1970 work placements through the Work Programme in Scotland but were not engaged by the prime provider; and where Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for those organisations are based. [96145] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration her Department has given to replacing the Conservation Chris Grayling: The Work Programme is totally flexible of Seals Act 1970 with a Protection of Seals Act. to meet the needs of individuals, with no fixed or obligatory elements. Providers may offer work placements [95183] to meet the needs of some individual participants, but the Department does not hold details of individual Richard Benyon: The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 placements or organisations offering work placements in combination with other legislation is the appropriate as this is a commercial matter between providers and mechanism for protecting seals in England, as it strikes any interested organisations. the right and proportionate balance between the conservation of seal populations and the needs of those Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for impacted upon by individual problem seals. Work and Pensions which organisations have applied The Law Commission announced its 11th Programme to be mandatory work placement providers in of work on 19 July 2011. This includes a project to look Scotland; which organisations have been accepted; and at how wildlife management legislation, including the where those organisations are based. [96143] Conservation of Seals Act, can be reformed. This project will focus on reform of the enabling framework so Chris Grayling: The JHP Group, The Wise Group, regulation is more effective, rather than changing our Ingeus Deloitte, Reed and Atos all applied to be mandatory existing policy objectives. The Law Commission will work activity providers in Scotland. JHP were identified report its conclusions in February 2013. as the successful supplier. The head offices of the organisations are as follows: Marine Conservation Zones JHP Group–Coventry The Wise Group–Glasgow Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Ingeus Deloitte—London Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Reed in Partnership–Southwark answer of 28 November 2011, Official Report, columns Atos—London. 655-6W,on marine conservation zones, what discussions her Department has had with Natural England on funding for work related to marine conservation zones ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS from 1 April 2012; on what dates such discussions took place; and what additional resources will be provided by Common Fisheries Policy (a) her Department and (b) Natural England for carrying out seabed and habitat monitoring (i) from 1 April 2012 Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for and (ii) in the next three years. [95741] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries have European Partnership Agreements under the Richard Benyon: We continue to work closely with Common Fisheries Policy; and how much expenditure both Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation has been incurred under each agreement. [95732] Committee on all aspects of work related to the Richard Benyon: The following table sets out the EU development and designation of Marine Conservation fisheries partnership agreements currently in force and Zones. I have already announced that DEFRA will the annual financial contribution under each. provide approximately £3.5 million over the next three years for seabed and habitat monitoring. Discussions in Country Per year EU contribution (¤) relation to the full range of funding allocations and resources for Natural England and The Joint Nature Greenland 15,874,244 Conservation Committee, including for work on Marine Guinea Bissau 7,500,000 Conservation Zones, are ongoing and final decisions Mauritania 86,000,000 have not yet been taken. Cape-Verde 445,000 Ivory Coast 595,000 Roads: Litter Sao Tome and Principe 663,000 Comoros 390,000 Madagascar 1,197,000 Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she Mozambique 980,000 plans to hold a summit on roadside litter. [95927] Seychelles 5,600,000 Kiribati 478,400 Micronesia 559,000 Richard Benyon: In March, the Secretary of State for Solomon Islands 400,000 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), will In addition, the EU has a number of fisheries partnership host a meeting of representatives from the vehicle sector, agreements that have lapsed or are currently dormant including hirers, manufacturers, trade associations, retailers with Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, and others, to discuss the voluntary actions they can Mauritius and Senegal. The agreement with Morocco is take to help alleviate the problem of littering from currently suspended. vehicles. 891W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 892W

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION The contract for the hire and maintenance of the trees is with Plant Care. The annual payment for the Information and Communications Technology trees (excluding VAT, which is reclaimed), is as follows: Hire: £12,000 Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Upkeep: £20,486. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing This is a rolling contract with an annual renewal date the House of Commons Commission, what the value is in September. of the contract awarded by PICT to Hardcat to Plant Care has quoted a value of £6,600 per tree, support the audit of IT hardware on the parliamentary which includes the cost of purchase of the planters and estate. [96135] equipment. No independent valuation has been made. John Thurso: The value of the contract for the audit of IT hardware across both Houses of Parliament is £16,875. This includes visiting all locations and reconciling COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT the data collected with existing records. HomeSwap Direct Scheme

Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing Communities and Local Government what recent the House of Commons Commission, what assessment assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the PICT made of the ability of in-house staff to perform HomeSwap Direct scheme; and if he will make a statement. the audit of IT hardware on the parliamentary estate [95414] before awarding the contract to Hardcat. [96136] Grant Shapps: HomeSwap Direct increases opportunities John Thurso: PICT considered before awarding the for social tenants who wish to find a new home by contract which parts of the work could best be done by allowing tenants looking for a swap to see details of its own staff and which should be contracted out. The every possible property nationwide, no matter which audit is being conducted in part by parliamentary ICT mutual exchange website their landlord has chosen to staff. It has proved helpful in the past to have the subscribe to. The scheme has operated very successfully supplier of the database, in this case Hardcat, involved since its launch in October 2011 with tenants carrying in the data collection and reconciliation process to out over 280,000 searches of the property data held on address any issues that arise. The contractors employed HomeSwap Direct. specialise in this work and are able to complete the task quickly with minimal disruption. Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment Trees he has made of the effectiveness of the HomeSwap Direct scheme at screening out sub-letting of council and registered social landlord properties; and if he will Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, make a statement. [95415] Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) how many trees there are Grant Shapps: In addition to the Government’s current on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate; £20 million package to help landlords tackle social [96132] housing fraud, a consultation was launched on 11 January (2) how many trees on the Commons part of the that put forward proposals that would increase the parliamentary estate are (a) owned by the House and deterrent to tenants considering cheating the system, (b) rented; [96133] allow those who do cheat to be detected more easily and (3) what the monetary value is of the contract for punished more severely, and encourage social landlords rental of fig trees in Portcullis House; when that contract to take a more proactive approach to tackling tenancy ceases; and what estimate he has made of the current fraud. monetary value of the fig trees. [96134] The consultation runs until 4 April and can be found at: John Thurso: There are 145 trees on the Commons http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/ part of the parliamentary estate, as follows: 2064044.pdf Speakers Green—one mulberry tree and one ash tree HomeSwap Direct was launched in October 2011 to New Palace Yard—117 limes making up the Lime Arbour, allow social tenants who wish to move through a mutual eight catalpa trees exchange to see details of all possible properties nationwide. North Terrace next to Portcullis House—five olive trees It is the responsibility of landlords to check tenant 1 Canon Row—one small tree just inside the gate (shared records before approving an exchange. ownership with the Department of Health) The scheme has operated very successfully since its Portcullis House—12 fig trees. launch, with tenants carrying out over 280,000 searches Trees forming part of hedges or bushes have not been of the property data held on HomeSwap Direct. included in these figures. Procurement All the trees on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate are owned by the House, with the exception of Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the tree at 1 Canon Row (shared ownership) and the 12 Communities and Local Government how much was fig trees in Portcullis House, which are leased under spent on procuring products and services by each local contract from Plant Care. authority in 2010-11. [93491] 893W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 894W

Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the When trying to balance their bills, householders look House a table showing procurement expenditure in closely at where all their money is going, change suppliers, 2010-11 for each local authority in England. shop around and hunt out the bargains. Town halls This represents £61 billion of spending of taxpayers’ need to follow exactly the same advice. money. Ministers are clear that this is significant scope for major savings in local authority procurement, to Written Questions: Government Responses save taxpayers’ money, help pay off the deficit inherited from the last Administration, and support improved Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for frontline services. Communities and Local Government when he plans to My Department has been supporting the Local Productivity answer question 91633 tabled by the hon. Member for Programme developed by the local government sector and led by Leeds West on 20 January 2012 for answer on 25 January the Local Government Association. 2012. [96129] The Government are looking at ways to improve access to tenders and procurement opportunities to small and medium firms, including promoting greater use of Contract Finder; this is Robert Neill: Question 91633 was answered on a potential win to both British firms and local councils. 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 834W. The Government have been cutting unnecessary procurement red-tape, such as removing Pre-Qualification Questionnaires for procurements below £100,000; such requirements have previously discouraged small business from tendering opportunities. CABINET OFFICE Given councils a new general power of competence via the Localism Act, which will remove legal barriers to greater innovation Advisory Services and partnership working. More broadly, there are a series of practical steps that councils should be taking: Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) whether he plans to seek confirmation from embracing transparency on spending, tenders, contracts and the devolved Administrations in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland property assets, as required by the new “Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency”, and (c) Northern Ireland that the consequential funding from the Government’s allocation of funds to support introducing new checks and balances on Government Procurement not-for-profit free advice services has been used for Card and other corporate credit card spending, as recommended by Sir Philip Green’s report on government efficiency; over equivalent purposes; and which agencies have received 220 councils use Government Procurement Cards; that funding; [95752] undertaking data analysis of such transparency information to (2) whether his officials have held discussions with identify savings; officials from devolved Administrations in (a) Scotland, tackling procurement fraud, estimated by the National Fraud (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland on the distribution Authority to cost local government £855 million a year; of funding announced in November 2011 for not-for-profit free advice services in England. [95751] eliminating duplicate spending: research by Experian has estimated that councils could be losing a significant amount every year in duplicate payments; Mr Hurd: Cabinet Office agreed to oversee the increasing joint working and bulk buying, including the sharing administration of the English portion of the £20 million of back office services and senior staff; and only—£16.8 million for the Advice Services Fund (ASF). using electronic auctions, reducing multiple suppliers, negotiating Allocation of public expenditure between the services hard on contracts and promoting competition between suppliers. under the control of the devolved Administrations is for the devolved Administrations to determine. The Government are working to simplify EU legislation, however, it is clear that some councils have gold-plated EU Procurement Guidance. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much and what proportion of the funding Councils now need to change the way they think allocated to not-for-profit free advice services in about commissioning services. It is not necessarily about England had been distributed on the latest date for sticking to what they have always done but instead which figures are available; and to which agencies such asking the market to provide innovative and cost-effective funding has been allocated. [95753] ways to deliver the services that residents want. This will require a change of attitude in some councils: Mr Hurd: Big Fund, who is administering the prioritising local objectives above institutions; £16.8 million Advice Services Fund (ASF) grant on countering the “this is the way we have always done it” behalf of the Cabinet Office, sent out conditional offer approach and not being afraid to think differently; letters to successful applicants at the end of January. not using or blaming procurement rules to make the process Big Fund is currently carrying out appropriate checks slow and cumbersome; and on organisations; hence to date no money has been engaging with potential providers at earlier stage around the distributed. A final list of successful applicants will be design and delivery of solutions and building more long term published on the Big Fund website in March 2012. relationships. The Open Public Services White Paper and the growth Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet review called for public services to be open to a range of Office when consequential funds from the £20 million providers to drive lower costs, innovation, greater for not-for-profit free advice services were made available community involvement and offer new opportunities to to the devolved Administrations in (a) Scotland, (b) business. Wales and (c) Northern Ireland to draw down. [95754] 895W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 896W

Mr Hurd: Additional funding was made available to Mr Maude: Projects Leaders (Senior Responsible the devolved Administrations for 2011-12 in the 2011-12 Owners and Project Directors) of all of the Government’s supplementary estimates. Major Projects and Programmes are eligible to be considered for the Major Projects Leadership Academy. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the £3.2 million allocated to the devolved administrations as consequential funding Working Hours: Scotland for not-for-profit free advice services was made available to the (a) Welsh Assembly Government, (b) Scottish Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive. Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office [95755] what the average hours worked were by people employed in each (a) local authority area in Scotland and (b) Mr Hurd: The £3.2 million funding for not-for-profit parliamentary constituency in Scotland in each of the free advice services has been apportioned in the following last 12 months. [95773] way: Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the £ million responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Scotland 1.679 asked the authority to reply. Wales 0.967 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2012: Northern Ireland 0.553 As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Departmental Advisory Services what the average hours worked were by people employed in each (a) local authority area in Scotland and (b) Parliamentary constituency in Scotland in each of the last 12 months (95773). Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics on Office what progress has been made in his Department’s Average Hours Worked from the Annual Population Survey cross-government review of funding for the advice sector; (APS). Monthly estimates for the requested geographies are not and if he will make a statement. [95990] available from this source. As an alternative the following tables give the mean actual Mr Hurd: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I number of hours worked per worker per week for the geographies gave on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 596W. requested for the 12 month APS periods ending June 2010 and June 2011, the latest period for which figures are available. Senior Civil Servants: Training As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Mean hours worked per worker per week1 by local authority area in what estimate he has made of the cost to the public Scotland purse of the Major Projects Leadership Academy. 12 months ending: [95877] June 2010 June 2011 Aberdeen City 31.7 30.0 Mr Maude: Any investment in the Major Projects Aberdeenshire 32.7 32.1 Leadership Academy (MPLA) will in the long run, Angus 30.9 31.8 increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government’s Argyll and Bute 31.6 31.7 major projects, and will save taxpayers’ money. Scottish Borders, The 30.9 30.5 The project is still in its pilot phase. The overall cost Clackmannanshire 31.5 34.0 will depend on the final form. West Dunbartonshire 31.3 30.0 Dumfries and Galloway 31.3 32.4 Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Dundee City 30.8 29.1 which projects have been chosen and approved to participate East Ayrshire 30.1 32.3 in the Major Projects Leadership Academy. [95878] East Dunbartonshire 31.6 31.6 East Lothian 31.7 30.7 Mr Maude: Project Leaders (Senior Responsible Owners East Renfrewshire 32.0 32.4 and Project Directors) from each of the Major Projects Edinburgh, City of 32.4 31.5 and Programmes that make up the Government’s Major Falkirk 33.0 30.1 Projects Portfolio (GMPP), will be eligible to participate Fife 32.0 30.8 in the Major Projects Leadership Academy. The Academy Glasgow City 31.3 31.0 will ensure that, for the first time, proper rigorous training and support will be in place for major project Highland 31.4 30.1 leaders. Inverclyde 30.6 31.3 Midlothian 30.6 30.5 We are in the process of finalising the first cohort of Moray 33.2 32.1 25 project leaders for Phase One of the Academy roll North Ayrshire 30.6 31.4 out. North Lanarkshire 32.2 32.6 Orkney Islands 31.5 30.6 Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Perth and Kinross 32.4 32.0 how many civil servants will be eligible to apply to the Renfrewshire 30.7 30.1 Major Projects Leadership Academy. [95879] 897W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 898W

Mean hours worked per worker per week1 by parliamentary Mean hours worked per worker per week1 by parliamentary constituency in Scotland constituency in Scotland 12 months ending: 12 months ending: June 2010 June 2011 June 2010 June 2011

Aberdeen North 33.4 30.0 Paisley and Renfrewshire 31.8 30.7 Aberdeen South 30.9 30.5 North Airdrie and Shotts 32.6 33.2 Paisley and Renfrewshire 29.4 29.5 South Angus 31.4 32.2 Perth and North Perthshire 32.1 31.9 Argyll and Bute 31.6 31.7 Ross, Skye and Lochaber 30.6 30.1 Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 30.5 32.0 Rutherglen and Hamilton 30.6 30.3 Banff and Buchan 32.6 32.5 West Berwickshire, Roxburgh 31.2 30.8 Stirling 30.4 30.4 and Selkirk West Aberdeenshire and 32.6 30.7 Caithness, Sutherland and 30.8 29.3 Kincardine Easter Ross West Dunbartonshire 31.3 29.9 Central Ayrshire 31.5 30.7 1 Average actual hours worked per week in main and second job, Coatbridge, Chryston and 30.2 31.5 including paid and unpaid overtime, includes those who did not state Bellshill whether they work full or part-time. Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and 34.1 33.0 Source: Kirkintilloch Annual Population Survey Dumfries and Galloway 31.4 32.8 Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale 31.4 31.5 and Tweeddale HEALTH Dundee East 30.3 29.8 Dundee West 30.9 28.7 Accident and Emergency Departments: Waiting Lists Dunfermline and West Fife 32.0 31.3 East Dunbartonshire 30.9 31.2 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health East Kilbride, Strathaven 30.5 32.4 if he will publish waiting time data for the Accident and Lesmahagow and Emergency Department of Northwick Park East Lothian 31.7 30.7 Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [96237] East Renfrewshire 32.0 32.4 Edinburgh East 30.5 31.7 Mr Simon Burns: The Department publishes weekly Edinburgh North and 33.4 30.7 statistics for accident and emergency (A&E) activity at Leith national health service trust level on its website. The Edinburgh South 33.8 33.9 data for week ending 5 February 2012 can be accessed Edinburgh South West 31.9 30.5 at: Edinburgh West 32.3 31.4 www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/ Falkirk 32.5 29.7 Performancedataandstatistics/WeeklySituationReports/ Glasgow Central 30.0 33.2 index.htm Glasgow East 29.8 28.5 The NHS Information Centre also publishes data on Glasgow North 34.4 31.4 A&E clinical quality indicators at NHS trust level, Glasgow North East 32.1 29.1 drawn from A&E data within provisional Hospital Episode Glasgow North West 30.5 31.8 Statistics. Data relating to A&E attendances in September Glasgow South 32.8 32.2 2011 can be accessed at: Glasgow South West 28.8 29.3 www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/hospital-care/ accident-and-emergency-hospital-episode-statistics-hes Glenrothes 31.7 29.6 Gordon 31.9 32.2 Cardiovascular System: Health Services Inverclyde 30.6 31.3 Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch 32.1 30.5 Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Strathspey what steps he is taking to prevent acute myocardial Kilmarnock and Loudoun 30.5 31.7 infarction. [95750] Kirkcaldy and 29.1 30.0 Cowdenbeath Mr Simon Burns: The NHS Health Check programme Lanark and Hamilton East 32.6 30.7 is a national public health programme for people in Linlithgow and East 32.3 31.4 England aged 40 to 74. The purpose of the programme Falkirk is to identify an individual’s risk of heart disease, stroke, Livingston 32.5 32.4 kidney disease and diabetes, and for that risk to be Midlothian 30.6 30.5 managed through appropriate follow up. Moray 33.2 32.1 The programme is aimed at tackling inequalities. Motherwell and Wishaw 32.5 32.6 Primary care trusts are, therefore, commissioning Na h-Eileanan an Iar 27.5 36.3 programmes which aim to reach those who are not in North Ayrshire and Arran 30.4 31.5 touch with formal health care. North East Fife 35.2 32.0 Issues around the prevention of coronary heart disease Ochil and South Perthshire 32.2 33.2 will be considered as part of the development of the Orkney and Shetland 31.5 30.3 forthcoming Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy. 899W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 900W

Contraceptives rigour. It will be dedicated to providing impartial and objective advice, evidence and expert judgment and taking action based oh the best available evidence. Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2011, Official Upper tier and unitary local authorities will have a Report, column 541W,on contraceptives, (1) what elements duty to ensure plans are in place to protect their local his Department believes should be included in the populations from a range of threats to their health. commissioning of appropriate confidential, open-access Directors of public health in each upper tier and unitary sexual health services; [95372] local authority will be responsible for delivering this function. Working closely with Public Health England, (2) what his Department’s definition is of appropriate the director of public health will lead the response to a in relation to the commissioning of confidential, open-access local public health incident, keeping the local national sexual health services; [95373] health service emergency lead fully informed. (3) what criteria his Department plans that (a) Public Health England and (b) the Care Quality Commission Midwives will use to assess whether sexual health services being commissioned are appropriate to meet the needs of Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for their users. [95374] Health what proportion of the places commissioned for student midwives in the 2011-12 academic year were Paul Burstow: Subject to the passage of the Health filled. [95895] and Social Care Bill, there will be a small number of functions that local authorities (LAs) will be mandated Paul Burstow: The Department collects the number to commission. One of these functions will be appropriate of midwifery training commissions filled by students by access to sexual health services, including contraception. financial year, rather than academic year. Our intention is to mandate Las to provide open access The actual number of training commissions in 2011-12 contraception services, to ensure that there is reasonable will be collected after the end of the financial year and provision of all methods of contraception, and to ensure will be available by mid May 2012. that contraception is supplied free of charge. LAs will need to make decisions about how services should be However, at the beginning of the 2011-12, strategic provided in order to fulfil this mandate. These arrangements health authorities (SHAs) planned a total of 2,472 are similar to the requirements currently placed on midwifery training commissions. By the end of December primary care trusts. 2011, SHAs had commissioned 2,241 (90.7%) midwifery training places and forecast a further 226 (9.1%) places Public Health England will provide services, expertise, to be commissioned in the final quarter of the year. information and advice to LAs to help them to undertake This equates to a planned shortfall of just five (0.2%) both mandated and non-mandated functions. The Care midwifery training commissions against the initial SHA Quality Commission will continue to regulate any sexual plans. health services which are registered with the Commission because they are undertaking regulated activities. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the analysis of Infectious Diseases the midwifery workforce undertaken by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence; and if he will make a Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for statement. [95896] Health what steps Public Health England will take to track and monitor infectious diseases; what (a) role Paul Burstow: The Centre for Workforce Intelligence and (b) responsibilities directors of public health will will be starting this work in March 2012 and are not have in managing local outbreaks. [95926] expected to deliver their final report until autumn 2012. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Anne Milton: The public health White Paper, “Healthy Health whether he expects information on the numbers Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in of (a) midwives, (b) student midwives and (c) births, England”, published in November 2010, set out the currently published on a regional basis, in future to be Government’s ambitious programme to improve public published at the level of strategic health authority health. Subject to Parliament, from April 2013 the clusters. [95897] reforms will allow upper tier and unitary local authorities to take the lead for improving health and co-ordinating Paul Burstow: The number of student midwifery local efforts to protect the public’s health and well-being. commissions is collected by the Department as part of To support this new local leadership role, we intend the Multi-Professional Education and Training financial to establish a new executive agency, Public Health England. information management returns submitted by strategic Public Health England will bring together the wide health authorities and is in the public domain. It will be range of public health specialists and bodies into one aggregated to cluster level during the next financial year. integrated public health service. The numbers of births and midwives are not collected Public Health England will carry out nationwide and by the Department. The annual birth statistics are specialist functions for public health. This will include collected and published by the Office of National Statistics surveillance of infectious diseases, an expert function and the number of midwives is collected by the NHS currently carried out by the Health Protection Agency. Information Centre. We are not aware that either of Public Health England will build on the Health Protection these organisations have plans to change the way their Agency’s record in demonstrating scientific and analytical data are collated or published. 901W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 902W

Patients: Illegal Immigrants part of Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week, NCAT produced a health supplement for The Voice newspaper, Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health reaching more than 60,000 people of African and African which primary care trusts have a policy of not allowing Caribbean origin. The supplement had a full page dedicated illegal immigrants to register for treatment. [95866] to raising the awareness of prostate cancer, including key facts, symptoms and what to look for, and testing Mr Simon Burns: The Department is not aware of for prostate cancer. As part of the ‘Cancer does not any primary care trusts (PCTs) that have a policy of not discriminate’ initiative, community ambassadors are allowing illegal immigrants to register for treatment. working in partnership with the Spectrum Radio Network to produce two specific interviews on prostate cancer, We are aware that there is some confusion among which aired on London Bangla Radio for the Bangladeshi general practitioners (GPs) and PCTs regarding eligibility community and Radio Focus for the Ghanaian community. for people not living permanently in this country to NCAT has also set up The National BME Cancer access free national health service primary care. On 18 Voice, an initiative to provide a voice for BME patients, March 2011, the Government announced a further including prostate cancer patients, and their carers to review regarding charging foreign nationals for NHS improve cancer services. services that will include whether GP or other NHS services outside of hospitals should be charged for. The review will be thorough and consultative, and will take full account of NHS values, public health INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY needs and humanitarian obligations. We expect that STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE developed proposals will be ready for further consultation this year. Departmental Data Protection

Prostate Cancer: Health Services Mr David Davis: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, for Health what assessment he has made of progress how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) breaches of with the National Cancer Equality Initiative aimed at confidentiality occurred in the Independent Parliamentary improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer. Standards Authority in 2011. [95725] [96029] Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide Paul Burstow: The National Cancer Equality Initiative a response to this question by the named day. An (NCEI) is a partnership between the Government, the answer will be provided as soon as possible. national health service, professionals, patients, academics Departmental Meetings and the voluntary sector, aiming to improve outcomes by reducing inequalities and promoting equality for patients with all types of cancer. Sir Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent The NCEI has established a basket of equality metrics, Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the dates were which are being used nationally and locally to track of meetings between representatives of the Independent progress and lever improvements to cancer services. The Parliamentary Standards Authority and Government metrics have been disseminated through the Equalities Ministers since 1 September 2011; which Ministers were Portal: in attendance on each occasion; whether matters relating www.ncin.org.uk/equalities/ to the pensions of hon. Members were discussed at each which has a specific section on prostate cancer. meeting; what the outcome was of each meeting; what The NCEI is working with Macmillan Cancer Support other matters were discussed; and if he will publish the and Age UK on a £1 million programme to improve minutes taken of each meeting. [96194] cancer care for older people, which will help us to deliver improved outcomes by ensuring that older people’s Mr Charles Walker: It has not been possible to provide needs are properly assessed and met. Three of the five a response to this question by the named day. An pilot areas (Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network, answer will be provided as soon as possible. South East London Cancer Network, and Sussex Cancer Network) are looking at urological cancers, including prostate cancer. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE The Department, the National Cancer Action team (NCAT) and The Prostate Cancer Charity have worked Armed Forces: Housing with Newham Primary Care Trust and Newham University Hospital NHS Trust to pilot the Newham Prostate Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Drop-in Clinic. The community walk-in clinic Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the for men with prostate concerns was held at the Newham number of service family accommodation properties African-Caribbean Resource Centre, and a formal that will benefit from the Green Deal. [95846] evaluation will be published in due course. Under the umbrella of the NCEI, NCAT has undertaken Gregory Barker: DECC and Ministry of Defence a number of projects related to reducing inequalities for officials are working together to ensure that service men with prostate cancer as part of its black and family accommodation benefits from the high levels of minority ethnic (BME) programme. In July 2011, as energy efficiency which can be delivered by the Green 903W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 904W

Deal. However, accommodation for service families is Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for provided on a different basis to typical tenancy Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph arrangements and so officials are also investigating 2.4.34, page 55 of Planning our electric future: a White whether an adapted approach could be taken which Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, would be more suitable for service family accommodation. what progress he has made on structuring the emissions performance standard in a way that does not act as a British Antarctic Survey disincentive to investment in combined heat and power. [95820] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support his Department Charles Hendry: The Government remain committed gives to the British Antarctic Survey. [96264] to supporting the development of good quality combined heat and power. We are therefore giving careful consideration to the treatment of CHP under the Emissions Gregory Barker: DECC provided no funding for the Performance Standard. Following publication of the British Antarctic Survey. electricity market reform White Paper we have been discussing the detailed design of the instrument with Civil Nuclear Export Showcase stakeholders, and considering the different options, to ensure we avoid structuring the EPS in a way which Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy could act as a disincentive to investment in CHP. and Climate Change for what reason he authorised Her Majesty’s Chief Nuclear Inspector to attend the January Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012 Civil Nuclear Export Showcase organised by UK Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph Trade and Investment in partnership with the Nuclear 2.4.36, page 56 of Planning our electric future: a White Industry Association; and what the cost to his Department Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, was of the Chief Nuclear Inspector’s participation. what discussions he has had with the Scottish Environment [94673] Protection Agency on the administration of the emissions performance standard. [95821] Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. Charles Hendry: The electricity market reform White HM Chief Nuclear Inspector attended and addressed Paper stated the Government’s preference for the EPS the Showcase at the invitation of UK Trade and Investment. regime to apply across the UK as far as possible, taking His presentation provided a platform for the Chief appropriate account of the respective devolution settlements, Inspector to reinforce the importance of nuclear safety policy preferences and existing market arrangements and security as an issue at the heart of nuclear development across the devolved Administrations, and that the relevant work and explore the lessons learnt from the Fukushima environmental regulators would likely be best placed to event in March 2011. His travel and subsistence costs administer the mechanism. We are continuing to discuss associated with the event were approximately £300.00 this with the devolved Administrations in Scotland, which are recovered from charges to the nuclear industry Wales and Northern Ireland. though the Department for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive, in line with normal arrangements. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 30 Electricity of Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what progress he has made towards (a) generating 15 per cent. of the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for UK’s energy consumption from renewable energy sources Energy and Climate Change with reference to and (b) 10 per cent. of energy used by transport coming paragraph 2.4.29, page 54 of Planning our electric from renewable sources by 2020. [95823] future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, what assessment he has made of the options for implementing exemptions to the emissions performance Charles Hendry: In December 2011 we submitted our standard for carbon capture and storage demonstration first progress report to the European Commission, as plant. [95819] required under the renewable energy directive. This shows that at the end of 2010 (the latest data available) 3.3% of our energy came from renewable sources, and Charles Hendry: The Government confirmed in the that we are currently on track to meet our first interim electricity market reform White Paper, published on 12 target of 4.04% over 2011-121. July 2011, that exemptions to the EPS will apply to plant forming part of the UK Carbon Capture and In respect of progress made towards meeting the 10% Storage (CCS) Demonstration Programme, or befitting transport target in the RED, I refer the hon. Member to from European funding for commercial scale CCS. We the answers given to the hon. Member for Garston and have since been working with stakeholders to develop Halewood (Maria Eagle) by the Under-Secretary of the detail of key aspects of the implementation of the State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman proposed EPS regime, and we are considering the options Baker), on 20 December 2011, Official Report, on how to implement an exemption so that the EPS is column 1173W. set in a way which does not undermine the development 1 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable of CCS technology. _ener/renewable_ener.aspx 905W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 906W

Energy: Billing Gregory Barker: The Government published draft legislation alongside their consultation on 23 November Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011. It is available here: Energy and Climate Change what estimate his http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ Department has made of the number of households on green_deal/green deal.aspx social and discounted energy tariffs in (a) 2008-09, (b) Subject to Parliament, we expect to have the final 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [96231] legislation on the statute book by the summer recess.

Gregory Barker: In the 2008 Budget, the then Chancellor Members: Correspondence of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), announced an increase in Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for suppliers’ collective expenditure on their voluntary social Energy and Climate Change when he plans to respond programmes. to the letters of 22 November 2011 and 20 January 2012 Government requested that Ofgem set the parameters from the hon. Member for Weaver Vale concerning for what could be included by suppliers as part of this Mr Ronald Cox. [95863] spend on social initiatives and annually monitor suppliers’ progress against the voluntary commitment. Gregory Barker: I have now replied to my hon. Friend and apologised for the delay in doing so. This was due Ofgem have published the figures in annual reports to an administrative error. on suppliers social spend covering the years 2008-11. This includes the numbers of customer accounts on Meters social and discounted tariffs in Great Britain. By 31 March 2011, 1,029,332 customer accounts Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for were benefiting from social and discounted tariffs: Energy and Climate Change how many secondees from http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/ each energy supplier his Department has employed to CSR/Documents1/ work on the smart meter programme. [95875] Suppliers%20Social%20Spend%20report%202010-2011.pdf By 31 March 2010, 1,010,382 customer accounts Charles Hendry: None. were benefiting from social and discounted tariffs: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/ Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for CSR/Documents1/ Energy and Climate Change how many smart meters Monitoring%20Suppliers%20Social%20Spend%202009- he expects to have been installed by the end of 2019. 10.pdf [95885] By 31 March 2009, 1,004,470 customer accounts were benefiting from social tariffs: Charles Hendry: The Government estimate that around http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/ 30 million smart electricity meters and 23 million smart CSR/Documents1/ gas meters will be installed within this period. Monitoring_suppliers_social_spend_2008_09_final.pdf Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs Energy: Private Rented Housing Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made an assessment of the Government’s liability has made of the proportion of properties in the private for loss of income following the Court of Appeal ruling rented sector with an energy efficiency rating of (a) A, on its consultation on the feed-in tariff for solar PV. (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F and (g) G. [96000] [96233]

Gregory Barker: The most recent data showing private Gregory Barker: The Government do not accept that rented sector properties split by energy efficiency rating they have any such liability and have therefore not made is contained in the 2009 English Housing Survey, published such an assessment. in 2011. The relevant data are summarised as follows: Private rented sector Solar Power Percentage Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for A/B 1.2 Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his C 14.7 Department has made of the number of (a) jobs in the D 35.0 solar industry and (b) domestic installations undertaken E 38.6 if an Option A 13.6p tariff is adopted in (i) 2012-13, (ii) F 12.6 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15. [95666] G 5.8 Gregory Barker: The projected number of solar Green Deal Scheme photovoltaic (PV) installations under the different proposed tariff options are set out in Tables 15 and 18a of the Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for draft impact assessment published alongside phase 2A Energy and Climate Change what the publication of the consultation on feed-in tariffs. The impact assessment timetable is for the Green Deal and Energy Company does not separate out the number of domestic and Obligation statutory instruments. [96545] non-domestic installations. 907W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 908W

Annex B to the impact assessment sets out the The Warm Front budget for its final year, 2012-13, is methodology for estimating job numbers associated £100 million. From the end of 2012 the installation of with solar PV installations, and the estimated number energy efficiency measures will be provided through the of jobs under proposed Option B tariffs. As it explains, Green Deal and new Energy Company Obligation (ECO). the estimates are calculated as the number of full-time Part of the Energy Company Obligation will specifically equivalent jobs per installation, so can be applied to the be designed to provide “Affordable Warmth” to low number of installations projected under the other tariff income vulnerable households, through heating and options as well. insulation measures. The impact assessment published The draft impact assessment is available at: alongside the Green Deal and ECO consultation document www.decc.gov.uk/media/viewfile.ashx?filetype=4&filepath proposed a central estimate for the cost of ECO at =Consultations/fits-review/4320-feedin-tariffs-review-phase- £1.3 billion per year. The consultation document explained 2a-draft-impact-asses.pdf that we expect around 25% if this cost to be directed towards meeting the Affordable Warmth target. The Third Sector Green Deal programme has significant potential to create new jobs across the country, including the potential Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy to double the number of jobs in the insulation industry and Climate Change what steps his Department has alone, supporting at least 65,000 jobs by 2015. taken to implement the principles of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least Warm Home Discount Scheme three months’ notice to voluntary and community organisations and their service users when reducing or Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and Energy and Climate Change how many people in (a) community organisations and service users as early as the UK, (b) each local authority and (c) each possible before making a decision on the future of the parliamentary constituency received assistance under service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide the Warm Homes discount scheme in 2011-12. [96230] this service and the wider impact on the local community and (c) making provision for voluntary and community Gregory Barker: We estimate that around 2 million organisations and service users to put forward options low income and vulnerable households will receive support on how to reshape the service or project. [95789] under the Warm Home discount scheme in year one of the scheme (2011-12). The scheme applies in Great Gregory Barker: DECC does not have specific processes Britain. This will include around 660,000 of the poorest in place which implement the principles of the Best pensioners who will be assisted through the Core Group. Value Statutory Guidance. The obligations in relation The scheme represents an increase in supplier spending to the Best Value Statutory Guidance published by the this year of over 40% compared to final year of the Department for Communities and Local Government voluntary agreement. in September 2011, do not apply to central Government Further information on the number of households Departments or their Executive agencies, as this guidance assisted in GB will not be known until Ofgem have was designed specifically for local authorities. DECC conducted a review of suppliers’ spending after the end however, in common with other central Government of year one of the scheme. Departments, has signed up to the same fair standards set out in the guidance, through re-affirmed commitment Wind Power to the national Compact, which was renewed in December 2010. Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Warm Front Scheme Energy and Climate Change what mechanism his Department has put in place to measure the average levels of wind in the counties of England; and what Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for information his Department holds on the levels of Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has wind in Northamptonshire. [95703] had with Carillon on job losses in Hull resulting from the reduction (a) in funding to the Warm Front scheme Charles Hendry [holding answer 22 February 2012]: and (b) in the feed-in tariff for solar PV. [96447] The Department has no mechanism to monitor the Gregory Barker: I have had recent discussions with average levels of wind in the counties of England, and Carillion plc on a number of aspects of the Department’s does not monitor wind speeds in Northamptonshire. energy efficiency and fuel poverty policies. However, DECC does produce average wind speed figures for the UK as a whole, which is based on data from Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for 12 weather stations provided by the Met Office. This is Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made used to help provide context to DECC’s wind generation of the likely number of jobs which will be lost (a) in figures for the UK as a whole, rather than for use in the Hull region and (b) nationally as a result of the monitoring regional wind speeds. This table can be reduction in funding for the Warm Front scheme. found at: [96448] http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/ source/temperatures/temperatures.aspx Gregory Barker: I am aware of reports that Carillion DECC has funded a number of regional renewable Energy Services are restructuring Warm Front operations and low carbon capacity assessments, including covering which may have a particular impact on the Hull region. Northamptonshire, which will help local authorities Any such restructuring is a commercial decision for and developers to identify areas where renewable energy Carillion Energy Services, the Warm Front scheme manager. development could be accommodated. 909W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 910W

As the renewables obligation incentivises developers However, following recent changes to the value for actual electricity generation, it is in their best interest management process, the agency is reassessing options to bring forward projects in windiest and least constrained for the A49, including the provision of a pedestrian sites. crossing at Dorrington. Until the process is complete, the agency cannot guarantee the proposal will be prioritised for funding. TRANSPORT Cycling: Safety

Sustainable Transport Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with the Driving 13. Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Standards Agency on the Pass Plus Programme in Transport how much of the Local Sustainable Transport respect of the safety of cyclists; and if she will make a Fund will be spent on integrating rail services with statement. [95908] other modes of sustainable transport. [95961] Mike Penning: Pass Plus is a non-statutory, voluntary, Norman Baker: 19 of the 39 projects so far funded training scheme for newly qualified drivers that aims to through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund include improve their skills and experience. It prepares them for measures which will help integrate rail services with driving on different types of road (eg motorways which sustainable transport. I will announce further successful learners cannot use) and provide them with experience projects in the summer. In addition, on 7 February I of a number of different types of driving conditions. announced that the Cycle Rail Working Group will The Secretary of State for Transport has had no receive £7 million growth funding to introduce cycle-rail specific discussions with the Driving Standards Agency integration measures. on the Pass Plus Programme in respect of the safety of cyclists. Piracy Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 14. Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State what recent discussions she has with the Driving Standards for Transport what discussions she has had with Agency on (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in ministerial colleagues on measures to safeguard UK respect of the safety of cyclists. [95913] shipping against piracy. [95963] Mike Penning: We continue to consider how to improve Mike Penning: I sit on the ministerial working group driver training to ensure that learner drivers have the which leads the Government’s counter-piracy work and knowledge, skills and attitudes to be safe and responsible considers measures to safeguard British shipping from on our roads. The Secretary of State for Transport has, acts of piracy.This includes military operations, prosecution however, had no specific discussions with the Driving of pirates in neighbouring states, and the Government’s Standards Agency on (a) theory and (b) practical policy on the use of private armed guards, on which my driving tests in respect of the safety of cyclists. Every Department has led. driving theory test includes six questions relating to vulnerable road users, including cyclists, and the Highway Rail Schemes: Inward Investment Code includes strong advice to drivers on the need to give cyclists enough space. We have made the practical 15. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State driving test more realistic with candidates now needing for Transport what assessment she has made of the to show that they can interact safely with others on the likely effect on the planning of future rail schemes of road without detailed instruction from the examiner. inward investment in a given location. [95964] Departmental Data Protection Mrs Villiers: All rail investment is subject to the development of a business case which includes consideration Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for of the wider economic benefits which the scheme in Transport how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) question would bring. breaches of confidentiality occurred in her Department in 2011. [95726] A49: Shropshire Norman Baker: Central records show that during Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011 there were nine security incidents reported that Transport if she will ensure road safety measures to involved data loss. protect pedestrians crossing the road are put in place The Department central record does not contain a on the A49 in the village of Dorrington. [95864] category titled “breach of confidentiality”. Information on personal data security breaches (which Mike Penning: As part of a national target to reduce in some cases may give rise to a breach in confidentiality) injury collisions, the Highways Agency operates a value is published on an annual basis in the Department’s management process to target available resources to annual resource accounts. The Department’s 2011-12 areas of greatest need. accounts are expected to be published in the summer. Safety measures had previously been considered for Less serious incidents are managed locally and a central the A49 at Dorrington but, when compared against record is not held. To collate information on such other priority areas, the agency was unable to justify a incidents from across the Department and its agencies scheme at this location. would incur disproportionate cost. 911W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 912W

Additionally, all significant control weaknesses are £ included in the Statement of Internal Control which is Rank Largest payments 2009-10 Largest payments 2010-11 published within the annual resource accounts. 1 65,450 53,768 2 40,213 40,213 Departmental Pay 3 30,203 35,700 4 28,801 25,000 5 23,964 24,962 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 6 23,555 23,740 how much was paid to officials in her Department and 7 22,483 23,242 its non-departmental public bodies in (a) bonuses, (b) 8 21,624 22,890 allowances and (c) other payments additional to basic 9 21,529 22,886 salary in each of the last two years for which figures are 10 21,517 21,219 available; what categories of payment may be made to 11 21,305 21,179 officials in addition to basic salary; what the monetary 12 20,678 17,261 value is of each category of payment; and what the 13 20,441 16,381 monetary value was of the 20 largest such payments 14 19,208 15,521 made in each of the last two years. [89690] 15 18,794 15,000 16 18,612 14,810 17 17,833 14,408 Norman Baker: The amount paid to officials in the 18 16,407 13,966 Department for Transport, its seven executive agencies 19 16,400 13,663 and its non-departmental public bodies in non-consolidated 20 16,088 13,129 performance related payments, allowances and other payments additional to basic salary in the last two Driving Tests financial years is shown in the following table. The percentage of the overall Departmental pay bill these Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for figures represent are shown in brackets. Transport what progress she has made on the provision £/(%) of alternative driving test venues in areas that do not Non- have a conventional test centre. [95962] consolidated performance Mike Penning: Since May 2011, the Driving Standards Financial year payments Allowances Other payments Agency (DSA) has been conducting a pilot to introduce 2009-10 10,659,687(1.6) 20,918,035 (3.2) 16,182,358 (2.4) outreach driver testing services to areas where there is 2010-11 10,403,415 (1.6) 19,633,125 (3.0) 15,137,138 (2.3) significant demand but no existing test centre. The pilot is operational in eight locations with an additional Non-consolidated performance payments are made location due in early March. to employees for two reasons: in year payments to The agency is now considering how to extend the reward outstanding contributions in particularly demanding concept more widely. tasks or situations with small one-off payments, and East Anglia Railway Line performance related payments to reward highly successful performance over a whole appraisal year. These awards Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for help drive high performance in the organisation, have to Transport what discussions she has had with Network be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill Rail on the Norwich to London rail route. [95949] costs. Allowances are paid to assist in the recruitment and Dr Poulter: Ministers in the Department hold regular retention of employees in certain specialist posts. Allowances meetings with train operating companies and Network are also payable to employees who work shifts and some Rail to discuss operational performance. I have recently employees receive allowances instead of overtime payments met with operators and Network Rail to discuss such as private office employees. infrastructure preparations on the south section of the Great Eastern Mainline in preparation for the Olympic Overtime payments are primarily made to our front Games, and in particular the need for more resilience line employees including those who deliver a service to from the overhead lines. the public, such as driving examiners, and those in operational roles such transport security employees and M54: Snow and Ice accident investigators. Over 60% of employees in the Department for Transport Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for are either operational employees providing a front line Transport what steps she is taking to ensure the appropriate service to the public or specialist employees. amount of grit is spread on the M54 from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury in preparation for periods of cold weather. Information on categories of payment and the monetary [95870] values of each category can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The 20 largest such payments Mike Penning: Winter treatment of the motorway made in the last two financial years are shown in the and trunk road network, including the M54, is determined following table. These payments represent either non- by a framework of appropriate responses developed by consolidated performance related payments, annual the Highways Agency, from well-established research allowances or the annual value of overtime payments. and guidance into severe weather conditions. 913W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 914W

Regional severe weather plans are designed to manage to Network Rail or a train operator, so it is not possible the Highways Agency’s network during expected periods to identify how much compensation is attributable to of severe weather, and actions are informed by specialist each. Compensation paid covers all categories of delay—it road-based weather forecasts. Applications of rock salt is not possible to identify how much is attributable to or other treatments are applied according to both expected cable theft. and prevailing conditions. Each plan is reviewed annually, following liaison with Rescue Services other agencies such as the emergency services, to ensure it takes into account any lessons learnt during the Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for previous winter season. Transport what principal types of available search and Metals: Theft rescue units are required to be designated under section 2.1.11.4 of the international convention on maritime search and rescue. [96183] Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions officials in her Department Mike Penning: The following principal types were have had with (a) Network Rail and (b) British required to be designated: Boats, Aircraft, Ground Units Transport police on cable and metal theft; and if she and Supplementary Units. will make a statement. [95876] The following search and rescue units are designated Norman Baker: Both ministers and officials regularly as being available: discuss with both Network Rail and British Transport Boats/Vessels—short range coastal, long range sea going. police issues connected with the impact of metal theft Aircraft—Cessna 404 and 406, Sea King, AW139 and S92 and the measures to tackle it. helicopters. Ground Units—Coastguard shore search teams controlled by Network Rail: Compensation maritime rescue co-ordination centres. Supplementary Units—Offshore fire-fighting teams. Medical Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for teams may be available. Transport how much compensation was paid (a) to each train operator by Network Rail and (b) by each Roads train operator to passengers as a result of delays and cancellations directly attributable to cable theft in the latest period for which figures are available. [94367] Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effects Norman Baker: The information requested is not held on safety of using non-kitemarked plastic drainage by the Department. It is held by Network Rail. kerbs on motorways and highways; and whether she considers the CE designation a sufficient guarantee of The compensation regime is a contractual element safety in conformity with the Construction Products within the Track Access Agreement between Network Directive. [95993] Rail and each operator, and is overseen by the Office for Rail Regulation. Network Rail has provided the following Mike Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: ’Drainage information on the compensation paid to train operators channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas’ is a harmonised in 2010-11, broken down by Network Rail route: European Standard. This was prepared by a technical Network Rail breakdown by route 2010-11 committee drawn from member states of the European Route Compensation cost1 (£) Union, and with industry representation. The standard was accepted for use across Europe. Anglia 1,089,809 CTRL 7,251 The standard sets appropriate characteristics and East Midlands 282,473 performance requirements for combined drainage kerb Kent 417,950 products. These requirements must be satisfied to ensure LNE (London North Eastern) 3,531,416 that a product is compliant, and to allow a CE mark to be used. LNW (London North Western) 2,795,811 Scotland 254,825 There is no evidence to suggest that products correctly Sussex 30,081 certified in accordance with the standard are not appropriate Wessex 140,423 for use or are unsafe. Western 3,587,181 1 Compensation costs (known as schedule 8 costs) are paid to train Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for and freight operators for the disruption caused by the delay. This is a Transport what assessment she has made of the durability substantial part of the cost to the industry of cable theft but does not and flammability of plastic drainage kerbs without include the cost of staff time to repair and replace the cable, replacement kitemarks when used on running lanes of motorways cable itself and the cost of mitigation measures such as security and highways. [95994] patrols and investment in new technology. Note: The amount of compensation paid depends on the type of services Mike Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: ’Drainage delayed. channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas’ is the relevant The Department only holds information on standard against which to assess the performance of compensation payments to passengers for those train combined drainage kerb units. This standard was prepared operating companies which operate the delay/repay and agreed by a European standards committee with compensation system. Such compensation payments industry representation. It sets consistent technical are made regardless of whether the delay was attributed requirements across the European Union. 915W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 916W

Durability is classed as an essential requirement within Mike Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: ‘Drainage the standard for combined drainage kerb units. However, channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas’ is the relevant fire resistance or flammability is not listed as an essential standard against which to assess the performance of requirement in BS EN 1433 and therefore products do combined drainage kerb units. This standard was prepared not have to be assessed for this aspect, irrespective of and agreed by a European standards committee with the material used. Public Procurers may not impose industry representation. It sets consistent technical additional performance or test requirements for a particular requirements across the European Union. product material. Durability is classed as an essential requirement within Products which are certified as compliant with BS the standard for combined drainage kerb units. However EN 1433 have been assessed as appropriate for use on fire resistance or flammability is not listed as an essential highway schemes. requirement in BS EN 1433 and therefore products do not have to be assessed for this aspect, irrespective of the material used. Public procurers may not impose Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for additional performance or test requirements for a particular Transport what tests have been carried out on the safety product material. and durability of plastic drainage kerbs on running lanes on highways and motorways; whether the results Products which are certified as compliant with BS of these tests are published; and if not, if she will make EN 1433 have been assessed as appropriate for use on them publicly available. [95995] highway projects, including those used on ‘all lane running’ managed motorway schemes on the strategic road network. Mike Penning: British Standard BS EN 1433: ’Drainage channels for vehicular and pedestrian areas’ is the relevant Roads: Accidents standard against which to assess the performance of combined drainage kerb units. The conformity of a product against this standard is assessed by an accredited Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Notified Body. This is an independent organisation what estimate she has made of the number of accidents identified as appropriately qualified to assess performance in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) Cumbria and judged against the particular standard. Where a product (d) Westmorland and Londsdale constituency caused is made of a material such as plastic which is not by ice and snow in each of the last five years. [95720] explicitly covered by the standard then the Notified Body will decide if the standard can still be applied and Mike Penning: The number of reported personal if any additional testing is required. Appropriate tests injury road accidents where the road surface condition are then carried out by the Notified Body and if successful was recorded as snow, ice or frost and where ″slippery the manufacturer may apply a CE mark to their product. road (due to weather)″ was recorded as a contributory There is no requirement for a manufacturer to publish factor is given in the following table: the results of these tests. Number of accidents Public Procurers such as the Highways Agency may England North West also undertake testing to check conformity with the standard. Some testing has been undertaken by the 2006 1,129 193 Agency on plastic combined drainage kerbs. Subsequently 2007 1,461 193 requests for this testing information were received from 2008 2,37.0 333 other manufacturers under the Freedom of Information 2009 3,827 413 Act 2000. This was subjected to a Public Interest Test 2010 5,562 731 and considered under an exemption in Section 43 (2) of Note: the Act. The testing information was not released, as it Based on 2010 parliamentary boundaries. was assessed as prejudicial to commercial interests. Information relating to contributory factors are not available below regional level. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for The contributory factors reflect the reporting officer’s Transport if she will raise the attestation level of all opinion at the time of reporting and are not necessarily kerb drainage products on motorways to a level requiring the result of extensive investigation. Moreover it is kitemarking. [95996] recognised that subsequent inquires could lead to the reporting officer changing his opinion. It is important to note where some factors may have contributed to a Mike Penning: The level of attestation related to a cause of an accident it may be difficult for a police particular product standard is part of the mandate officer attending the scene after the accident has occurred drawn up by CEN, the European Committee for to identify these factors. Standardisation. An individual European member state cannot unilaterally raise or change the set level of Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for attestation. Transport what steps she is taking to reduce road casualties among people aged between 17 and 24 years; Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for and if she will make a statement. [96211] Transport what assessment is made of the durability and flammability of drainage kerbing where it is exposed Mike Penning: We recognise the higher risks posed by to increased damage and risk when used in managed younger and less experienced drivers and are taking motorway schemes allowing motorway running on hard steps to reduce these risks. However, I would also note shoulders. [95997] the improvements that have been made between 2007-10 917W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 918W with a 25% fall in all car driver ages killed and seriously of road accidents caused by drivers between 17 and 24 injured (KSIs) and a 35% reduction for 17 to 24-year-old years of age; what comparative assessment she has car drivers killed and seriously injured. made of these figures and the proportion of driving I have had a number of meetings with the driver licence holders accounted for by that age group; and if training and insurance industries to explore how we can she will make a statement. [96213] encourage and properly train people to become lifelong, safe and responsible drivers. We will examine a range of Mike Penning: Information that explicitly identifies proposals for consideration prior to formal consultation the cause of accidents is not held by the Department. later in 2012. However information on factors which, in the opinion of the reporting police officer at the time of attendance, We have already made improvements to the driving may have contributed to the accident is held by the test to help reduce casualties in this age group such as Department and are available from the following address: not publishing test routes or answers to theory test http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/road-accidents-and- questions and reducing the number of manoeuvres in safety-annual-report-2010 the practical test, so test routes can be opened out and The following table shows the number of reported be more representative of real driving. personal injury road accidents involving a motor vehicle driver, by driver age band, and the estimated rate of Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for involvement, for drivers within these age bands in Great Transport what estimate she has made of the proportion Britain for 2010.

Driver age (years) 17-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 +

Reported road accidents involving a motor 42,792 25,373 23,787 23,304 43,994 29,049 16,038 10,683 vehicle driver, in 2010 Estimated number of motor vehicle drivers 969 792 770 674 616 492 319 266 involved in a reported road accidents per 100,000 driving licence holders, in 2010 Proportion of individuals with a full or 12 9 9 10 21 17 14 10 provisional driving licence, accounted for by age group (percentage)

Transport: Finance In addition, the following rail schemes were announced as additions to the Regulatory Asset Base and will Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for continue to be dealt with according to the Office of Rail Transport which transport capital projects announced Regulation’s regulatory regime: in the Autumn Statement require funding beyond the Electrification of the Transpennine Express; current Spending Review period. [95956] East-West Rail Project; Fund to reduce disruption on rail network; Norman Baker: The following schemes announced in Railway improvements (winter resilience fund, bridge renewals the Autumn Statement on 29 November 2011, Official and Access for All). Report, columns 799-810, require some funding beyond 2014-15: Transport: Health Services A14 Kettering Bypass widening junctions 7-9; A45/46 Tollbar End improvement scheme; Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport A453 widening between Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands what recent representations she has received on the effect airport; of greater centralisation of health services on transport M6 Managed Motorway junctions 10a-3; links and the need to improve those links. [95992] M3 Managed Motorway junctions 2-4a; Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has M1/M6 intersection improvements; received no representations on the effect of greater New link road from M56 at Manchester airport to A6 south of centralisation of health services on transport links. Stockport; However, we continue to promote the importance of South Bristol Link Phases 1 and 2; accessibility planning in any decision making and encourage Lincoln Eastern Bypass; all public bodies to consider the carbon implications of Kingkerswell Bypass; their activities insofar as they relate to transport. Hucknall town centre improvement scheme; Evesham bridge maintenance; SCOTLAND Crewe Green Link Southern Section; Human Trafficking BRT Ashton Vale to Temple Meads (Bristol); A45 Westbound Bridge (Solihull). Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Two Managed Motorway schemes (M25 junctions 23 Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the to 27 and M1 junctions 39 to 42) were accelerated to be recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights brought forward for construction up to a year earlier Commission’s Inquiry into Human Trafficking in Scotland than previously planned, so reducing the funding required are fully considered by both the UK and Scottish beyond this spending review period. governments. [95529] 919W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 920W

David Mundell: The Government are considering the Mr Duncan: The Department for International findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Development (DFID) makes provision within its grant Inquiry into Human Trafficking in Scotland, in line agreements for a three month notice period, in writing, with the ongoing implementation of the Human Trafficking for any modification or termination of a grant. If the Strategy we launched in July 2011. developmental impact of a programme is assessed to be significantly impaired DFID seeks to consult with River Forth: Bridges organisations at the earliest opportunity to identify courses of actions to resolve and remedy the situation. Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Should termination be assessed as the best value option, Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish any remaining funds, other than those irrevocably government on spending on the Forth Replacement committed or agreed between DFID and the organisation Crossing and its potential effect on the steel industry in to be retained to finalise activities, will be returned to the UK. [95538] DFID and used for alternative development purposes.

David Mundell: As detailed in my earlier response to the hon. Member on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 459W,the Government recognise the contributions HOME DEPARTMENT that the Scottish steel industry makes to the UK and Scottish economy. As part of the Scotland Bill package, Antisocial Behaviour the Government brought forward pre-payments, a form of ’cash advance’ to 2011 to allow work on the Forth Replacement Crossing to begin. We have regular discussions Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the with Scottish Ministers on these issues and other matters Home Department which police forces are involved in of importance to the Scottish economy. The procurement testing the community trigger. [94136] process in relation to work on the crossing is a devolved matter within the remit of the Scottish Government, James Brokenshire: We are working with a number of Transport Scotland and their private sector contractors. leading community safety partnerships on plans for testing the community trigger. We will announce details of the pilots shortly. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Hotels Domestic Violence: Young People

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the International Development what the names are of the Home Department what perpetrator-focused programmes hotels used by his Department to provide accommodation her Department provides to help prevent domestic violence; for staff based abroad when visiting the UK. [96041] and whether any of these programmes are directed at teenagers. [95903] Mr Duncan: All travel arrangements including accommodation for the Department for International Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Development (DFID) staff are booked through the Department for Justice. central Government travel provider HRG (Hogg Robinson The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Group). has developed and delivers a range of offending behaviour The contract with HRG is based upon attaining the programmes, designed to address a diverse range of ″best fare of the day″ and this includes hotels. Under offending related needs. There are currently two community this agreement HRG will offer the hotels which are best based accredited domestic violence programmes in use value for money at the time of booking including in England and Wales: the Community Domestic Violence making full use of government negotiated rates under Programme (CDVP) and the Integrated Domestic Abuse the Government Hotel Programme (GHP). DFID does Programme (IDAP). Both programmes are targeted at not therefore maintain a list of hotels for use but will male offenders who are assessed as being of medium to use those which offer best value for money at the time of high risk of causing harm and have been fully implemented booking. in all 35 Probation trusts since 2006. Third Sector The Healthy Relationships Programme (HRP) in use in prisons is currently available in 12 prison sites. There Chris White: To ask the Secretary of State for are two versions of HRP—the moderate intensity International Development what steps his Department programme for men assessed as having a moderate has taken to implement the principles of the Best Value risk/moderate need profile and the high intensity programme Statutory Guidance in respect of (a) giving at least designed for high risk/high need offenders. three months’ notice to voluntary and community All of the programmes are targeted at men aged 18 organisations and their service users when reducing or and over. ending funding, (b) engaging with voluntary and community organisations and service users as early as possible before making a decision on the future of the Major Projects Leadership Academy service, any knock-on effects on assets used to provide this service and the wider impact on the local community Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home and (c) making provision for voluntary and community Department how many civil servants in her Department organisations and service users to put forward options will be attending the Major Projects Leadership Academy; on how to reshape the service or project. [95784] and what their roles are. [95880] 921W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 922W

Damian Green: Two civil servants for the Home Office Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for will be attending the first cohort of the Major Projects the Home Department whether the Government’s proposed Leadership Academy. They are both Senior Responsible amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment Officers (SROs) for Home Office projects which fall of Offenders Bill to prohibit cash payments to purchase within the Government Major Projects Portfolio. scrap metal and increase the fines for offences under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 will affect the sale of Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the precious metals. [94739] Home Department which of her Department’s projects have been chosen to participate in the Major Projects James Brokenshire: The Government’s proposed Leadership Academy. [95881] amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill will cover all metals that are processed Damian Green: Selection for inclusion in the Major by ’scrap metal dealers’ as defined by the Scrap Metal Projects Leadership Academy was primarily based upon Dealers Act 1964, which may include some precious the individual civil servant and their potential to deliver metals. current and future projects and programmes to a world-class standard, rather than the project they were responsible Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for the for. All potential candidates were drawn from the cadre Home Department how many instances of metal theft of expertise leading the Government Major Projects from public property occurred in (a) Gloucestershire, Portfolio in the Department. Final nominations were (b) South West England and (c) England in each of received from Permanent Secretaries. The two Home the last five years. [95854] Office civil servants chosen are Senior Responsible Officers (SRO) for the Emergency Services Mobile Communications James Brokenshire: The information requested is not Programme, and the Communications Capabilities available from the police recorded crime statistics held Development Programme. by the Home Office.

Marriage of Convenience Oil: Theft

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff Home Department what information her Department are working with the Church of England on the Sham holds on the incidence of theft of oil in (a) 2009, (b) Marriage Task Force. [95639] 2010 and (c) 2011. [94997] Damian Green: The UK Border Agency established Local Immigration Teams (LITs) to work with local James Brokenshire: The information requested is not partners, including the police, community leaders, local available at this level of detail from the Home Office authorities and other agencies in the enforcement of recorded crime statistics. our immigration laws. LITs work closely with the Church of England to provide advice and support and to investigate Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the and disrupt suspected sham marriages. Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce The work of each LIT reflects the needs of the the level of theft of oil from domestic and business individual communities that they serve and will vary properties; and if she will make a statement. [94998] depending on the location and facilities available. There are currently 48 LITs across the UK. A breakdown of James Brokenshire: Local crime is a matter for individual the number of staff working with the Church of England chief constables, and the introduction of Police and on tackling sham marriage abuse changes in each LIT Crime Commissioners in November will ensure that according to circumstances. police forces are responding to the priorities of local citizens and businesses. More widely, the Home Office is committed to working with retailers to reduce crimes Metals: Theft against business. We launched the Business Self Assessment Tool last year, which provides guidance to businesses to Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the make them more resilient and reduce their vulnerability Home Department when she expects to bring forward to criminals. proposals in respect of the House’s motion of 7 February 2012 on metal theft. [95049] Tourism James Brokenshire: The Home Office notes the Motion that was passed on 7 February. We are introducing a Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the coherent package of measures to tackle the growing Home Department what steps she is taking to facilitate problem of metal theft. We are boosting enforcement tourism to the UK from (a) China, (b) India, (c) through a £5 million national metal theft taskforce, and Brazil, (d) Russia and (e) other developing countries; the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my and if she will make a statement. [96212] right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), announced legislative measures to the House on Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has introduced 26 January that will significantly raise the penalties for a number of measures to assist visit visa applicants. rogue dealers and prohibit cash payments for scrap These include the publication of guidance leaflets in metal. We are considering options for further legislative Chinese, Hindi and Russian, as well as Arabic, Thai and measures. Turkish. 923W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 924W

There is a fast track service available at all Visa This includes compensating licensed users of channel Application Centres in Brazil (although Brazilian nationals 69, who had a legitimate expectation to be able to use do not require visas to visit the UK), India and Russia. that channel until 2018. A scheme was designed which The UK Border Agency is working to roll out the fast required users to surrender equipment in return for track service. compensation calculated according to the age and lifespan The UK is promoted as a tourist destination by HM of the equipment surrendered. Ofcom consulted on the Government. channel 69 funding scheme, including eligibility criteria and levels of funding, in August 2009. Visits Abroad: Public Expenditure The contribution to the cost of replacing equipment is based on the estimated cost to users having to invest Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the in new equipment before the end of 2012. This works Home Department how many overseas visits the UK out as roughly 55% of the cost of replacing the equipment Border Agency has conducted in the last 12 months; with an equivalent model. If users choose to modify and what the total cost to the public purse was of such rather than replace their equipment, the cost of the visits. [95882] modification will be paid—up to the amount that would have been paid as a contribution towards the replacement. Damian Green: This information is not held centrally The eligibility criteria and levels of funding were and could be collated only at disproportionate cost. agreed with Government. Her Majesty’s Treasury approved the overall budget of £45 million and provided the compensation funds which Ofcom is administering under CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT the scheme. Ofcom has to date disbursed a total of £27 million under this scheme. Mobile Phones: Telecommunications The funding scheme is now closed to new applicants. The scheme was open to licensed users and claimants Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, who could demonstrate that their business was strictly Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the limited to hiring out but not installing or operating the European Commission’s proposal for regulation of charges equipment on behalf of their customers (activities which for data roaming on public mobile communications would have required a wireless telegraphy licence). Hiring networks in Europe. [94765] companies which did not have a licence and could not demonstrate that they hired equipment only did not Mr Vaizey: The Department wants to see the third meet the eligibility criteria and were not entitled to roaming regulation successfully concluded in time for funding. implementation from 1 June this year. We want to see price caps at values that will continue to reduce roaming costs for consumers but at the same time provide sufficient incentive for new players to enter the market, therefore WOMEN AND EQUALITIES providing a sustainable competitive market place for Public Lavatories the future. Radio 7. Glyn Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to ensure adequate Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, provision of toilet facilities for women where public Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what estimate he has lavatories are provided. [95941] made of the cost to the public purse of compensating companies whose equipment is rendered obsolete following Lynne Featherstone: This is not a matter for central the relocation of users of radio channel 69; [96189] Government. However, local authorities which are planning (2) what instructions he has issued to ensure to provide public lavatories should, under the Equality adequate compensation is paid to companies whose Act 2010, have due regard to meeting the needs of equipment will be rendered obsolete by the relocation different relevant groups—in this case women, men, and disabled or elderly people. of users of radio channel 69; [96190] (3) what assessment he has made of the criteria for Sports Charter allowing compensation claims by companies whose equipment is rendered obsolete by the relocation of 8. Iain Stewart: To ask the Minister for Women and users of radio channel 69; [96191] Equalities what progress she has made on the (4) what assessment he has made of the effect of the implementation of the sports charter. [95942] relocation of users of the channel 69 radio frequency on businesses which hire microphone equipment; Lynne Featherstone: Since its launch last March, the [96192] charter on tackling homophobia and transphobia in (5) what arrangements he has made to compensate sport has received over 3,000 signatories, including from businesses which hire microphone equipment which over 30 different sporting bodies. will be rendered obsolete by the relocation of users of Signing the charter is the first step, and I am pleased radio channel 69. [96193] to say that the Football Association, one of the founding signatories of the charter have made their next step. Mr Vaizey: Ofcom, the independent regulator, is Earlier this week I attended the launch of their new responsible for clearing the 800 MHz band for release action plan to promote LGB&T at Wembley stadium. to the market to allow new services such as 4G mobile. This was discussed at Number 10 yesterday. 925W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 926W

Unemployment Bank Levy

9. Mr Bailey: To ask the Minister for Women and Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Equalities what steps she is taking to tackle women’s Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely unemployment. [95943] shortfall in receipts from the Bank Levy in 2011 and future years as part of his decision to increase the levy Lynne Featherstone: The Government are supporting from 1 January 2012. [94197] women to move into employment, including self- employment, through the Work programme and our Mr Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to the Bank Levy business mentoring scheme. Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) published by We are also improving careers advice and training, HM Revenue and Customs alongside the Chancellor’s and encouraging more women to enter into apprenticeships. autumn statement, available at: In addition, the action we are taking to increase www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/tiin637.pdf flexibility in the workplace and support with child care costs will help open up opportunities for women. Civil Servants: Pay International Women’s Day Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Lorraine Fullbrook: To ask the Minister for Women Exchequer (1) what his estimate is of the loss to the and Equalities what steps she is taking to support Exchequer through the use of tax avoidance devices, international women’s day. [95944] including personal service companies, by senior civil servants in the latest period for which figures are Lynne Featherstone: It is important that the UK available; [94822] marks International Women’s Day on 8 March and (2) what the salary range is of civil servants using tax celebrates the contribution that women make. avoidance devices, including personal service Next week, I will be attending the UN Commission companies; [94823] on the Status of Women summit in New York to discuss ways the global community can advance women’s equality. (3) what his estimate is of the loss to the Exchequer through the use of tax avoidance devices, including I will also participate in other events to mark the day personal service companies, by the Chief Executive of and I know that many of my colleagues in other the Student Loans Company; and what his calculation Departments will do the same. is of the balance of advantage from the arrangement. Departmental Data Protection [94824]

Mr David Davis: To ask the Minister for Women and Danny Alexander: The Government are committed to Equalities how many cases of (a) data loss and (b) tackling all forms of tax avoidance and do not believe breaches of confidentiality occurred in the that tax avoidance is appropriate in the public sector. Government Equalities Office in 2011. [95724] I have announced a review of public sector appointments to examine the extent to which use is made of arrangements Lynne Featherstone: Since 1 April 2011, the Government whereby the tax position of appointees can be perceived Equalities Office (GEO) has been part of the Home to be minimised, including where they are paid through Office. Figures on reported data losses and confidentiality a personal service company, and to make appropriate breaches for the Home Office covering the period 1 recommendations. April 2011 to 31 March 2012 are due to be published in Once this review is complete, the Government will be Q2 2012. able to make a better estimate of the scale of these Between January and March 2011, the GEO was a arrangements. However, given taxpayer confidentiality, separate Government Department. During this period it will not be possible to estimate the Exchequer impact. it was not the subject of any data losses or confidentiality breaches. Commission on Devolution in Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the TREASURY Exchequer whether he plans to submit evidence to the Animation and Research: Meetings Commission on Devolution in Wales relating to (a) Part 1 of the Commission’s terms of reference and (b) Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer any other matters. [96002] what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the Danny Alexander: The Government do not intend to animation industry in the last 12 months. [95657] submit evidence to the Commission’s review of Devolution in Wales. We have provided the Commission with technical Miss Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials information and will continue to do so. have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in The Secretary of State for Wales, the right hon. the public and private sectors as part of the process of Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), policy development and delivery. and I recently wrote to the Commission on this issue. The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings This letter can be found on the Commission’s website: with external organisations, available at: http://commissionondevolutioninwales.independent.gov.uk/ http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm files/2012/02/HMGovernment-English.pdf 927W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 928W

Departmental Work Experience Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely what work experience or traineeship schemes his effect on women’s motor insurance premiums of the Department offers to minority groups. [92749] European Court of Justice ruling on the consideration of gender in the determination of premiums. [95945] Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury participates in the Civil Service Whitehall Internship Scheme. This scheme Mr Hoban: The Treasury issued a consultation document is coordinated across Whitehall by the Department for in December 2011 setting out the Government’s response Work and Pensions (DWP) and offers internships and to the European Court of Justice ruling. This included work experience to minority groups. an impact assessment outlining the likely effect of the judgment on male and female policyholders in different All opportunities on the Civil Service Whitehall lines of insurance. The consultation document can be Internship Scheme have an open and transparent found on the Treasury’s website: application process. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/condoc_insurance_benefits _and_premiums.pdf Employment In the field of motor insurance, premiums for men and women currently differ quite considerably owing to the fact that men are far more likely to suffer death or Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer serious injury when driving than women. The differing if he will estimate the number of jobs which will be cost of claims brought about as a result is reflected in created by each of the supply-side measures contained the respective premiums charged to the different genders. in The Plan for Growth in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, The European Court of Justice ruling will, from (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15. [96043] December 2012 onwards, prohibit insurers from pricing insurance premiums differently for men and women to reflect their respective risks. Instead insurance policies Miss Chloe Smith: The Office for Budget Responsibility will need to be priced neutrally. As a result female (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic drivers, particularly those in younger age groups will and fiscal forecasts. incur higher premiums to subsidise the risks posed by The OBR published its forecast for employment in their male counterparts. We have estimated that women November 2011, taking full account of policy may see up to a 24% increase in their motor insurance announcements. The OBR forecasts that total employment premiums. will increase by around 1 million between the start of 2011 and the start of 2017. Within this, market sector National Insurance employment is expected to increase by around 1.7 million, offsetting a total reduction in general government Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the employment of around 710,000. Exchequer how many businesses have taken part in the The Government are implementing a wide reaching Government’s regional national insurance holiday. programme of structural reforms. Work has started on [96138] all 137 commitments in “The Plan for Growth” and substantial progress has been made. Building on this, Mr Gauke: As of 16 February 2012, HMRC has the Government announced further action in the autumn received 12,827 successful applications for the regional statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns national insurance holiday. 799-810, to accelerate their supply side reforms to invest in infrastructure, support enterprise and build a stronger Public Expenditure: Devolution and more balanced economy. Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any increased private sector involvement in the Gift Aid: Sports NHS as a result of the implementation of the provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill will affect the level of Paul Maynard: To ask the Chancellor of the funding paid to Scotland under the Barnett formula. Exchequer (1) if he will consider amending the terms of [95676] the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme to allow clubs to claim Gift Aid on (a) corporate donations and Danny Alexander: The provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill will not affect the level of funding paid (b) junior subscription fees; [95890] to Scotland under the Barnett formula. (2) if he will consider amending the terms of the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme to allow Public Sector: Pay clubs to de-register if they can demonstrate that membership is no longer of benefit to them. [95891] Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Miss Chloe Smith: All taxes and reliefs are kept under Report, column 1158W, on public sector: pay, what review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor consideration he has given to a flat rate payment to of the Exchequer as part of the Budget process. public sector workers earning less than £21,000. [94456] 929W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 930W

Danny Alexander: At the June 2010 Budget, the Danny Alexander: In May 2010, it was announced Government announced that there would be a two-year that I would be required to sign-off the salaries of any pay freeze for those earning the full-time equivalent of individuals earning over £142,500, in areas under ministerial £21,000 or above. Those earning less than the full-time control. equivalent of £21,000 would be paid a minimum of In December 2010 I was asked to consider the salary £250 in these years. This policy is now being implemented of the chief executive of the Student Loans Company, in the workforces in which Ministers control pay. when his appointment was agreed for a two-year fixed At the autumn statement, the Government announced term, following his previous appointment as interim that public sector pay awards will average at 1% for the chief executive. I agreed to a salary at a rate reduced two years following the pay freeze. The precise award from that which had applied to the interim appointment. given to employees will be determined according to the The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury was not consulted normal paysetting processes for each workforce—for as part of this process. example after consulting the independent pay review I was not asked to sign off the terms of the salary—and bodies. was not made aware of any potential tax benefit to the individual. Since it came to light that an appointment Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been made which could be perceived as seeking to how many public sector jobs with a salary over £142,500 minimise tax payments, I have announced an urgent the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has approved in the review of senior public sector appointments, to ascertain last year; and what the (a) job description is and (b) the extent to which such arrangements are used and to total salary is for each such job. [94602] make appropriate recommendations. The Government do not believe that tax avoidance is appropriate in the public sector, and the use of tax Danny Alexander: Since May 2010, I have been asked avoidance devices is already expressly forbidden in to approve the remuneration packages of 189 individuals “Managing Public Money”—the guidance for public earning more than £142,500. spending against which Departments are audited. It would not be appropriate to reveal the details of discussions around individual salaries. Sustainable Transport However, the Cabinet Office publishes annually the Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the data of senior officials in Departments, agencies and Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial NDPBs earning over £150,000. The latest data was statement of 7 February 2012, Official Report, column provided on 2 August 2011 and is available on the 14WS, on sustainable transport, whether there will be a Cabinet Office website at: Barnett consequential to the devolved Administrations http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/senior-civil- arising from the funding in the announcement. [95082] servants-high-earners-salaries There are 291 individuals in the 2011 list compared to Danny Alexander: The funding for these programmes 345 in the 2010 disclosure. is being met from within existing resources. Therefore there will be no Barnett consequentials arising from the There was a previous postholder for comparison in funding which is being provided to Sustrans and the only 83 of these cases, as you have cited in the House of Cycle Rail Working Group. Commons. The pay signed off was equal or lower than the previous postholder in 45 instances, saving Tax Avoidance: Pay approximately £1 million. Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by HM Revenue and Student Loans Company: Pay Customs to ensure that remuneration payments for individuals are not made to companies set up solely to minimise income tax liabilities. [96128] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the principal elements were of the Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs bought in the proposed remuneration package for the Chief Executive intermediaries legislation, commonly known as IR35, of the Student Loans Company that were taken into in April 2000. This legislation means that where the consideration by Ministers in his Department before individual would be engaged on employment terms if it the package was approved; [94588] was not for the company; then the company must make (2) when he first learnt of the proposed arrangements payments for the employer NICs as well as the employee for remunerating the Chief Executive of the Student NICs and PAYE. Loans Company; [94589] Third Sector (3) when the Permanent Secretary of his Department first learnt of the proposed arrangements for Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer remunerating the Chief Executive of the Student what contribution his Department is making to Loans Company; [94590] implementation of the Compact with the voluntary (4) when Ministers in his Department approved the sector; and if he will make a statement. [92278] remuneration package for the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company, whether officials drew to Miss Chloe Smith: HM Treasury, along with all central their attention the implications for income tax and Government Departments and NDPBs, signed up to national insurance receipts. [94591] the renewed Compact published in December 2010. 931W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 932W

The Compact is a voluntary agreement that sets out Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for shared principles for effective partnership working between Defence what role his Department foresees for UK the Government and voluntary and civil society defence equipment manufacturers in the implementation organisations in England. of the planned expenditure of (a) NATO and (b) US Although HMT is not a delivery Department, and funds designated for the purchase and provision of (i) the focus of our role is ensuring that Departments military equipment and (ii) training packages for the deliver on the Government’s objectives and provide Afghan National Security Forces after 2014. [95595] value for money in the delivery of services, we do engage with sector on a range of issues, including social Nick Harvey: Work that will determine the future size finance and, working with HMRC, charity tax. and shape of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is ongoing. In tandem, detailed planning is VAT: Business under way that will set out how the forces will be funded beyond 2014. Consequently it is too early to give an assessment of the prospective role that UK defence Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the manufacturers may have in equipping and training the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made ANSF beyond this date. of the effect of the rise in VAT in January 2012 on small businesses. [96137] The ANSF are on target to reach their maximum “surge” size of 352,000 by November 2012, and are Mr Gauke: There was no increase in VAT in January being equipped to support that number. Beyond 2014 2012. the focus will be on sustainment and NATO is giving increasing emphasis to the enabling functions necessary to ensure the self sufficiency of the forces as they get VAT: Housing ready to take full responsibility for security across the country. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the The commissioning of equipment for the ANSF after Exchequer if his Department will consider the case for 2014 will be a decision for the Afghans themselves, a one-year cut in VAT to five per cent. on home though we hope that there will always be a place for UK improvements. [96139] industry to apply to support them. Mr Gauke: The Government keep all tax policies under review, and any changes are announced by the Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Chancellor as part of the Budget process. Defence what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of the stock of UK military equipment in Afghanistan which is (a) suitable and (b) unsuitable for use by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF); what assessment DEFENCE he has made of whether UK equipment is (i) economic and (ii) uneconomic for (A) return to the UK and (B) gifting to the ANSF; who will operate complex military Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations systems required for post-2014 operations in Afghanistan; what research and development his Department is Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for commissioning from UK defence companies for alternative Defence what potential gaps his Department has military systems for use by the ANSF after the withdrawal identified in Afghan National Security Forces’ post- of specialist International Security Assistance Force 2014 capability with particular reference to counter- operators; and if he will make a statement. [95597] improvised explosive device technology. [95594] Nick Harvey: In accordance with transition, the NATO Nick Harvey: Developing the Afghan National Security Training Mission Afghanistan is providing training to Forces (ANSF) is a key part of our counter-insurgency the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure strategy. They have an essential role to play in providing that they are appropriately equipped and ready to assume both security and governance in Afghanistan. full security responsibility across the country by the end The training of the ANSF is a NATO-led process of 2014. While some international forces will remain in conducted through the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan beyond this date (to provide further training Afghanistan. NATO supports ISAF to ensure that the and support), the ANSF will be responsible for operating ANSF are capable of providing security across Afghanistan and sustaining their own equipment. The commissioning by the end of 2014. This includes training to develop of equipment for the ANSF after 2014 will be a decision the Afghan Counter—Improvised Explosive Device for the Afghan Government. However, we hope that capability so that they will be able to meet any remaining there will be a place for UK industry to support them. IED threat by 2015. Work on managing the recovery of UK equipment is Both the Afghan Ministry of Defence and the Ministry under way. However, it is too early to state what equipment of the Interior have Counter-Improvised Explosive Device we plan to retain and whether any will be gifted to the departments. A number of training courses are offered Afghans. We are conscious that uncoordinated gifting to their personnel ranging from a 13-week Explosive could put ANSF sustainability at risk; the underlying Ordnance Device course to a four-week Explosive Hazard requirement is that all gifted equipment is sustainable in Reductions course. Training to build the Afghan’s Counter- terms of cost of ownership, support and enduring Improvised Explosive Device capability is progressing training. Our approach on gifting will, therefore, be in step with the transition timetable. co-ordinated with that of NATO and ISAF. Decisions 933W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 934W will be made on a case-by-case basis using the principles (2) whether an evaluation was conducted of the of operational priority and value for money to the UK restructuring of Ministry of Defence Logistics, taxpayer. Bicester in 2008. [95177]

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Peter Luff: The restructuring of the former Defence Defence what recent assessment he has made of Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA), of which the potential vulnerability of UK military training Logistic Services Bicester was a part, was considered personnel to insurgent attack following the withdrawal under the Future Defence Supply Chain Initiative (FDSCi). of UK combat forces, with reference to the proposed In November 2009, Defence Equipment & Support training academy for Afghan National Security Forces (DE&S) published a FDSCi Value for Money Post-Project officers. [95598] Review and Lessons Learnt report. This assessed the financial savings to the agency as being £31 million per Nick Harvey: UK and international forces are helping year in 2005-06, rising to £46 million per year by the end to build the strength and capability of the Afghan of 2009-10. These figures were not presented on a National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure that they site-by-site basis and savings from the FDSCi initiative are ready to accept full security responsibility across that can be directly attributed to Logistic Services Bicester Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Progress continues to are not available. be made in building the force: they are deploying in In August 2010, DSDA relinquished its agency status formed units; carrying out their own operations; and and its responsibilities were absorbed into DE&S, its planning complex security arrangements. They have parent organisation. responded to a series of high-profile attacks promptly, professionally and increasingly independent of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) support. After 2014, MOD Bicester: Large Goods Vehicles UK troops will continue to support the ANSF by providing training at the new Afghan National Army Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Officer Academy. We will continue to work with other (1) what the total mileage covered by his Department’s ISAF nations and the Afghan Government to ensure trucks from MOD Bicester was in each year since 2005; that necessary force protection measures are in place for [95476] UK military personnel. (2) how many miles were driven by drivers from (a) Palletways, (b) couriers, (c) hauliers and (d) other British Antarctic Survey non-Ministry of Defence organisations using MOD Logistics Bicester in each year between 2005 and 2010; Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for [95450] Defence what support his Department gives to the (3) how many drops his Department’s trucks using British Antarctic Survey. [96263] MOD Bicester made in each year between 2005 and 2010; [95451] Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence provides a (4) what proportion of the miles driven by drivers on range of logistic support to the British Antarctic Survey behalf of MOD Logistics were driven south of (BAS). BAS utilises the Falkland Islands military airbridge Northampton in each of the last three years; [95452] and has access to East Cove Military Port in the Falkland Islands for water, fuel and other stores. BAS is charged (5) what the cost of MOD Bicester Logistics staff for use of the airbridge and for stores provided. Royal drivers was in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09 Navy vessels deployed to the South Atlantic make and (d) 2009-10; [95453] regular port calls to BAS bases on South Georgia. The (6) what the total tonnage of supplies transported by Royal Navy ice patrol vessel which is present in the Ministry of Defence Bicester was in each year since region throughout the austral summer provides some 2005. [95593] logistical support to BAS assets in Antarctica. Peter Luff: Information about the mileage and number Falkland Islands: Armed Forces of deliveries made by Ministry of Defence (MOD) owned road vehicles based at Logistic Services Bicester Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence is not held centrally and could be provided only at what plans he has to deploy armed forces to the disproportionate cost. Falklands; and if he will make a statement. [95738] Information on the cost of drivers employed by the MOD at Logistic Services Bicester is not available in the Nick Harvey [holding answer 22 February 2012]: I format requested. The following table contains the refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the manpower costs of the industrial staff employed in the Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member road transport section at that site. Not all of these for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 20 personnel will be employed as drivers. February 2012, Official Report, column 596. £ million

MOD Bicester 2006-07 2.2 2007-08 2.4 Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 2008-09 2.9 (1) what savings were made from the restructuring of 2009-10 2.2 Ministry of Defence Logistics, Bicester in 2008; [95176] 935W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 936W

The increase in manpower costs shown in the table designed to allow inclusion of research funded by others, for 2007-08 and 2008-09 was because of increased transport in due course. The Research Councils have initiated this activity in support of the reorganisation of Defence project and will be working with their partners and Storage and Distribution at that time. users to ensure information is presented in a readily Information about the mileage undertaken by contract reusable form, using common formats and open standards. freight services (including special courier) from Logistic Services Bicester and information about the tonnage of Departmental Responsibilities material transported by either MOD transport or contract freight services from Logistic Services Bicester is not held. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to respond to the report by The Bootstrap Recovery published on 14 February 2012 by Intellect UK; on what dates he BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS plans to publish any such response; and what steps he plans to take in response to the recommendation on Billing: EU Action avoiding fragmentation of responsibilities between his Department and the Department for Culture, Media Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and Sport. [96196] for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to bring forward proposals to transpose the EU directive Mr Willetts: The Bootstrap Recovery is not a report on late payments into UK law. [96140] to Government but an industry report published by Intellect the Trade Association and there are no plans Mr Prisk: The UK is required to transpose the EU for a Government response. We continue to work closely directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment by 16 with Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and March 2013. While we have already consulted on the Sport colleagues and Intellect on issues related to the draft directive, we plan to consult business and their competitiveness and growth of the UK ICT sector, and representatives further, as part of the transposition its impact on productivity more generally in the economy. process, and to strengthen UK Government policy to tackle late payment. Further Education: Higher Education Copyright: Science Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for changes in numbers of applications to further education Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking colleges to study higher education qualifications in the to promote growth and innovation by increasing open 2011-12 academic year. [94410] access to scientific research data. [94858] Mr Willetts: The following table contains data provided Mr Willetts [holding answer 20 February 2012]: The by UCAS showing the number of applications to enter Government are committed to ensuring that publicly full-time undergraduate courses at further education funded research should be accessible free of charge. colleges in the 2011-12 academic year, compared to As stated in paragraph 6.6 of the ‘Innovation and 2010-11. UCAS do not process applications to part-time Research Strategy for Growth’, published in December higher education courses. 2011: Applications to full-time undergraduate courses at further education http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/innovation/docs/i/11-1387- colleges main scheme applicants only1 innovation-and-research-strategy-for-growth.pdf Year of entry “Government will work with partners, including the publishing 2010 2011 industry, to achieve free access to publicly-funded research as soon as possible and will set an example themselves. Further 40,768 45,753 education We have helped establish an independent working group chaired colleges2 by Janet Finch to consider how to improve access to research publications, including publicly-funded research. This will report Other 2,679,730 2,801,259 institutions in early 2012. All institutions 2,720,498 2,847,012 The Royal Society is considering how to improve the sharing 1 and disclosing of research data, both within the research community Main scheme applicants are those who apply by the 30 June deadline. Each applicant can submit up to five applications, or up to and beyond. It will report in early 2012. four if they are applying for medical, dentistry or veterinary science Alan Langlands is chairing a task force to advise on improving courses. the accessibility of data within Government and its agencies, 2 The number of FECs participating in the UCAS application system which will advise on data linkage, conditions of access and data changes from year to year. The figures in the table cover the FECs quality. This will report during 2012.” which were part of the system in each year shown. The Government will consider further steps in light Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). of the findings and recommendations from these groups. As an immediate step, the Research Councils are Higher Education: Admissions investing £2.1 million in the development, by 2013, of a UK ‘Gateway to Research’ designed to facilitate the Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for translation of research and innovation in support of Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many people both the Government’s transparency and growth agenda. progressed on an access to higher education course This Gateway will initially allow public users ready subsequently enrolled at a higher education institution access to Research Council funded research and will be in each of the last five years; [93589] 937W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 938W

(2) if he will provide a breakdown by (a) age, (b) Members: Correspondence sex, (c) socio-economic status, (d) ethnicity and (e) subject studied of students who enrolled in an access to higher education course and subsequently progressed to Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for higher education in each of the last five years. [93590] Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Harrow West on Mr Willetts [holding answer 6 February 2012]: the answering of a parliamentary question; and if he Information on how many people progressed from an will make a statement. [96238] Access to higher education (HE) course to enrol at a UK higher education institution is available in the Mr Willetts: I shall be replying to the hon. Member Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) shortly. I apologise for the delay in doing so. Key Statistics report which is published annually. The Key Statistics 2011 report provides the latest available data on students who studied an Access to HE course and shows information on age, gender, socio- National Endowment for Science, Technology and the demographic profile, ethnicity and subject of study. The Arts full report is available at this link to the QAA website: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Newsroom/PressReleases/Pages/ diploma-wider-access-to-he.aspx Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Reports for previous years can be found at this link to Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in the QAA website: (a) Wales, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/partners/statisticsarchive/ Northern Ireland have received investment funding default.asp from the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts in each of the last five years; and what the Hydrofluorocarbons total monetary value of funding in each nation was in each such year. [95039] Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions Mr Willetts: Investment funding from the National he has had with Ministerial colleagues on future Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) regulation of hydrofluorocarbons. [93119] to businesses in each of the last five years is detailed in the following table. Mr Willetts: This Department engaged in inter- departmental ministerial correspondence on the future Financial Number of Total funding to regulation of hydrofluorocarbons, led by the Secretary year Nation businesses funded businesses (£) of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my 2007-08 (a) Wales 1 130,000 right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman). (b) England 15 2,341,805 These related to: (c) Scotland 3 419,998 the UK approach for the Montreal Protocol meeting which took place in November 2011; and (d) Northern —— Ireland the UK approach for the Durban Climate Change Conference which took place in November 2011. 2008-09 (a) Wales 1 250,000 Innovation (b) England 13 2,032,664 (c) Scotland — — Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for (d) Northern —— Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what meetings were Ireland held between HM Treasury and officials of his Department on the creation of the new Innovation and 2009-10 (a) Wales 1 339,000 Research Strategy; [96215] (b) England 14 4,505,019 (2) what involvement HM Treasury officials had in (c) Scotland 1 36,000 the creation of the Innovation and Research Strategy. (d) Northern —— [96216] Ireland

Mr Willetts: The Government’s Innovation and Research 2010-11 (a) Wales 1 201,903 Strategy for Growth was developed jointly across (b) England 13 3,909,752 Government including with HM Treasury officials. BIS (c) Scotland 1 114,000 officials worked closely with HM Treasury with regular (d) Northern —— meetings at official level throughout as policy and proposals Ireland developed. HM Treasury was also represented on the steering group that met on three occasions. 2011-to (a) Wales 1 437,814 BIS officials and those in HM Treasury also worked date closely to develop the additional £75 million small and (b) England 9 2,812,965 medium-sized enterprise (SME) package that was (c) Scotland — — announced in the autumn statement of 29 November (d) Northern —— 2011, Official Report, column 799-810, with further Ireland details set out in the strategy. 939W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 940W

As well as investing directly in innovative start-up registration service on behalf of the Skills Funding companies, NESTA invests into investment funds across Agency and, at the local level, being the successful the UK as part of its investment strategy.These investment bidder for a range of ‘front office’ services for Westminster funds have similar investment criteria to those which council. NESTA apply. NESTA does not hold data for the geographic location of investments by these investment Post Offices: Closures funds.

Total funding to investment funds Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Financial year (£) Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 24 January 2012, Official 2007-08 259,765 Report, columns 8-12WS, on the post office network, 2008-09 804,284 (1) how many temporarily closed post office branches 2009-10 728,098 have been closed for more than (a) one month, (b) 2010-11 847,663 three months, (c) six months and (d) one year; [96170] 2011-to date 1,474,351 (2) how many temporarily closed post office branches are in (a) urban and (b) rural areas; [96171] Overseas Trade: Argentina (3) how many of the 11,801 post office branches are designated as temporarily closed; [96172] Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for (4) how many post office branches were open and Business, Innovation and Skills what projects led to trading on 1 December 2011. [96173] Argentina owing debt to UK Export Finance; and when this debt was first created. [95193] Norman Lamb: The network figures that were published in the written ministerial statement of 24 January 2012, Norman Lamb: The Export Credits Guarantee Official Report, columns 8-12WS, represented the total Department (UK Export Finance) is currently carrying number of branches that were open and trading at the out an exercise to ascertain what information exists to end of December 2011. This figure does not include be able to identify individual projects. Because of the branches that are, for a variety of reasons, temporarily age of the related export contracts and the sheer volume closed. of files involved, this exercise is ongoing. When it is complete, the outcome will be placed in the Libraries of In November 2010, the Government made a commitment the House. that there would be no programme of post office closures, and instead provided £1.34 billion to maintain a Post The outstanding debt owed by Argentina to the Export office network of at least 11,500 branches, and for Post Credits Guarantee Department (UK Export Finance) Office Ltd to continue to meet the strict access criteria. relates to export contracts entered into before December Meeting these commitments is an operational matter 1983. for Post Office Ltd, and the Government, as shareholder, do not play a role in the management of the network. I Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Managing Business, Innovation and Skills whether Argentina has Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the defaulted on loans owed to or guaranteed by the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in Export Credits Guarantee Department. [95194] the Libraries of the House. Norman Lamb: Argentina defaulted on export credit loans guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Public Houses Department in 1985. Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Post Offices Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the resolution of the House of 12 January 2012, on pub Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State companies, what steps he plans to take to commission for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps an independent review of self regulation of the pub to ensure that more Government services are accessible industry. [94737] at the post office. [95033] Norman Lamb: On 24 November the Government Norman Lamb [holding answer 20 February 2012]: I announced a new tough and legally binding form of refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor, self-regulation for the pub industry, including a strengthened my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton Industry Framework Code and the establishment of a (Mr Davey), gave to the hon. Member for Northampton Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service North (Michael Ellis) on 26 January 2012, Official (PICAS). As the code will now be legally binding, it will Report, column 368W.I support Post Office Ltd’s ambition ultimately be enforceable through the courts. It would to deliver more services on behalf of national and local not be appropriate, at this stage, to commission an government. Post Office Ltd is working hard to achieve independent review. this, including engaging with Government, and I believe they are now on the right path to fulfil their ambition. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Recent examples of success include the Post Office for Business, Innovation and Skills what being selected as the chosen delivery partner to collect representations he has received on the pub companies digital data for UK Border Agency Biometric Residence offering tied and free of tie options to their tenants. Permits, being selected to provide part of an identity-based [96141] 941W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 942W

Norman Lamb: The Department for Business, Innovation Territory and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and Skills has received numerous representations from including by maintaining a British presence in the region pub landlords, licensee groups, family brewers and pub and delivering a world-class science programme. companies on the matter of pub companies offering Both FCO and BAS represent the UK at meetings of tied and free of tie options to their tenants. the Antarctic Treaty System. The FCO also provides direct diplomatic support to BAS, both for its operations, Science: Finance such as, through diplomatic clearance for ships and aircrafts, as well as supporting BAS’s international Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for engagement with national Antarctic programmes of Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer other Antarctic Treaty Parties. of 23 January 2012, Official Report, column 116W, on The FCO and the Government of South Georgia and Science: Finance, what programmes were included in South Sandwich Islands each funds BAS £500,000 per science expenditure outside of the UK in 2010-11. annum towards the operation of the administration and [95235] fisheries research station on King Edward Point on South Georgia. The FCO also provides small-scale ad Mr Willetts [holding answer 20 February 2012]: The hoc funding to BAS to support specific projects, in line Research Councils contribute to a number of collaborative with the UK’s strategies for the British Antarctic Territory science and research activities outside of the UK. This and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. is predominantly made up of international subscriptions to multi-national science facilities as follows: China £ million Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for European Space Agency 135 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions European Organisation for 64 officials in his Department have had with the Shanghai- Nuclear Research (CERN) based company, Zhenhua Heavy Industries, on the awarding European Molecular Biology 13 Laboratory of steel contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing [95540] European Southern 10 bridge project. Observatory European Synchrotron 6 Mr Jeremy Browne: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Radiation Facility officials have not had any discussions with Zhenhua Integrated Ocean Drilling 4 Heavy Industries on the awarding of steel contracts for Programme the Forth Replacement Crossing bridge project. EMBC International 3 Collaboration Hotels Other Collaborative Research 10 Programmes Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for These figures do not include overseas expenditure Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the names disbursed through the Research Councils Institutes. are of the hotels used by his Department to provide accommodation for staff based abroad when visiting Written Questions: Government Responses the UK. [96042]

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to answer Office (FCO) does not routinely provide accommodation question 91631 tabled by the hon. Member for Leeds for staff based abroad visiting the UK. If staff based West on 20 January 2012 for answer on 25 January overseas have to pay duty visits to the UK and have no 2012. [96130] other accommodation they can use, then they may claim reasonable actual expenditure on accommodation Norman Lamb: I replied to the hon. Member on for the period of the duty visit. The guidance provided 22 February 2012. to staff means they should find a hotel through the FCO’s contracted travel agent, Hogg Robinson, who is able to achieve discounted rates for FCO staff at various hotels. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Staff on private visits to the UK have to meet their British Antarctic Survey own costs.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Occupied Territories Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department gives to the British Antarctic Survey. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for [96349] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the compatibility of Israel’s Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth proposed evictions and demolitions in the Silwan area Office (FCO) provides diplomatic and some financial of East Jerusalem with its obligations under (a) assistance to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in international law, (b) UN resolutions relating to Israel/ support of the valuable contribution it makes to the Palestine and (c) the human rights provisions of the British Government’s objectives in the British Antarctic EU-Israel Association Agreement. [95669] 943W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 944W

Alistair Burt: We are seriously concerned at Israel’s Mr Bellingham: Structural work on the Coastal Radar proposed evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes Station is complete. The replacement items of electronic in the Silwan area of East Jerusalem and are urging the equipment have been ordered (funded by the British Israeli authorities to desist. Government) and installation, testing and training is We consider the proposed actions to be contrary to planned for May. Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law as well as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and as unhelpful to the peace process. JUSTICE We consistently call on the Israeli Government to Racial Discrimination: Sports abide by their obligations under international law, as reflected in numerous UN resolutions on the issue of Israel/Palestine. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official The EU is not currently considering the proposed Report, columns 445-6W, on civil disorder, if his actions specifically as part of the EU-Israel Association Department will liaise with its Criminal Justice System Agreement. The position taken by the EU, which we partners to ensure adequate resources are available to support, is that no progress can be made on upgrading enable the case of Mr John Terry to be heard in the the EU-Israel relationship until there is substantial near future. [96188] progress towards a two-state solution. Scotland Mr Djanogly: Sufficient resources are available for the day to day functioning of the Criminal Justice John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign System. It is a judicial decision when, in the interest of and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made justice, a case should be heard and this will include of the potential number of cross-border treaties and consideration of any matters relevant to that case. other agreements that would be required in the first Court Orders: Compensation year of an independent Scotland. [95899]

Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are clear that Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the (1) how many compensation orders were issued for UK benefits from having Scotland within it. Government each (a) offence and (b) sentence type in each of the Departments are not making plans for independence. last five years; and what the total value compensation orders was for each offence type; [95510] Syria (2) how many compensation orders issued in each of the last five years were (a) paid in full, (b) partly paid Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for and (c) unpaid by the offender; and what the total Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent value was in each case; [95511] estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) civilian casualties and (b) displaced people as a (3) what the amount was of each of the 20 highest compensation orders issued against offenders in each result of the recent violence in Syria. [95833] of the last five years; and to what offence each Alistair Burt: The UN estimates more than 5,400 compensation order was related. [95512] people have been killed, including 380 children, since the popular uprising began in March 2011. More than Mr Blunt: The number of compensation orders issued 14,000 people are reported to be in detention, at least by offence type, in England and Wales for 2006 to 2010 12,400 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries (latest available) is given in Table (a). Compensation and tens of thousands have been internally displaced. orders issued by main sentence received can be viewed in Table (b). The total value of compensation orders We are clear this situation is intolerable. We welcome issued by offence type can be found in Table (c) and the the Arab League’s continued leadership in seeking an amount for each of the 20 highest compensation orders end to the violence in Syria. We are working with them issued is given in Table (d). to bring the widest possible political, economic and diplomatic weight to bear on President Assad’s regime. Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service does not hold centrally the value compensation orders that were Turks and Caicos Islands paid in full, partly paid or unpaid for the last five years. To obtain this information would require a manual Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for inspection of local records and could be provided only Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has at disproportionate costs. been made on the installation of the Turks and Caicos Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned Coastal Radar System. [96210] for publication in May 2012.

Table (a) Compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales, 2006-101,2

Offence type Offence 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Violence against the ABH 8,080 7,953 7,026 6,699 6,920 person

GBH without intent/malicious wounding 1,244 1,248 1,111 1,064 1,230 945W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 946W

Table (a) Compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Offence type Offence 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

More serious wounding or other act 74 90 68 51 69 endangering life Other Homicide 0 0 0 3 1 Other Offences involving loss of life 1 1 0 0 0 Other violence with injury 703 745 746 763 962 Other violence without injury 605 698 649 716 787 Possession of weapons 80 191 153 84 62

Sexual offences Sexual Assault 251 288 274 282 314 Rape 11011

Other sexual offences 100 137 121 97 107

Burglary Burglary 4,250 4,519 4,447 4,462 4,599 Robbery Robbery 1,415 1,755 1,432 1,574 1,515 Theft and handling Handling stolen goods 659 769 687 825 652 stolen goods Theft 16,472 19,886 21,757 22,549 24,211

Fraud and forgery Forgery 158 126 91 53 33 Fraud 3,730 3,659 4,037 4,235 4,386

Criminal damage Criminal damage 5,716 5,732 4,249 3,141 2,946 Drug offences Possession Cannabis 17 641 633 24 31 Possession class A 9 485 441 16 S

Possession class B 2 127 122 4 6

Possession class C 3 118 96 2 4

Possession class not known 0 1 1 0 0

Production Cannabis 0 54 65 6 5

Production Class A 0 2 0 0 0

Production class B 0 0 3 0 0

Production class C 1 7 5 4 1

Production class unknown 0 1 0 0 0

Supply Cannabis 0 6 6 2 2

Supply class A 3 14 5 5 0

Supply class B 0 1 1 0 0

Supply class C 0 2 2 1 1

Supply class unknown 0 4 3 1 0

Other drug offences 1 13 14 6 3

Other indictable Absconding whilst on bail 33 919 556 31 32 offences Public Order 1,355 1,479 1,110 1,090 1,078

Other indictable offences 473 611 726 480 499

Indictable motoring Indictable motoring 177 170 179 141 137 offences Summary non- Assault on a constable 6,095 6,605 6,376 5,857 5,399 motoring offences Common Assault 25,474 27,276 26,514 25,776 25,611

Motor vehicle licence offences 53 522 226 98 74

Other summary offences 40,282 48,131 52,001 49,882 48,584

Summary criminal damage 19,917 21,410 22,651 22,689 21,931

TV licence evasion 13 9,479 12,665 80 16

Summary motoring Drink/drug driving 176 9,079 6,978 259 159 offences Driving uninsured 229 9,895 16,190 266 166

Licence and insurance fraud 58 1,625 3,428 43 35

Speed limit offences 4 9,763 18,565 83 44

Vehicle test and condition offences 3 1,105 1,919 7 8 947W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 948W

Table (a) Compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Offence type Offence 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Other summary motoring offences 6,531 16,844 25,953 4,156 1,799

All offences 144,448 214,485 244,282 157,410 154,428

1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Table (b) Compensation orders imposed by main sentence received* in England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Sentences 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Absolute discharge 381 377 319 326 305 Conditional discharge 18,833 20,316 18,883 17,850 19,036 Fine 50,152 113,371 139,014 60,353 58,819 Community sentence 52,702 56,448 56,064 59,070 55,453 Suspended sentence 7,833 9,849 10,368 10,378 10,913 Immediate custody 1,477 1,630 1,503 1,456 1,358 Otherwise dealt with 13,070 12,494 18,131 7,977 8,544 All sentences 144,448 214,485 244,282 157,410 154,428 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with.Whena defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Table (c) Total value of compensation orders imposed by offence type, in England and Wales 2006-101,2 £ Offences 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Violence against the person 3,922,596 3,964,982 4,497,515 3,489,668 3,850,784 Sexual offences 88,186 96,140 632,036 94,609 189,505 Burglary 1,172,883 1,167,107 1,266,590 1,043,356 1,135,381 Robbery 510,870 2,379,401 432,334 423,291 235,607 Theft and handling stolen goods 6,237,713 6,850,597 7,080,626 12,033,786 6,087,616 Fraud and forgery 4,516,806 5,492,996 4,978,107 9,920,440 10,306,843 Criminal damage 1,271,441 1,393,920 1,363,032 803,465 768,727 Drug offences 5,464 1,049,472 56,021 57,552 17,155 Other (excl. motoring offences) 1,165,849 1,039,841 1,102,837 1,537,655 1,135,678 Indictable motoring offences 91,649 72,063 182,808 67,390 80,304

Summary non-motoring offences 11,144,661 10,297,245 10,344,459 14,543,447 20,460,447 Summary motoring offences 621,522 1,290,694 1,506,528 482,493 332,663

All offence types 30,749,640 35,094,458 33,442,893 44,497,152 44,620,710 1The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Table (d) Twenty highest value compensation orders imposed by offence and value of order England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Offence type Amount (£)

2006 Fraud and Forgery 433,200.00 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 400,000.00 Theft and Handling 306,000.00 Theft and Handling 255,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 225,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 130,500.00 Robbery 129,000.00 Theft and Handling 128,900.00 Theft and Handling 115,100.00 Fraud and Forgery 97,700.00 949W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 950W

Table (d) Twenty highest value compensation orders imposed by offence and value of order England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Offence type Amount (£)

Theft and Handling 72,800.00 Violence Against Person 70,000.00 Theft and Handling 63,600.00 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 54,700.00 Fraud and Forgery 48,900.00 Fraud and Forgery 43,800.00 Burglary 43,285.00 Fraud and Forgery 42,600.00 Theft and Handling 42,500.00 Theft and Handling 41,400.00

2007 Robbery 1,902,000.00 Drug Offences 1,000,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 665,600.00 Fraud and Forgery 340,500.00 Fraud and Forgery 257,300.00 Theft and Handling 239,900.00 Theft and Handling 198,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 194,100.00 Theft and Handling 190,000.00 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 174,500.00 Fraud and Forgery 147,000.00 Theft and Handling 91,000.00 Theft and Handling 90,800.00 Fraud and Forgery 80,400.00 Theft and Handling 72,200.00 Fraud and Forgery 64,000.00 Theft and Handling 58,500.00 Theft and Handling 56,400.00 Theft and Handling 54,500.00 Fraud and Forgery 53,400.00

2008 Theft and Handling 578,000.00 Sexual Offences 500,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 462,500.00 Fraud and Forgery 239,300.00 Theft and Handling 220,000.00 Theft and Handling 177,100.00 Fraud and Forgery 131,000.00 Theft and Handling 121,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 117,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 111,200.00 Theft and Handling 110,000.00 Criminal Damage 101,000.00 Criminal Damage 101,000.00 Indictable Motoring 100,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 81,500.00 Theft and Handling 76,000.00 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 Violence Against Person 75,000.00 Theft and Handling 70,500.00

2009 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 710,200.00 Theft and Handling 530,000.00 Theft and Handling 253,200.00 Theft and Handling 240,400.00 Fraud and Forgery 196,711.00 Theft and Handling 183,000.00 951W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 952W

Table (d) Twenty highest value compensation orders imposed by offence and value of order England and Wales, 2006-101,2 Offence type Amount (£)

Theft and Handling 157,700.00 Theft and Handling 137,700.00 Fraud and Forgery 120,000.00 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 120,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 107,000.00 Theft and Handling 105,100.00 Theft and Handling 104,900.00 Violence Against Person 100,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 97,600.00 Theft and Handling 83,000.00 Theft and Handling 83,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 78,800.00 Fraud and Forgery 78,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 70,200.00

2010 Fraud and Forgery 619,900.00 Other Indictable (Not Motoring) 400,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 246,400.00 Fraud and Forgery 164,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 153,100.00 Fraud and Forgery 141,900.00 Theft and Handling 111,600.00 Theft and Handling 106,500.00 Theft and Handling 100,200.00 Fraud and Forgery 100,000.00 Theft and Handling 100,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 84,100.00 Fraud and Forgery 80,000.00 Sexual Offences 80,000.00 Fraud and Forgery 76,700.00 Theft and Handling 70,600.00 Fraud and Forgery 69,912.00 Theft and Handling 65,200.00 Fraud and Forgery 59,100.00 Fraud and Forgery 58,300.00 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with.Whena defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Euthanasia: Prosecutions Forced Marriage

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice (1) how many women resident in the London for what reasons he has no plans to bring forward borough of Barking and Dagenham were issued with legislative proposals to place on a statutory basis the Forced Marriage Protection Orders in the period (a) Director of Public Prosecution’s policy for prosecutors November 2008 to November 2009, (b) November in respect of cases of encouraging or assisting suicide. 2009 to November 2010 and (c) November 2010 to [95842] November 2011; [96035] (2) how many Forced Marriage Protection orders Mr Blunt: The law is a matter for Parliament and the were issued in Romford county court for the period (a) exercise of prosecutorial discretion is a matter for November 2008 to November 2009, (b) December independent prosecutors. Placing the Director of Public 2009 to November 2010 and (c) December 2010 to Prosecution’s detailed guidance “Policy for Prosecutors November 2011. [96036] in respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide” in statute would curtail prosecutorial independence and Mr Djanogly: Romford county court covers the Barking fetter the discretion of prosecutors in this controversial and Dagenham area. Since their introduction by the area of law enforcement. The Government believe it is Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act on 25 November for Parliament to decide whether and, if so, how to 2008 and up to the end of September 2011, there were amend the law around assisting suicide. fewer than five Forced Marriage Protection Orders 953W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 954W made in total at Romford county court. Exact figures Mr Blunt: Figures are not currently available on the on the number of orders issued in Romford county number of court hearings delayed or cancelled as result court for the periods requested cannot be provided, as of problems with interpreters. There were an unacceptable releasing very small numbers could inadvertently lead number of problems in the first two weeks of full to the identification of those individuals. implementation of the contract after 30 January 2012, We do not hold information centrally on people following a smoothly implemented new service in the resident in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham North West pilot area during the previous two months. who were issued a Forced Marriage Protection Order. Close monitoring of the national roll out has ensured that an action plan to address the problems was in place Members: Correspondence within two weeks of the new interpreter service commencing on a national basis. This plan includes providing additional Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice staff to deal with bookings, further targeted recruitment when he plans to reply to the letter of 27 October 2011, of interpreters in key languages and improvements to from the hon. Member for Walsall South regarding a the call handling and complaints process. We remain constituent’s correspondence on the inclusion of a committed to ensuring the rights and needs of those Defamation Bill in the next Queen’s Speech. [95717] who require interpreters are safeguarded.

Mr Djanogly: I apologise for the delay in replying, Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for which was due to administration error. A reply has now Justice what assessment he made prior to initiation of been sent. the new contract of the ability of Applied Language Solutions to meet the needs of the courts service. Prisoners: Pay [96186]

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Blunt: Applied Language Solutions took part in a Justice how much his Department has disbursed to robust and rigorous procurement process. The dialogue victims’ organisations following the implementation of process ensured that all bidders had an understanding the provisions of the Prisoners’ Earnings Act 1996. of the interpretation and translation needs of justice [96071] organisations. Ministry of Justice officials worked closely with Applied Language Solutions to seek to ensure that Mr Blunt: It is a statutory requirement of the Prisoners’ the supplier was in a position to meet the Ministry’s Earnings Act 1996 (PEA), which came into force on 26 needs. This included early implementation of the service September 2011, that the recipient(s) of its proceeds are in criminal courts in the north west in December 2011. formally prescribed by the Secretary of State. He has That early implementation was successful and gave no stated that in the first year of the PEA, the funds should indication of the issues which have arisen since full go to Victim Support, the national charity for victims implementation on the 30 January 2012, which are and witnesses of crime. being addressed. The Ministry of Justice has not yet paid any revenue raised through the PEA to Victim Support. Victim Support is currently considering a number of potential EDUCATION projects and will make a final decision on the exact nature of the project to be funded when it is known how Academies: Vocational Guidance much revenue will be raised through the levy. The accumulated revenue will be paid to Victim Support before the end of this financial year. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether academies created (a) before and Remand in Custody (b) after May 2010 will be covered by the duties in relation to careers advice under the provisions of the Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Act 2011. [94723] Justice what his policy is on people charged with non-violent crimes being placed on remand in a Mr Gibb: The model funding agreement for academies category A prison. [95722] will be revised to include a clause requiring academies to secure access to independent and impartial careers Mr Blunt: Three of the eight high security prisons guidance for pupils in years 9 to 11. The clause will serve local courts and routinely receive remand prisoners reflect the statutory position for maintained schools. who have been charged with any offence. In this way Academies will be subject to the destination measures they have a similar role to other local prisons. These which will set out the proportion of former pupils that prisons also perform an important strategic function, progress to school sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships holding provisional and sentenced category A prisoners and, eventually, to other forms of work. This will in appropriate security conditions. demonstrate the effectiveness of academies in ensuring their pupils are aware of the full range of post-16 Translation Services education and training options open to them.

Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Adoption: Self-employed Justice how many court sessions were (a) delayed and (b) cancelled due to problems with the provision of Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for translators by Applied Language Solutions in the latest Education how many adoptive parents in the UK are period for which figures are available. [96185] self-employed. [96260] 955W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 956W

Tim Loughton: Adoption is a devolved issue; this schools or colleges in the most recent year for which information is not collected centrally in England. figures are available; [95437] (2) what proportion of students studying for A-levels Pupil Numbers in year 13 were at (a) private schools or colleges and (b) maintained schools or colleges in the most recent Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for year for which figures are available. [95439] Education (1) what proportion of A-level students at A2 achieving (a) at least three A or A* grades, (b) at Mr Gibb: The information requested is shown in the least three C grades, (or points equivalent), and (c) following table (we are not able to provide figures for grade C or above in mathematics, physics and chemistry independent colleges as these are not included in the were at (i) private schools or colleges and (ii) maintained School and College Performance Tables):

GCE A-level examination results1 for students2 aged 16-183 in England, 2010/11 (Revised)4, Year: 2010/11 (Revised), Coverage: England Percentage 16 to 18-year old pupils (c) Grade C or above in each of studying GCE/Applied GCE (a) At least three A or A* mathematics, physics and A/AS level qualifications grades (b) At least 3 C grades chemistry

Maintained mainstream schools/ 87 68 81 73 colleges5 Independent schools6 13 32 19 27 1 Cumulative results obtained in academic years 2009/10 and 2010/11. 2 Students entered for a GCE or applied GCE A-levels and Double Awards only. This data excludes Level 3 equivalent qualifications and AS levels. 3 Age at the start of the 2010/11 academic year, i.e. 31 August 2010. 4 An Applied GCE Double Award at grade A*A* counts as two grade A*s, AA counts as two grade As, an award at grade AB counts as one. The same applies with grade CD counting as one grade C in column (b). 5 Includes city technology colleges and academies, excludes special schools, hospital schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Includes sixth-form colleges and other FE sector colleges. 6 Excludes independent special schools and non-maintained special schools. Note: Where qualifications taken by a student are in the same subject area and similar in content, “discounting” rules have been applied to avoid double counting qualifications. Please see “Technical Notes” in statistical release available here: http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001055/index.shtml Source: School and College Performance Tables 2010/11.

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for private schools and maintained schools in the most Education what proportion of GCSE students achieving recent year for which figures are available. [95438] (a) 10 A grades or above (or points equivalent), (b) 10 B grades or above (or points equivalent), (c) the English Mr Gibb: The information requested is shown in the Baccalaureate and (d) A or A* in mathematics were at following table:

GCSE and equivalent results in England 2010/11 Year 2010/111 (Revised). Coverage: England (a) 10 A grades or (b) 10 B grades or Number of pupils at above (including points above (including points (c) The English (d) A*-A in GCSE end of KS42 equivalent)3 (%) equivalent)3 (%) Baccalaureate4 (%) mathematics5 (%)

Maintained mainstream 557,370 80 88 79 89 schools Independent schools 47,931 20 12 21 11 (excluding special schools) 1 Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. 2 Number of pupils on roll at the end of key stage 4. 3 Includes GCSE and equivalent qualifications. 4 Includes English Baccalaureate qualifications. 5 Includes full GCSEs only (excludes iGCSEs).

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for is shown in the table. Information on national curriculum Education what proportion of students in year 11 were year group is not collected from general hospital schools at (a) private and (b) maintained schools in the most or independent schools, therefore information on pupils recent year for which figures are available. [95441] aged 15 as at 31 August 2010 has been provided, with comparable information for state-funded schools. Mr Gibb: Information on the number of pupils in national curriculum year group 11 in state-funded schools

State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools1,2: January 2011, England

National curriculum year 11 Aged 153

Number of pupils4 Percentage of pupils Number of pupils Percentage of pupils5

State funded schools 574,470 6— 575,125 92.1

Independent schools 6— 6— 49,285 7.9 957W Written Answers23 FEBRUARY 2012 Written Answers 958W

State-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools1,2: January 2011, England National curriculum year 11 Aged 153 Number of pupils4 Percentage of pupils Number of pupils Percentage of pupils5

Total 6— 6— 624,410 100.0 1 Includes maintained primary, maintained secondary, academies, city technology colleges, maintained special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools (including independent special schools). 2 Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. In PRUs also includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. 3 Age is calculated as at 31 August 2010. 4 Excludes pupils in general hospital schools. 5 The number of pupils in each school type expressed as a percentage of all pupils aged 15. 6 Not available. Information on national curriculum year is not collected for independent schools and general hospital schools. Note: Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown. Source: School Census

Schools: Finance school should see a reduction of more than 1.5% in its per pupil funding compared to 2011-12, before the pupil premium is added. Guidance on the MFG for Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 2012-13 is available on the Department for Education if his Department will issue guidance to local education website at: authorities, academies and maintained schools giving clarification of the size of the budget to which the http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/ financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/ Government’s undertaking to limit reductions in schools settlement2013pupilpremium/a00200465/schools-funding- funding to no more than 1.5 per cent. below the previous settlement-2012-13-including-pupil-premium year’s allocation. [91596] The guidance includes a calculator to enable schools to calculate the impact of the MFG on their individual Mr Gibb [holding answer 24 January 2012]: The budget. The calculator lists the items that are outside Department announced in December 2011 that there the scope of the MFG. The guidance also sets out when will be a minimum funding guarantee (MFG) for schools a variation to the MFG must be approved by the local of -1.5% per pupil in 2012-13. This means that no Schools Forum or the Secretary of State. 1MC Ministerial Corrections23 FEBRUARY 2012 Ministerial Corrections 2MC

Ministerial Corrections Average length of service in years Cardiff 9.6 Thursday 23 February 2012 Carlisle 7.8 Chelmsford 10.8 Chester 10.3 Dundee 10.5 TRANSPORT Edinburgh 9.2 Cycling Exeter 8.0 Glasgow 9.7 Inverness 5.7 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Ipswich 13.1 Transport how many (a) letters and (b) emails her Leeds 9.7 Department has received on cycling in the last 12 months. Lincoln 11.2 [82959] Maidstone 13.7 [Official Report, 12 December 2011, Vol. 537, c. 488W.] Manchester 8.1 Letter of correction from Norman Baker: Newcastle 9.4 An error has been identified in the written answer Northampton 7.2 given to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) Norwich 9.4 on 12 December 2011. Nottingham 7.9 The full answer given was as follows: Oxford 16.1 Peterborough 8.3 Norman Baker: The Department has received 136 letters Portsmouth 11.2 and 135 emails regarding cycling in the last 12 months. Preston 9.4 The correct answer should have been: Reading 9.9 Sheffield 11.8 Norman Baker: In the last 12 months from 13 December Shrewsbury 12.5 2010 to 12 December 2011 the Department’scorrespondence Sidcup 11.2 unit received 537 letters and emails relating to cycling. It Stockton 10.5 is not possible to separate these. Swansea Office 11.0 The Department also receives large volumes of Truro 6.2 correspondence on sustainable travel more generally. Wimbledon 9.7 Worcester 12.4

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Manpower Central Regional Enforcement Centre Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Bournemouth 10.2 Transport what the average length of service is of staff Glasgow 11.5 employed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Northampton 9.6 at each local office and regional enforcement centre. [89482] The correct answer should have been: [Official Report, 17 January 2012, Vol. 538, c. 637-8W.] Letter of correction from Mike Penning: Mike Penning: The following table provides the average length of service of staff employed by the Driver and An error has been identified in the written answer Vehicle Licensing Agency’s local office and regional given to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central (Paul enforcement centres. Blomfield) on 17 January 2012. The full answer given was as follows: Average length of service in Local Office years Mike Penning: The following table provides the average length of service of staff employed by the Driver and Aberdeen 13.7 Vehicle Licensing Agency’s local office and regional Bangor 10.6 enforcement centres. Beverley 11.7 Birmingham 7.4 Average length of service in years Borehamwood 11.5 Bournemouth 12.6 Local Office Brighton 12.8 Aberdeen 13.8 Bristol 9.1 Bangor 11.9 Cardiff 19.0 Beverley 9.6 Carlisle 10.4 Birmingham 8.2 Chelmsford 10.1 Borehamwood 10.7 Chester 14.1 Bournemouth 11.0 Dundee 19.1 Brighton 11.9 Edinburgh 13.2 Bristol 9.3 Exeter 10.2 3MC Ministerial Corrections23 FEBRUARY 2012 Ministerial Corrections 4MC

Average length of service in Average length of service in Local Office years Local Office years

Glasgow 10.7 Exeter 7.1 Inverness 9.6 Leeds 16.2 Ipswich 15.7 Newcastle 12.9 Leeds 8.9 Nottingham 11.4 Lincoln 11.2 Preston 10.1 Maidstone 12.7 Sidcup 14.7 Manchester 8.9 Newcastle 11.9 DEFENCE Northampton 9.6 Norwich 12.4 Military Aircraft: Procurement Nottingham 8.2 Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Oxford 16.1 Defence pursuant to the oral answer of 8 February 2012, Peterborough 10.6 Official Report, columns 300-01, on Libya, what the cost Portsmouth 11.8 of the new C17 aircraft will be. [95586] Preston 9.2 [Official Report, 20 February 2012, Vol. 540, c. 469W.] Theale 11.6 Letter of correction from Peter Luff: Sheffield 14.3 An error has been identified in the written answer Shrewsbury 12.3 given to the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) Sidcup 11.4 on 20 February 2012. Stockton 12.3 The full answer given was as follows: Swansea Office 15.3 Truro 16.6 Peter Luff: The cost of the new C-17 aircraft is subject Wimbledon 9.8 to final commercial negotiations but, as announced by the Prime Minister on 8 February 2012, Official Report, Worcester 12.4 columns 300-01, it is expected to be in the region of £300 million. Central Regional Enforcement The correct answer should have been: Centre Bournemouth 10.0 Peter Luff: The cost of the new C-17 aircraft is subject Glasgow 10.5 to final commercial negotiations but, as announced by Birmingham 10.4 the Prime Minister on 8 February 2012, Official Report, Chelmsford 13.4 columns 300-01, it is expected to be in the region of £200 million. ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 23 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 997 TRANSPORT—continued Aviation ...... 997 Trailers (Height)...... 1002 Brown Tourist Signs...... 1001 Transport Scheme Funding...... 1007 Cycling...... 1008 Drink-drive Rehabilitation Scheme...... 1008 Flights (Scotland) ...... 1003 WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 1013 Freight Containers (Rail Network) ...... 1004 Disability Hate Crimes...... 1015 Local Bus Services ...... 1005 Domestic and Family Violence...... 1017 Rail Fares...... 999 Economy...... 1013 Railway Companies (Executive Pay) ...... 1006 Female Genital Mutilation...... 1014 Shipping (Armed Guards)...... 1000 Income Tax ...... 1017 Topical Questions ...... 1009 Unemployment ...... 1016 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 23 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 81WS HEALTH...... 86WS City Skills Fund ...... 81WS Care Quality Commission...... 88WS Student Loan Repayment ...... 81WS National Health Service Charges ...... 86WS Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme ...... 89WS DEFENCE...... 82WS Annual Tri-Service Survey ...... 82WS

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 82WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 89WS Central Asia...... 85WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Foreign Affairs Council/General Affairs Council... 82WS Affairs Council ...... 89WS PETITION

Thursday 23 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 11P Park End Community Centre (Middlesbrough) ..... 11P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 23 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 935W CABINET OFFICE—continued Billing: EU Action...... 935W Departmental Advisory Services...... 895W Copyright: Science ...... 935W Senior Civil Servants: Training...... 895W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 936W Working Hours: Scotland ...... 896W Further Education: Higher Education ...... 936W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 936W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 892W Hydrofluorocarbons ...... 937W HomeSwap Direct Scheme ...... 892W Innovation ...... 937W Procurement...... 892W Members: Correspondence ...... 938W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 894W National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts...... 938W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 923W Overseas Trade: Argentina ...... 939W Mobile Phones: Telecommunications...... 923W Post Offices ...... 939W Radio ...... 923W Post Offices: Closures...... 940W Public Houses ...... 940W DEFENCE...... 931W Science: Finance...... 941W Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations ...... 931W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 941W British Antarctic Survey...... 933W Falkland Islands: Armed Forces ...... 933W CABINET OFFICE...... 894W MOD Bicester...... 933W Advisory Services...... 894W MOD Bicester: Large Goods Vehicles...... 934W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 954W JUSTICE...... 944W Academies: Vocational Guidance ...... 954W Court Orders: Compensation...... 944W Adoption: Self-employed ...... 954W Euthanasia: Prosecutions ...... 951W Pupil Numbers...... 955W Forced Marriage ...... 952W Schools: Finance...... 957W Members: Correspondence ...... 953W Prisoners: Pay ...... 953W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 902W Racial Discrimination: Sports ...... 944W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 902W Remand in Custody ...... 953W British Antarctic Survey...... 903W Translation Services ...... 953W Civil Nuclear Export Showcase...... 903W Electricity...... 903W SCOTLAND...... 918W Energy: Billing ...... 905W Human Trafficking ...... 918W Energy: Private Rented Housing ...... 905W River Forth: Bridges ...... 919W Green Deal Scheme...... 905W Members: Correspondence ...... 906W TRANSPORT ...... 909W Meters...... 906W A49: Shropshire ...... 909W Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs...... 906W Cycling: Safety ...... 910W Solar Power...... 906W Departmental Data Protection...... 910W Third Sector...... 907W Departmental Pay ...... 911W Warm Front Scheme ...... 907W Driving Tests...... 912W Warm Home Discount Scheme ...... 908W East Anglia Railway Line...... 912W Wind Power ...... 908W M54: Snow and Ice ...... 912W Metals: Theft ...... 913W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Network Rail: Compensation...... 913W AFFAIRS...... 889W Piracy...... 909W Common Fisheries Policy ...... 889W Rail Schemes: Inward Investment ...... 909W Conservation of Seals Act 1970 ...... 890W Rescue Services ...... 914W Marine Conservation Zones...... 890W Roads...... 914W Roads: Litter...... 890W Roads: Accidents ...... 916W Sustainable Transport ...... 909W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 941W Transport: Finance...... 917W British Antarctic Survey...... 941W Transport: Health Services...... 918W China ...... 942W Hotels ...... 942W TREASURY ...... 925W Occupied Territories...... 942W Animation and Research: Meetings ...... 925W Scotland...... 943W Bank Levy...... 926W Syria...... 943W Civil Servants: Pay ...... 926W Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 943W Commission on Devolution in Wales ...... 926W Departmental Work Experience...... 927W HEALTH...... 898W Employment ...... 927W Accident and Emergency Departments: Waiting Gift Aid: Sports ...... 927W Lists ...... 898W Motor Vehicles: Insurance ...... 928W Cardiovascular System: Health Services...... 898W National Insurance ...... 928W Contraceptives ...... 899W Public Expenditure: Devolution...... 928W Infectious Diseases...... 899W Public Sector: Pay ...... 928W Midwives...... 900W Student Loans Company: Pay...... 929W Patients: Illegal Immigrants ...... 901W Sustainable Transport ...... 930W Prostate Cancer: Health Services...... 901W Tax Avoidance: Pay...... 930W Third Sector...... 930W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 920W VAT: Business ...... 931W Antisocial Behaviour...... 920W VAT: Housing ...... 931W Domestic Violence: Young People...... 920W Major Projects Leadership Academy ...... 920W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 924W Marriage of Convenience...... 921W Departmental Data Protection...... 925W Metals: Theft ...... 921W International Women’s Day...... 925W Oil: Theft ...... 922W Public Lavatories...... 924W Tourism...... 922W Sports Charter ...... 924W Visits Abroad: Public Expenditure ...... 923W Unemployment ...... 925W

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 891W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 883W Information and Communications Technology...... 891W Departmental Data Protection...... 883W Trees ...... 891W Departmental Procurement...... 883W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 884W INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY E-mail ...... 884W STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE ...... 902W Employment and Support Allowance: Pensions..... 885W Departmental Data Protection...... 902W Farms: Accidents ...... 886W Departmental Meetings ...... 902W Jobcentre Plus: Training...... 887W UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child...... 887W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 919W Universal Credit...... 888W Hotels ...... 919W Work Programme...... 888W Third Sector...... 919W Work Programme: Scotland ...... 888W MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

Thursday 23 February 2012

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 4MC TRANSPORT—continued Military Aircraft: Procurement ...... 4MC Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Manpower.. 1MC

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CONTENTS

Thursday 23 February 2012

Speaker’s Statement [Col. 997]

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 997] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Transport Minister for Women and Equalities

Business of the House [Col. 1019] Statement—(Sir George Young)

Pensions and Social Security [Col. 1040] Motions—(Steve Webb)—agreed to

Sittings of the House (20 and 23 March) [Col. 1074] Motion—(Mr Heath) Amendment—(Mr Hollobone)—on a Division, negatived Motion agreed to

Business of the House (Private Members’ Bills) [Col. 1098] Motion—(Mr Heath)—agreed to

Ricky Burlton [Col. 1102] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Cycling [Col. 343WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 81WS]

Petition [Col. 11P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 883W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Corrections [Col. 1MC]