Wednesday Volume 515 8 September 2010 No. 42

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 8 September 2010

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 303 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 304

Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): How can the Minister House of Commons and the Secretary of State possibly justify cutting proportionately three times as many Welsh MPs as Wednesday 8 September 2010 English MPs, creating monster constituencies in rural Wales and geographically impossible ones in Welsh valleys? Instead of ramming through those changes, The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock why will not the Government maintain the existing system of public inquiries that has protected local interests PRAYERS for generations?

Mr Jones: I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] takes that view. I would have thought that he would be as anxious as Government Members to ensure that votes cast in general elections are fair and of equal Oral Answers to Questions value. As it stands, votes in certain parts of the country are worth significantly more than those in other parts. So far as constituency boundaries are concerned, I remind him that they will be determined by the impartial WALES and neutral Boundary Commission, with which I have already had discussions. The Secretary of State was asked— Mr Hain: But the Minister and the Secretary of State Parliamentary Constituencies have presided over rigging the situation in advance. Is the Secretary of State proud that by slashing the number 1. Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North) (Con): What of Welsh MPs by fully a quarter from 40 to 30, she is the discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime first Secretary of State for Wales in history to reduce Minister on the implementation in Wales of a Wales’s voice in Parliament? Why is she also the first reduction in the number of parliamentary Secretary of State to refuse a request for a meeting of constituencies; and if she will make a statement. the Welsh Grand Committee? Does she not understand [13132] the anger about that among Welsh MPs of all parties, including hers? We demand a meeting of the Welsh The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Grand Committee so that our constituents can see what (Mr David Jones): My right hon. Friend the Secretary is being done to them. of State and I have had numerous discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Jones: Again, the right hon. Gentleman is completely Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest wrong. Our position, to which I would have thought he of Dean (Mr Harper), who is responsible for political would be signed up, is that votes across the country and constitutional reform, on matters affecting Wales should be of equal validity. The current position is that in the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies they are not. On holding a Grand Committee, I imagine Bill. and hope that he and the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr David), will be present at Jonathan Evans: Does my hon. Friend agree that the the meeting that we have convened this afternoon to put current electoral architecture in Wales, which grants the their concerns forward. Labour party 65% of the representation on barely 36% of the vote, can be described neither as democratic nor as S4C valuing votes from Wales equally?

Mr Jones: My hon. Friend is entirely right. The 2. Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): What recent Government’s proposals for electoral reform are founded discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on on the principles of equality and fairness, and it is the review of the economic impact of S4C. [13133] clearly fair that votes cast at parliamentary elections throughout the United Kingdom should be of broadly The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): equal value, including in Wales. I have had several discussions with my right hon. Friend Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): There are currently the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on approximately 170,000 people missing from the electoral the importance of S4C and Welsh broadcasting in register in Wales. On Monday, the hon. Gentleman’s general, and I will continue to do so to ensure that colleague the Deputy Prime Minister announced that Wales receives a broad range of programmes about and the Government are considering ways of putting those for the people of Wales. I have also had discussions with people back on the register. Will that happen before or the senior management at S4C. after the Boundary Commission’s freeze date in December? Hywel Williams: I thank the Secretary of State for Mr Jones: I have to say to the hon. Gentleman that her reply. Does she agree that given its programming for the Labour party did not address that matter when it children, its substantial forward spending on planned was in government. The vital consideration must be to programmes and the profound sociolinguistic effect ensure that all votes are fair and that all voters are fairly that it has, S4C is in no way just another television registered, and that will be the principle on which this channel that happens to be in Welsh? It is not a Welsh Government proceed. version of Dave TV, nice thought that is. 305 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 306

Mrs Gillan: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. From ensure that when she next meets the Defence Secretary, what I have seen of S4C, it is a television station that she stands up for the RAF in Wales, and bases such as continues to meet the needs of Welsh speakers by RAF Valley, which has had substantial investment in providing programmes and services through the medium the past 10 years? They serve the economy locally, but of Welsh. It is fair to acknowledge that it is dealing with they will also serve our country well in future. some internal problems at the moment, but I have been impressed with the range of services that it provides, Mrs Gillan: The hon. Gentleman should know that I particularly to people who are learning Welsh. He may have deep affection for RAF Valley, having done my know that I visited the set of “Rownd a Rownd”, where armed services parliamentary fellowship scheme with I was extremely impressed by how we are bringing on the RAF. I was even privileged to sit in the back seat of young acting talent in Wales through that soap opera. I several fast jets, courtesy of some first-class pilots. The was impressed with the cast and the production team RAF has a special place in my heart, and I can certainly working on it. assure him that I will always speak up loudly for RAF Valley. Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): The Secretary of State will also be aware of the significance of the independent TV production sector and the importance Policing of its relationship with S4C. The sector was recognised in a Select Committee report in the previous Parliament 4. Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): What recent as one in which Wales excels. Extensive cuts could discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for jeopardise that. Will she continue to make the robust the Home Department on policing in Wales. [13136] case to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about the scale of the potential cuts? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones): My right hon. Friend the Secretary Mrs Gillan: I will continue to do that on a regular of State and I have regular discussions with Cabinet basis. One thing that is so exciting about the Welsh and ministerial colleagues, and we regularly meet the economy is our huge potential in the creative industries. Association of Chief Police Officers Cymru, Police There is tremendous potential between the BBC and Authorities of Wales, the Welsh Local Government ITV, which is expanding its news coverage, and S4C, but Association and other interested parties to discuss matters our broadcasting industry must face the reality of the affecting policing and law and order in Wales. budget within which we must work, thanks to the previous Government’s mismanagement of the economy. However, I stress that the television industry is the place Jessica Morden: With Welsh police forces facing budget for independent companies to do business. cuts this year of more than £6 million, which is a real threat to front-line policing in constituencies such as Airbus A400M mine, will the Minister tell the House how much it will cost to elect and fund the proposed directly elected 3. Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): What police commissioners in Wales? discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the A400M military transport aircraft and Mr Jones: The hon. Lady will know that we have had Airbus in Wales. [13134] to impose budget cuts to make a start on sorting out the appalling economic legacy that we inherited from the The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): Labour party. Elected police commissioners will not I have already held discussions with my right hon. cost a penny more than the police authorities that they Friend the Defence Secretary on a number of military will replace, and they will add the considerable value of issues that affect Wales, and I have arranged to speak to ensuring that there is a democratic link between the him again during this two-week sitting of Parliament. I electorate and those responsible for overseeing the police. also wrote to him specifically on that issue in July, highlighting the importance of Airbus to the Welsh Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): The economy. Police Minister indicated that police authorities could make savings by reducing overtime, but police authorities Mark Tami: During the election, a number of Tory such as Dyfed-Powys have already reduced overtime to candidates in north Wales published leaflets that contained a minimum as a result of previous efficiency savings. a pledge from the then Leader of the Opposition, who Will the Under-Secretary of State for Wales convey that is now the Prime Minister, that that project would go to the Police Minister, and ensure that not all police ahead. Is that pledge still valid? Is it worth anything? authorities are dealt with on the same basis, so that Mrs Gillan: I know that the hon. Gentleman takes a peculiar requirements are taken into consideration? great interest in such matters, and so he should, because Airbus employs, I believe, more than 6,500 people at the Mr Jones: The Government clearly recognise that any Broughton plant in his constituency. The order book cuts present challenges to our police, as they do to other for the A400M currently looks very healthy, with orders front-line services, but they also present an opportunity for more than 180 aircraft worldwide and at least 22 for to refocus policing priorities and operational requirements. the UK. I am confident that the position is secure. The Welsh police authorities have already shown an excellent lead by combining procurement, to the Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): The Secretary of extent that they have saved more than £3.5 million in State is right to concentrate on the importance of the last financial year, and I hope that that pattern will military activity and training in Wales. Will she therefore continue. 307 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 308

Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): Following on organisations in Wales, so that the issues affecting individual from the Minister’s earlier response, the Local Government companies are fed directly into coalition Government Association estimates that the cost of these police policy. commissioners will be £50 million, or the equivalent of 700 police officers. Does not he agree that it would be Alun Cairns: Over the last 10 years, Wales became the perverse to introduce these superannuated sheriffs at poorest part of the United Kingdom under the the same time as making cuts in neighbourhood policing? administration of Labour both here at Westminster and in Cardiff bay. A recent Oxford Economics report suggests Mr Jones: As I have already indicated, the cost of the that over the next five years Wales will create only 4,000 police commissioners will not be a penny more than the new jobs. Given that Wales will have the same macro- authorities that they replace. The hon. Gentleman may economic conditions as every other part of the UK, is like to know that I have already held a meeting with the not that a sad indictment of the Administration in Welsh Local Government Association. I have also seen Cardiff bay and the legacy of Labour? the letter to which he alludes, and I have passed it on to colleagues in the Home Office. I reiterate that it will not Mrs Gillan: My hon. Friend has experience of the cost a penny more than the police authorities that the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Assembly, commissioners will replace. so I will leave his comments to stand. I agree with him that the situation that we have inherited is shocking Winter Fuel Payments across the UK, and it is especially sad in Wales because gross value added per head is the lowest out of all the 5. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): What recent UK nations and has been that way since 1998. However, discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on I want to be optimistic about the Welsh economy and I the future of winter fuel payments to people in Wales. have recently visited some very successful businesses [13137] that are investing in Wales and looking at creating jobs, including Corus, Sharp and Ultrapharm—the latter is The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales producing wheat-free healthy lifestyle products for Marks (Mr David Jones): Winter fuel payments provide assurance and Spencer. I have been impressed by the number of to older people that they can keep warm during the jobs that are starting to appear in the Welsh economy, colder winter months by providing significant help with and I want to encourage more businesses to come and fuel bills. As announced in the Budget, winter fuel do business in Wales. payments will continue to be paid for 2010-11, which will benefit some 680,000 people in approximately 494,000 Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) households in Wales. (PC): With the public sector cuts inevitably having a disproportionate effect on the Welsh economy, what Huw Irranca-Davies: I wish to put to the Minister a countervailing measures is the right hon. Lady arguing question that was raised in a meeting of the over-50s for with the Treasury to stimulate private sector growth group in my constituency last week. The Prime Minister in Wales? gave assurances about safeguarding benefits for the elderly and the winter fuel payment during the election, Mrs Gillan: I am sad that the hon. Gentleman has to but we now hear rumours that the qualifying age may ask such a question, but he knows that he has to be increasing from 60 to 66, or possibly more, and that because the last Government left this economy in tatters, the basic winter fuel payment could be cut by £50 for and it has fallen to this coalition Government to put the new recipients or £100 for the oldest. What merit should economy back together again. As he well knows, we are we give to those statements that were made during the providing an environment in which business can do election? business in the UK. We are reducing corporation tax by a penny each year, which will give us one of the lowest Mr Jones: As the hon. Gentleman knows, the coalition corporation tax regimes in the European Union, we agreement makes it clear that the Government intend to have reduced the taxation regime for small companies, protect the winter fuel payment. It is clear that the age and we have incentives on national insurance for at which both men and women get winter fuel payments entrepreneurs setting up businesses. I can assure him will move in step with the equalisation in entitlement to that we are doing everything that we can to create a the state pension, but I reiterate that the coalition healthy environment in which businesses and private agreement makes it clear that we intend to protect that business can prosper. payment. Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): What assessment has Welsh Businesses the Minister made of the impact on private businesses in Wales of the loss of public service contracts and 6. Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): What purchasing power caused by redundancies, cuts to rises recent discussions she has had with ministerial in benefits and the proposed new VAT regime? colleagues, the Welsh Assembly Government and CBI Wales on support for Welsh businesses. [13138] Mrs Gillan: The hon. Lady knows that the deficit needs to be tackled immediately, and it was her Government The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): who left us in this dire financial situation. Of course, I I have regular discussions with many ministerial colleagues cannot pre-empt anything that might happen in the to ensure that we support Welsh businesses. I have comprehensive spending review, but I recognise the already met with CBI Wales twice, and I have quarterly vital role that public sector contracts play in the prosperity meetings planned with the CBI along with other business of businesses across Wales, and I know that the economy 309 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 310 is heavily dependent on the public sector, so I have Mrs Gillan: My hon. Friend knows that our approach already made representations to the Treasury, and will to constitutional matters is informed and underpinned continue to do so. However, I am afraid that the financial by our commitment to the Union and devolution and mess we are in was the responsibility of her party. our conviction that power should rest in the hands of those we serve. Indeed, we have committed, in our Public Expenditure Reductions programme of government, to establishing a commission to consider what has become known as the West Lothian question, and we are working to take that forward. 7. Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): What recent discussions she has had with the First Minister Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): When the Secretary of on the effect on levels of employment in Wales of State eventually comes up with a coherent and intelligible proposed reductions in public expenditure. [13139] question for the referendum on further powers for the Assembly, will she be asking the Electoral Commission The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales to carry out a further consultation on the question she (Mr David Jones): My right hon. Friend has regular will place before the House? discussions with the First Minister on a range of topics, including the reductions in public spending necessary to Mrs Gillan: I feel that I should say to the hon. tackle the deficit. Gentleman, “Listen very carefully, I will say this only once,” because I heard an interview that he gave on the Susan Elan Jones: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman radio in which it appeared that he had not listened to for his interesting and brief response. Will he actually the answers that I gave at the last Welsh questions. Can I answer the question more fully by commenting on the just tell him that I have—[Interruption.] fact that the latest employment outlook survey says that employers in Wales expect to decrease staffing levels in Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the the next few months by 8%, and that the Federation of Secretary of State, but there are far too many noisy Small Businesses in Wales has said that private conservations taking place. I want to hear the “it’s not surprising that small firms might be planning staff Ministers from the Front Bench, and I want to hear reductions”, right hon. and hon. Members asking their questions. and that is due to major public service cuts? Will he for Mrs Gillan: I am very grateful to the Electoral once speak up for Wales and accept responsibility for Commission for its report and the 10 weeks of examination the situation that his Government are creating for that it gave to the question that was designed by the communities in Wales? project board. On Monday I worked with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, and I have Mr Jones: I am glad to see that the hon. Lady considered its findings. We have all agreed that we recognises the appalling financial legacy of her Government. should accept its findings and take forward the preamble Under the last Government, unemployment in Wales and the question that has been put forward, on an increased by 60%, from more than 82,000 to 130,000 in objective and independent basis, by the Electoral the last 10 years. We can restore the Welsh economy and Commission, and I shall be making a further statement return life to it only by allowing the private sector to to Parliament. grow. On that basis, we have introduced measures, such as the national insurance holiday, that will stimulate Expenditure Reductions (Policing) significantly the private sector in Wales. Wales cannot rely on the public sector alone. 9. Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op): What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for National Assembly Powers the Home Department on the effects on front-line policing in Wales of planned expenditure reductions. [13141] 8. Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): What discussions she has had with the First Minister and ministerial The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales colleagues on the proposed referendum on the law- (Mr David Jones): Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary making powers of the National Assembly for Wales. of State and I have regular discussions with Cabinet [13140] and ministerial colleagues on policing matters in Wales. We recognise that reductions in budgets will be challenging The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): to our police forces, but will also present opportunities I have had regular discussions with the First Minister to refocus policing priorities and make operational and ministerial colleagues on the proposed referendum efficiencies. on the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales. Indeed, I discussed it with the First Minister Chris Evans: I thank the Minister for his response. and the Deputy First Minister on Monday. Given how successful the safer Caerphilly community safety partnership has been in substantially reducing Robert Halfon: I thank my right hon. Friend for her crime and antisocial behaviour, will the Secretary of reply. Does she agree that, as devolution develops, we State give an assurance that she will fight any plans to will need a fair constitutional settlement across the cut funding for next year? United Kingdom, and is it not the Government’s intention, therefore, to address English votes for English laws, and Mr Jones: The question of funding for the police is a indeed English and Welsh votes for English and Welsh matter that will have to await the comprehensive spending laws? review, but I am heartened by the comments of the 311 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 312

National Audit Office and the Wales Audit Office about about rehabilitation services in prisons in England that how it should be possible to effect reductions of £1 billion currently service prisoners from north Wales, and in without any effect at all on front-line policing. particular for those prisoners who have Welsh as their first language? Rural Economy Mr Jones: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of 10. John Howell (Henley) (Con): What recent State and I have recognised for some time the need for a discussions she has had with Welsh Assembly prison in north Wales. These are matters on which we Government Ministers and ministerial colleagues on have made representations to the prisons Minister, the Government policy to assist the rural economy in Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend Wales. [13142] the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), but clearly the question of whether one is affordable will have to await The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales the comprehensive spending review. (Mr David Jones): My right hon. Friend the Secretary Ryder Cup of State and I attach great importance to rural communities in Wales and the economic challenges that they face. 12. Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): What recent The Wales Office has set up a taskforce of officials to discussions she has had on opportunities for the leisure look at the rural economy and see what we can do to industry in south-east Wales arising from the support and encourage growth in our rural areas. forthcoming Ryder cup. [13144] John Howell: Having contributed to the Welsh rural The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): economy during the recess by spending a very enjoyable I have recently visited a number of venues associated holiday in Wales, may I ask the Minister to say what the with the leisure industry in Wales, and I have seen at Government are doing to promote economic renewal first hand some of the preparations being made for the and growth in the Welsh rural economy? 2010 Ryder cup. I have been impressed by all the hard work that will make this event a great Welsh success, Mr Jones: I am glad to hear that my hon. Friend is and I am sure that, like the people of Newport, we are contributing to that economic renewal and I hope that all anxious to see this fantastic event tee off in three he will continue to do so in years to come. The Wales weeks’ time in Wales. Office is currently consulting groups that represent businesses and the rural economy, to gather their views Paul Flynn: This is a wonderful, unique opportunity on what we can do to help them grow in these challenging for us to show off our city of Newport and the rest of times. I have already held meetings with a number of Wales. Will the Minister guarantee that she will do interest groups, including the farming unions, and I everything she can to ensure that there is a full legacy look forward to taking that work forward over the from the Ryder cup for the young people of Newport, autumn. Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom?

Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): There is a company Mrs Gillan: I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman. in my constituency called Desk-Link. Unfortunately it The Ryder cup is going to be fantastic in Wales and I is going through difficult times. Since January, many of would urge Members to encourage their constituents the staff there have been paid late. Some workers have who enjoy golf to visit this fantastic venue. The legacy found that their tax and national insurance contributions fund already involves a £2 million investment by the have not been paid. Will the Minister ensure that Her Welsh Assembly Government, and it has so far distributed Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Jobcentre Plus £1.5 million in grants for various projects across Wales. assist my constituents in getting the support to which This is an event for Wales that all the political parties they are entitled? can come together and support wholeheartedly.

Mr Jones: I am sorry to hear of the hon. Gentleman’s constituents’ difficulties. If he would care to write to PRIME MINISTER me, I shall ensure that his representations are put forward to the appropriate Departments. The Prime Minister was asked— Prison Capacity Engagements 11. Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) (Con): What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Q1. [13117] Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): If he Justice on prison capacity in Wales. [13143] will list his official engagements for Wednesday 8 September. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones): My right hon. Friend the Secretary The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg): Ihave of State met the prisons Minister in July to discuss been asked to reply. As the House might be aware, the prison capacity in Wales. Prime Minister’s father was taken seriously ill last night and, quite rightly, my right hon. Friend has travelled to Guto Bebb: Does my hon. Friend agree that the be with his father and his family. I am sure that I speak current financial crisis means that a new prison in north on behalf of everyone on both sides of the House when Wales is now a distant probability? If that is the case, I say that we send him, his father and his family our best what discussions has he had with the Ministry of Justice wishes at this difficult time. 313 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 314

I shall start by paying tribute to the brave servicemen Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): May I join the who have lost their lives over the summer since the Deputy Prime Minister in paying tribute to all those House last sat. They were: Corporal Matthew Stenton, who have lost their lives serving our country in Afghanistan from the Royal Dragoon Guards; Lance Corporal Stephen since the House last met? We know that for each one of Monkhouse, from 1st Battalion the Scots Guards; Sapper those individuals, there is a family who are immensely Mark Smith, from 36 Engineer Regiment; Lance Sergeant proud of their service but who are consumed with grief Dale McCallum, from 1st Battalion the Scots Guards; for their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with those Marine Adam Brown, from 40 Commando, Royal Marines; bereaved families and the comrades and friends of all Lieutenant John Sanderson, from 1st Battalion the those who have died. Mercian Regiment; Rifleman Remand Kulung, from I think that all of us had hoped that part of the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment; Sapper Darren opening of Prime Minister’s questions would be an Foster, from 21 Engineer Regiment; Sapper Ishwor opportunity for us to express congratulations to Gurung, from 69 Gurkha Field Squadron; Lance Corporal Mrs Cameron and the Prime Minister on the birth of Jordan Bancroft, from 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s their new baby—and, of course, on behalf of the Regiment; Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, from 1st Battalion Opposition, we certainly do so. Sadly, however, that is the Royal Regiment of Scotland; and Captain Andrew tinged with the dreadful news about the Prime Minister’s Griffiths, from 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s father. Let me say on behalf of the Opposition that I am Regiment. Each of those men was an heroic, selfless absolutely certain that the Prime Minister has made individual who has given his life for the safety of us and exactly the right decision—to be where he knows he has the British people. Nothing can ease the pain of the to be, with his father and his family at this difficult time. loved ones, families and friends they have left behind, The Prime Minister in May brought Mr Andy Coulson but their lives, service and sacrifice will never, ever be into 10 Downing street. May I ask the Deputy Prime forgotten. [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, hear.”] Minister whether he is entirely satisfied that, while We also remember Dr Karen Woo, who was killed Mr Coulson was editor of the News of the World,atno while providing aid and medical services to Afghan time was Mr Coulson aware of any use of unlawful civilians, and we offer condolences to the wife and hacking of telephones? family of Ken McGonigle, a devoted father of four and former police officer in Northern Ireland, who died on The Deputy Prime Minister: I am grateful to the right 7 August while mentoring police forces in Helmand hon. Gentleman for his words about the Prime Minister province. As I saw again when I was in Afghanistan last and the great news about the birth of a new baby week, the bravery of our servicemen and others who are daughter. I will, of course, pass that on. risking their lives daily to help the people of Afghanistan As for the issue of phone hacking, the right hon. is both inspiring and humbling. Gentleman knows, as we all know, that this is a very, very serious offence—a very serious offence indeed. It is Mark Pritchard: Yesterday, West Mercia police an outrageous invasion of privacy, and it is right that announced that they were laying off 300 personnel. two individuals were convicted and imprisoned. As for Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that, if it were Mr Coulson, he has made it very clear that he took not for the financial mess left by the previous Government, responsibility for something at the News of the World of many of those jobs—and, indeed, thousands of other which he had no knowledge, and he refutes all the public sector jobs across the country—could have been allegations that have been made to the contrary. That saved? It is now left to the new coalition Government to statement speaks for itself. It is now for the police and take the difficult decisions to sort out the nation’s the police alone to decide whether new evidence has finances. come to light that needs to be investigated.

The Deputy Prime Minister: I certainly agree that the Mr Straw: That was not an answer to the question I previous Government have left us with an extraordinary put. The question was: is the right hon. Gentleman legacy, with the largest deficit in our peacetime history. entirely satisfied that, while Mr Coulson was editor of It was they who took their eye off the ball and allowed the News of the World, at no time was Mr Coulson the banks to lend money irresponsibly, and it was they aware of any use of unlawful phone hacking? Yes or no? who racked up these extraordinary debts and deficits— [Interruption.] They were irresponsible in government, The Deputy Prime Minister: Mr Coulson has made it and they are now living in denial in opposition. quite clear that he had no knowledge and he refutes all We did not just inherit a legacy of deficit; we also the allegations. While, in a slightly rushed manner, I was inherited a legacy of bureaucracy. As Sir Denis O’Connor, preparing for today, suspecting that this issue might the chief inspector of constabulary, pointed out in July, come up, I read in one of the briefing notes I received 2,600 pages of guidance were issued to police officers that when Andy Coulson resigned from the News of the last year alone. He said that, if they were laid end to World the first person to call to commiserate was the end, they would be right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath “three times higher than the Eiffel tower”. (Mr Brown). He told him not to worry, that he had done the honourable thing and that he knew he would We need less bureaucracy and more police on the streets. go on to do a worthwhile job. [Interruption.] [Interruption.] Mr Straw rose— Mr Speaker: Order. First of all, we need much less noise. Secondly, I remind Front Benchers of the need Mr Speaker: Order. Members must calm themselves. for pithy exchanges to enable as many Back Benchers as I cannot imagine why they are so excited, but I want to possible to contribute. get down the Order Paper. 315 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 316

Mr Straw: In May of this year, the Deputy Prime Afghanistan, we have a flood in Pakistan, and the right Minister’s right hon. Friend the Energy Secretary said hon. Gentleman is inviting the Government to second-guess that Mr Coulson was the work of the police. I should have thought that, after “either complicit in criminal activity or the most incompetent all the years during which he was involved in our editor in Fleet Street”. criminal justice system, he would know better. Which is it? Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Yesterday a serving The Deputy Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend police officer was jailed for an appalling assault committed and I are in complete agreement that if new evidence in a police station in my constituency. While I believe has come to light—and that is what I want and that is that we can draw confidence in the Wiltshire police what I expect—the police will now actively look to see from the brave officer who blew the whistle, does the whether that evidence is worthy of further investigation. Deputy Prime Minister agree that it cannot be right That is what the police are there for; that is what they that, owing to restrictive police conduct regulations, the should be doing. offending officer continued on full pay for more than two years after the attack? Of course, it was under the previous Government—the Labour Government—that no further action was taken. The Deputy Prime Minister: Like, I suspect, many It was the former Home Secretary, who has been making Members in all parts of the House, I was deeply shocked all sorts of pious remarks in the press, who decided not by the pictures of the offence that was perpetrated by to involve Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary. the police officer. I also share people’s dismay that The Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown action was not taken more speedily. However stressful Prosecution Service decided not to take any further the conditions in which police officers work, it is absolutely action. If the police now think that new evidence has essential that they uphold the very high standards of come to light, let them decide. their own conduct in all circumstances, and that was clearly not the case in this instance. I am glad that Mr Straw: The Select Committee on Culture, Media action is finally being taken, although, like my hon. and Sport, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister’s hon. Friend, I wish that it could have been taken earlier. Friend the Conservative hon. Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), said: Q2. [13118] Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth “The evidence, we find, makes it inconceivable that no-one else and Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): This morning the at the News of the World, bar Mr Goodman, was aware of the Business Secretary reaffirmed his commitment to the activity” separation of high street banking from casino banking. of phone-hacking. What does the Deputy Prime Minister Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that that know that the Select Committee did not know? separation is essential to ensuring that the British taxpayer need never again bail out banks that are too The Deputy Prime Minister: The police now need to big to fail? decide whether, in the light of the new allegations that have been made, there is new evidence which requires The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman further investigation. That is what the police are there knows, there is a lively debate about the relationship for, and I want them to get on with that. That is what I between retail banking and investment banking. The expect they should do. But honestly, I am simply not former Chancellor has made his own views very clear going to take any lessons from a party whose members from his party’s Front Bench: he does not think that spent all their time in office back-biting against each there is a case for separation. The Liberal Democrats other through leaks and counter-leaks to the press—the believed in opposition that there should be a separation, party of the dodgy dossier, of cash for peerages, of and a debate is now taking place within Government. Damian McBride. Let us have a little bit of consistency We have asked Sir John Vickers to chair an independent on this, shall we? commission, which will consider how we can ensure that there is safety and stability in our banking system Mr Straw: So, when the police have uncovered for good. That action was not taken by the last Government. 2,978 mobile telephone numbers of potential victims We will look at the commission’s recommendations, and and The New York Times has named the Deputy Prime then decide. Minister’s own hon. Friend the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) as a potential Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Given that in victim, does the Deputy Prime Minister expect us to the last year of the Labour Government they spent believe that the only person who knew nothing about £10,000 for every man, woman and child in the country phone hacking at the News of the World was the editor—the on current public spending, and given that that will go very man whom the Prime Minister has brought into up to £11,500 a head over the five years of this Government the heart of this Government? under Budget plans, is it not clear that the coalition Government can get through without any damaging The Deputy Prime Minister: What I expect and hope cuts to important public services? the right hon. Gentleman will believe is that it is now for the police to investigate whether these new charges and The Deputy Prime Minister: As my right hon. Friend allegations have anything to them. That is what the well knows, the challenge of balancing the Budget and police are there for. Does the right hon. Gentleman filling the huge black hole left to us by Labour is, want us all to start second-guessing what is in the indeed, very difficult. That has, of course, been recognised newspaper and what statements have been made? Let by Tony Blair in his recent book, where he has said: the police—[Interruption.] Look, we have a war in “if governments don’t tackle deficits”—[Interruption.] 317 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 318

Mr Speaker: Order. I have not read the book yet. I Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): want to hear what Mr Blair has had to say. Last month the police ombudsman released his report into the Claudy bombing by the Provisional IRA in The Deputy Prime Minister: I am relieved that 1972, where nine innocent people were murdered. The Mr Speaker wants to hear that the book says ombudsman concluded that the Secretary of State at “if governments don’t tackle deficits…This then increases the risk the time, a senior police officer and the Roman Catholic of prolonged slump…If we fail to offer a convincing path out of cardinal colluded to ensure that a chief suspect in the debt, that...will itself plunge us into stagnation.” bombing who was also a Roman Catholic priest was I agree. transferred to the Irish Republic rather than be brought to justice. I will wish to raise the matter directly with the Q3. [13119] Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): Prime Minister, but will the Deputy Prime Minister join The charity Shelter this week revealed that 54,000 me in calling for the Catholic Church to apologise for children who live in households that are already well its part in this, and for the surviving members of the below the poverty line are going to lose out as a result Provisional IRA, including the Deputy First Minister, of the changes to housing benefit, and the Department who I understand today confirmed that he visited the for Work and Pensions own document has revealed suspect priest as he lay on his deathbed 30 years ago, to that 52,000 of the poorest pensioners will be on average declare all that they knew about one of the worst £11 a week worse off as a result of the changes. Is that atrocities in Northern Ireland’s troubled past? what the Chancellor meant when he said his Budget was tough but fair? The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman The Deputy Prime Minister: The legacy we inherited— knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for [HON.MEMBERS: “Oh!”] I know Opposition Members Northern Ireland made a full apology on 24 August on do not want to hear this, but it is worth reminding behalf of the Government. The Government are profoundly people in the country at large that after 13 years of sorry that Father Chesney was not properly investigated Labour the United Kingdom has the highest— at the time for his suspected involvement in this hideous [Interruption.] crime and that the victims and their families have quite simply been denied justice. However, I wish to reiterate Mr Speaker: I apologise for interrupting the Deputy that, although after the attack the then Government Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister will be acted wrongly in not insisting that the Royal Ulster heard. There is far too much noise. Members must Constabulary properly investigate Father Chesney, it restrain themselves and give the Deputy Prime Minister was terrorists who were responsible for this despicable a proper and fair hearing. and evil attack, which took innocent lives, including that of an eight-year-old girl. My right hon. Friend has The Deputy Prime Minister: The United Kingdom made it clear that a public inquiry is not being considered, now, after 13 years of Labour Government, has the on the grounds that there simply is not likely to be any highest number of children in workless households in further evidence to consider. We have co-operated fully Europe. That is an absolutely shameful legacy, and one with the ombudsman’s investigations, making all papers of the things that this Government are going to do, available to him, the Historical Enquiries Team is also which the previous Government failed to do, is create now investigating the case, and in the interests of incentives to get people off benefits and into work. That transparency the Government have published the only is the surest way out of poverty and the surest way we document that they hold referring to discussions about can look after those children who were abandoned and Father Chesney. not looked after by the previous Labour Government. Q5. [13122] Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) Q4. [13120] Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire) (Con): After the Chinook crash in 1994 on the Mull of (Con): Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital Kintyre, every inquiry that has been held that has been that the Government honour their pledge to Equitable independent of the Ministry of Defence has found it Life policyholders and uphold the findings of the impossible to attribute negligence to the pilots who parliamentary ombudsman? died in the crash. May I thank the Government for honouring the pledge made before the election to hold The Deputy Prime Minister: I certainly agree with my a review and ask how the independence of that review hon. Friend; we are absolutely committed to bringing will be assured? justice to the Equitable Life policyholders. These people were shamelessly, shamefully betrayed year after year The Deputy Prime Minister: I am acutely aware of my by the previous Government. We have published a Bill right hon. Friend’s considerable expertise on defence on this, we have taken the recommendations from Sir John matters and of his long-standing interest in this tragic Chadwick, which we will consider, and we will create an disaster and the circumstances around it, and I am independent mechanism by which justice is finally provided pleased to be able to confirm today that we will be to the policyholders, who were so shamefully overlooked holding an independent review of the evidence on the by the previous Government. Mull of Kintyre disaster. I hope that the review will be welcomed by the families of those who died in that Q6. [13123] Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab): tragic accident. To ensure its complete independence, Does the Deputy Prime Minister have any qualms at all the review will be conducted by a respected lawyer who about the coalition Government’s 2010 Budget, which is independent of the Government and who has not took 2,000 front-line workers out of Jobcentre Plus? previously expressed a view on the disaster. The reviewer Given that fewer people were in work this June than and the precise terms of reference will be announced the previous June and given this week’s review into the soon. work capability assessment, will he ensure that the 319 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 320 comprehensive spending review provides the front-line mellowed with age. I am happy to give him a gift, but on staffing resources that Jobcentre Plus offices around the question of whether it is a gift of the size and shape the country need to get people off benefit and back that he has requested, I am afraid that I cannot oblige into work in the way that he just described? him today.

The Deputy Prime Minister: I certainly agree, of Q8. [13125] Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con): course, that the most important objective of all is to Some people enter the country and receive NHS increase incentives to work. That is why in that same treatment but do not pay their bill. Then they apply for Budget we increased the personal allowance by £1,000, another visa to come back again. Is that fair? Will the taking close to 900,000 people out of paying any income Government stop it? tax. We did take measures to protect the vulnerable and the elderly: we dramatically increased child tax credit, The Deputy Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is of and we provided a triple guarantee to pensioners, so course right that fairness is one of the NHS’s founding that their pensions will increase by 2.5%, by inflation or principles and we must retain that principle. We need to by earnings. Of course it is easy in opposition to deny consider measures to make possible dealing with people any responsibility for the mess in which we find ourselves who have rightly been given care by the NHS—because in the first place, but I simply ask the hon. Lady and her the NHS provides care to everybody on the basis of colleagues whether they have any qualms about the fact need—and who are supposed to make a contribution that her party and her Government announced £44 billion- but escape the obligation to do so. That is what we are worth of cuts but never had the decency or honesty to working on and we will be coming forward with tell the British people where those cuts would fall. announcements soon. Q7. [13124] Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Given the number of disturbing cases such as that of my Q9. [13126] Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What would constituent, Andrew Symeou, a 21-year-old young man the Deputy Prime Minister say to my constituent, who was extradited to Greece well over a year ago Rachael Shipp, who now finds that all her hard work, under the European arrest warrant and who has spent community action and fundraising in line with big society more than 10 months in jail yet still does not face the thinking will come to naught as the Government cut the prospect of a trial date, will the Deputy Prime Minister moneys promised to her neighbourhood group for their commit the Government to reviewing this very much-needed playbuilder scheme? She cannot understand worrying legislation? Will he also agree to a meeting why a referendum that has no electoral mandate and with the parents as a matter of urgency, involving that she sees as irrelevant will go ahead at a cost, according either himself or the Prime Minister? to the TaxPayers Alliance, of £100 million which could be better spent on community schemes such as hers in The Deputy Prime Minister: Of course I would more Lilac avenue. than welcome that meeting with either myself or the Prime Minister. We are all aware of the concerns about The Deputy Prime Minister: I am very amused that the way in which the European arrest warrant works. I the referendum, which the hon. Gentleman claims has understand that the Minister for Europe has met no mandate, was in the manifesto on which he campaigned Mr Symeou’s parents and that the Foreign and at the last election. I know that Labour is enjoying Commonwealth Office would be willing to do so again. denying any responsibility for the past—U-turn after Of course this is in the context of even wider concerns U-turn after U-turn. One hundred thousand members about our extradition arrangements, not only those in of the public have made suggestions about how we can the European Union, but those with the United States. try to bring some sense to our public finances without That is why my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary hitting the vulnerable and without hitting front-line has announced today that we will be reviewing the UK’s public services. Have we heard a single suggestion from extradition arrangements in the round. The review will anyone on the Opposition Benches? Not a single suggestion. focus on the operation of the European arrest warrant, Until the Labour party catches up with reality, it will on whether or not the United States and United Kingdom not be taken seriously. extradition treaty is unbalanced, and on whether requesting states should be required to provide prima facie evidence Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): How can to us. the Deputy Prime Minister justify to hard-working taxpayers facing economic difficulties in their own families Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): and businesses the fact that he wants to spend £100 million Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware that today is my of their taxpayers’ money on a referendum on the birthday? If I tell him how to pay for it, will he agree to voting system? give me a present of a couple of aircraft carriers? None of your foreign rubbish—I want British ones and I do not want to have to share them with some French bloke. Hon. Members: Hear, hear! If he had it Monday to Wednesday and I had it Thursday to Saturday and we shared weekends, we would have to The Deputy Prime Minister: I am amused that my get the permission of the Child Support Agency if we hon. Friend gets a cheer from the Opposition Members wanted to make any change in that. All that could be who advocated that same proposal. That of course is paid for by cutting our contribution to the European the reason, as my hon. Friend knows, why we think that Union. Will he agree? there is a compelling case for saving up to £30 million in the cost of holding the elections in May and the referendum The Deputy Prime Minister: I of course congratulate on a separate occasion by combining the two on the the hon. Gentleman on his birthday and I am delighted same day. I suspect that she is not that keen on that to see that his enthusiasm for things European has not idea, but I hope that over time she will come to support it. 321 Oral Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 322

Q10. [13127] Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): The tribute to the Rotary Club of Braids in my Deputy Prime Minister is famous for his humility. constituency, which has raised thousands of pounds for Following the report of the Select Committee and this shelter boxes to send to Pakistan and other areas that morning’s report in the Financial Times,ishenow are devastated by events? Will he give a commitment prepared to apologise for the mistake that he made that his Government will consider altering the gift aid about Sheffield Forgemasters and to join the Liberal scheme to ensure that bucket collections can be leader of Sheffield council in calling for some public included, so that the club’s valuable work can go much finance for that project? further?

The Deputy Prime Minister: As the hon. Gentleman The Deputy Prime Minister: We will, of course, look knows, the reason, regrettably, why the £80 million loan at anything that will continue to encourage people to be that was announced by the previous Government as generous as they have been in responding to this truly 11 working days before the general election to coincide horrific catastrophe. I was in Pakistan, in Sindh province, with a nice photo opportunity for the previous Prime just last week, where I saw for myself the scale of the Minister at Forgemasters has not been able to proceed situation. It is genuinely difficult to comprehend that an from this year’s Budget is that it is not affordable under area the size of the whole United Kingdom has been this year’s Budget given that the structural deficit we submerged under water. Some 20 million people have inherited was so much greater than we thought. In been displaced and my fear is that the worst is still to other words, it was a promise made where the money come as water-borne diseases start taking hold. That is was not available. It was a cheque written which the why I certainly welcome the hon. Gentleman’s active previous Government knew would bounce, but we have interest in this issue and why I will welcome work from made it very clear to Forgemasters that we will continue him and Members on both sides of the House so that to work with it to see how we can support it in future we can work together to continue, both as a Government once the Budget situation becomes clearer after the and as a people, to show the support that all the many comprehensive spending round. distressed communities in Pakistan deserve at this time.

Q12. [13129] Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) (Con): Q13. [13130] Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) Chinese lanterns pose a threat to farmers both because (Con): May I ask the Deputy Speaker about the of the fire risk to standing crops when lanterns fall into Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill? fields and because the wire frames are cut into small If the Bill is significantly amended in Committee or pieces by harvesting equipment so that wire is defeated on Third Reading, will the Liberal Democrats incorporated into animal feed such as hay and silage, leave the coalition, or can he give a guarantee that they killing farm animals. What steps will the Government will stay in it? consider taking to reduce the risks in this area?

The Deputy Prime Minister: Everybody who lives and The Deputy Prime Minister: I am not sure if it will works in rural areas knows that this issue is causing a please or disappoint the hon. Gentleman when I say great deal of distress to both farmers and their livestock. that the persistence and resilience of the coalition is not We have been looking at ways in which we can deal with dependent on any one single piece of legislation. He will the issue and reduce the risks posed by the lanterns, know—again, I am not sure if he will be pleased or while not wishing to ban them completely.The Department displeased by this—that the Bill is only one part of a for Business, Innovation and Skills has been in contact much, much wider programme of political reform. That with the manufacturers of the lanterns and has demanded includes giving people the power of recall so that they that the lanterns in future should be 100% biodegradable are able to sack their MP if they are shown to have done and should have full safety instructions with them. something seriously wrong, cleaning up party funding and producing proposals finally to reform the other Q11. [13128] Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): place. I am afraid that political reform does not begin Will the Deputy Prime Minister join me in paying or just end with this one single Bill. 323 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 324

Privilege PAYE Contributions

12.34 pm 12.35 pm Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP) (Urgent Question): Bryant) has written to me concerning the hacking of To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make the mobile phones of hon. and right hon. Members. a statement on the reported errors made by Her Majesty’s Having looked into this matter, I have decided that it is Revenue and Customs that appear to have led to millions a matter to which I should allow precedence. Therefore, of people underpaying or overpaying billions of pounds under the rules set out at pages 167 to 168 of “Erskine of pay-as-you-earn contributions. May”, the hon. Member may table a motion for debate at the commencement of public business tomorrow. It Mr Speaker: Order. I should be grateful if hon. and will appear on the Order Paper after any statements and right hon. Members who are leaving the Chamber would before the debate on UK armed forces in Afghanistan. do so quickly and quietly so that the Minister, Mr. David Gauke, can respond to the urgent question.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke): I am grateful for the opportunity to make a statement to the House about the action that HMRC is taking to rectify overpayments and underpayments in the PAYE system. The PAYE reconciliation process occurs every year to reflect the changes in people’s earnings and employment status that happen over the course of a tax year. In previous years, HMRC employed a system of manually joining up separate pieces of information through PAYE. Each case of potential overpayment or underpayment had to be reviewed individually before reconciliation could be finalised. That was inefficient and clerically intensive work, and it resulted in a backlog of open cases. HMRC now employs a new computer system that matches records automatically to ensure that the correct amount of tax is paid. The coalition Government have already started to look at how to reform PAYE further and make it more efficient. As part of the Government’s strategy to create the most competitive tax system in the G20, we are consulting on options to improve PAYE. The PAYE system was introduced at a time when people had one job—perhaps the same job for their whole career—and one source of income in retirement. However, that world has now gone and it is common for people to have earnings from multiple sources. That is well known, but it is something that the previous Government failed to address. No reconciliation process was undertaken last year, so this year HMRC had to complete the reconciliation for two years instead of one. The preliminary assessment of this year’s reconciliation was first brought to my attention earlier in the summer, and while the majority of PAYE records are correct, we are acting promptly to put right the situation that we inherited, which has contributed to the number of individuals required to make payments and the size of payments owed. About 4.3 million taxpayers will receive repayments between now and Christmas, while 1.4 million will be sent letters specifying how any underpayment has been calculated and how such payments can be reviewed. To begin the process of reconciliation, HMRC has sent out the first set of taxpayer notifications to individuals throughout the UK. Those individuals who have overpaid will receive a full refund. Those who have underpaid will make additional payments through the PAYE system, provided that the payment due is less than £2,000. If the payment due is more than £2,000, HMRC will contact the individual to discuss the issue. All payments will 325 PAYE Contributions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 PAYE Contributions 326

[Mr David Gauke] Ministers first knew about them? How could a system so flawed have been allowed to operate as it did? He begin next year and no immediate one-off payment will spoke a lot about PAYE and his intention to reform it, be required. HMRC will review the responses to the but the public, employers and employees have a right to first set of notifications and make any changes needed trust and believe that the PAYE system is reliable and to operational plans before going ahead with the rest. works. What guarantees can he give us today that, after Staggering the process between now and Christmas will work is done on PAYE, it will be trusted and people’s help to ensure that HMRC can deal with all queries family and household incomes and budgets will not be efficiently. shredded, as they may be in the coming year, with The Exchequer is owed a total of approximately demands for back tax because of miscalculations by the £2 billion. The fact that we were left with the worst Revenue? deficit in peacetime history means that we simply cannot afford to write off all the underpayments. To ensure Mr Gauke: First, let I say that I am perfectly happy to that the tax system is fair for everyone and that everyone answer these questions and I am genuinely grateful for pays their fair share, we are taking action to recoup the the opportunity to do so. funds as painlessly as possible. In cases of genuine The hon. Gentleman asked about the backlog of hardship, HMRC will allow payments to be spread cases. That matter has been well known—I believe that across a period of three years. As was already the case, he and I have debated it in the past, and a National it will not pursue cases when the amount owed is less Audit Office report published on 30 June gave the most than £300—that is an increase from the previous threshold recent update on the position. There is nothing new in of £50—which applies to 40% of all underpayments. Of the backlog that has emerged in recent weeks. There is a course, in specific circumstances, HMRC will consider problem and we and HMRC are seeking to deal with it, writing off underpayments where it can be shown that but it is a problem that has existed for many years and HMRC was provided with all the information necessary— we are critical of the previous Administration for the although I have to tell the House, from historical experience, lack of progress in resolving it. A specific concern that that that is unlikely to apply to many cases. We do not has featured very recently is that it has emerged that, in want to build up people’s hopes unrealistically. the last two tax years, 4.3 million people have overpaid This Government understand that there is an urgent tax and 1.4 million have underpaid. Our aim is to send need to reform our PAYE system. In opposition and cheques to all those who have overpaid over the course from day one in government, we have sought ways to of the rest of the year—in dramatic contrast with improve it. The system is outdated, inefficient and previous delays in addressing overpayments. burdensome to the Exchequer and taxpayer alike. We The hon. Gentleman is right to raise the question of need PAYE to reflect the employment issues that the changed circumstances, and it is absolutely right that 21st century presents, and that will be a focus of reforms HMRC considers hardship cases. That is why we have that we take forward as part of our wider strategy for announced today that HMRC will show flexibility in reform. some cases to spread payment over three years. As I said, we are not seeking to pursue the matter mindlessly, Stewart Hosie: I thank the Minister for his technical without taking account of individual circumstances, explanation of the problem. I say at the outset that, especially of those owing large amounts. given the scale of the problem—6 million people owing or owed perhaps £6 billion—it is disappointing that a The hon. Gentleman also rightly raises the subject of Minister was brought here to make that statement and fraudsters, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to that the Government did not volunteer one earlier. reiterate that HMRC will not send e-mails to members of the public; communication will be in writing. Of May I ask for more clarity? Is the number of people course, people should be cautious. affected around the 6 million previously reported, and does the Minister discount the figure of 23 million How long has this problem persisted? The fundamental reported in some of the press today? Is he confident problem with PAYE, in the sense of there being too that the previously reported figure for mispayments of many open cases, and underpayments and overpayments, £3.8 billion are correct, and does he give any credence is a long-standing issue. In part it has to be recognised to reports in the press today of an additional £3 billion that, inherently in the PAYE system, there will sometimes of mispayment error? In short, I am trying to understand be underpayments, because not all the information will the full extent of the problem. be available in-year. For example, all the information about benefits in kind, company cars and so on, will not Can the Minister tell the House when those due to necessarily be available to HMRC or to employers. That receive payments from the Revenue will get them. He will come to light at the end of the year, and then there confirmed the procedure for the Revenue requesting will be a need for reconciliation, but that problem has payment from those who have underpaid, and I am always existed. pleased that the offset is now £300, but can he give a cast-iron guarantee that those whose circumstances have The hon. Gentleman specifically asked how long changed dramatically—perhaps they have lost their job— Ministers have been aware of the problem. This Minister will not be hounded for modest payments that they can has been aware of a problem with PAYE since day one, no longer afford to make? and that is one reason why we made proposals for What action is the Minister taking to ensure that reform when in opposition. taxpayers are not now the target of fraudsters and The hon. Gentleman asked also about future reform. scams? To get to the bottom of the matter, although he It is important that there is trust in the PAYE system, explained how the problem occurred, can he explain and it is right to say that in 85% of cases PAYE is how long such errors have been occurring and when correct in-year, but there are still problems, and we are 327 PAYE Contributions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 PAYE Contributions 328 consulting on proposals so that information is more how will that extra demand be managed? The press up-to-date—if you like, so that it is real-time information. reports all refer to tax paid over the past two years. That means that HMRC will be able to respond to Does the Minister intend that, in due course, HMRC changed conditions much more quickly, and that we will look at earlier periods as well, or is the exercise will have a system that is fit for the 21st century, in limited to those two years? which people move around, change jobs and have multiple Of course, it is a good thing that the previous sources of income. We think that that is the direction in Government’s investment has provided a system that is which we need to move. better able, in particular, to keep track of tax obligations, when people change their jobs or have multiple sources Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con): Is it not rather of income, but it is the Minister’s job now to ensure that revealing that this question was not tabled by the Labour the extra information that he has is used fairly. party, which presided over such a decrepit system for so long? Does not the sheer number of incorrect payments Mr Gauke: I think we now know why Labour Members illustrate the need to move to a system that reflects did not table an urgent question on this matter. modern working and allows tax payments in real time, rather than on the basis of either guesswork in advance The right hon. Gentleman asked many questions— of the tax year or reconciliation a year or two later? although there was not a word of apology for a tax system that is clearly encountering some difficulties—and Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As the I will endeavour to answer them all. First, there has Government, we are seeking to address the short-term been no change of plan. We have pursued the same issue, which is the overpayments and underpayments. proposal all along, namely to write to 45,000 to 50,000 We cannot just brush them to one side or park them for taxpayers. We will use the information and the lessons another year; we need to address them. However, we learned from this relatively small sample to guide how must also look at the longer-term solution, and that, as correspondence will be undertaken with the remaining my hon. Friend rightly says, means moving towards a taxpayers affected. Let me reassure him that his fears much more up-to-date system so that the information is about that are wrong. He also expressed concern about more up-to-date and we are able to respond accordingly. the public not being informed about the exercise, but we made great efforts to inform them over the weekend immediately after the decision was taken to proceed Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): I understand that with writing those first letters to affected taxpayers. tax experts were briefed last week and told that a small number of notifications would be sent out in the next The right hon. Gentleman referred to a concession few weeks as the start of a process over the coming that may be available, and he may recall that the months, so why was the House not told, still less the A19 concession is available in circumstances where all public, what was intended? Why did HMRC’s website the information has been provided to HMRC and it has initially say absolutely nothing at all? Why has that had the opportunity to address it. We have looked into arrangement, which was set out to a few experts last this. The A19 concession, which is well established—he week, apparently now been abandoned and replaced, if will remember it from his time in the Treasury—does we are to believe the reports over the weekend, with a not apply that often in practice, and I do not want headlong rush, whereby 6 million new calculations will people to build up their hopes that it will offer some be sent out in the next few weeks? Where is the plan for kind of panacea; that would be unfair on taxpayers. handling that huge exercise? The right hon. Gentleman questioned whether employers The Minister will have seen the questions that I have made mistakes. In some circumstances, employers tabled yesterday, but let me put four of them to him will have made the mistake that caused the overpayment specifically. He has told us that HMRC will consider or underpayment, but the principle remains the same—we writing off demands when taxpayers can demonstrate have to collect the right amount of tax. that they provided all the necessary information to The right hon. Gentleman asked about means-tested calculate their tax correctly. What exactly will they have benefits. In some cases, because net income was higher to show, and how can they do so? If a problem arises in a previous year, certain means-tested benefits would because the employer, rather than the employee, has not have been available in that year, so sums are now made a mistake, can he confirm that the employer will having to be paid back. In those particular cases where be held liable for the tax that is due? tax underpayments are being recovered through the tax Crucially, if people are required to pay more tax for a coding system, the corresponding fall in the net income past year, their net income for that year will be reduced. for the taxpayer will increase the availability of means-tested In many cases, that will mean that they would have been benefits in that relevant year. entitled to more benefits—pension credit, housing benefit The right hon. Gentleman asked about the extension and council tax benefit—than they were actually paid. of tax credit renewals’ deadline, and I can confirm that Can the Minister confirm that the rule will be changed it has been extended to provide additional time for so that those higher amounts will be paid to those claims. I have to point out to him, however, that the idea individuals or offset against the extra tax that is due? that call centres are under strain and that it is difficult to Anecdotal evidence suggests that HMRC call-response get through to HMRC is not entirely a new phenomenon: times have become much worse over the past few months, it is a long-standing problem. Let me take this opportunity with many more people not being able to get through. to say to taxpayers who are understandably concerned Can the Minister confirm that the deadline for tax about their position that they should wait until they credit renewals has been extended from 31 August as a receive a letter before contacting HMRC, as only then result? Clearly, sending out all those notifications will will it be able to deal effectively and efficiently with their hugely increase the demand on those call centres, so concerns. Nevertheless, he raises a legitimate issue about 329 PAYE Contributions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 PAYE Contributions 330

[Mr Gauke] Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Will the Minister make sure that there are sufficient staff who are able to call centres. We are providing additional staff—there is help vulnerable people unexpectedly facing big bills, additional capacity now and there will be after the tax with face-to-face discussions about how to deal with credit renewal process has been completed. We are that? Last Sunday in my advice surgery, I spoke to a taking steps to ensure that HMRC is able to deal gentleman who is a courier earning £220 a week and has effectively with those calling in with concerns. no bank account, but owes £18,000 in back tax because he has constantly had letters that he does not understand Mr Speaker: Order. I understand that the Minister is referring to extra charges, interest payments and so on. trying to help the House with informative replies, but I He has not been able to find anyone who can speak to am afraid they are rather prolix and they need to get him about the problem. Will the Minister ensure that shorter. there are enough staff to speak to people? Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Does my hon. Friend agree that the previous Government ignored Mr Gauke: I am grateful for that question. It is not only the crippling budget deficit but the serious absolutely right, particularly where those larger sums problem with PAYE? That is evidence as to why the are involved, that HMRC deals with people sympathetically, coalition’s setting up of the Office of Tax Simplification and in order for it to do so there needs to be proper is so important. communication. That is a challenge for HMRC, but it is absolutely right that it focuses its resources on this Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend raises an important point. matter. One of the stresses and strains that HMRC has had to deal with has been the complexity of the tax system. If we can address that, we can establish a simpler PAYE Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): A couple system and reduce the demands placed on HMRC so of years ago, HMRC lost my personal information and that it can focus on these very matters. that of 25 million other people on the child benefit disc, and in my constituency surgeries each week, HMRC Mr George Mudie (Leeds East) (Lab): It would be a problems consistently generate the most casework. In disservice to the many millions of people affected—certainly opening the boot—or the bonnet—of the car that is the the 1.4 million who are being chased for repayments—if computer system at HMRC, what other problems is the we allowed this matter to be passed over in gaining new mechanic going to find? party political points on either side. [Laughter.] It is not amusing to the 1.4 million people. The report says Mr Gauke: HMRC has faced many problems and that it was the Minister who noticed the disparity in the challenges over recent years: a merger, coping with a figures and asked for a review. The result is sad, but I complicated tax credits system, and a number of other commend him for uncovering the problem. This issue issues. We need to be realistic about what can be done raises important questions, and that is why party political with our tax system—tax simplification is indeed point scoring would be wrong. It is not the first debacle important—and allow HMRC to focus on its key concerns from this department. As the Minister looks into it, can and do the very important job that it has to do. the House expect some resignations or disciplinary action in respect of the highly paid chairman and chief Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): Can the executive and board? Minister outline the costs of this entire operation, and Mr Gauke: I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman has may I endorse the call for people who have underpaid to consistently raised concerns about HMRC. In my view, have the opportunity of face-to-face meetings if there we need to focus on moving forward. The fundamental are big demands on them, so that their cases can be problem is the PAYE system and the inability, over heard properly? Can he indicate whether interest will be many years, to bring it into the 21st century. In my view, paid on top of the money to be repaid to those who the days of Treasury Ministers throwing staplers around have overpaid? should be past. We need to work with HMRC constructively to ensure that we have an improvement in our tax Mr Gauke: On the last point, yes, interest is applicable system. and a statutory duty. We are not in a position to assess the costs to HMRC. It is worth putting the matter in Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): While perspective by saying that most people have had their recognising that the Government had to deal with this tax calculated accurately through the PAYE system, inherited problem, will my hon. Friend give me an and that more will receive repayments than will have to assurance that the Revenue will assist those who have a pay extra. People should wait until they receive their reasonable basis for showing that they provided the letters. It is worth pointing out also that the problem of necessary information in good time and that they will underpayments has existed in previous years, and many not face obstruction or lack of information? Will he hundreds of thousands of people have had to repay tax assure me that these efforts will not detract from the through the PAYE system, so the phenomenon is not measures that need to be taken to deal with those who entirely new, although the scale is somewhat greater actively evade their taxes, unlike most of the people this now. problem will affect? Mr Gauke: My right hon. Friend is right to raise David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): Have the appropriate those points. It is right that HMRC is sympathetic to risk assessments been undertaken of other key HMRC those in genuine hardship, and that should not obscure systems that were set up under the previous Labour the very important work that it does in tackling tax Government to ensure that we do not have to clean up evasion. other messes such as this in future? 331 PAYE Contributions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 PAYE Contributions 332

Mr Gauke: HMRC is examining potential risks on an each and every one of us, will have to stump up more ongoing basis. money that is not planned for at a time when money is tight for everyone. May I urge Ministers to have compassion Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab): May I first for those who find themselves in a difficult spot, and a congratulate the Minister on moving from the £50 limit review of HMRC, particularly its difficulties in operating to a £300 limit? That will be very helpful. However, computers? many thousands of the 1.4 million people will have changed circumstances. They may now be unemployed, Mr Gauke: Again, I confirm that HMRC will consider have mortgages or be on short-time working. Will that the matter sympathetically and will have flexibility to be taken into consideration? For ever the pragmatist, spread payments over up to three years. may I suggest that a direct line be set up for MPs? I imagine that I will have to put a revolving door in my Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ constituency surgery. Co-op): I was a bit disappointed by the Minister being a little dismissive of my right hon. Friend the Member for Mr Gauke: I note the hon. Gentleman’s point about a East Ham (Stephen Timms) when he suggested that it direct line, and I will certainly put that to HMRC was now getting harder to get through to HMRC. My management. I reiterate that we accept that there may experience, and that of many MPs, is that when people be hardship, and I am sure his constituents will welcome try to get through to tax credits staff, they just get an the announcement today about repayments potentially answer machine saying that they should phone back being spread over three years. another day. They cannot even leave a message. The situation is getting worse, and although I do not Several hon. Members rose— want to blame the Minister for that, may I urge him to consider more than just additional call centres? He Mr Speaker: I call Matthew Elliott. [Interruption.] I should also consider the possibility of providing not mean Matthew Hancock. Tax was on my mind. just a helpline but more support for bodies such as Citizens Advice and other information agencies. Does Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): The Minister he agree that there is a danger of scam e-mails, with said that one reason why some payments will have to be people trying to take advantage of those who will be in so big is that there has not been a reconciliation for two a difficult position, and that people will need somewhere years. Can he explain why moneys were not required reputable to get information and support so that others back from taxpayers up and down the country last year cannot try to get money out of their suffering? in the months running up to the general election? Mr Gauke: I reiterate that additional resources will Mr Gauke: My blood ran slightly cold for a moment be provided for call centres—I believe there will be when I thought that the TaxPayers Alliance had managed about 20% extra staff by the end of the month, with to get in here, but I know that my hon. Friend is a good contingency for more if needed. HMRC is focusing on representative for taxpayers. As for last year, it is fair to that. I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s remarks about say that the introduction of the computer system was a tackling fraudsters, and we can take back to our constituents relevant issue, but none the less the lack of a reconciliation the message that they should be wary, particularly of has exacerbated the problem. The fact that nothing was e-mails. HMRC will not e-mail people about this matter. done last year prior to the election has left us with a bigger problem this year. He can draw his own conclusions. Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): A lot has been said during these exchanges, and it may be Mr Speaker: I apologise to the hon. Member for West confusing to some members of the public. May I ask Suffolk (Matthew Hancock); he is unmistakable. my hon. Friend to give some ABC points to members of the public who have been affected or feel that they may Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): May I ask the Minister have been, so that it can be recorded properly on whether these circumstances have given the Government tonight’s news? any further thought about plans to cut the future capacity of the Revenue and Customs? If he is giving positive Mr Gauke: First, I would say that people should wait consideration to the very good suggestion that there be until they receive a letter. When they receive one, if they a helpline for MPs, may I suggest, since many of the are asked to pay money back they should go through people affected will not have accountants to hand or be the details carefully, and if they are concerned at that able to go to them, that it be available also to citizens point, they should contact HMRC. They can be reassured advice bureaux, which will get an awful lot of inquiries? that we are not demanding immediate payment, as there will be an opportunity either to spread it out over future Mr Gauke: That is an operational matter that HMRC months and years or at least to talk to HMRC about the will need to consider, but I will discuss it with senior details. management. As far as staffing is concerned, there will be a spending review announcement on 20 October, and Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): How does any announcements on HMRC’s budgets will be made the Minister respond to the reports in the national at that time. newspapers that certain accountants are suggesting that there is no need to pay back the money, and to the Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): The size of the problem, confusion that that will undoubtedly cause many people? the number of people affected and the amount of He mentioned flexibility in the response to the problem, money involved make it a real tragedy for this country. but are not fairness and consistency also very important, Some 2,000 of my constituents, and the constituents of to ensure that everyone is treated exactly the same? 333 PAYE Contributions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 PAYE Contributions 334

Mr Gauke: It is right that people pay the tax that is give to members of the public that such information due. I have read the newspaper reports, and it is right to can be better co-ordinated to ensure that such mistakes say that a concession is available in some circumstances, do not happen again? but I have been straightforward in making it clear that we do not believe that it will be widespread. People Mr Gauke: The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. should pay the tax that is due, and given the state of the To be fair, the NPS system brings the information public finances, we are certainly not in a position to together, but unfortunately, that has highlighted more wave goodbye to £2 billion. That would not be fair on difficult cases. In fact, as we move forward with the those who have paid the correct amount of tax. NPS system and—potentially—further reforms, HMRC should have more accurate information and so be able Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) accurately to assess the level of tax due. (Con): My hon. Friend has said that the NPS—the national insurance and PAYE service—system is now Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): I am tempted up to date and working, within reason, but he has also to ask whether the person who designed the computer admitted that PAYE is a 1940s system and not up to system for HMRC is the same as the person who date. A consultation is currently going on and is due to designed the computer system for claiming MPs’ expenses, shut in about two weeks. One of the problems that he but I shall resist, and instead ask the Minister this: why identified was that information can be up to 18 months has he alighted on the period of only three years for old. When will we reach the stage of real-time collection, people to make payments? Is it not the case that people and if it does come in, how and by whom will it be on very low incomes may need longer if they are hit administered? with particularly large bills?

Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is right that we are Mr Gauke: The period of three years is one in which consulting on moving towards a real-time system. I do we have confidence that HMRC will be able to address not pretend for a moment that it is an overnight solution, the matter administratively. Beyond that, certain technical but we are examining it so that over the next few years, matters would need to be thought through. However, we can move to a system that gives HMRC, which will we are confident that HMRC is capable of addressing of course continue to administer it, information that is the matter over three years. up to date and adjustable in-year. That will ensure that we get a much greater level of accuracy in our tax Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and system. Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): Does the Minister agree that the position of front-line staff in HMRC centres up and Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Like all hon. down the country is important? They do a stressful job Members, the Minister will have constituents visiting at the best of times and regularly deal with frustrated him who have underpaid tax and who will feel that that taxpayers on the phone, but with the new problem, I am is no fault of their own, and yet, under the system as it sure the Minister agrees that the staff’s position needs exists, they will be expected to pay back in full. Has he to be looked at. A statement of support for them from given any consideration to recognising clearly in the the Minister would be welcome. amount that must be paid back that our constituents have acted in good faith and that the fault lies elsewhere? Mr Gauke: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s question. Some comments have suggested that the situation Mr Gauke: As I said earlier, concession A19 is for is the fault of HMRC staff who cannot add up, but taxpayers who have acted in good faith when HMRC those comments are ill-informed. The truth is that has had an opportunity to respond. However, I should HMRC staff are committed to doing a good job. They also make the point that PAYE has always involved are battling with a difficult system, and I give them my circumstances in which information comes to light after support. As a Minister, I have visited many HMRC the tax year is completed and an adjustment must be offices, and I appreciate the hard work, enthusiasm and made. That has happened throughout the existence of dedication of HMRC staff. PAYE, but it has increased over the years as working patterns have changed, which is why we need to look at Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North) (Con): Does my more fundamental reform of PAYE. hon. Friend appreciate that if the head of HMRC was instead the finance director of a financial services company Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): Following earlier that was seeking to claw back that sort of money from suggestions of hotlines, what advice would the Minister customers, he would be obliged to take himself off to give to my constituents who feel that they might be Canary Wharf and satisfy the Financial Services Authority affected, but who do not want simply to wait for a letter that he had complied with the requirements to treat in their post? customers fairly? Is the Minister satisfied that the mechanisms that he has outlined, including the period Mr Gauke: I urge them to wait. I understand the for repayment and other things, would satisfy the same frustration, but if we are to provide support to people approach that the FSA would take in relation to a efficiently and effectively, it is better to wait. Limited private company? support can be provided until that letter arrives, so I urge his constituents to be patient. Mr Gauke: It is right that HMRC treats customers fairly, but I reiterate that it is customary with the PAYE Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It would seem that system that, at times, underpayments need to be recovered. the left hand of HMRC does not know of the information However, it is right that HMRC should do so in a held in the right hand. What assurance can the Minister sensitive manner. 335 PAYE Contributions 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 336

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The Minister Points of Order is responding excellently to the question, but I must say to him gently that it would have been better had he made a statement rather than being asked to come to 1.17 pm the House. Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): On a point of order, PAYE has always been a collection of money on Mr Speaker. At Health questions yesterday, the Health account towards the final tax liability, but the Minister Secretary misrepresented my position on NHS Direct. has not made it clear to me whether a great number of He referred to a Department of Health press release people are affected by the current situation just because dated 18 December 2009 and quoted partially from it to people’s lifestyles have changed. Was there also an error imply that he is simply implementing my plans. Let me in the basic collection by the Revenue of the correct quote a crucial sentence that he left out: information given by taxpayers? “111 will not replace…NHS Direct” By contrast, his Department’s press release of 29 August Mr Gauke: Our understanding is that the fundamental states: problem is changing working practices—that is the “NHS 111 telephone number will eventually replace NHS long-term issue. Of course, there may be circumstances Direct”. in which HMRC has made errors, but changing working practices is the essential problem. It is also the case that That is a huge change of policy that affects thousands the new computer system more accurately and rigorously of staff in the NHS and, of course, millions of patients picks up problems than happened before. That is why who rely upon the services of NHS Direct every year. we have seen the increase in underpayments and Is it in order for an announcement of that kind to overpayments. However, my hon. Friend is absolutely made on the eve of a bank holiday weekend and for no right that there have always been underpayments and written or oral statement to be made to the House? Will overpayments under the payment-on-account PAYE you, Mr Speaker, intervene in this matter to ensure that system. there is a detailed statement laying out the Government’s plans for NHS Direct, and do you agree that carrying Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): I welcome my hon. on in that cavalier way is no way to run the NHS or to Friend’s statement. The relationship between taxpayer treat dedicated NHS staff? and tax collector is extremely important. Many of my constituents find the fact that it is extremely difficult to Mr Speaker: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his get through to the Revenue at the moment very stressful, point of order. The response is as follows. First, it is which they must do through no fault of their own, as entirely a matter for the Government to choose the other hon. Members have said. Will the Government timing, and indeed for the most part, the location of look at that relationship and ensure that it is valued, so statements that they wish to make. It may well be that that both HMRC staff, who do an excellent job, and its Members are unhappy about the timing, but the timing customers, are treated the same way as we would expect itself was entirely legitimate and proper, so there was no in any public service? cause for me to intervene on that account. Secondly, I would say to the right hon. Gentleman Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is right to raise those that in so far as he was—and remains—concerned that points. As I said, additional staff are provided to call his position was misrepresented, the point that he has centres in an attempt to address this matter. HMRC is raised must constitute a point of debate rather than a endeavouring to provide a good service to taxpayers, point of order. He has now very forcefully placed on the notwithstanding the difficulties of the circumstances. record his own position for others to observe. I have a feeling that this very controversial subject, on which Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): May I congratulate there are strong views, is one to which the House and the Minister on taking prompt and appropriate action individual Members will regularly return, and it is open on this inherited fiasco? Much mention has been made to him to do so. of telephone hotlines and so on, but the vast majority of people who receive requests or demands for the Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): return of unpaid tax will not have advisers or anyone to On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is my understanding assist them. Will he make an effort to ensure that the that you and the Serjeant at Arms have responsibility letters that are sent to our constituents are in plain for the security and safety of Members of Parliament. English and easy to understand, and that they contain Given that very serious allegations have been made appropriate calculations that the individual taxpayer against a parliamentary pass holder about the tapping can appreciate and understand, so that they can make of Members’ phones, will you consider whether that their decisions without recourse to either MPs, tax pass should be withdrawn until such time as investigations advisers or accountants? have been concluded, and will you therefore make a statement to the House, perhaps tomorrow before the Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend raises a good point. As I debate requested by my hon. Friend the Member for said, HMRC has sent 45,000 or 50,000 letters. We will Rhondda (Chris Bryant) takes place? analyse the responses to those letters to see what can be done to ensure that there is as much clarity as possible Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for in further letters. his point of order. He is right about my responsibility and I understand his concern on this important issue. However, I must say to him that there is a long-standing and generally accepted practice that we do not discuss security matters on the Floor of the House. In an 337 Points of Order 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 338

[Mr Speaker] Sex and Relationships Education attempt to be helpful to the hon. Gentleman, I may say Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order that if he has a further and specific point that he wishes No. 23) to raise with the Serjeant at Arms, it is proper for him to do so. It might be best for him to take the matter 1.23 pm forward in that way. If he wishes to keep me abreast of developments outside of the Chamber, that is also an Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I beg to move, option open to him. That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require schools to provide sex and relationships education to registered pupils; and Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): On a point of for connected purposes. order, Mr Speaker. Further to your earlier statement As people say, “ And now for something completely consequent on the application made by my hon. Friend different.” I first raised the issue of teenage pregnancy, the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), will there be which is a big problem in many constituencies, and of an opportunity for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor sex and relationships education some three or four of the Exchequer to confirm to the House whether years ago. I was then interviewed by an ITV journalist Scotland Yard has identified them as persons of interest whose first question was “What is the nature of the in the current News of the World investigation? problem with teenage pregnancy?” I explained, and his next question was, “And what causes teenage pregnancy?” Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman has made a debating I said, “Well, I’m not an expert, but I think it is point and I have a feeling that he knows that that is something to do with sex.” what he has done. We shall leave it at that. There are some very depressing facts on teenage pregnancy. In 2008, there were 41,325 conceptions to Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): On a point girls under the age of 18 and 7,577 to girls under the age of order, Mr Speaker. Further to your statement earlier of 16. Of the conceptions among girls under 18, 42.4% went and with the important debate on Afghanistan to be on to have abortions. For the girls under 16, the figure delayed, has there been any indication that the hours of was 52.9%. We would all agree that that is an unacceptable the House will be altered tomorrow? situation for our society. Even more distressing, in 2007, 369 girls under the age of 14 became pregnant. Mr Speaker: That is a matter for the Government, as The problem is writ large in many different ways. As the hon. Gentleman probably knows. That is the simple someone who is deeply concerned about my constituents answer to his question. It may not satisfy him, but that and the problem of long-term deprivation, I find it is the situation. embarrassing that half of the conceptions by teenage girls occurred in the most deprived 20% of wards. Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Further to Infant mortality among children born to teenage mums that point of order, Mr Speaker. Is there any way in is 60% higher than it is for older mothers. Even more which Members who have waited a long time for the depressing, the daughters of teenage mothers are far important debate on Afghanistan can stress to the more likely to go on to be teenage mums themselves. Government, through you, that it would be iniquitous if That means that in constituencies such as mine teenage the debate were to be cut short? pregnancy and poverty tend to be handed down from generation to generation, as inevitably as a title or seat Mr Speaker: The short answer to the hon. Gentleman in the House of Lords used to be. I want to see an end is that there is, and he knows it, because he has just to that. taken advantage of the opportunity to relay it to those on the Treasury Bench and we are grateful to him. The most depressing moment that I have had in recent years in discussing this issue was in my constituency, when I met a brave and wonderful young girl. I hope that she will be a wonderful mother and have a fulfilling life. When I first met her, she was 16 and was pregnant for the second time. The first time, she was made pregnant when she was raped by her father at the age of 13. We know that teenage pregnancy is an enormous problem across the country.The map of teenage pregnancy reflects the map of deprivation. We should be embarrassed by the fact that the international comparisons are terrible. We have the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe— not just slightly, but by far. It is five times higher than in the Netherlands, three times higher than in France and twice as high as it is in Germany. We should do everything that we possibly can to change that. Some 75% of sexually active 16 to 25-year-olds do not use condoms, and the number of sexually transmitted infections is steadily and dramatically increasing. Young people represent only 12% of the population, but account for nearly half of all sexually transmitted infections. HIV infection has trebled over the past 10 years, with 339 Sex and Relationships Education8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Sex and Relationships Education 340

7,000 new diagnoses every year—and many thousands election, but there was a dispute and consequently these probably go undiagnosed. In addition, many schools elements of the Bill were removed. However, I very still experience a high level of homophobic bullying, much hope that hon. Members this afternoon will give with youngsters suffering and going on to have major the opportunity for the Bill to proceed. mental health problems. Some end up committing suicide. I am thoroughly aware that just improving SRE in The incidence of suicide among homosexual pupils is schools will not transform every aspect of the problems six times higher than it is among heterosexuals. In 1990, I have been referring to. Under-age drinking is still one only 10.3% of women had had their first sexual encounter of the main reasons a lot of young girls get pregnant, under the age of 16, but in 2000 that had risen to because all the good intentions that a couple might have 20.4%, which is another depressing statistic. at six o’clock on a Friday evening, when they are Some Members may say that all that was the fault of completely sober, might completely utterly disappear the previous Government—[Interruption.] I can see a when they are blotto at 11.30 pm. We need a better couple of heads nodding. But actually the dramatic youth service so that young people are engaged with increase in teenage pregnancy rates happened in the responsible adults who can give them a strong sense of 1980s and the early 1990s. I do not wish to attribute that their own self-confidence and self-worth, so that they to any particular Government or political party, but I can make better decisions in life. simply make the point that now more teenage mothers In addition, it is important that we have proper early are in education, employment or training and the figures intervention, particularly for girls who are under-achieving have fallen in the last 10 years. They have not fallen in school. So often, young girls, when they feel that they enough, or anywhere near as much as we wanted them are not loved at home or doing well at school, will to fall, but they have fallen by 13.3%. almost, in the words of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, There is no point in being judgmental about this. I make a career decision to get pregnant. We should be have met teenage mums who have been wonderful mothers. ensuring that there are better alternatives for those girls, They have triumphed over the odds and gone to provide so that they can make better choices for themselves and successful careers for themselves and their children. their children in life. I hope that the House will agree Likewise, I have met many teachers who teach sex and this afternoon that, in the words of the Secretary of relationships education in school and who do it wonderfully, State for Education, superbly, including in many faith schools up and down “it is vital that all children have high-quality sex and relationships the land. education”.—[Official Report, 12 July 2010; Vol. 513, c. 656.] The judgmental attitude of the past, which meant that girls who got pregnant were thrown out of their homes and ignored by society—everything was brushed 1.33 pm under the carpet—has not done us any favours. There is Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I want to one big difference between this country and European make it clear that I do not propose to press this to a countries with lower rates of teenage pregnancy: all the Division, but I want to give advance notice to the hon. other countries provide statutory sex and relationships Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) and his hon. education to every single child from an early age. That is Friends that there are many in the House, not just on particularly the case in the Netherlands, which has the the Government Benches but on both sides, who will lowest rate in Europe and by far the best sex and fundamentally fight his proposals, because we believe relationships education. that they are the wrong thing for this country. I believe According to reports in recent years on SRE in that primarily because this aspect of sexual and relationships schools, a remarkably high number of girls get to their education is the fundamental, primary domain of parents first period without understanding what is happening within families. to their body because they have not had any SRE. Far The hon. Gentleman might not have intended to be too many children say that they would much prefer disingenuous, but it simply is not true that there is not their first talk about this to be with their parents but an obligation for elements of sex education to be present that it is far too embarrassing and difficult for that to within our education system. It exists at secondary happen, and far too many say that the only SRE they school level. One of the things that concerns me about had was at the age of 15 when they were told how to put his proposal is that it would introduce the concept of a condom on, in some schools, a banana, and in other sex education for all key stages, which would include, of schools, a broomstick. course, five and six-year-olds. I have a further concern. If we start too late, when youngsters are already As is appropriate, curriculums are developed by school having sex, we have already lost. We need to ensure that governors, with teachers and parental involvement. That every child in the country has good SRE. Schools is important. However, his proposal, which suggests a should not be able to opt out entirely from providing it, one-size-fits-all approach—imposing something from because every child should have the opportunity. Of the centre—goes against the current thinking, which is course, if parents want to withdraw their own child, and about local schools knowing best, in conjunction with if the child does not want to attend, they should be able parents in particular. It is imperative that parents continue to do so. That is right and proper, and my Bill would to be able to exercise the right to withdraw their children provide for it. However, I do not think that we should from lessons that they do not believe to be in their have whole schools opting out, either because the governors children’s interests, and if they would rather teach SRE refuse to contemplate it, or because they are just too themselves. He added the proviso that children should lily-livered to ensure that a proper curriculum is in be able to make that decision for themselves, but I place. That is why I believe that there should be statutory believe that parents should be able to override them provision. This provision was to have been part of the until they become of an age when they are legally Bill that came before the House before the general entitled to do other things themselves. 341 Sex and Relationships Education8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Sex and Relationships Education 342

[Dr Thérèse Coffey] which has invested in sex education. However, he might also have seen the article in The Times that read: This imposition on primary schools is fundamentally “The Dutch Government still penalises single mothers under wrong. Putting it on the statute book is heavy-handed 18, who are expected to live with their parents if they become and belies the fact that secondary schools already undertake pregnant. Until six years ago the Government gave them no elements of this education. The constant approach of financial support.” getting the state to undermine and supersede parental That might be an example of socio-economic intervention. authority is fundamentally flawed. What has been the The hon. Gentleman failed to mention Italy, which impact of sex education? A campaigner for the British also has low levels of teenage pregnancy, but does not Pregnancy Advisory Service said: invest significantly in school sex education, so we should “There have been a large number of studies about the impact not follow the example of the Netherlands and other of sex education on abortion rates and pregnancy rates, and these countries he cites, or indeed France where the abortion frequently tend to show they are not having the kind of impact limit is at 12 weeks, and suggest that sex education from that the family planning specialists want. They mainly make us the age of six is the right way to reduce sexual intervention. feel good that we’re educating people more thoroughly, but they do not seem to have much impact on the abortion rate.” Dare I say it, but in the last so many years when sex education has been the norm, the great experiment of Let us go further. The SHARE scheme in Scotland the ‘60s— conducted a test across a wide number of schools using a well-documented control group. It is probably the Chris Bryant: It has not been the norm. most carefully designed and rigorously tested such programme in the United Kingdom to date, and at the Dr Coffey: Oh, it certainly has, yet the percentage of end of it, the researchers concluded: people having sex under the legal age limit has doubled. “This specially designed sex education programme did not That is not a record that this country should be proud reduce conceptions or terminations…compared with conventional of. I agree with the hon. Gentleman: I am not condemning provision. The lack of effect was not due to quality of delivery.” teenage pregnancy—far from it. I do not think that the They also said that age of somebody always reflects whether they are a “complementary intervention should be suggested”, good mother. However, the fundamental principle is that families and parents know best, not the Government, including socio-economic interventions and parental so we will oppose this Bill fundamentally, every hour, influence. To be honest, we do not need a big research every day. programme to know that parents are the best people to discuss with their children the concept of sex and Question put (Standing Order No. 23) and agreed to. relationships education. Dare I say it—I am not trying Ordered, to be flippant—but perhaps for teenagers the very fact That Chris Bryant, Ms Diane Abbott, Sir Peter Soulsby, that their parents had sex to have them puts off the Jessica Morden, Nick Smith, Katy Clark, Mrs Sharon discussion. Perhaps that was the case when the hon. Hodgson, Luciana Berger, Karl Turner, Heidi Alexander, Gentleman was growing up. However, we should be and Alex Cunningham present the Bill. braver than that. Chris Bryant accordingly presented the Bill. In the evidence that the hon. Gentleman cited, he Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on mentioned many different countries, such as Holland, Friday 11 February, and to be printed (Bill 69). 343 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 344

The purpose of today’s debate is to set out why that Opposition Day record of success is being jeopardised and to highlight three specific areas: first, the Home Secretary’s failure [4TH ALLOTTED DAY] to stand up to the Treasury and insist that policing and counter-terrorism be prioritised in the comprehensive spending review; secondly, her determination to restrict Crime and Policing the ability of the police and other agencies to use DNA, CCTV and, now we discover, antisocial behaviour orders Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): I inform the to deter and catch miscreants; and thirdly, the dogmatic House that Mr Speaker has selected the amendment in pursuit of the abolition of police authorities and their the name of the Prime Minister. replacement by a single elected commissioner. In respect of the CSR, we know that some Secretaries 1.40 pm of State are arguing vociferously for their Departments, but the one with the best argument is apparently content Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) to take a 25% to 40% cut in her budget. Before Government (Lab): I beg to move, Members seek to intervene on me with their Chief That this House notes with concern the Government’s failure Whip crib sheets—subtitled “Patrick McLoughlin’s route to prioritise the safety of communities by not protecting central to a ministerial career”—let me say that if Labour had Government funding for the police; notes the conclusion of the won the general election, the Home Office budget would Audit Commission and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary that any budget reduction over 12 per cent. will reduce frontline have been cut and the police would have had to make policing; pays tribute to the police and other agencies for achieving savings. That is not a matter for conjecture: £1.3 billion a 43 per cent. reduction in crime, including a 42 per cent. cut in of savings that we would have implemented by 2013 are violent crime, since 1997, and for maintaining that reduction itemised in last year’s pre-Budget report, the Budget, through last year’s recession; notes that public perception of last November’s policing White Paper and other public anti-social behaviour is at its lowest level since it was recorded in documents. the British Crime Survey of 2001-02; further notes that the previous Government set out plans in its Policing White Paper to drive down policing costs whilst maintaining core funding; and Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): On that condemns the Government’s policy of reducing police numbers, issue, I have read the wording of the motion carefully, in restricting police powers and imposing elected commissioners to which Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition make the point replace police authorities, thus condemning the police service to that it is the Government’s deliberate policy to reduce unnecessary, unwelcome and costly re-structuring at a time when police numbers, which is not the case. I simply make the their focus should be on maintaining the fall in crime and anti-social point that I made before, in the debate in July, that the behaviour. shadow Home Secretary specifically said on 20 April The previous Government were the first since the end that he could not guarantee that there would not be a of world war one to leave office with a lower level of reduction in police numbers. Does he stand by those crime and disorder than when they came into power. In comments in the election campaign, and does he not see a previous debate when I mentioned that fact, the that even a fair-minded person would think his contribution Home Secretary challenged it by rather bizarrely mentioning today just slightly disingenuous? Michael Howard—now the noble Lord Howard of Lympne—who may have been many things, but was not a Government. Although it is true that the noble Lord Alan Johnson: I knew that that one would be on the Howard—recently much derided by his former crib sheet. Of course it was right to say honestly to the colleagues—was the only Conservative Home Secretary public that no Home Secretary could guarantee that in 18 years to preside over any reduction in crime at all, police numbers would not fall by a single police officer. it was a modest reduction, to 4.6 million crimes a year, The number of police and recruitment for the police are compared with 2.3 million in 1979, when the Conservatives matters for chief constables and police authorities. What were elected. In other words, without Lord Howard’s we guaranteed, as I will explain in a second, was that contribution, crime under the Tories would have more the central funding that the Home Office provides—which than doubled; thanks to him, it merely doubled, with has led to the recruitment of 17,000 more police officers violent crime rising by 168% and robbery by 405%. and 16,000 police community support officers—would continue to be provided, index-linked, because we The Conservative party that presided over that truly considered crime and policing to be a priority. miserable record refuses to acknowledge the tremendous work of the police and other agencies in tackling its The savings that we set out included £70 million in legacy. The Conservatives can no longer deny that crime reduced police overtime, £75 million from business support has fallen, including violent crime, so they resort to and back-office functions, £400 million from procurement saying that crime is still too high—and they are right: it and IT, and £500 million from process improvement. is. But when they were in power, the chances of being a My deal with the previous Chancellor—the one who victim of crime were 40%; now it is 21.5%, the lowest did produce progressive Budgets—was to prioritise the since records began. The latest statistics, published by police and security services by maintaining the 2010 the new Government in July and covering 2009-10, level of central funding necessary for the continued confirm the trend. Both recorded and surveyed crime employment of record police numbers, thus reducing continued to fall, by around 9%, through the deepest the Home Office budget by around 12%—or £1.3 billion— global recession in the post-war era, thus effectively without hitting front-line policing. destroying the theory of Lord Howard’s fiercest critic, We have had a report from Her Majesty’s inspectorate and probably his most feeble predecessor, the current of constabulary and the Audit Commission endorsing Justice Secretary, that crime fell under Labour only that approach. The report, “Policing in an age of austerity”, because the economy improved. concluded that 345 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 346

[Alan Johnson] The HMIC report means that there can be no further pretence that front-line policing can somehow emerge “cost cutting and improvements in productivity could, if relentlessly unscathed from this kind of budgetary carnage. As well pursued, generate a saving of 12% in central government funding as failing to protect central allocations, on which police …while maintaining police availability.” forces rely for between 50% and 90% of their funding, This is therefore not an argument about whether there the Government have placed a two-year moratorium on need to be cuts to the police budget over the next four any increases in the local precepts. So much for localism. years; it is an argument about a cut of 12% or, as the As a result, plans are already being drawn up in every Chancellor announced on 22 June, a cut of 25% for the police force throughout the country to cut the number Home Office, which he describes as an unprotected of officers, as my right hon. Friend has pointed out. Department. The 16,000 police community support officers, who are popular with the public and central to neighbourhood Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I assure my right policing, are bound to go if there are cuts of 25%. As hon. Friend that I thought of this question myself. On civilian staff, they are more easy to dispose of, which is Monday I met with the chief constable of Kent, who why police forces such as Durham have already put was concerned about the lack of information coming every PCSO under notice of redundancy. out of the Home Office. I do not know whether things There was nothing about this in the coalition partners’ were done in the same way when my right hon. Friend manifestos. Indeed, the Lib Dems, who believed that was Home Secretary, but although the Policing Minister this country was under-policed, were promising to use said on Monday that we had to wait until 25 October the money saved by scrapping identity cards to recruit for the comprehensive spending review, chief officers 3,000 additional police officers. We now have the are now having to prepare their budgets without knowing Government’s own figures for the amount of money even a ballpark figure for the cuts. Would it not be that will be saved by scrapping ID cards. I will willingly helpful if the Government could give an indication as to take an intervention from anyone on the Lib Dem how much the figure could be, so that chief officers Benches if they want to tell me how many police officers could prepare for what is inevitable? that equates to. Is it 3,000? No. Is it 2,500, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200? No. If we used all the money saved by Alan Johnson: I thank my right hon. Friend for that scrapping ID cards, we would get 117 extra officers, not question. I do not think that the collegiate approach in 3,000. Would that we could look forward to any increase this House has stretched as far as Members on the in officer numbers at all. It is now likely that the Lib Opposition Benches getting the Government Chief Whip’s Dems will preside over the loss of 3,000 officers every crib sheet. I know that that was his own question, four months over the next four years. although I suppose that it might have come from our crib sheet. The issue is this: we would not have revealed Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): My right hon. before a CSR what the settlement was. That is why it is Friend is making a powerful point about the contribution difficult to itemise the savings in advance of a CSR. of the Liberal Democrats. Many people have wondered What can be done—and what we did with the police in whether this Government would be any different if the the policing White Paper—is to identify those areas that Lib Dems were not involved, but are we perhaps now I have mentioned and ensure that the police and the starting to see how they are involved? When we look at security services understand that we were prioritising the cuts in policing, the decision to put yobbos on to the police and security. Also, in this year Parliament, including street rather than in prison, and they ways in which the those now on the Government Benches, approved the Government are on the side of the criminals rather than allocation of funding, knowing that there would be of the police, we can see that the lily-livered Liberals are another pay increase in the three-year police pay deal. indeed making their contribution to government, just What has happened now is that the Government have as people were beginning to wonder what they were not only demanded more savings this year, despite doing. having to meet that pay increase, but frozen the precept. The police are in a far worse position, including the chief constable of Kent, than they would have been had Alan Johnson: My hon. Friend makes an interesting we been in government. point. During the general election, the Conservatives It is extraordinary that the Government should refuse and Labour were united in saying, “Don’t let the Lib to add policing to health, education and international Dems anywhere near crime or national security—or development as an area requiring special consideration. immigration, for that matter.” We remember some of The Chancellor is fond of quoting Canada as a precedent their policies in that area. I do not blame the Lib Dems for the kind of savage cuts that he heralded in the at all for the Government’s policy on crime and policing. emergency Budget, but the Canadian Government were The Home Secretary has been careful to have only one not foolish enough to slash police budgets. Expenditure Lib Dem in her team, and she is a very good Minister, on policing fell by just 0.1% in the years following the but the Government have not allowed her anywhere Canadian Star Chamber cuts, and then rose steadily near the important stuff in the Home Office. This thereafter. The number of police officers dipped by at policy cannot be described as a coalition approach. most 3%. In this country, the budget will be slashed by Certainly, the decision not to prioritise the police in the at least 25%, which means a cut in police numbers of comprehensive spending review was made by the between 35,000, as estimated by Professor Talbot, the Conservatives. respected criminologist at Manchester university, and I have mentioned the likely loss of police officers over 60,000, according to the magazine Jane’s Police Review, the next four years. Let us have no doubt that cuts of which took what I hope is the exaggerated view that the this magnitude will also put national security at risk, as cuts might amount to 40%. the most senior counter-terrorism officer in the UK has 347 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 348 made clear. Insufficient resources will inevitably lead to of civil powers introduced in 1998 so that the police, the closure of regional counter-terrorism units, to fewer local authorities and other agencies could tackle the surveillance teams to monitor suspects, and to a reduction problem in a co-ordinated way. They needed to tackle in the number of police officers who work full time on the kind of behaviour that falls short of criminality but counter-terrorism. nevertheless destroys people’s lives. These powers are not driven from Whitehall, as the Home Secretary Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): Was my suggested, but through community safety partnerships right hon. Friend concerned about yesterday’s that involve community groups and social enterprises. announcement of the abolition of the Audit Commission? The second thing that we need to be clear about is We are going to see massive cuts across the board, and that, where those powers are used effectively, they work. the Audit Commission normally monitors, evaluates I shall lapse into what I hope is uncharacteristic immodesty and supports the performance of the police. The cuts for a moment when I say that they worked particularly will have differential impacts, and in Swansea, 38% of well during my year as Home Secretary, when an additional the people are in public sector employment. They face emphasis was placed on the victim and on intensified massive cuts, and unemployment and education cuts activity in localities where public perception of antisocial are growing, which is fuelling more localised crime. Is behaviour was above average. he worried that we will not have the tools to assess what The social affairs correspondent of The Guardian is happening, to enable the Government to channel said recently that these measures had had no discernible resources to where they are most needed? effect, but they had a discernible effect in the one place where an effect can be discerned—namely, the British Alan Johnson: That is certainly an issue, particularly crime survey. The Home Office, under the current Home in the light of the HMIC-Audit Commission’s joint Secretary, stated on 15 July that, whereas previous report. We must take a rigorous approach to its conclusion reductions had been in one or two specific areas, that, if the Government cut more than 12%, front-line “the reduction between 08-09 and 09-10”— policing will be affected. Perhaps this is one of the the glorious year of Johnson— reasons why the Audit Commission has been done away with; I hope that HMIC will not come next. “reflects falls in the proportion of people perceiving a problem with almost all types of anti-social behaviour that make up the As police numbers reduce, so will their powers. I shall overall measure”. deal with DNA and CCTV in a moment. That refers to reductions in abandoned cars, noisy neighbours, drunkenness, drug use, youth nuisance, litter, The Secretary of State for the Home Department vandalism and graffiti. Those are all issues for which (Mrs Theresa May): Before the right hon. Gentleman there were insufficient powers prior to the Crime and moves on to other matters, may I tell him that I have Disorder Act 1998. The statistical release went on to say been listening carefully to the points that he has made that antisocial behaviour was now at its lowest level about cuts? He knows full well that his Government had since records began, with, for the first time, a majority pledged to make 20% cuts in public sector spending. If of the population agreeing that the police and councils they were not going to occur in the Home Office, where were dealing with antisocial behaviour in their local were they going to be? area.

Alan Johnson: When we were in government, we Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): The right decided to pick the priority Departments, and the chosen hon. Gentleman cites statistics. Forensic Pathways, an areas were health, education, international development organisation in my constituency, has used Home Office and crime and policing. It is extraordinary that the data to show that, although the volume of crime has present Government—[Interruption.] Hang on! I am fallen in the past seven years, the detection and clear-up answering the question. It is incredible that the present rates have not fallen. So the cost of crime, per crime, is Government believe that international development, going up, and the police are becoming less efficient. health and, to a certain extent, education must be Does he not think that, rather than ploughing money prioritised, and that they are more important than into a broken system, it is better to get the bureaucracy crime and policing. Quite frankly, I can say as a former off the backs of the police so that they can do the job Health Secretary that we did not commit to increase the we want them to do, which is to detect more crime? health budget above the rate of inflation. That budget was £110 billion. I went from the Department of Health, Alan Johnson: It is great to hear Conservative Members which had a £110 billion budget, to the Home Office, accepting that crime has fallen, as they spent so long which had a budget of about £10 billion. We would dancing around the issue under the right hon. Member have saved £73 billion; we would not have gone for a for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling). They were told saving of £113 billion, which Boris Johnson described off by the UK statistics authorities and by everyone only yesterday as cutting too savagely and too deeply. It who looked at the matter. Some people in the police is a central feature of this argument that the Government force are looking askance at what this Government are are going too far with the cuts and that they are failing doing. I mentioned the record under the previous to treat crime and policing as a priority in the comprehensive Conservative Government. The hon. Member for spending review, even though it is a priority for constituents Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) is right that the conviction everywhere. rate needs to be tackled as well, but under the previous During the summer, the Home Secretary made a Conservative Government, it was not just the conviction speech saying that we needed to “move beyond the rate and the detection rate that had not been tackled, as ASBO”. I want to make two things clear. First, the crime reached 4.6 million—a doubling—under the Tories. antisocial behaviour order is the most serious of a range There was a 168% increase in violent crime and a 349 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 350

[Alan Johnson] crime that we inherited, and that is what we did. As usual, the only thing wrong with the Home Secretary’s 405% increase in burglary. Of course, the Labour pronouncements is the facts. Government can be criticised for aspects of what happened over the last 13 years, but what no Conservative Member Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): can do is to suggest that somehow crime has gone up If the ASBO was such an excellent policy, will the when that was in fact their legacy. If Britain were ever shadow Home Secretary please explain why the chief broken, it was broken between 1979 and 1997. The constable in my local area wrote an article published in statistics I am citing are not mine; they are the Home The Daily Telegraph on 30 July saying that Secretary’s. “we need to give people the confidence to tackle anti-social The death of Fiona Pilkington and her daughter last behaviour. In Germany, two thirds of citizens would intervene in year shocked this House and shocked the country. It public; in this country, two thirds would not. Referring everything had a profound impact on me as the incoming Home to the police, and the legal system, is not the answer to every Secretary. That is why I wanted to intensify action. problem—nor is it affordable.”? There is no evidence from this tragic incident that it is time to move beyond the ASBO. All the evidence, Alan Johnson: There it is, this is another “big society” summarised so astutely by the coroner in that tragic argument—or “do it yourself”: there will not be any case, showed that the police and local authority in PCSOs and police numbers will be cut, so do it yourself. Leicestershire were acting as if they lived in the pre-ASBO Actually, that article did not in any way contradict what era, when no powers existed. One police officer said at I am saying. There is not one police officer or local the inquest that antisocial behaviour was nothing to do government officer in this country and no one on a with the police. He was wrong. It is certainly not the crime and disorder reduction partnership who does not responsibility of the police alone, but the police are understand that people have to work together using a responsible for it. That police officer was wrong, but range of measures, including getting communities involved. 13 years ago, he would have been right. We have to be It works successfully where communities have decided careful not to return to those days. The Home Secretary to turn their own communities around, but they get speaks of the need to tackle the root causes of this kind help. What the Government are now proposing—the of behaviour as if she is unaware of Sure Start, free hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Nicola nursery education, family-nurse partnerships, family Blackwood) could not have put it more succinctly—is intervention projects, the education maintenance allowance, that people will get no help in future. That is the Tory the huge increase in apprenticeships, the 30% increase argument that we are countering. As I said before, the in the number of kids from deprived areas going to Home Secretary is often accurate on everything except university and all the other measures introduced by the for the facts. Labour Government—yes, to be tough on the causes of crime, as well as on crime itself. Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): Following the irrelevant drivel that we have just heard in Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): My right the previous intervention, is my right hon. Friend aware hon. Friend is providing us with an excellent list of the that Inspector Damian O’Reilly of my constituency, range of powers available to deal with the very complex who has just won the Greater Manchester police’s issue of antisocial behaviour. It is not just about community police officer of the year award and has enforcement, as it is also about tackling the causes. been entered for the national finals wrote to me to say: Does he agree that the victims of antisocial behaviour “Were ASBOs to be abolished it would be devastating for both disproportionately live in the poorest parts of our the community and the officers who put much effort into obtaining communities in Britain? Someone living in a nice leafy them, the problems would reoccur and the only winners would be suburb behind a gated community might not appreciate the criminals.” the misery still caused by antisocial behaviour. That is why we need the powers to deal with the problem. Alan Johnson: Yes, I agree. As I mentioned, ASBOs are the most serious of the range of measures to combat antisocial behaviour, as an acceptable behaviour contract Alan Johnson: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, or a simple letter to the parents of a miscreant might be who did a great deal during her time at the Home Office enough to stop it. What we introduced, as the coroner to pursue this agenda. I think that all social strata can in the Fiona Pilkington case pointed out, was 15 measures suffer from this problem, but she is right in what she that the police and local authorities could use, dependent says about poor areas. That is why we must never go on severity of the behaviour. ASBOs, as I say, apply at back to the days when the typical response to this the more severe end, but all those measures need to be problem on the Labour Benches was saying that we used together, depending on the problem. should not get involved in it. We did; we have; it succeeded. We pioneered restorative justice. We began Geraint Davies: Will my right hon. Friend give way linking drug treatment to prison sentences. We trebled again? investment in prison education. As a result, reoffending is down by 20% and youth reoffending by nearly 25%. Alan Johnson: No, not again, if my hon. Friend does The Home Secretary said in her July speech that for not mind; I have already given way once to him. 13 years people had been told that On DNA, the Home Secretary says with the smug “the ASBO was the silver bullet that would cure society’s ills”. piety that can have come only from working closely I want her to give me one example—just one—of a with the Liberal Democrats that our proposed way Minister ever making any such claim. We never did. It forward on the DNA database was disgraceful, because, took a whole range of measures to deal with the spiralling she says with eyes blazing, it meant that the DNA of 351 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 352 innocent people would be retained. That is what the was agreed to by the Minister’s colleagues. [Interruption.] right hon. Lady says and I see her nodding her head; it During the wash-up period, the right hon. Member for is a viewpoint that she uses against us. The fact is, Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) said, “No way will however, that she proposes to do exactly the same. The we agree to this”, but they agreed to it. They could have difference is that we would keep the DNA profiles of stopped it, but they did not. I hope that that is because those innocent of both serious and non-serious offences they have begun to realise their sheer folly—and I while she would keep the former but not the latter. assure them that they will discover what folly there is in Furthermore, we would both take the DNA from all the actions proposed by the Government. those arrested and keep it for a sufficient period to As for CCTV, we still do not know what the coalition check against previous crime scenes. The logic of the means by its reference to greater regulation, or why it lofty argument that she has got from the Lib Dems— considers that there is a problem. I can tell my hon. [Interruption.] I will come on to the issue of six years in Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins) that a few moments. The logic of the argument that innocent that reference definitely came from the Liberal Democrats, people’s DNA is being kept is that we should not take but we do not know what it means. Given the existence DNA from anyone until they are convicted. Let me of the Data Protection Act, the Human Rights Act and explain how nutty that proposition is; it is so nutty that the Freedom of Information Act, all of which apply to it is not even a Lib Dem conference policy—always a the authorities responsible for public-space CCTV good gauge of whether something is extraordinarily surveillance, it is difficult to gauge the problem, but in daft. the light of the portentous speeches of the Deputy There is no evidence whatever that those arrested but Prime Minister, we must conclude that the Government not convicted of a non-serious offence have any lower want fewer CCTV cameras because the Liberal Democrats propensity to be re-arrested than those arrested but not have consistently accused the last Government of convicted of serious offences. I repeat—no evidence introducing a “surveillance state”. whatever. If there is, we will no doubt hear it put I support CCTV and reject the argument that it forward from the Government Dispatch Box. Mark offends civil liberties. Indeed, it protects the civil liberties Dixie, the man who brutally raped and murdered Sally of our citizens—and, as we have seen recently, those of Anne Bowman in her front garden, was on the DNA the occasional cat dropped in a wheelie bin. I agree with database because he had been arrested but not convicted the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, the right of a pub-fight—a non-serious offence. If that DNA hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick link had not been made, a guilty man would have Herbert), who, in 2007, wrote this—it is excellent—in remained free to rape and murder again and an innocent his local newspaper: man, Sally Anne’s boyfriend, who had dropped her off outside her home after a blazing row witnessed by “I had been shown a community centre on a council estate that had been burned down in an arson attack… If only there had passers-by, would probably be serving a life sentence. been CCTV,the attack might have been prevented or the perpetrator Steve Wright, the murderer of five prostitutes in Ipswich, caught…. to those who claim that this all heralds a Big Brother was on the DNA database because he had been arrested society, I say, why should innocent people worry that someone is for suspected theft. He would not have been on the watching out for their safety?” database under the Scottish model, which this Government The right hon. Gentleman spoke for Britain then. The want to adopt. vast majority of the population would support what he Furthermore, while the Scottish model retains the said, although sadly it is not the view of the pseudo- DNA of those arrested but not charged for three years—I libertarian Government of whom he is now a member. come to the issue raised by a sedentary comment from the Minister for Immigration—rather than for six years Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): First, the episode of as we propose, it also allows the police to extend the the cat in the bin was filmed not by state-controlled period of retention for unlimited further two-year periods. CCTV, but by CCTV that belonged to the householder. The next time Members hear the Home Secretary accuse [Interruption.] There is a big distinction. Secondly, Labour of wanting to retain the DNA of innocent does the right hon. Gentleman not accept that many people for six years, they should remind themselves that leading members of his party have expressed concern she wants to adopt the Scottish model. She wants to about the 13-year legacy of the last Government, and adopt a system that allows the DNA of innocent people about the fact that the balance between policing and to be retained indefinitely; a system that has no evidential civil liberties has tipped in the wrong direction? All that support; a system that, according to the Association of we seek to do is redress that balance. It is critical to a Chief Police Officers, would cost an additional £158 million right and proper society that policing and the rights of to administer because of all the bureaucracy involved in the individual are balanced correctly, but the right hon. the two-year reviews; and—most important—a system Gentleman’s party failed to achieve that in 13 years. that would have probably left 26 murderers and rapists unconvicted had it been in force last year. Alan Johnson: Well, that went on a bit. The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): There I am perfectly well aware of what kind of CCTV is not a shred of evidence for that. caught the cat in the bin. Mine was a throwaway remark, and I now wish that I had not thrown it away. But it is Alan Johnson: The Minister is in the Home Office good to hear that the hon. Lady believes that we went now. He can seek the evidence. It comes from ACPO’s too far, and wants to reduce the number of CCTV research, and it comes from Home Office statistics. That cameras. That is her point, is it not? Good. is why I used it when I was Home Secretary. That is why I can tell the hon. Lady about the level of bureaucracy my right hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson) that will have to be introduced if the CCTV cameras are and I used it when we steered through legislation that to be taken away from Catwoman’s observer and every 353 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 354

[Alan Johnson] Conservatives presided, it rose by 18%, and domestic violence doubled. That was the legacy of the broken other private household. It simply cannot be done. As Britain that we remember from those days. It is ridiculous for CCTV in public spaces, it is already governed by all of the Home Secretary to suggest that because we the legislation that I mentioned earlier. published a strategy to deal with domestic violence against women and young girls and then moved to the Anna Soubry: Will the right hon. Gentleman give next stage, we did nothing for 12 years. We did nothing way? for 12 years except reduce domestic violence by 64%, Alan Johnson: No, I will not give way again. It was and produce all the other statistics quoted so generously tedious last time, and it would be tedious again. If the by the Attorney-General. Government want to strike a blow against the surveillance I have dealt with the reduced resources being inflicted state, they should sack Andy Coulson, not take away on police forces with restricted powers. Let me now deal CCTV cameras. with the third part of the triple whammy: the imposition We recently learned of another power that was due to of elected commissioners to replace the hundreds of be introduced, but is now held in suspended animation. experienced councillors, magistrates and other citizens This is a serious point. I refer to domestic violence who sit on our police authorities. Here we see the “we protection orders, which received cross-party support know best” arrogance of the Government in all its earlier this year. They are designed to protect instantly depressing detail. The public did not vote for the abolition women and children who are under threat. ACPO, the of police authorities at the general election, or for their National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, replacement by an elected commissioner. This model is Women’s Aid and the Home Affairs Committee urged opposed by the police, by local councillors of all political their introduction to close a major gap in public protection. persuasions, by ACPO, by the Association of Police I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Authorities, and by practically everyone who knows Leicester East (Keith Vaz), who chairs the Committee. anything about policing. There was no dispute whatsoever about the need for The Local Government Association, under a Tory that measure, but although the Home Secretary has stewardship, says it does not believe that introducing said that her directly elected individuals is the best way in which to “ambition is nothing less than ending violence against women strengthen police accountability. The association believes and girls”, that such action she presides over a regime that is threatening the enormous “will weaken the ability of the police, councils and other public progress that has been made in tackling domestic violence services to cut crime.” over the last 13 years. There has been a 64% reduction It could also “fragment local partnerships” and make a since 1997. I am pleased to see that the Attorney-General “place-based budgeting approach”—I am not sure what is present, because he, with rather more grace than the that is—“more difficult” to operate. Yet the Minister for Home Secretary, has recognised the significant increases Policing and Criminal Justice has said: in successful prosecutions and the sharp fall in the “we are not going to consider other models, this is the model we number of discontinued cases, as well as the amazing are going to introduce, that is the coalition agreement.” reduction in domestic violence. However, as the Home Secretary will agree, there is much more to be done in And so we have a rushed White Paper, “Policing in the this crucial area. 21st Century”. Incidentally, the Conservatives also produced one of these in 1993; it was called “A police service for Thankfully, the Government were forced into a U-turn the 21st century”, so the titles do not change much but on anonymity for rape defendants—mainly, I have to the content certainly does. They published the more say, owing to the work of my right hon. Friend the recent document on 26 July for an eight-week consultation Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint), who pursued period over the summer break. Helpfully, at the back of the issue tirelessly. I think that it is time to execute the the document there is a code of practice on consultations, same manoeuvre, and to get on with introducing domestic which includes the criterion: violence protection orders as quickly as possible. “Consultations should normally last for at least 12 weeks with Mrs May: The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely consideration given to longer timescales where feasible and sensible.” right. Domestic violence is an issue that should worry Irrespective of where we stand on the political spectrum, Members throughout the House, as, indeed, should all the topic under discussion is a major issue about which forms of violence against women. If the last Government there are deep reservations. To quote from the code of were so concerned about it, however, can he tell me why practice, it is “feasible and sensible” to have a longer it took them 12 years to produce a strategy to end it? consultation than 12 weeks; there is no argument whatever to curtail it. Alan Johnson: The answer is quite simple. The Home Secretary ought to do some research. From 1998 onwards The first objection to the proposal is its puzzling we did not need a strategy, because we had introduced inconsistency in relation to the approach to elected an action plan involving the changes that led to the mayors. While a referendum is necessary if a city or reduction to which I referred. [Interruption.] The statistics town might have an elected mayor, no such public that I quoted came from the Attorney-General and consultation is proposed for the equally profound step from the Home Office. If we had waited 12 years to of introducing a single commissioner to replace the introduce any measures to deal with this issue, we collective and diverse wisdom of police authorities—and would not have reduced domestic violence by 64%. this, again, from a Government who preach localism. As I said earlier, during the biggest global recession There is, of course, an attraction in direct accountability; that we have experienced since the 1930s, crime fell by indeed, when we were in government we looked at the 9%. During the recession of the 1990s over which the issue not once, but twice. However, the difference between 355 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 356 us and the dogmatic zealots who now occupy the Treasury are not suggesting electing the local leader of the health Bench—I excuse the Attorney-General from that—is service or the local chair of an education authority. This that we consulted properly. Our 2004 consultation found is a fundamental argument. If there is a broad remit, overwhelming opposition to direct elections. Respondents part of which is policing, election is fine, but if someone pointed out the dangers of extremist groups succeeding is being elected to a post that addresses only one narrow on low turnouts, single-issue groups dominating, a move remit, then I think it is wrong. I have serious concerns to a more short-term approach with re-election dependent about this, and the Flanagan consultation showed that on quick wins rather than long-term objectives, the they were widely shared. politicisation of accountable bodies and the lack of public appetite for elections and the cost of running Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): Does my right them. However, the case for directly electing the 17 members hon. Friend share my concern that one of the problems of the police authority—which is what we consulted on with having elected police commissioners—or whatever and which was Liberal Democrat policy at the last they are going to be called—is that policing organised general election—is much stronger than that for the and serious crime, which we do not necessarily hear replacement of police authorities by a single elected about on our doorsteps but which reaches into our commissioner. This is the most ill-considered and pernicious communities, will get deprioritised and will not be aspect of the proposal. attended to as seriously as it should be? Sir Ronnie Flanagan looked at this issue in his 2008 review. He expressed the great fear about a single Alan Johnson: I think that is absolutely right, and on person with a political mandate exerting pressure that this there is no difference between the Front Benchers. too readily conflicts with operational judgment. He The Government refer in their White Paper to the pointed out that it may also be an impediment to “golden thread” of connectivity. That is a very important collaboration—which, rightly, is a major part of the point; indeed, Sir Paul Stephenson made it in a recent Government’s White Paper—since the vote for the post speech. It is more and more the case that police forces will be on localised issues rather than the largely unseen have to co-operate across borders to tackle terrorism, issues of cross-border collaboration. cybercrime and serious organised crime. Flanagan made a number of points from a policing Several generations of police reformers in the USA perspective, but an even stronger argument concerns have regarded the British model of insulation from the loss of a body of people who are geographically political control as a solution to their problems of diverse as well as diverse in terms of ethnicity, gender corruption and partisanship. They also consider that and background. The Government propose a new body—a the fact that America has literally hundreds of police police and crime panel—to oversee the commissioner. forces makes their job really difficult. The point is that That is meant to provide the checks and balances. The they cannot go back— once this kind of measure is body will, however, have no say on policing and no veto introduced, that is it; there is no return. I therefore over the commissioner’s decisions. Therefore, we face think the Government are being extremely foolish in the prospect of having an elected commissioner who, as going down this route. They suggest that there will be the White Paper makes clear, will have a team of personal no political interference and that the commissioner’s appointees, and a police and crime panel to overview powers will be little different from those invested in a the commissioner but not the police, whose overview police authority now, which begs this question: what is will be conducted by a single commissioner whose this upheaval is for? decisions are final. Somewhere in all of this will be The Government say there is the problem of the elected councillors—and in some places elected mayors. invisibility of police authorities and we agree, as do the Chief constables will have to find their way around this APA and the LGA. That is why so much effort is going maze, with all the additional costs involved, while trying into addressing that invisibility issue without jeopardising to cope with the biggest financial upheaval the police either the effectiveness of the really good people involved, service has ever faced. who have served their communities well, or the crucial principle of the operational independence of chief Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): If it is okay to elect a constables. Prime Minister and local councillors, why is it so wrong I think there is a better solution and I offer it to the to give a local community the chance to choose the kind Government in a spirit of political generosity. If the of policing it wants for its neighbourhoods? Why are Government are wedded to some measure of direct the right hon. Gentleman and his party so hostile to accountability I believe a solution might be direct elections local democracy? for the chair of a police authority while leaving police authorities in place and certainly not causing this huge Alan Johnson: This is a very different issue from that upheaval—[Interruption.] I am sorry, but I did not of elected mayors, because they have a broad remit. We catch the sedentary comment of the Minister for Policing introduced elected mayors, and we agree that the Mayor and Criminal Justice; if he wants to intervene he can. I of London should chair the police authority. The trouble think that such elections would be a far better way is that he finds doing that too hard, so he has stepped forward and that the Government should seriously consider down and his unelected deputy is now chairing it. We that alternative. Instead of the eight-week consultation agree with the Mayor chairing it, however; that is very period, the Government should opt for 12 weeks at least important. so that these issues can be properly debated. I also To answer the hon. Gentleman’s question, I believe, believe that if they decide to plough ahead with this as do many other Members on both sides of the House, they should at the very least give the local population a that the narrower a post’s remit, the more difficult is the chance to decide in a referendum whether it wants to argument that we should elect someone to the post by maintain the current system or move to a single directly individual ballot, which I presume is why the Government elected commissioner. 357 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 358

[Alan Johnson] already planning 20% cuts—they just did not have the guts to tell us where those would come from. This On police powers, I say in the same spirit of political afternoon, however, we were told by the shadow Home generosity that the Government should maintain the Secretary that they were going to come from health, DNA legislation, which they supported in the pre-election defence and local government—[Interruption.] Labour wash-up, until 2012 when the database will have been in Members say that he did not say that, but I asked him operation for six years. At that point there should be a where the cuts were coming from and he said, “Well, review of the actual evidence, instead of us just having they weren’t going to come from policing and education” the projections that inform both our model of six years and that he would have taken— and the random guess plucked out of the air, which is how Scotland came up with the three year option. Then Alan Johnson rose— we can decide properly on the relative merits of the two models. Otherwise we are going to wipe all the DNA Mrs May: Perhaps he is going to tell us now. information from the database after three years and Alan Johnson: The right hon. Lady really does need find out after six years that it is irrefutable that we to follow the debate and to read the documents. Some needed to maintain that information for that length of £75 million was to come from police overtime, £400 million time to catch murderers and rapists. from procurement and £500 million from process. This The Government should also not reduce the number was all set out in the pre-Budget report, the Budget and of public-space CCTVs. I do not wish to interfere with last November’s policing White Paper—£1.3 billion-worth the CCTVs outside Mrs Smith’s house at 42 Acacia of savings. The Government can keep parroting that we avenue. We do not need to reduce CCTV coverage in have never set all this out, but the trouble is that we have public spaces. and it is available to look at. On the most important issue—on police funding—the Home Secretary has to fight her corner to ensure that Mrs May: I say to the shadow Home Secretary that policing and security are prioritised in the comprehensive the intervention that he has just made was not the spending review and that cuts in the police budgets do answer given to the question that I put to him earlier not exceed 12%. As this Government’s honeymoon about the cuts and on which I was just commenting. period draws to a close, they are vulnerable on many The Labour party went into the election promising issues, none more so than crime and security, where the 20% cuts. He claims that those would not have come issue is not about political vulnerability; it is about the from the Home Office budget. I asked him where they vulnerability of our citizens as they seek to go about would have come from and, as my hon. Friend the their daily lives. Despite the successes of the past 15 years, Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) from Howard to Johnson, the battle against crime and has made clear from a sedentary position, the right hon. disorder has to be stepped up, not scaled back. I warn Gentleman made it clear that they would have come this House and Members on the Government Benches from health—that is what the shadow Home Secretary that the Government are taking the wrong approach was saying. and that by refusing to listen and consult they demonstrate If the shadow Home Secretary will not listen to not their commitment to civil liberties, but their failure me—he does not appear to wish to listen to me on the to protect the most important civil liberty of all: the issue of cuts—perhaps he will listen to the following: right to be safe from crime and disorder. “When ... Alan Johnson”— flails at— 2.31 pm “the coalition for protecting NHS spending against cuts being The Secretary of State for the Home Department inflicted elsewhere in Whitehall, Labour looks as if it is indulging (Mrs Theresa May): I beg to move an amendment, to in opposition for opposition’s sake. Comfortable it may be. But it will not bring Labour back to power.” leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: Those are not my words, but those of the former Labour Cabinet Minister, Alan Milburn. So let us hear “notes the appalling fiscal deficit left by the last Government and reiterates the urgent need to restore the nation to economic no more nonsense from those on the Labour Benches health; recognises that the police will need to play their part in about police budgets and police numbers. reducing that deficit; and welcomes the Government’s proposed Labour’s denial is not just about police funding; it is policing reforms, which will deliver a more responsive and efficient also about its record on crime and policing. I had hoped police service, less encumbered by bureaucracy, more accountable that the shadow Home Secretary would use the freedom to the public and, most importantly, better equipped to fight of being in opposition to get around the country and to crime.” be out there meeting people and finding out what they The text of the Opposition motion and the 50-minute really think about what is happening. He might, thus, speech that we have just heard from the shadow Home have learned about the booze-fuelled violence that takes Secretary provide yet more proof, if any were needed, of place in too many of our town centres at night, and the utter state of denial of the Labour party. From about the gang crime in our cities and the antisocial listening to the shadow Home Secretary and reading behaviour that makes so many people’s lives a misery. the motion, one would wonder how on earth Labour But judging by his speech today, and indeed by the lost the election; it had such a perfect record on everything. motion, he has not bothered to find out what people Let me just remind the House of its record. Labour actually think— doubled our national debt and left us with the biggest deficit in the G20. As much as Labour Members might Geraint Davies rose— now like to pretend otherwise, if they had won the election, they would have had no choice but to take Mrs May: Wait a moment. That is a shame, because action to reduce the deficit. We know that they were there are occasions when the shadow Home Secretary 359 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 360 stops playing party politics and is a bit more candid and red tape, kept in police stations filling in forms about his record and about our policies. On licensing, when they could have been out on the streets, where for example, he has said: people want to see them and where they want to be. “I regret not doing more to tackle the problems caused by This is not just about the bureaucracy faced by police binge drinking during my period in office. The Government”— officers; the previous Labour Government passed a this coalition Government— record number of laws, but left office with nearly 900,000 “is right to stop alcohol being sold below cost price. It’s something violent crimes taking place a year. They spent a record we should have done.” amount on criminal justice, but they left office with 26,000 victims of crime every single day. Labour Members Alan Johnson indicated assent. might think that that is a record to be proud of, but we do not and neither do the British people. Mrs May: I welcome the support that he is, obviously, going to be giving to those measures when they are Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): introduced in the police reform and social responsibility Could the right hon. Lady tell us how many of those Bill. victims would support her suggestion to get rid of antisocial behaviour orders or would support the reduction Alan Johnson: I have been listening. in the number of CCTV cameras? Has she ever come across a constituent who wants to see fewer CCTV Mrs May: The shadow Home Secretary listens selectively cameras? to one or two of the things that we say; I have just made the point that sometimes he is willing to put aside party Mrs May: Once again, the trouble with the Labour politics and to make statements of that sort. Sadly, we party is that it is making up things about what our did not hear any of those statements in the speech that policy is, purely in order to meet the arguments that he has just given. Instead, we heard the familiar rewritten Labour Members want to bring into this House. On history of the past 13 years. Let us examine some of the CCTV, we have said that we want better regulation of it claims that Labour makes about that period. It hired a and automatic number plate recognition—ANPR—and record number of police officers, but it bound them so it is right and proper for us to introduce that. If the tightly in red tape that they are available on the streets Labour party thought that there was nothing to be done for only 11% of their time. about CCTV, why did it start looking at introducing somebody to examine the regulation of CCTV? The Alan Johnson: That is not true. regulation of CCTV is important and I suggest to the hon. Lady that she does not go around trying to suggest Mrs May: The shadow Home Secretary says that that that the Government are going to get rid of CCTV is not true. I remind him that that figure comes from the cameras as a result of our policy to regulate those very Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary report cameras better. cited in his motion. The hon. Lady has given me a welcome opening here, because I wanted to go on to discuss not only the record Alan Johnson: I shall say two things on this. Those on of the previous Labour Government, but what we are the Government Benches are deriding Michael Howard going to do— that is despite the fact that this is an so, first, I should say that it was the White Paper called Opposition day debate. I want to talk about how we as “A police service for the 21st century”, produced under the new coalition Government will deliver effective Lord Howard, that introduced all of the target regime policing that cuts crime in an era of falling budgets, and suggested that the Home Office should be able to because we on this side of the House are determined appoint the chairs of political authorities. Some of that not only to tackle the legacy of debt we have been left was the right thing to do. I know that he is derided by with by the last Government, but to make sure we those on the Government Benches, but Michael Howard deliver high-quality public services even as we reduce was actually a very successful Home Secretary. public spending. If we are to succeed, the policing My second point deals with the HMIC’s figure on reforms I announced to the House before the summer availability. HMIC talks about the percentage of the recess, which were so derided by the shadow Home police who are available at any one time to be on the Secretary, will be vital. streets. The police work in shifts, and some police Despite spending more on criminal justice than any officers are sick, some have to be in court, some deal comparable country, we remain a high-crime country—the with counter-terrorism and some deal with child chance of being a victim of crime here is higher than pornography, so that statistic is meaningless. Many almost anywhere else in Europe—[Interruption.] Those police officers have been quick to point that out. There on the Labour Front Bench are making lots of comments is no way in which under the previous Government that from a sedentary position, but that is again part of the availability rate would have been any higher. denial. The idea that this country is somehow a wonderful world where people do not experience crime or antisocial Mrs May: I say to the shadow Home Secretary that I behaviour because of the impact of the last Government am deeply disappointed in what he is saying. I will tell is completely false. We remain a high-crime country and him who that statistic means something to—it means we need to do something about it. The complacency on something to my constituents, and to those of other the Opposition Benches about this issue is, frankly, hon. Members, when they do not see police on the breathtaking. streets. They know the reality, but sadly the shadow Home Secretary is not willing to accept it. The reality is Alan Johnson: Will the Home Secretary confirm that that because of things that his Government did we have the figure, which is in the White Paper, comes from the seen that police officers have been tied up in bureaucracy international crime victims survey, which was last carried 361 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 362

[Alan Johnson] Mrs May: Either I or the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice would be very happy to meet delegations out in 2004 and surveys 2,000 people—in comparison of colleagues, but I must say to my hon. Friend that the with the British crime survey, which surveys 45,000 Lincolnshire Members of Parliament have already got people—and sometimes takes its statistics from those in before him to discuss their bid on formula funding. convicted, a very important point that was raised in an However, as I have said, I am happy to meet such a earlier intervention, and sometimes has nothing to do delegation, as is the Minister for Policing and Criminal with the level of crimes? It is not a basis for saying that Justice. we have the highest crime rates in Europe. Will she Let me turn to the point about the accountability of confirm that? the police and the policing reforms that we will put forward in the police reform and social responsibility Mrs May: What I will confirm is that yet again, in Bill. Our changes to the accountability of the police will this debate, we have seen from those who made up the be crucial in ensuring that they once more become Labour Government an unwillingness to accept what crime fighters instead of form writers. Central to those people out there see and feel on their streets. It is about reforms is the idea that we want to get rid of the issues of crime and levels of crime in this country that inefficient and ineffective processes of bureaucratic are not acceptable. Whatever the right hon. Gentleman accountability, where power rests with Whitehall civil says about the figures, I think that figures such as those servants, and replace it with direct democratic accountability, that I quoted earlier—26,000 victims of crime a day and with power placed back in the hands of the people. Not nearly 900,000 violent crimes a year—are not figures to only will that make the police truly responsive to the be proud of. They are figures that we need to deal with. needs of the public, but it will mean a more efficient and We need to do more and that means unfettering the innovative police service, free from the meddling of police and allowing them to get out on the streets and to central Government. We can be as aggressive as we like do what they should be doing, which is dealing with in cutting police paperwork—and we are—but we will crime. never achieve the culture change we need until we deal with the driver of the problem and that is Whitehall. Hazel Blears: The right hon. Lady is right that there is always more to do in tackling crime. The Labour As I noted earlier, according to the recent report by party has never been complacent about how important Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary that is cited these issues are to the British public. However, does she in the motion, only 11% of police officers are visible not accept that there is now the lowest risk for more and available to the public at any one time. It is not as if than 20 years in this country of becoming a victim of the Opposition were not warned about that when they crime? Of course we are not perfectly safe but we are an were in power. The shadow Home Secretary has quoted awful lot safer than we used to be under previous Sir Ronnie Flanagan, but he said in his review that the Governments. difference in paperwork now compared with when he was a front-line officer was “truly staggering”. Jan Mrs May: I am disappointed in the line that the right Berry, the last president of the Police Federation, said: hon. Lady has taken. She made an important and valid “As a result of Government diktats, the service has been point earlier in her intervention on her right hon. Friend reduced to a bureaucratic, target-chasing, points-obsessed arm of the shadow Home Secretary about antisocial behaviour Whitehall”. and the important fact that all too often the perception The last Government did not listen, but we will. of antisocial behaviour is worse in deprived communities Already we have cancelled the top-down public confidence and those communities that are among the poorest and target and scrapped the policing pledge. We are reducing most vulnerable in our country. My point is very simple: the reporting requirements for stop and search and we none of us can be complacent about levels of crime in are scrapping the stop form in its entirety. We will this country. We need to find the ways in which we can return charging decisions to officers for minor offences reduce crime and in which we can help the police to do and we will reform the health and safety rules that stop their job. police officers intervening to protect the public. That is just the start. Shifting the model of accountability Geraint Davies rose— from the centre to local communities removes the need for pages and pages of bureaucracy and it removes the Mrs May: No, I will not give way at the moment. temptation to Home Secretaries to issue initiative after That is why we want to restore that connection between initiative. the police and the people that we believe has been bogged down by bureaucracy and damaged over the Keith Vaz: Of course, we welcome the steps taken by years. the Home Secretary to reduce bureaucracy, but the previous Government were also committed to reducing Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): My bureaucracy. That goes back, as the Home Secretary right hon. Friend will be aware that Northamptonshire has said, to the Flanagan report. Will she commit people have little to thank the previous Government herself to ensuring that Jan Berry, when she delivers her for. They reviewed formula funding in a way that benefitted final report, can continue the good work that she is the county and then failed to implement it. They admitted doing in monitoring the level of bureaucracy and advising that the population figures used were incorrect but the Government from outside the Home Office about failed to act on them and they cheated Northamptonshire the need to continue along this path? police out of millions of pounds a year. On that basis, will my right hon. Friend meet a delegation from Mrs May: We obviously look forward to the results Northamptonshire and, I hope, talk about reviewing of the further work that Jan Berry has been doing in formula funding? this area. The right hon. Gentleman started his intervention 363 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 364 by commenting that the last Government intended to and complexity and means that in many areas, the reduce bureaucracy, but the problem was that they did police, councils and local people find it very difficult to not. We have come in and within a matter of months we decide what is appropriate, and that all too often things have shown specific examples of where we can reduce are not applied. that bureaucracy. The shadow Home Secretary should also know that three quarters of incidents of antisocial behaviour are Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): On that point, not reported and that more than half of ASBOs are my recollection is—I think that the shadow Home breached. Again, that is not a record of which to be Secretary said this in his contribution—that the previous proud or on which to be complacent. That is why we Government did make some progress on bureaucracy. need to look at the whole toolkit that is available to the My concern, particularly on stop and search and stop police in dealing with antisocial behaviour. No number and account, is that we have a long history in this of sanctions is a match for local policing that is responsive country of recognising that they can have particular to local needs. That is what this Government’s police effects on particular communities. I hope that the right reform agenda will deliver—simpler, smarter sanctions hon. Lady will be sensitive, particularly in relation to that are faster to obtain, easier to enforce and that my constituency, to the fact that we have a long past for provide a strong deterrent and a real punishment. which this issue has been at the absolute apex of concern about crime. I do not want to see the sort of problems Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): One of that we had in the 1980s again. When she says that the main problems encountered by those dealing with bureaucracy is being reduced as regards stop and account, ASBOs has been the inordinate length of time it can will she say whether there will still be accountability for take for applications to succeed, only for people then to stopping ethnic minorities, in particular? find that the problem that they were dealing with has gone away or has transmogrified into something else. Mrs May: I recognise the right hon. Gentleman’s Secondly, CRASBOs, or criminal ASBOs—I am sorry concerns. He makes particular reference to his constituency, about using that acronym, or euphemism; it does not and there will be others who will share his concern. matter—are totally ineffective. They are afterthoughts That is why, as I said, we are reducing the reporting that are bolted on to convictions and their enforcement requirements for stop and search. We fully recognise has been nothing short of lamentable. that we need to do that in a sensitive way that notes and deals with the issue that he has raised. Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes a very strong point In addition to dealing with bureaucracy, we will about the panoply of ASBO powers that are available. introduce directly elected police and crime The important point is that the bureaucracy involved in commissioners—single, named individuals who will be getting an ASBO means that, all too often, nothing is democratically accountable to their communities. That done, because it takes so long to get something enforced. accountability will be real and will be provided not by That is why so many communities up and down the invisible police authorities—surveys show that only 7% of country find that the orders are not working and why people know that there is a police authority they can go they continue to suffer from antisocial behaviour. to if they have a problem with the police—and not by Ministers hundreds of miles away in London, but by Geraint Davies: Will the right hon. Lady give way? people themselves. The police commissioner will be Mrs May: Oh, the hon. Gentleman has been bobbing somebody whom people have heard of, whom they have up and down all afternoon, so I will give way to him. voted for, whom they can hold to account and whom they can get rid of if they do not cut crime. So we will Geraint Davies: It is very generous of the right hon. leave local crime fighting to local crime fighters, but we Lady to see me. I could not sit any closer; I have been will not forget cross-border, national and international doing my best. Will she say how her Government expect crime. It is an irony that for years the Home Office has to reduce the number of short-term prison sentences—now tried to micro-manage local policing from the centre a clear and amplified ambition—at the same time as while it has neglected policing at the national level. That getting rid of ASBOs and the current means of reducing is why we will establish a national crime agency with a those short-term measures without a massive escalation proper command structure to fight serious organised of crime and antisocial behaviour in the community? crime and to control our borders. I understand that it was only yesterday that the Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman should not try to Opposition added antisocial behaviour to their motion. second-guess what may or may not be in the sentencing The shadow Home Secretary spent quite a bit of time review that will come from the Ministry of Justice. on it in his speech, but he forgot to mention his own There is a commitment to reviewing sentencing and I quote about the last Government’s record on antisocial suggest that he should wait until that comes out, when behaviour, when he said: he will be able to make his comments. “We became a bit complacent…we…dragged our feet by not One area that I want to speak briefly about, which making it a priority.” has not been touched on much today, is the unmitigated He claimed that the police have the powers they need to disaster of Labour’s Licensing Act 2003. One in three deal with antisocial behaviour and that there is a range people who turn up in accident and emergency have of 15 options that they can use, but the fact that there alcohol-related injuries, and alcohol-related crime and are so many options is precisely the problem. We have disorder costs the taxpayer up to £13 billion every year. individual support orders, acceptable behaviour contracts, When that legislation was introduced, we were promised antisocial behaviour injunctions, antisocial behaviour a café-style culture, but five years on the police are still orders and criminal antisocial behaviour orders. There fighting an ongoing battle against booze-fuelled crime is a whole list of options that increases the bureaucracy and disorder. So we will overhaul Labour’s Licensing 365 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 366

[Mrs May] remarkable figures on the detection of serious sexual offences, domestic abuse, racially or religiously aggravated Act to ensure that local people have greater control over crime, burglary, vehicle crime and robbery. Our figures pubs, clubs and other licensed premises. We will allow on levels of crime are a great credit to the police, so I local authorities to charge more for late-night licences, thank the police in my constituency, and those more which they will then be able to plough back into late-night widely in Greater Manchester, for the wonderful job policing in their areas. We will double the fine for that they do. I repeat that that does not mean that the under-age sales and we will allow authorities permanently statistics are perfect, but they are getting better all the to shut down any shop or bar that persistently sells time. alcohol to children. We will also ban the below-cost sale Given the commendable record of the police and the of alcohol to ensure that retailers can no longer sell it at fact that they have close relations with the community, irresponsible prices. As I have said, I welcome the what will the Government do? First, they will spend a support for that which we will have from the Opposition. lot of time meddling with administration and, secondly, In today’s motion and in the shadow Home Secretary’s they will make huge cuts in spending. The Home Secretary speech, he and the Opposition have fallen into the trap kept on saying—it was like a mantra—that we have a of thinking that they need to oppose everything the coalition Government, so let us look at what the Liberal Government do just for the sake of it. They are denying Democrat manifesto said. It included the heading “Cutting the legacy of debt that they have left to this Government crime with more and better police”, even though there and they oppose the Budget cuts that they had planned will be fewer police. It said that to make. In denying their record, they oppose the police “more police are needed on the streets…to provide a longer arm reforms that they once proposed, so let me try to shake for the law”, the shadow Home Secretary out of his state of denial. but the number of police on the streets, like the number of police Police officers are available on the streets for just 11% of overall, will be cut. The manifesto said that, if the Liberal their time and there are 900,000 violent crimes a year Democrats had any voice in government, they would, and 26,000 victims of crime every single day. That is the legacy of the Labour party and it will be up to the but there will be fewer police on the beat. I can say to coalition Government to put things right. the Government and the Liberal Democrats that we will tell everyone in Gorton again and again that, while the Liberal Democrats will make promises, if they are ever Several hon. Members rose— involved in government, they not only fail to deliver them but then turn on their head. We will not allow the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): As hon. Members Liberal Democrats in my Gorton constituency or those will see, there is a 10-minute limit on speeches and the more widely in Manchester to get away with that. What usual rules apply as far as interventions are concerned. the Liberal Democrats promise and what the Home brake Secretary foreshadows will not happen. 2.57 pm Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): I Will the right hon. Gentleman give way? am very grateful to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me at this point in the debate. I have to start with an Sir Gerald Kaufman: I hope that the hon. Gentleman apology: the Jewish new year starts at sunset and therefore will give me a moment, but if I have time, I shall I shall not be able to attend the winding-up speeches certainly give way. because the imperative of the synagogue is greater than the imperative of the Whips. We must also consider the situation surrounding antisocial behaviour orders. We pioneered ASBOs in Crime is a concern that never goes away. Whatever Manchester and have a remarkable record on that. the statistics say, and whoever quotes those statistics, Inspector Damian O’Reilly has just received the Greater crime against one’s family or oneself is, for most people, Manchester police’s community police officer of the the only crime. That is natural. However, statistics show year award and will be entered in the national finals in that crime in many categories has gone down and that November. He has given me information about how the number of police has risen. The Greater Manchester ASBOs have dealt with gangs in my constituency. That police cover my constituency, and the statistics that they has been praised by a judge. When certain people who have issued over the past few weeks, while not perfect, had been detected and rounded up by the police were as they never will be, are encouraging. They show the found guilty by that judge, he said: beneficial effect of both the dedicated work done by our police in Manchester and more widely and the policies “It’s time to give Ryder Brow”— that the Labour Government implemented. which is in my constituency— In my constituency, taking into account the continuous “back to the residents”. and justified concern about law and order issues that there will always be, the record is even better. Statistics Inspector O’Reilly—he is someone who is doing this that have been sent to me by the police in my area show work—says that he has found ASBOs that 76.5% of users of the law and order mechanism “to be really effective in breaking up the dynamics of problematic were satisfied with that service. That is remarkable groups”. because the satisfaction of the population will always He goes on to state: be affected by crime levels and the effect of crime on “Were ASBOs to be abolished it would be devastating for both themselves. Remarkable figures have been issued for my the community and the officers who put so much effort into constituency showing reductions in antisocial behaviour, obtaining them, the problems would reoccur and the only winners burglary, vehicle crime and robbery. We also have would be the criminals.” 367 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 368

The Home Secretary states—although it is impossible borrowed and spent again during the past 13 years, we to say how she knows this—that only a proportion of should surely have the best public services in Europe, antisocial behaviour is reported. She seems to suggest but the sad reality is that we are at the bottom of many that that is an indictment of ASBOs, but only a minute league tables because we have the worst services. proportion of rapes are ever reported by rape victims—a Labour Members will remind us that we have more tiny number of women report rapes—so does that mean police than ever, with 140,000 full-time equivalent officers that we should not have legislation to deal with rapists? in England and Wales, but let us not make their mistake The right hon. Lady puts forward an utterly absurd of thinking that having record numbers of police means argument. that we have record effectiveness of policing, because No Government have ever had a perfect record on almost the opposite is true. Despite the record numbers law and order, but the Labour Government improved of police, there is huge public dissatisfaction with the things and made it possible for the police at the sharp service. Significantly, the public’s attitudes towards the end to improve the situation in my constituency. Time police are negatively related to personal experiences of will tell what will happen as a result of the Government’s the police service. The shadow Home Secretary likes to proposals and the objectives that the Home Secretary cite the British crime survey, but according to its 2005 set out today. If she is right, we will have to acknowledge public satisfaction report, although 89% of people were that, but if she is wrong, the Government will be to satisfied with their initial contact with the police, only blame and they will have to carry the can. What they are 58% were satisfied with their follow-up contact. Only doing is likely to make the criminal more rampant while 50% of all respondents thought that the police in their the householder who is burgled and the person who is area did a good or excellent job, and that was down knocked down on the street become more vulnerable. from 67% in 1994. According to the BCS, therefore, such satisfaction decreased massively under the previous Mrs May indicated dissent. Government from 67% to 50%. A 50% satisfaction rating is a very poor performance by any institution; Sir Gerald Kaufman: The right hon. Lady shakes her similar surveys rate doctors, teachers, judges and the head, but neither she nor I can provide statistics for next NHS higher—unsurprisingly, only politicians score worse. year or the year after, and we will judge her on them. At the same time as we have record spending on the police, we have declining public satisfaction with the 3.6 pm service they receive. That leads me to my key point: if more money does not equal better public services, it Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): I should cannot be the case that less money will mean worse start with a declaration of interest in that not a single services. Why, when there is a record number of police word of my speech has come from the Chief Whip’s crib officers, do the public still routinely say when asked that sheet, despite the fact that my right hon. Friend was they feel less safe? Is it something that only Members on born and bred in my constituency. this side of the House understand? Only in the public We have heard a lot of speculation about the possible sector is Labour’s absurd notion that better results can effect of cuts. As it happens, that was pure speculation, be achieved only with more money propagated. In the given that we do not know what the settlement will be private sector, if better outcomes or more efficient following the comprehensive spending review, and Labour production are needed to sell more work or deliver Members have not had the good grace to tell us where better results faster, spending more money is pretty they would make cuts. However, I want to try to nail much the last thing that those in that sector think one issue by moving the debate away from the stale about. If the customer is not happy, they do not put up analysis of inputs of the past 10 years and towards an the price; they look to take costs out of the business and assessment of outputs. During its 13 years in government, seek ways to make efficiencies, improve processes, reduce the Labour party was incredibly successful at one thing overheads and stop spending time on administrative in particular: persuading the country that only by putting and bureaucratic tasks. If they conclude that efficiencies more in could we possibly get more out. That is why the are needed to lower the price and stay competitive, then, debate about effective policing is always focused on by God, that is what they do. numbers of police rather than what they actually do, as we have heard. Siobhain McDonagh: I am trying to follow the hon. Labour Members have always followed a simple equation: Gentleman’s argument closely. We all accept that the more money equals better public services. They therefore service is not perfect. Does that mean that he believes believe that simply having more police and PCSOs that better outputs will be achieved with fewer police automatically means that there will be better policing, officers on the street? irrespective of what those people do all day—whether they are in cars, on patrol, filling in forms or responding Mr Burley: I think better outputs are possible with to jobs. The Opposition seem incapable of acknowledging fewer officers if they are better directed and not spending that simply having more police officers doing more their time doing administrative, bureaucratic and ultimately administrative and bureaucratic tasks leads to lower futile tasks that do not benefit the public in any way. morale and, ultimately, less effective policing. To continue the comparison with the private sector, Labour Members have extended the argument of Sainsbury’s employs 150,000 people in this country and looking at inputs rather than outputs to the public is creating 5,000 new jobs through store openings this sector as a whole, but if their argument is true—if more year because of—not despite—saving £4 million this public spending genuinely equals better public services—this year in administration costs by moving its entire staff country should have some of the best public services in recruitment process online. Tesco’s has just taken £3 million the entire world. Given the amount that we have spent, out of its cost base, simply by rationalising how meeting 369 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 370

[Mr Burley] Mr Burley: That is an entirely fair point, and I agree, but the focus of this debate and of my speech is on rooms are booked. Those successful businesses are police bureaucracy. competitive because they are fit and lean, constantly That leads me on to a pledge, which I am sure Labour seeking ways to reduce costs and inefficiencies while Members recall, made in 2002 by the then Home Secretary, giving the best service to the public. the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and Caroline Flint: When police forces were inspected for Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett). He promised a “bonfire of outcomes, often, in terms of reducing crime, they were the paperwork” to free up more police time, which he doing well in those categories, but one area where they said would save 90,000 hours a year. The Home Office did not do quite so well was communicating with the then set up a policing bureaucracy taskforce, which public. Does the hon. Gentleman think that the police published a report with 52 change proposals, which it should spend more resources on communicating, or claimed would should they spend their resources on police officers “enable patrol officers to invest the time equivalent of 22,500…in fighting crime? improved quality of service on the streets.” The taskforce said that that would be achievable within Mr Burley: I think the police should spend their three to five years, but today—nearly 10 years later—not resources on fighting crime. Communication will follow a single update has been published nor follow-up audit if they are doing a good job and the public are happy. made available on how many of those recommendations My question is this: if the private sector can make were implemented and whether that was successful. those efficiencies while giving better services and products, why can the police not do the same? What exactly are all The reality is that the recruitment of additional police the extra police we are constantly told about spending officers and a public commitment to develop their time doing? As we have heard, Home Office figures neighbourhood policing will have little impact unless have revealed that police officers spend more time on the major bureaucratic obstacles facing the police in paperwork than on patrol—just 14% of police officers’ this country are removed. The annual cost of non-incident- time is spent on patrol, compared with 20% on paperwork. related police paperwork in England and Wales has Of the 81,000 officers who patrol our country, including been estimated to be about £625 million. Police have to detectives, traffic police and neighbourhood watch teams, produce planning and review team performance just 17,000 will be on duty for an average eight-hour improvement reports, more than 100 pages long, shift. With 14% of their time spent on patrol, only 2,400 every month. Paradoxically, under Labour, while the officers are out and about at a given time—just one in Home Office increasingly attempted to micro-manage 58 of a record number of police officers is patrolling the the police from the centre, it showed weak leadership streets at any one time. No wonder Jan Berry, former in other areas of policing, where I think the centre chairman of the Police Federation, commented: has a role to play in driving through reforms and improving collaboration. Huge savings could be made “People hear about a record 143,000 officers and it sounds a lot, but the reality, as these new figures show, is quite different. from, for example, ensuring IT compatibility, joint The Government obsession with targets and data collection, as procurement and sharing of back-office functions well as the failure to provide an effective system to share information, such as fleet management, uniforms and administrative has resulted in officers spending less time on the beat and this can functions. only be at the expense of the public.” That is why I am delighted that the coalition Government Even way back in 2001, a study by PA Consulting for are no longer focusing on police numbers—we are not the Home Office found that police officers were spending playing the numbers game. Instead, we are focusing on as much time in the police station as they were on the police outcomes, improved by clearing away bureaucracy streets. For five hours a day—more than 50% of the and inefficient, wasteful practices. Yes—referring to the time that the officers were on a shift—they were sat in shadow Home Secretary’s remarks—we need a big society, the station. The study also found that most of the time because the alternative to a big society is a big state, and spent in the police station was spent dealing with incidents not only is a big state unaffordable, but it infantilises and making inquiries; only 17% of police officer time people and discourages them from taking responsibility. was spent on reassurance patrol; and only 1% of police It is Labour’s big state that leads directly to the sort of time was spent proactively reducing crime. The study horrendous incident that occurred in Manchester in also unearthed a startling statistic: if the amount of 2007, when two police community support officers stood time a police officer spends on the beat could be increased by as a 10-year-old boy drowned in a local pond, from one fifth to two fifths, the police presence on the because the health and safety rulebook said they could streets of England and Wales would effectively be doubled, not intervene. If the coalition is to leave the police without a single extra officer being recruited. Clearly, forces of the United Kingdom one major legacy, let it there is considerable scope to free officers to spend be this: it is time once again to allow the police to serve more time out on the best, and a massive dividend to be the public, rather than the statistical whims of the gained from doing so. Ministers in Whitehall. Hazel Blears: The hon. Gentleman is making some interesting points about efficiency and productivity, but 3.19 pm does he accept that much of the bureaucracy is not in the police station, but in the courts system, which ties Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): I our police officers into giving evidence, preparing case should like to contribute to this debate from the point files and having a huge amount of paperwork? I recommend of view of my constituents and the needs of my constituents. to him the argument that more effective liaison with the What concerns me about radical cuts to the police criminal justice system is essential if we are to get more service is that we will see the end of safer neighbourhood productivity. teams as we currently know them. 371 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 372

Safer neighbourhood teams were introduced in the the job to tackle crime; we—the political we—have to teeth of opposition from the advocates of traditional provide them with those skills and with the ability to policing. The arguments were that police in panda cars, communicate what they do. However effective the police driving around in response teams, were a far more become at tackling crime, the ability of the media and effective way of reducing crime than safer neighbourhood all sorts of people to decry what the police do can be so teams. I am not a policing analyst, but my experience effective as to make people unaware of their achievements. suggests that, when it comes to tackling crime, confidence They have not only to tackle crime, but to be seen to and belief in the police, and the process of becoming tackle crime, and that is why communication and connected to one’s local police team, are more likely to communication skills are so important. be more effective than the response teams that we have traditionally seen in the Metropolitan police area. Mr Stewart Jackson: In that typical way of new Discussions with my local area commander and with Labour in government, however, did not safer the Metropolitan Police Commissioner have reinforced neighbourhood policing panels become very process-focused my fear about the cuts in safer neighbourhood teams. organisations? The aim of communicating with local They are easy to cut and get rid of, because they have people was a laudable one, and we could afford to do so gone against the trend of policing over the past 50 years. in good times, but it was also a displacement activity, because one only had to talk to most basic command Mr Graham Stuart: The hon. Lady knows that earlier unit commanders to find out that the number of prolific this year the shadow Home Secretary talked about and persistent offenders remained high. Those people making 20%-plus cuts. She says that she does not want were on a carousel in the criminal justice system, and to see cuts in safer neighbourhood teams, so will she safer neighbourhood teams did nothing about that problem, share with the House where she would like to see the and nothing, in particular, about antisocial behaviour. cuts made, and where she thinks priority should be placed on the savings that, unfortunately, her Government’s Siobhain McDonagh: Can I absolutely oppose what legacy made necessary for whoever were in power? the hon. Gentleman says, accept that safer neighbourhood teams were perfect and argue that their shift patterns were always correct? No, of course I cannot. I fought Siobhain McDonagh: The shadow Home Secretary against the balance of shift patterns in my constituency. has already identified this afternoon where the cuts Are there problems with the fact that shift patterns have would be made in the Home Office budget, and we to be printed 18 months in advance, and with requests believe that safer neighbourhood teams should be our for uniformity among the teams? Yes. But my police priority, because our tax-paying constituents want to teams in each ward in my constituency know exactly see that and believe in that. They want to see their who their prolific offenders are, where they are and police out there on the beat, to know their names and to what they are doing, and their intelligence assists the know their police community support officers. other, reactive police teams in the division. In 2011, we will see the end of the Mayor of London’s The amount of intelligence on, and knowledge of, financial commitment to PCSOs. What will that mean communities is so much more significant now. That at that time? The PCSOs were much derided by becomes really important in an area such as mine in Conservative MPs and by the press when they were south London, where population turnover is so huge introduced, but they have been a tremendous addition and quick, and where from all over the world groups of to traditional policing, because, on intelligence gathering, people with different practices and ideas come to live, PCSOs have the confidence of local residents and are often becoming the foremost victims of violent crime. able to discuss concerns with them. I appreciate the The antisocial behaviour order has not been point that the hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) 100% successful, because no measure is 100% successful, made about the mistakes that are occasionally made, but, on the idea that they should be scrapped because but when one brings in any new service or public they are breached 50% of the time, I must ask, do we administration, our urgency and desire to introduce scrap laws on burglary, fraud or anything that we like them sometimes outstrips our ability to consider all the because there is a recidivism rate? No, we do not. We options and eventualities. Yes, in the early days of have to try to find out why people continue to commit PCSOs, mistakes were made in service provision, but antisocial behaviour and deal with them. We are on a they have been amended and PCSOs are well embedded journey, and the police are entering an area that used to in our areas. be occupied by different forces of control, whether they PCSOs are perhaps most effective in those areas were the extended family, the stronger community or where people are less inclined to speak to the police, church and religion. Our communities are very different, and among the groups and communities that are most and the idea that people are going to go out and tackle alienated from the police and from all sorts of Government antisocial behaviour, confront people whom they do bodies. That is because PCSOs are more likely to be not know and put themselves in a vulnerable or frightening from an ethnic minority, older and different from traditional position is unrealistic. police officers. Many people in my community, particularly We must see the police out there, taking action. They in Pollards Hill, feel closer to their PCSOs and find it have to be there for people, when they need them and in easier to discuss matters with them. the way that they need them, but I am absolutely I also say to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase convinced that huge, swift cuts in the police service will that policing is about not just tackling crime, but community reduce the number of police whom we see on the street. confidence, people’s ability to speak to their police A reduction in police on the street means that our most officers and a feeling of safety.That involves communication vulnerable constituents will have less confidence in the and the police’s ability to communicate. The police do police, and that fewer crimes will be tackled, and in the not necessarily have those skills, because they go into end that cannot be what we want. 373 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 374

[Siobhain McDonagh] safer neighbourhood teams. I support the role that police community support officers play and the impact Our discussions in the House are so different from that that has had not only on crime locally but on the those that I have with my constituents. I have never met perception of crime. I hope that irrespective of what a constituent who has told me that the police have police forces up and down the country will face as a reduced our civil rights; my constituents want to see result of the economic circumstances that we are in, more effective ways of dealing with antisocial behaviour. they will be able to maintain their presence on our I have never met a constituent who wanted to get rid of bstreets. The hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) CCTV; all my constituents want more, because it makes did a good job of demonstrating how much can be them feel safe and confident. I just do not understand achieved in increasing police presence on our streets. how some MPs can make the speeches that they do. I That does not necessarily require there to be more am absolutely confident that they would not go back to police officers but simply better use of the available their constituents and make such speeches, because they time. are so out on a limb when compared with how people The consultation paper “Policing in the 21st century” feel. sets out where the coalition Government are going. I A reduction in the number of police officers is against welcome the debate that they have kicked off in relation all our interests, and against the interests of our constituents. to several police and justice issues, whether it be licensing I ask Government Members seriously to consider that and banning the sale of below-cost alcohol, short-term when the matter comes up on 20 October. prison sentences, or the system of temporary bans on legal highs, which we will debate tomorrow. Those are good matters for us to discuss as a Parliament. I welcome 3.28 pm the reforms that are set out in that paper. Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): It is a Prior to the general election, for the Liberal Democrats pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Mitcham and as a party, the creation of elected police commissioners Morden (Siobhain McDonagh), from my neighbouring was undoubtedly the most controversial proposal that constituency, who, as always, does a very good job of the coalition is now taking forward. I want to explain defending her constituents’ priorities. She said that she why we are supporting that proposal within the coalition. has never come across anyone who has complained The key to this is the checks and balances that will be in about their civil liberties being impacted by the police. place to cover the activities of elected police commissioners, Well, having spent five hours contained by the police at and we need to focus our attention on those. I welcome the G20 protest, I personally feel that on that occasion the fact that there will be a strong duty on commissioners my civil liberties were infringed, along with those of to collaborate with other commissioners to ensure that 2,000 or 3,000 other people who were present at that cross-border issues are addressed, because that was one event. of our fundamental concerns. The right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton As regards the powers that the panel will have, I hope (Sir Gerald Kaufman), who has unfortunately just left that we can get the coalition Government to move a the Chamber, was very helpful in telling us what he was little further in relation to the strategy or budget that going to tell his constituents about what the Liberal the elected commissioner is to adopt, because those are Democrats were doing in the coalition Government. I matters that the panel could have a more decisive say wanted to tell him—he will have to read it in Hansard—what over. Perhaps, similarly to what happens with the Mayor’s we will be telling his constituents about the economic budget, a two-thirds majority might be required to scorched earth policy that his Government adopted oppose the commissioner’s budget or strategy and for when they were in power. We will also point out to them that then to have to be reviewed. The coalition Government that he, like many other Labour Members, suffers from should consider that carefully. With better checks and the characteristic amnesia that has afflicted the Labour balances, it is possible to ensure that elected police party since the general election. commissioners work and can be fully representative of I was greatly entertained by what was not exactly a communities. I hope that there is still time to consider leadership bid by the old Home Secretary, but at least a elected commissioners as a pilot project. It is always bid to secure his position as shadow Home Secretary in worth rolling something out in a small way to start with any future Labour shadow Cabinet. His speech may and measuring its effectiveness before introducing the have had some credibility on the Labour Benches, but whole scheme, so I hope that even at this late stage that those in the wider country will perhaps have wanted a can be considered. demonstration of some humility for the part that he I am pleased to see the Minister for Equalities on the played in creating the calamitous economic car crash Front Bench, because I wish to raise the question of that the coalition Government now have to turn around. how we can ensure that the whole cohort of elected But of course he made no such acknowledgement of police commissioners do not look like me and most of the part that he played, nor of the fact that we have had the other male Members in the Chamber. It would be to borrow £150 billion in the past year. I am afraid that regrettable if the system ensured that the only people with his rather facile asides he demonstrated the same who could get elected were white, middle-aged males ingrained—perhaps it is ingrained in his DNA—denial and there was no representation of any other gender or culture that is far too often demonstrated by Labour ethnicity among the commissioners. I hope that the Members. Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice will respond I am critical of the previous Government’s economic to that point in his summing-up. incompetence, but not uniformly critical of their record Although it is a matter for debate between the in power. They achieved some very positive things of Government and the Mayor of London, I should like which they can be proud. For instance, I support the some clarity on the future of the Metropolitan Police 375 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 376

Authority if the Minister is able to give it. There is some fast-track means of banning legal highs are all welcome confusion about whether it will be abolished, as “Policing moves by the Government because, of course, the in the 21st century”suggests, or whether its administrative Committee recommended them in the previous Parliament. functions will simply be absorbed into city hall. Also in My concern is that the good intentions will be put at a London context, is the Minister entirely happy with risk by the comprehensive spending review. The elected commissioners being able to delegate their role Government will have serious problems with police to another individual? The coalition Government are numbers. I accept that the law and order and policing rightly selling elected commissioners on the basis that debate should not be around numbers, although every there will be one strong person with whom the population Member of Parliament has always told their constituents can identify, and that people will know who to contact that they want to see more bobbies on the beat. In and who is responsible. If their power is delegated to exchanges with me and others, the Police Minister has someone else, I believe that link will be broken. said—indeed, he told the Committee this—that he does I wish to mention one further issue in the short time not believe that there will be a reduction in front-line that I have left, which is the absorption of the Child policing as a result of proposals in the CSR, but I do Exploitation and Online Protection Centre into the not believe that that is possible. national crime agency. I am sure that the Minister is On Monday, at the invitation of another member of aware that CEOP has concerns, particularly about its the Committee, the hon. Member for Rochester and ability to continue to work in a wide partnership with a Strood (Mark Reckless), I went to Medway, where I host of organisations, such as social services. Those spoke to the chief constable about his statement last organisations may find it difficult to continue the partnership Friday, in which he said that if the Government’s proposals process if CEOP is absorbed within the NCA completely. to cut expenditure by 20% go through, he will see a I hope that the Minister will be able to provide some reduction of £35 million in his budget, which would reassurance that the situation will be manageable within mean the loss of 1,500 police officers. That is a huge the NCA and that the strong links and positive partnership number for a county such as Kent. Therefore, although that exist will not be damaged. the Minister feels that he cannot be specific on numbers I am pleased to have had a chance to speak in today’s and the effect that the CSR will have on local police debate. I welcome what the Government have set out in forces, the fact is that it will impact on each and every “Policing in the 21st century” on where policing will go Member of the House. Will he seek at the earliest in the next few years, but there are still some concerns opportunity to give an indication to local police forces about elected police commissioners. I hope that the of how much the cuts will be, because at the moment, coalition Government will address those concerns to an enormous amount of senior police officers’ time is ensure that commissioners are representative of their spent trying to guess what the percentage will be? The communities and deliver an agenda that the entire local earlier they get a response from the Government, the community will support. better. Even a broad indication of the proposals would be extremely helpful to them. 3.38 pm I listened to the excellent speech of the hon. Member Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): It is always a pleasure for Cannock Chase, who is absolutely right that the to follow the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington reduction of bureaucracy and the saving of money is a (Tom Brake), who for a long time was a member of the crucial part of our view of policing, but the previous Select Committee on Home Affairs. I congratulate him Government started us along that route. Perhaps they on his recent appointment as the Liberal Democrat did so later than anticipated, but as the Minister may spokesman on home affairs. find out, Ministers cannot do everything immediately— It would be unfair to talk about the Government’s things take time. The previous Government initiated the record on crime and policing, as they have been in office Flanagan review, and Jan Berry was appointed by Jacqui for only 16 weeks. Quite rightly, therefore, the debate so Smith, the previous Home Secretary, who has done far has been focused on their reform programme. It is some valuable work on the reduction of bureaucracy. an ambitious programme—I know it, and so do members We all have an interest in ensuring that police officers of my Committee, some of whom are in their places, are back on the beat and that they provide front-line such as the hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) services rather than waste their time on unnecessary and my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, bureaucracy. That is why the Government should give a Selly Oak (Steve McCabe). At every single meeting of commitment to keep Jan Berry in post after she delivers the Committee so far, there has been discussion about her final report in July. It is important that someone how on earth we will respond to the Government’s who knows about policing acts as an external force, crowded agenda on crime, policing and other Home because such a person can deal with the vested interests Office issues. that try to prevent real change. I should like to begin by welcoming some very important However, the Government should also give special policies that the Government have initiated, because attention to good practice. When I was in Kent on they are all recommendations of the Home Affairs Monday, I saw that the local police were doing some Committee of the previous Parliament. The establishment excellent work on the reduction of street prostitution of the National Security Council, the work on alcohol and on offender management. When I went to the related crime, the announcement today of the extradition constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton law review, even though we have not yet had a decision and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson), I saw effective on Gary McKinnon, what the Government are suggesting engagement by the police with local people—the essence on reducing bureaucracy, the decision to implement the of community policing is the ability to engage with law on wheel-clamping, which the Committee has been local people. It is important that such good practice is on about for the past five years, and the proposals on a shared as quickly as possible. 377 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 378

[Keith Vaz] This afternoon I feel as if I have stumbled upon the Alan Johnson shadow cabinet hustings speech. It is a I remember a visit to Burton I made a year ago with shame that the shadow Home Secretary is no longer in the then MP for the area. Staffordshire police had done his place, but he was performing for a very small good work in reducing paperwork from 24 sheets of audience—the parliamentary Labour party—which will paper to one, but that good practice has still not been vote in the forthcoming shadow cabinet elections. As rolled out by the Home Office to other areas of the the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom country, and that would save a great deal of time. Brake) said, the right hon. Gentleman demonstrated a I shall not go into the issue of procurement now, but I degree of selective amnesia. On this side of the House, am sure that the Minister knows what I mean. Kent we will continue to make the point that the reason we police have bought Skodas, but the next-door forces in have to make any fiscal reductions is the calamitous Sussex and Surrey have bought different makes of car. fiscal situation bequeathed to us by the Labour We cannot have 43 police authorities all buying different Government—£157,000 million of public sector debt. vehicles. Procurement is vital. Indeed, it is a no-brainer What marks out the contributions from Opposition and I do not know why it has not been done in the last Members is an opportunistic and, frankly, intellectually 20 years, let alone the last 13. Successive Governments dishonest approach. I specifically challenged the right have failed to get the procurement policies right, but it hon. Gentleman about his comments on 20 April, during is time to break down the vested interests and give some the election, when—as Home Secretary—he committed clear direction. to a 20% reduction in the policing budget and refused to The big change will be in the landscape of policing, specifically rule out reductions in front-line police numbers. including in effect the abolition of the Serious Organised It ill behoves him to attack the Home Secretary for Crime Agency and the National Policing Improvement having to do what he himself would already have done. Agency, and the creation of the national crime agency. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Will This is a great opportunity to change the landscape of the hon. Gentleman give way? policing. For the first time, one can achieve policing on a national level with specialist interests. This is an Mr Jackson: I will give way to the hon. Member for opportunity for the Government to pause and hear the Birmingham, Selly Oak, not Birmingham, Hall Green. advice of stakeholders before they rush in and create a new organisation. The danger in abolishing existing Steve McCabe: The hon. Gentleman is very kind organisations—which have budgets of £470 million and about my constituency. It is true that Labour set out £430 million, almost £900 million—without thinking cuts, but since then the coalition has decided to make a carefully is ending up with the problem that the NHS further £30 billion of cuts. Those cuts are not economically has of almost constant reorganisation. I ask the Minister necessary, but ideologically driven. That is why we have to pause and ensure that he thinks very carefully before a problem today. coming to his final conclusions. Because the Government’s agenda is so large, the Mr Jackson: The key point that the hon. Gentleman, Select Committee has decided to put together the proposals for whom I have great respect, must concede is this: if in a major stakeholder meeting to be held in the constituency we are to de facto ring-fence the police budget, it is of the hon. Member for Cannock Chase. I hope that the incumbent on the Labour party to say where the cuts Minister will accept the invitation to attend that meeting, would occur in other areas of Government activity. because we seek to bring together the 43 chief constables Would it be social services, transport, health, education and other stakeholders to discuss all the issues that are or defence? We are not receiving those answers from before Parliament and the public. So everybody will Her Majesty’s Opposition. have the opportunity to have their say and consult the The Opposition’s collective amnesia, articulated by stakeholders carefully before the Select Committee embarks the shadow Home Secretary, is interesting. He had a bit on the four policing reports that we will undertake. We of a mea culpa moment over the Licensing Act 2003, of have decided not to have one big policing report, because which I shall say more later, and which was also a that would take too long and we want to keep up with catastrophe. It has created a calamitous situation, and the Government’s suggestions. now huge amounts of public resources have to be spent We need to engage with local communities and on the consequences of an ill-thought-out piece of stakeholders, and actually ask local people what they legislation that demonstrably increased antisocial behaviour want. Politicians can discuss structures until the cows and impacted across public services, as the shadow come home, but the issue comes down to the ability of Home Secretary would concede. the public to pick up a telephone and call a police We heard nothing about the botched mergers forced officer if a crime has been committed or to see a police on police authorities in 2006, which led indirectly to the officer on the beat. That is what policing is all about, demise of Charles Clarke, the former right hon. Member and if the Government engage with Parliament and we for Norwich South. We heard no apology for that do this— as far as possible—on the basis of consensus, policy, which took up a lot of time and destabilised we can make a lasting change to our policing structure. local police authorities and forces without any—let us remember this—proper, meaningful consultation with 3.48 pm local people, elected councillors or others. So the shadow Home Secretary is gilding the lily by attacking the Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): It is always Government for having the temerity to put forward a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Leicester proposals, with checks and balances, for directly elected East (Keith Vaz) who spoke with his customary expertise officials, who will be responsible for policing and crime and erudition. in their local areas. 379 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 380

There is also selective amnesia in quoting the Audit police forces, and about the terms and conditions of Commission. Its most recent publication, “Sustaining police officer enforcement. We have to be more transparent Value for Money in the Police Service”, stated that in the way that we involve people. “the scrutiny and challenge of spending has so far been poor. I pay tribute to the sincerity of the hon. Member for Public debate and political interest has focused more on increasing Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh), who is police officer numbers, with a simple equation that more is better”. obviously greatly involved in her local community.However, closing the circle or completing the equation, as it were, On that subject, I congratulate my hon. Friend the will also mean having transparency and openness in Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) on his wise crime data, and particularly crime figures in local areas, words on the balance between inputs and outputs in because whether we like it or not, people often do not policing and crime reduction. The Audit Commission believe Government crime figures. In answer to the also made a damning indictment of the previous right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Government’s paradigm of always spending more of Hessle (Alan Johnson), the British crime survey can be taxpayers’ money without looking at the results: criticised. It is not perfect and, in particular, it overlooks “there is no evidence that high spending is delivering improved the impact of crime on young people. productivity”. We will make a commitment with our directly elected It would be unkind and churlish to say that everything police commissioners, and there will be checks and that the previous Labour Government did was wrong. balances in place, which is important—these are not There was consensus on many areas—my right hon. going to “Rambo” figures. Incidentally, as the right Friend the Home Secretary touched on that. Of course, hon. Member for Delyn knows, in my maiden speech, we support the proposal enunciated in the December on 6 June 2005—he can read it in Hansard if he wishes 2009 White Paper, “Protecting the Public: Supporting and if he has nothing better to do—I called for an the Police to Succeed”, on minimum service standards, elected police commissioner in Peterborough and for gang injunctions, protecting witnesses and communities commissioners throughout the country. I have always from intimidation and focusing much more on the consistently believed in having them, not because I want victims of antisocial behaviour. Who could disagree “Rambo” or “RoboCop” figures, but because policing with that? But that was after 13 years of judicial activism, is such an important area of our national life that we legislative activism, more quangos, more reports and a must involve people. People from abroad look at us and failure to free up police so that they can deliver what think, “Why are they not doing it in the UK?”—direct they need to deliver. democracy, because it matters to local people. Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): Would My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary touched the hon. Gentleman kindly accept that between 1997 on the impact of the Licensing Act 2003—1 million and 2010, crime fell by 43%? The coalition Government’s alcohol-related crimes in 2009-10; 47% of all violent measures put that at risk and buck that trend. The chief crimes fuelled by alcohol; 6.6 million alcohol-related constable in my area is concerned about the measures attendances at hospital accident and emergency; 1.2 million about to be taken by this coalition Government—is the ambulance call-outs as a direct result of alcohol, costing hon. Gentleman? £372 million; and an entire indicative cost of £8 billion to £30 billion. We all see the problem every day in our constituencies. Just this week, a senior judge in Peterborough Mr Jackson: There is not a scrap of empirical or referred to the carnage in Peterborough city centre academic evidence to support the hon. Gentleman’s caused by alcohol-related violence as the reason why views at the moment, although there might be in 18 months. decent, law-abiding people and families did not want to If one asks chief constables, “Are you desperate to come into the city centre. The problem is not wholly the spend less money in your police force?” surprise, surprise, fault of the previous Government, but they did not they will probably say no. It is a matter of regret that tackle the issue as effectively and robustly as they could some chief constables are engaging in a political debate, have done. when they should be thinking in more innovative ways about delivering more for the people whom they serve Let me finish by supporting the views expressed by and not debating issues and speculating about hypotheses my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase and that are unproven. others on resources. We can deliver a better service by sharing resources, leasing premises, and using specialist If Labour Members were as fair-minded as I have support services such as management, payroll and human been today—[Interruption]—I see the wry smile on the resources services. There is consensus on that. We also face of the right hon. Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson); have to tackle overtime, but not with the platitudinous we seem to cross swords in police debates fairly regularly— undertakings that the previous Government gave. As in they would admit that they had supported many aspects so many other areas, we need to take tough decisions as in our radical reform of policing. There will probably a result of the previous Government’s legacy. be mergers of small police forces based on local agreement, which the Labour party has supported, although it Unless the Labour party moves on from the paradigm went about it the wrong way. However, as my right hon. in which more tax, more spending, more quangos and Friend the Home Secretary said earlier, we cannot fleecing the taxpayer can provide a better service, it will continue with a situation where it takes 11 and a half not deserve to be re-elected to government or to serve hours to process an arrest, and where 11 to 14% of the the people of this country. We have a responsibility police are on the beat, as compared with the 22% who now, and it falls to the coalition Government to tackle are processing paperwork in the police station. We have the endemic issues in the police service, so that our to think about the overhaul of health and safety and its constituents can be protected at a cost that they can impact on the working conditions and operations of afford. 381 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 382

4.1 pm When we relate this problem to the poverty of aspiration Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): I want to and ambition and to the issue of how we lift communities concentrate on those constituencies that have suffered up, we must also recognise the huge amount of work from high crime rates over different periods of time. done by communities, particularly on knife and gun Those high crime rates not only affect the constituents crime. I am thinking of someone like Nims Obunge, in those areas but have big implications for the rest of chair of the Peace Alliance, which started in the London the country. Without doubt, my constituency has been borough of Haringey and grew to affect much of London one such area. It is good to see in her place the Minister and now has influence in different inner-city areas for Equalities, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood across the country. It is an alliance of civil society, with Green (Lynne Featherstone), who also represents the people coming together to stand up and say no to borough of Haringey. She will be familiar with these violent crime—and it is having an effect. I know it is issues. having an effect because the figures are clear. Gun crime was down by 28% in my constituency last year and Tottenham has a history of riots, and there has been knife crime down by just under 20%. deep concern recently about knife and gun crime. We have recently had some big debates about security, and That shows the sort of effect it can have when local many hon. Members will be familiar with the significant people take ownership and work alongside the police. problems at the Finsbury Park mosque, which is on the What will happen to the funding for projects like that edge of my constituency, four or five years ago. Because and others such as the “Value Life” project, led by of the nature of multi-cultural Tottenham, the most young people in my constituency at the Gladesmore significant criminal justice issue in the lead-up to the school? They rely on funding, which will be needed for election of the Labour Government in 1997 was the the years ahead if the level of cuts weighed up and murder of Stephen Lawrence. suggested by the Home Office come about. What will I have come to the conclusion that crime largely happen to the statutory services that all local authorities comes from one thing and one thing alone: poverty. I will have to review in this period? am talking about poverty of ambition and aspiration; We know what sort of budgets will get cut. I am poverty relating to education; poverty of employment; particularly worried about the funding available to poverty where communities break down; and, sometimes, young people beyond school. I pay tribute to my right poverty relating to parenting. The nature of today’s hon. Friend the Member for Salford and Eccles (Hazel debate is hugely significant for people outside this place, Blears) for the work she did when she was responsible and the resources allocated to deal with the problems, for policing. The provision of positive activities for not just within the Home Office but across government, young people, particularly during the summer period, will be hugely significant over the next few years. is important, so the money we put in to support I am very proud that, when we look back over the young people and ensure that they have things to do is past 10 years, we can see the huge progress that has been crucial. What will happen to those funds over the coming made, despite the challenges, in my constituency and in period? similar constituencies across the country. Many people Some really significant issues of security are at stake. in constituencies such as Tottenham were acutely We should think back to those images of the Finsbury concerned—even suspicious, frankly—of the Metropolitan Park mosque four or five years ago. What is going to police in previous decades, but they now say that, happen to the Prevent fund and to all the work that has although their experience of policing is not perfect, gone into turning a mosque like that around and to they have moved from seeing a police force to seeing a support the young people and communities within it? police service. What will it all mean for the crime statistics and for At the forefront of that police service has been ordinary people in this country? neighbourhood policing and the police community support The Government are taking a backward step. The officers. My hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and decision to cut the state is ideological and it will have Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) is absolutely right to huge consequences. The decision—failing to ensure that say that neighbourhood policing has made a huge difference Home Office front-line services are protected in difficult to people’s confidence in reporting crime and their economic times—is the wrong one, and we will all suffer ability to relate to police officers, and to our attempts to as a consequence of it. get officers on to the beat. Alongside that sense of having a police service must be the presence of the police in the community, and that Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Will the right hon. is why we have all welcomed the extra police numbers. Gentleman give way? They have been particularly manifest in the London borough of Haringey.The borough had suffered historically Mr Lammy: No, I will not. because it was an outer-London borough, and inner- London boroughs always had more police officers than I ask the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice we did. Under successive Mayors and Labour Home to think very carefully over the coming months about Secretaries, however, the outer-London boroughs benefited these issues, which are critical for constituencies like from more police officers. We should be very concerned mine. Such constituencies rely on Home Office funding. indeed—and the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood They rely on supporting, not cutting, police numbers. Green should also be very concerned—that the Mayor They rely on community policing, not the diminution of proposes to cut police numbers in London by 455 over such policing. They rely particularly on supporting the forthcoming period. What effect will that have on young people who, in the absence of proper and effective the significant issues that exist in a constituency such as community policing, are vulnerable to being seduced by mine? various threats. 383 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 384

4.10 pm how those officers are used and deployed, and how their priorities are set and monitored. Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD): I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on a subject that is so close When I left the police 13 years ago, there was much to my heart, as I served for eight years in the Lothian talk of cutting bureaucracy, freeing up police officers’ and Borders police. I am happy to follow the right hon. time, and using technology to enable more efficient Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy), who spoke with working. Thirteen years on, however, the HMIC report so much passion, and I agree with much of what he that has been quoted so extensively today states that the said. Neighbourhood policing is an aim that we share; “visibly available” police level is still, on average, only we differ only in the way in which we seek to deliver it. 11%—although in some forces it has fallen as low as When I first expressed an interest in joining the police 6%—and that as little as 13% of the time of those who 25 years ago, the general reaction was “Well, you’ve got are available is spent patrolling. The report also states the height for it”, as if being tall were the defining that those police officers are still tied down by mountains characteristic of a good police officer. Other stereotypes of paperwork and central directives. In 2009 alone, also do nothing to help the debate on policing. Dixon 2,600 pages of official guidance on aspects of police never actually policed Dock Green, and Sam Tyler did work were issued, at an estimated policing cost of not actually go back to 1970s Manchester. [HON.MEMBERS: £2.2 billion per year. Moreover, the report states that “Really?”] No, he really did not. the police are involved in dealing with any one crime on an incredible 40 occasions, from point of arrest to In fact, every day police officers not only deal with conviction. That does not sound like progress or efficiency crime, but fulfil the role of part-time social workers, to me. This then is the opportunity: not the simplistic youth workers, marriage guidance counsellors, tourist position of some Opposition Members that if there is a information officers, crime prevention officers, licensing problem we throw more money at it, but that we find a officers and, yes, dog-catchers, a role that has become better, more efficient model for deploying existing resources. tragically relevant in recent weeks. All those roles are The involvement of local people in setting local priorities important to the general public, as they are performed and helping to achieve them is key to this change. by those whom the public would describe as “beat bobbies”. Survey after survey shows that many people’s I will save my views on the specific issue of police top priority is to see more bobbies on the beat, but commissioners for another debate, but I believe that the where is the evidence to show that that is effective? direction of travel is the right one. Indeed, many police Scotland’s police numbers per capita are roughly average, services are already moving in this direction on their but it unfortunately suffers from a higher-than-average own. In my home force of Lothian and Borders individual level of crime. The simplistic argument has been that if police officers are assigned to areas mirroring council crime numbers are to be reduced, the number of police wards and a divisional superintendent sits alongside must be increased, as if a direct proportionality existed—a council departments in partnership to set priorities. We point ably made by my hon. Friend the Member for should contrast that with the official model of priority Cannock Chase (Mr Burley). setting: the police board for Lothian and Borders covers five council areas and the chair of that board represents Toby Perkins: The hon. Gentleman is presenting an only a small section of one of those authorities. How interesting theory, which I do not think I have heard can local priority-setting come from a model like that? before. When the Liberal Democrats spoke of putting West Midlands police has reorganised itself along an extra 3,000 police on the beat, was that not something council boundaries, and Sussex police cars are marked to do with reducing crime? as “Brighton and Hove”, “Eastbourne” and “Lewes”, but this is still piecemeal reform and it will not deliver Mike Crockart: It was a policy with which I did not the savings needed or the increased localism wanted in necessarily always agree. I have argued long and hard— the years to come. Members will not find my words in Hansard, but they will find them in other places—against the use of the We need to have proper reform to create larger, more term “bobbies on the beat” as a catch-all silver bullet efficient, professional police forces. That must, of course, that would solve every crime-related problem, because be done by local agreement, and there must also be the it simply will not. The problem is far more than that, as ability within these forces for day-to-day operational I shall explain shortly. decisions to be devolved down to a much lower level and to be made accountable through stronger and more That simplistic argument confuses the presence of transparent ties with local elected officials. Big police police with what should be our real aim: the absence of services do not have to be distant from public opinion crime. Labour Members have argued today that a decrease and priorities. in police numbers will inevitably and necessarily mean an increase in crime, but that simply does not stand up In Scotland, we are already beginning to think the to scrutiny. Belgium has more police officers per capita unthinkable: we are considering having a national police than Scotland but has a higher crime rate, while Switzerland service with 32 operational divisions matching local has fewer police officers but a lower crime rate. The authority boundaries, where local priorities are set in three European countries with the lowest number of association with locally elected officials. That would be police per capita are Sweden, Norway and Finland, a far more efficient model that could deliver significant which could hardly be described as crime-ridden countries. savings and a locally focused service as well as allow a According to figures published today in The Scotsman, national joined-up response to areas such as serious the detection rate has not moved by a single percentage organised crime and national security. I hope we in point in the last year despite the presence of a record Scotland will go down that route, and perhaps it is time number of police officers. Instead of focusing on the for other Members to consider such a system for England number of officers, we should pay more attention to and Wales. 385 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 386

4.17 pm problem? What range of tools do we have to deal with it? Where can they most appropriately be deployed?” In Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): It is a pleasure some cases, that will involve acceptable behaviour contracts, to contribute to this debate addressing issues that affect exclusion orders or parenting orders. We have introduced every one of our communities, and it is a particular a good set of tools to tackle these problems, so to try to pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Edinburgh pretend that ASBOs are some kind of top-down, West (Mike Crockart), who gave a thoughtful analysis, Whitehall-imposed mechanism is simply wrong. particularly in respect of big organisations not necessarily having to be remote and the possibility of their being In Greater Manchester, extensive use has been made underpinned by responsive local units, which is interesting of these powers and the result has been very impressive; in terms of policy development. we have brought safety and security to people who felt that they had been abandoned by the police in the past. In common with many Opposition Members, I am In Salford, the level of antisocial behaviour has fallen disappointed and frustrated by the Government’s decision year on year; since 2006, it has reduced by 22.6%, which not to protect the funds for front-line policing. It has is a massive shift. Crime and antisocial behaviour was frequently been said today that, if Labour had won the the biggest issue facing my constituents, but in the past election, we would have had to make cuts, and that is couple of years more people have moved into Salford absolutely right, but the shadow Home Secretary was than have left, reversing a trend of the past quarter of a very clear that the cuts in the Home Office would have century. One of the fundamental reasons why people come from changing overtime patterns and from looking are now moving to the city is that they feel safe and at procurement and issues such as effectiveness, productivity secure. It is a great place to live, and businesses and and efficiency, and that they certainly would not have families are coming to it. Without the powers on tackling come from neighbourhood police teams, police community antisocial behaviour, we would not have reached that support officers and all the other things every one of point. our constituents values. This Government need to think long and hard before cutting the number of police Of course, I would be the last person to say that those officers and PCSOs, who are the backbone of our powers are a silver bullet or the complete solution, police service at local level. because they are not and they have their flaws. The breach rate is pretty high, but that is going to be the case I want to say a few words about the Home Secretary’s because ASBOs are often used on people who are out of recent speech at Coin street, in which she declared that control, people who are prolific offenders with hundreds it is time to move beyond the antisocial behaviour of incidents behind them and, as the shadow Home order. I understand that this Government are desperate Secretary said, people who have reached the severe end to paint everything they have inherited from Labour as of punishment after many other approaches have been unfit for purpose, but I think that in respect of ASBOs tried. Even so, more than 40% of ASBOs are not they are putting politics before people. Over the last breached—the antisocial behaviour stops. Let us also 13 years as Member of Parliament for Salford and as look beyond the headline figures. When action is taken Police Minister and Secretary of State for Communities after a first breach, 65% of people stop their antisocial and Local Government, I have seen at first hand the behaviour. The figure is 86% in respect of a second damage that antisocial behaviour can cause to communities, breach and, provided action is taken, after three breaches with gangs thinking that they rule their estates and are nearly 95% of people say, “Okay, enough is enough, we the rule of law, and with innocent and vulnerable families are going to start behaving reasonably.” So we have to being intimidated and harassed. The whole quality of persevere and we have to give ASBOs a chance to work. life of a community can be brought down by the actions In conjunction with the range of other programmes of a few. available, including family intervention projects, which I well remember the days when the police would turn have been one of the most innovative things that we up and officers would simply say, “I’m really sorry, but have done, bringing all the services together to tackle there’s nothing I can do. I haven’t got the powers to be the underlying problems of antisocial behaviour, ASBOs able to deal with these ‘low-level, petty’ crimes, so have meant that we have been pretty effective. there’s nothing I can do to help you and your family.” Protecting people so that they can live in peace and That is exactly why we introduced ASBOs in the first safety in their communities has to be the top priority of place—so that they could be part of a range of tools to any Government, and the Home Secretary has to live tackle what were becoming intolerable pressures on up to that challenge. If her desire to re-examine the communities. powers on tackling antisocial behaviour is about making The Home Secretary has talked about antisocial things easier and simpler, and about stripping out the behaviour orders being a top-down, centralised mechanism bureaucracy, sorting out the criminal justice system and from Whitehall, but nothing could be further from the making sure that we are not mired in all of that difficulty, truth. The Home Office guidance actually says, she will have my support in doing that. If, however, it “It is for local agencies to decide on the most appropriate means that we are going to water ASBOs down, diluting intervention for tackling antisocial behaviour based on…what them, making them more difficult to obtain and putting will work best locally.” obstacles in the way of the police and local authorities, I Local agencies do use ASBOs in very different ways: the will oppose that tooth and nail, because our responsibility approach is sometimes very different in inner-city areas, is to protect the communities that we serve. such as my constituency, from the approach taken in We have heard a lot today about the further regulation some rural areas up and down the country, and that is of CCTV. I am none the wiser as to what “further as it should be. Local agencies, including the local regulation” means, but I know that CCTV, in my city council and the probation service—all those people and up and down the country, has made a huge difference who work together—should be asking, “What is the to protecting local people. The hon. Member for Broxtowe 387 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 388

(Anna Soubry) confirmed that she wanted less CCTV, the UK has not diminished and that is why, when we are whereas other Members have said that they do not want considering the review of counter-terrorism powers, we that. I am not sure what the coalition view is, but this is must be extremely careful to get the balance right beginning to sound like a jigsaw of policies to me and I between security and liberty and must not be tempted would welcome some clarity. to shy away from difficult and sometimes controversial In March, an incident in Eccles was caught on CCTV. choices, such as control orders, that are not easy but Six violent males with a huge history of prolific offending might be necessary to protect our citizens from harm. were involved in a stabbing, and the information was When the Government are considering that review, I collected on CCTV. Two of the men were seen in urge them to be prepared to think very carefully about possession of large kitchen knives, waving them around getting that balance right. and going into a store. A stabbing took place and no We have talked about the cuts in police numbers. I complaint was made—the person who was stabbed did understand that in Greater Manchester that would lead not want to co-operate with the police—and the only to something like 300 fewer police on our streets, which possible evidence was from the CCTV. As a result, a would have a huge impact in our city. prosecution was brought. They were charged with section My final point is about coherence. When we were in 18 wounding, violent disorder and possession of an government, we did not do everything perfectly. I am offensive weapon. They were sentenced to two years in sure that we did not succeed in everything that we prison and received ASBOs on conviction that prevent wanted to do. However, we had a strategy to tackle them from associating in the future. None of that would every level of crime in this country, from antisocial have been possible without access to the information behaviour to crimes against the person, serious and from the CCTV. organised crime and terrorism. I do not feel that under this Government we have any kind of coherent strategy Anna Soubry: The right hon. Lady will know that I in place at all. It is about cuts, about pandering to this said that I want fewer CCTV cameras. That should be lobby and about caving in to this bit of populism. I the aim of everybody in this Chamber, because people genuinely feel that, if we are to protect the people of should be able to walk the streets free from the fear of this country and to meet the highest responsibility of crime and from actual crime. That should be our ultimate Government, we need a proper strategy. We will have aim. She makes a big mistake if she thinks that CCTV is less money, fewer powers, less effectiveness, more crime some great panacea. In my experience as a criminal and less safety for the people whom we represent. barrister, in many cases involving CCTV evidence, I have had clients who have told me that they went down that alleyway to commit the offence because there was 4.29 pm no CCTV. The danger of CCTV is that it pushes Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): I appreciate criminality down the alleyways into other places. The the opportunity to speak in this debate because before real solution is to tackle the causes of crime. the general election earlier this year I gave my views in Great Yarmouth on the importance and benefits of a Hazel Blears: Well, I wish the hon. Lady the best of directly elected police commission. I appreciate the British luck when she goes to her constituents and says, chance to speak about that today. I also want to touch “We’ll do nothing for years and years; we must tackle on the fact that I agree with a point made by one of my the issue of the causes of crime.” Of course we must, hon. Friends earlier: it seems somewhat surreal, having but if she wants to stand up in front of her voters and sat through the opening speeches today, to have been say that she wants to see less CCTV in her community, I part of what felt like a hustings for the shadow Cabinet. wish her all the luck in the world in putting forward that We have listened to the way in which statistics are argument—it certainly would not wash with my constituents rolled out, which can be useful in looking at the history in Salford. and in planning, but what I am interested in and what I The Government’s policy on DNA is an absolute like about the Government’s policy at the moment is mistake. The shadow Home Secretary has gone through that it is considering how we move forward to deal with all the detailed evidence on that and the overriding issues in the future. Policy needs to move forward with factor for me is the fact that in Scotland the Scottish the times. It is important that we look forward and police want to change to the system that we were understand the situation that we are in, as some of my promoting. They see that it makes sense, that it is hon. Friends have eloquently pointed out. We have an evidence-based and that it will result in the capture of economic inheritance that we have to deal with and, as more serious murderers and rapists. Some 10% of the has been acknowledged by Opposition Members and as 800 people who were caught through DNA would have my hon. Friends have said, even a Labour Government escaped under the Government’s proposed system and would have had to make substantial cuts. With the the prospect of having 80 murderers and rapists roaming comprehensive spending review coming up, the Government the streets of this country who could have been brought are going to have to take tough decisions, but I hope to justice is one that I would find difficult to defend. that they will, as the Budget made clear, be fair and The list goes on. Not only will we have cuts to allow us to retain important front-line services. funding, but we will have cuts to police powers on In my time as a candidate and in my days as a antisocial behaviour, CCTV and DNA. I want to say relatively new Member of Parliament, I have found it some words about the most serious threat that faces our enlightening to see and understand how the police communities and about counter-terrorism. What happened work, particularly the police in Great Yarmouth. Many on 7 July brought fear to our communities and devastation of us in Norfolk have long felt—I know that other to many families. I would say to the Government that Members have made this point before me—that because there is no easy way to combat terrorism. The threat to we are a rural community, because the county is not 389 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 390

[Brandon Lewis] transparency that will bring and the clear signal it will send about who is responsible. In the past few years, one seen as being a high-crime area and because the police thing that I have found that frustrates residents is not authority is small, our area has not had as much funding knowing who, across Government Departments, is as it should have had. We have almost been left to our responsible or accountable. One thing that we have own devices and we feel left out in a way. However, we suffered from more than anything in this country is the in Great Yarmouth are fortunate to have an excellent ability of the Government simply to move accountability superintendent who has been considering out-of-the-box away, through different layers of bureaucracy, red tape, ideas about how to move forward and who has been agencies, quangos and different bodies. People feel that working with the community to deal with and to prevent police authorities fall into that category because they crime, helping to bring it down. That superintendent is generally do not know who the chairman of their police still in place and is doing fantastic work. authority is. When one looks at some of the work that is going on I am fortunate that we have a good chairman, who with community groups such as the Kickz project, will no doubt love the fact that I am talking in favour of which works with the police, local authorities, the local police commissioners, given that we had a disagreement community and Norwich City football club, one sees about that before the general election. That person is a that it is providing phenomenal opportunities to young councillor appointed by the county council, so he has people and is dealing with some of the antisocial behaviour. political power behind him—the appointment is effectively If my right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and political. It will be a real step forward, however, if we Criminal Justice has time in the near future, will he give local communities the direct ability to say who they come to Great Yarmouth to see at first hand the want. If that person does a good job, they can then be phenomenal work that the Kickz project is doing, including brought back but, more importantly, people will know very good work in really deprived areas? It is a very who is responsible and accountable, and there will be no good example of how crime can be dealt with, of how hiding behind a Government quango, an appointed the police are working with the community and of some county council body or any other authority. In my of the things they can do. What interests me about experience, the police understand that that will not releasing the police from some of the bureaucracy, red affect their day-to-day operational power to do their tape and tick-box culture that they have had is what a job. The proposal could therefore mean that there would police team such as mine in Great Yarmouth will then be little practical change to their operational work be able to achieve, given what it has been doing already. compared with the situation under the police authority. I am excited about the opportunities and the benefits The big advantage of the proposal will be clear and that will come when the team is really let loose to transparent accountability for the public, the importance deliver. of which we should never underestimate. When I did a night shift with police in Great Yarmouth, When the new licensing laws came in, I was excited what really stuck in my mind was not just the plethora about having the ability to start getting to grips with the of paperwork that I had to sign and that they had to pub culture in the area that I represented as a councillor, deal with on a daily basis for every little part of their so I was hugely disappointed when we discovered that job. One officer made a joke as an aside, but I understood nothing could have been further from the truth and that his point, that there is even a form for them to fill in if it was almost impossible to curtail even the opening they want to use the bathroom. The most important hours of some public houses. Changing the licensing point that they made to me was about the time that they laws will allow local authorities to do what most residents have to take away from being on the beat to deal with think that they can do: create policy and start to map any single issue. The example they gave was that, if out sensible ideas on controlling licensing hours and someone broke a window after a night out in Great licensed premises in their areas. That can be only a good Yarmouth, to arrest them and to deal with the paperwork thing, which is why I fully support the Government’s and telephone calls could take two officers off the beat proposals. for up to seven hours. Let us strip away that kind of bureaucracy and let the police get on with doing their We have a major hospital in Great Yarmouth, so I job more efficiently and effectively. I fully support keeping have seen the impact of alcohol-related crime in an more officers visibly on the beat, doing their job and accident and emergency department. Alcohol also has fighting crime, which is what they want to do, what they knock-on effects throughout the health service, as hon. are trained to do and what they do so well for us, rather Members have said, and it can result in costs to the than filling in paperwork back at the office. community and the health service directly. If our new I was interested to hear an Opposition Member mention policies can address that problem, we will make huge the changes that are coming to the Audit Commission, economic savings and communities can move forward. particularly after yesterday’s exchanges. I must make a We could also make progress on dealing with the teenage similar point to one that I made in the Chamber yesterday: pregnancy problem in Great Yarmouth because that is losing that input from the Audit Commission can only something on which alcohol clearly has a huge impact. be good news for the police, as it is for our local I look at the situation from the point of view of what authorities, because they will be able to do more about my residents want. I want them not only to be safe on servicing their residents and keeping the streets safe if their streets and in their homes, but to feel safe on their they have to worry a little less about ticking a box for an streets and in their homes. If they know who is responsible appointed quango such as the Audit Commission. for decisions about local policing and see police officers Like other hon. Members who have made this point, working on the street to solve crimes, rather than dealing I like the idea of police authorities moving over to with bureaucracy and a tick-box culture, it will be a having directly elected commissioners because of the great step forward. From spending time with the police 391 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 392 and seeing the extent to which their work is intelligence- crime, civil disorder, terrorism and antisocial behaviour based, I know that they are a huge asset to our community, and the promotion of community cohesion. The question so if our community is able to see more of them because we must ask ourselves is: how will the budget deficit be they are doing less paperwork, that can only be for the tackled—surely not by risking the safety and, indeed, better, which is why I fully support the Government’s the lives of the law-abiding majority who play by the stance. rules? Officers have also expressed to me their dismay at the Government’s plans to scrap the policing pledge—a policy introduced in 2008 that is widely seen as having 4.38 pm driven up standards, as well as accountability and public Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op): If local people in confidence in the police nationwide. Islwyn and others throughout the country were to draw At the same time as the cuts, the Government are up a wish list, I am sure that a request for more police setting up a hugely expensive plan for the introduction officers would be at the top of it. If police officers are of popularly elected police commissioners. Essentially, seen on the beat, the public not only are seen to be that will make a politician head of the police force, with protected, but feel protected. the same mandate as we have. I am sure that they will It is an absolute duty of the Government to protect follow policies that they think are popular, however the public through investment in our police service and short term they are and however damaging they may be. by building strong and secure communities in which the It seems nonsensical to me that, on Monday, the law-abiding majority are supported and the vulnerable Government introduced a Bill that aims to reduce the protected. That is why I worry about the message that number of politicians in this House, but they want to the Government send to the general public when they create more jobs for politicians. Police authorities around talk about cuts in police numbers. Cuts affect not only the country have condemned the proposal. Fortunately police numbers on the ground, but the organisations for all of us here, we live in a climate where there is little that have been set up to combat crime and antisocial public appetite for more elections, but unless the policy behaviour. is seriously thought out and Ministers put some meat In Islwyn, the Safer Caerphilly community safety on the bones of the policy this evening, we run the risk partnership scheme works with local partners to reduce of seeing the election to key positions in public life of crime and disorder, antisocial behaviour, substance misuse wholly unqualified maverick extremists whom we all and the fear of crime. I was worried when the Home know in our local areas. Secretary said that we lived in a high-crime country Furthermore, elected police commissioners would require because what message does that send to people who are significant and costly staffing assistance. Such staffing fearful of crime? The big issue is not so much crime is not provided for in the Government’s plans. That is itself, but the fact that people are afraid of walking why I am asking for more detail. Perhaps I am being down the street and becoming a victim, however real or cynical, or perhaps that is an example of a lack of imagined the risk is. serious thought being given to the proposal. I am Our partnership has improved local policing and worried—the policy is truly radical, yet no information community safety since it was set up five years ago. The is coming down to us. It is important, not just for us as scheme has been hugely successful, especially at reducing politicians, but for police authorities and superintendents, crime and antisocial behaviour. I have no doubt that to know what elected police commissioners will do. In such schemes were instrumental in the 43% reduction in August, members of Gwent police authority told me crime between 1997 and 2010. I know that not everything that they had received no information—they do not was perfect under the Labour Government, but even know how the police commissioners will be established. the most sceptical or cynical person would say that that The Government have provided no evidence for why is an impressive record of which we should be proud. the reform is necessary, or why the current system is in The Safer Caerphilly community safety partnership need of change. None the less, they seem intent on faces an uncertain future because of fears about funding. carrying out a costly and untested reorganisation of Gwent police authority has made it clear to me that the policing in England and Wales. Bringing politics into planned cuts in police funding would significantly impede day-to-day policing and law enforcement is nothing the police’s ability to maintain the high standards for short of a dangerous move. It is my serious fear that the which they are renowned. Senior police officers in my sensitive and emotive nature of criminal justice will, in constituency are adamant that if funding for the Safer many cases, lead to reactionary, short-term populism Caerphilly community safety partnership scheme is pulled, from a police commissioner who has his eye on his next the ability of local officers to keep a grip on criminal election. and antisocial activity and maintain community relations, which is so important, would be severely hampered. Robert Halfon: What the hon. Gentleman says is Gwent police have already reduced their budget by somewhat surprising to me. Surely, by his logic, any 8% in the past 12 months through efficiency savings. Of election could produce an extremist. I do not believe their current budget, totalling some £120 million, staff that the British people would vote in that way. The idea costs account for 83%. Tinkering with cost outlays such of having an elected commissioner is to ensure that as uniforms, patrol cars and everything else that goes there is a local person accountable to the local population with policing would not be enough to meet the that the police serve. Government’s spending reduction targets. Inevitably, cuts would have to be made to police numbers. It is clear Chris Evans: On the question of accountability, the that a reduction in funding would make it operationally point that I am driving at is that we will be electing a almost impossible for police authorities to maintain politician, and I envisage—indeed, I am sure—that only their current effectiveness in areas such as prevention of political parties will be able to fund a campaign for the 393 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 394

[Chris Evans] decisions to make. Those chief constables have to make them, but they are going to do their utmost to ensure post of police commissioner. I cannot see an ordinary that front-line services are not affected. person from the community having the money or the I come from a business background and have personal resources to become a police commissioner, so the experience of trying to cut costs while adding value and measure will only introduce politics into policing. ensuring that, at the front end, customers do not see the That point brings me on to another, because we could consequences of those cuts. The police are in a very see a situation in which certain groups spread fear good position to do something similar. Time will tell, about others for the simple purpose of electoral advantage. but I hope that it bears out my belief that the situation Young people might be demonised, as they are all the is not gloomy as some people say it is. However, there time in the press, and that has no place in modern are some difficult decisions to make. society, so I urge the Government to look again at the Having spent some time with the two chief constables, proposal and give it some serious consideration. I visited Runcorn police station, where a new inspector I have tried to be brief, and in closing I must say that was in town. He told me that he was bringing a new people want to feel safe. They want to know that, broom out of the cupboard and going through the should they become a victim of crime, they can look to police station. He had managed to increase the clear-up the police to protect them, so I say to the Government, rate in that area by 20% within a few short weeks. I do not risk the safety of the public by introducing such asked him what sorts of things he did to enable him to swingeing cuts. achieve that, and he said that he had found that there was misinterpretation of correct procedures and of who 4.46 pm are the best people to clear up the casework. I was struck by the fact that there are examples of best Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): I have spent a lot practice that can be shared between divisions and, of time in my constituency since being elected three or indeed, police forces. Many police forces do not four months ago, and during the recess I managed to communicate with one another. If cases of best practice meet and have a good discussion with two chief constables. were communicated between one constabulary and another, Indeed, I am very lucky to have two very good chief efficiency savings could be made. constables residing in my constituency. We have some tough times ahead, as they know, but they struck me as A lot of it can be down to leadership and management. two powerful individuals who know where they can A sergeant in Runcorn who had been in the Cheshire make a difference in their forces. constabulary for 25 years told me that he had spent most of his career arresting members of the same We will have to make cuts of 20%, but the two chief family. I found it quite disturbing that one could spend constables struck me as business people who realise that a 25-year career arresting the grandfathers and fathers times are bad. This is not the first time that we have of the same family. I cannot help feeling that we do not been in this position, and those cuts have to be made. go to the core of the problem of continuous crime. Some 85% of the police budget goes on people, so there Antisocial behaviour orders have a lot of merit. However, will inevitably be a reduction in numbers, but just unless we get into to see the families who have blighted because there is going to be a reduction in police the community of the right hon. Member for Salford numbers and in recruitment, that does not necessarily and Eccles (Hazel Blears), and so many communities in mean that crime will go up. They went through in detail my constituency, and stop them repeating these crimes, how they were planning and hoping to limit the effect it goes and on and on, with three generations of the on front-line policing. same family being unemployed, facing social deprivation, and causing unnecessary and disproportionate problems Toby Perkins: I am fascinated by the hon. Gentleman’s within their communities. If we could get into these conversation, because I am sure that many Members families, one by one, their communities would not have have met their local chief constables. He mentioned that these problems. they would be able to limit the effect of the reductions that we will have to make, but did they explain what Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Of course we must they would have to do? Will the hon. Gentleman touch keep our eye on the public sector deficit, but I hope that on what they said they would no longer be able to do? I my hon. Friend will join me in celebrating the fact that am interested to hear that they did at least admit that the Gloucestershire constabulary will end up with more the cuts would affect the service that they are going to policemen out and about as a result of reforms driven provide. by the recent expenditure announcements. That is good Graham Evans: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that news for the good people of Stroud, Dursley, Cam and interruption. They went on to talk about backroom elsewhere. There are more policemen out and about staff and how they can reduce significant labour costs compared with last year, which is great news. among the back office, civilian staff whom the police employ. They also discussed putting back on to the beat Graham Evans: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s those policemen who, for whatever reason, undertake contribution. back-office duties. If we keep on arresting and dealing with the same Unnecessary paperwork also keeps front-line police families within the same communities, we will keep on officers in the station, and the two chief constables going round in circles and having these conversations talked about ways of reducing it, as the House has time and again in years to come. discussed over the past few hours, and ensuring that I pay tribute to some of the good work that was done officers return to front-line services. I do not try to paint by right hon. and hon. Members on the Opposition a pretty picture, however, because there are some difficult Benches during their time in government, with measures 395 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 396 such as Sure Start, which gets into families at a very from the Association of Chief Police Officers whom I early stage to try to give them the best start in life, so have met over the years, I believe that it has failed as an that as the children grow older they should become organisation to see best practice and say, “This is what responsible citizens. In my experience as a police officer, we should have more of”. and when speaking to the police officers in the Cheshire I link that point to one about accountability. I would constabulary, I have found that too many young people not like Government Members to characterise Labour go off the rails too soon. That is why I would like some Members who are passionate about tackling crime in of the good work of Sure Start to be followed up. Other our communities as being anti-accountability, or as agencies, working with the police, need to get involved believing that the current structure of police authorities in getting individuals off drug and alcohol abuse. Jobcentre is perfect. I have said in previous contributions that I Plus should get involved with these people to try to get am not a cheerleader for the idea that everything is them making a proactive and genuine contribution to absolutely great. the communities that they have blighted. I appreciate that this is a long-term thing that was started by the If we are to talk about the big society, we need to previous Government during the past 13 years, but an consider how we can give our communities information awful lot of work still needs to be done in certain about best practice so that they have the power to communities in my constituency. In my experience as a demand more of it. A bogus argument is sometimes police constable, I have worked in these communities. made that communities are somehow so different from each other that nothing can be learned. I do not believe I will be supporting the amendment, because something that, and I do not believe in reinventing the wheel. has to change. Directly elected commissioners may or Communities should look to other areas to see what has may not be a good idea that may or may not work. I worked and what has not. Yes, they should make the have seen that the Cheshire constabulary are doing a service bespoke for their area if they need to, but for good job, but I believe they could do better, and I would goodness’ sake, they should seize best practice with like directly elected commissioners to be given at least a both hands. If they want to rebrand it, they can get on fighting chance. with doing so, but they should not be so paternalistic and parochial about their own patch that they cannot 4.54 pm see the wood for the trees. Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): I open by saying I hope that in our discussions in the months ahead that I agreed with much of the contribution of the hon. about the accountability of the proposed elected Member for Weaver Vale (Graham Evans). It is interesting commissioners, we will think beyond simply what such that both he and the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth a commissioner can do and consider how to ensure that (Brandon Lewis) talked about good practice being carried there is accountability, because chief constables also out by police officers in their communities. On that have to be held to account. I attended a lunch a few basis, it is clear that the Labour Government have not months ago, before the recess, at which Sir Paul Stephenson totally prevented good practice over the past 13 years. spoke. What he said about a number of issues was As my right hon. Friend the Member for Salford and interesting, and I was intrigued by what he was prepared Eccles (Hazel Blears) and other colleagues have said, we to admit. When it comes to bureaucracy—I put my would never say that everything is perfect. There will hand up and admit that those in government can always never be a perfect way to tackle crime, as my right hon. do more about it—he said that too often, he had seen Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir Gerald his colleagues at the most senior level add layers of Kaufman) said. However, when it comes to challenging bureaucracy over and above what the Government were crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities, the asking. cup is half full, if not even more. There has been a The hon. Member for Great Yarmouth, who has now change in attitudes towards law and order over a number left the Chamber, talked about officers having to fill out of years. a form to use the bathroom, but I can say with pretty I welcome the examples of best practice that have much 100% certainty that that was not a diktat from been given, and they have occurred partly because of central Government, even if it somehow emerged in his the direction that the Labour Government provided. police force. Although we must consider Government We were more focused on community policing and on bureaucracy, we must also examine ways in which the the police working with other organisations, whether forces themselves create bureaucracy. That is clear in they are local authorities or, as the hon. Member for procurement, with forces being parochial about having Great Yarmouth said, football clubs. In making important their own design of car or uniform that is different from changes, we recognised that tackling crime and disorder those elsewhere. I wish the coalition Government the in our communities could not be the preserve of police best of luck in dealing with that, because it is not easy. officers alone. There are incredibly strong vested interests in all areas As a former Home Office Minister, I feel frustrated of public policy, including crime and law and order. about the challenge of making best practice more I might be out of sync with my Opposition Front mainstream. I was interested when I listened to my hon. Benchers on this, but whatever went wrong, it was a Friend the Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans), because shame that the previous Government did not get to a as a Home Office Minister back in 2003 I visited Wales. better place on creating larger police forces. I absolutely That was some years ago now, but I saw there examples agree with the hon. Member for Edinburgh West (Mike of the type of community and neighbourhood policing Crockart), who talked about a larger force for Scotland that we have thankfully seen in England in recent years. while at the same time having local units based on local There was an attitude and approach in parts of Wales authority boundaries. I sign up to that. In the last that was not being picked up elsewhere at the time. policing debate in which I spoke, I said that people in Although I have the greatest regard for many people Doncaster are more interested in what Bob Sanderson 397 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 398

[Caroline Flint] 5.4 pm is doing—he runs our local police—than in what the Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): It is a pleasure to chief constable is up to down in Sheffield. The local follow the right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline police force is what counts. Flint) and if I may return a compliment that she was good enough to pay to me before the recess, I hope that On accountability and neighbourhood policing, I am it is not too long before she makes the journey down pleased to report from my experience in Doncaster that from where she sits today on to the Front Bench. It although the monthly meetings between the police and would be stupid for me to stand here as a criminal members of the community—councillors are also often barrister of 16 years standing and say that nothing was involved—on how neighbourhood policing teams can achieved by the last Administration in 13 years. Many best focus on what people are most concerned about of the things that were done were different, new and had a bit of a rocky start, I am now getting feedback effective. But between the two sides of the House, there from the police, the public, councillors and those working are some fundamental differences of approach that for local authorities that they are starting to gel and to stem from a difference in the philosophies that drive us work. Those meetings are an important part of local to our political parties. accountability, and they are important in ensuring that Those differences were exemplified for me by the the police and agencies who work with them understand speech by the right hon. Member for Tottenham local policing concerns. (Mr Lammy). He said, with some pride, that under the We have heard much discussion of police officers. last Government we had established a police service as Departments and outside agencies will face cuts not of opposed to a police force. I could not disagree more 20%, but of anything between 25 and 40% cuts, and we with that policy and all that was done to achieve it. It know that 70% of the police budget is spent on paying has been hugely harmful not only to the police, but to officers’ wages, so it is impossible that there will not be our society, that we now have police officers who are substantial cuts in police numbers, which I am very confused about their role. They should be a police concerned about. The Government’s solution—or part force—a presence on our streets—and not part of social of it—is that we should recruit 50,000 additional special services. In some instances, yes, some officers work constables. I do not know where that figure comes from, beautifully and properly with, for example, youth offending but there are currently 15,000 special constables, so teams, and add something to the process. However, as expecting an additional 50,000 volunteers is ambitious. any parent knows, what stops children from doing The Government also expect those unpaid, part-time something that they should not do is not the fear of volunteers to replace full-time, professional police officers. what might happen to them if they are caught out, but I worry about that. Special constables make a great the fear of being caught out. If people do not think that contribution, but they are not a substitute. For one they will ever be caught, they will carry on doing what thing, they have only to work for a minimum of 16 hours they should not do. That is why I want to see some a month, but for another, they must fit their police fundamental changes in our police force. hours around paid employment and family life. They I want the police force to be a police force and a cannot be required to turn up for work at particular presence. They are public servants, paid for by the times or on particular days as part of an organised public and accountable to the public, but I want them strategy to bear down on the different sorts of crimes to be on the streets making their presence and their that are committed in our neighbourhoods. The truth is force known. that chief constables cannot plan their forces around volunteers. Mr Lammy: I respect the manner in which the hon. I agree with my colleagues about CCTV evidence and Lady makes her remarks, but will she acknowledge that the DNA database. I am very worried about those tools my remarks were particular to certain communities and being undermined, which will undermine police officers’ incidents? She will be well aware of the various inquiries ability to do their jobs. and reports that established that the black community Although this is a Home Office debate, we need to in particular was some way from experiencing a police touch on penal policy, responsibility for which has been service. split off to the Ministry of Justice, because punishing crime is an important part of effective policing and Anna Soubry: I agree with the right hon. Gentleman dealing with crime in our communities. It is a complicated and, in due course, I will touch on my hopes for a much matter. Prison has many functions, of which rehabilitation improved police force. is one, but that has not always been carried out as effectively as it ought to have been. However, prison As a criminal barrister, I could speak forever about also protects the public from serial and dangerous offenders. this subject, but the clock is against me. I am pleased We have only to ask police officers to find out about the that one of the first things that the coalition did, to respite that a community can get if, say, a serial burglar enable our police officers to get on and do the job that who has committed 40 crimes in a few months is put in they want to do, was to allow our custody sergeants to prison after everything else has been tried. charge some minor offences. I would like custody sergeants to revert to having the decision about charge on all We should have an informed debate on policing—it is matters, working in co-operation with the Crown too important for a back-and-forth debate. I believe Prosecution Service. They should take the responsibility that we last had a commission look at the role of the that they always used to have for the charges that the police in 1962, so perhaps it is time to think about accused should face. Changes can always be made as another commission. The debate is about more than the more evidence is gathered and leading counsel and deficit; it is about creating a 21st century police force. other counsel can also play their part. 399 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 400

We all want to see less form filling and bureaucracy. enough, they can be asked or forced to leave the force. Opposition Members have to accept that for ordinary However, after that two-year probation, it is very difficult police officers—whom many of us have dealt with on to remove police constables from the police force, so almost a daily basis in our working lives—that is a true some police officers can—how shall I put this?—work and real frustration. It holds them back from doing the less hard than others. Does my hon. Friend have a view job that they want to do. We have to restore and build on that? confidence, not just in some of the communities to which the right hon. Member for Tottenham referred, Anna Soubry: Absolutely. That concerns me. I had a but across Britain. We have to restore the confidence of case in my constituency involving somebody whom I the public in our police. How many times have Members thought had been wrongly removed from the police gone along to a residents’ meeting, or knocked on a force. He quite rightly said to me, indeed, I knew from door while canvassing, and someone says, “You know my own experience, that many officers had done far what, there’s a real problem with kids hanging around worse than him— in my opinion and, more importantly, outside the Co-op.”? It is called antisocial behaviour, the opinion of others—but had retained their jobs. but it is actually often low-level criminality. One hears I am concerned about the training of police officers. that complaint and asks, “Well, have you rung up and Why are all police officers not at least taught keyboard complained about it?”, but then one hears the riposte, skills? Those of us involved in the criminal justice “Well, what’s the point? The police never come out, and system know that it still takes two police officers to take if they do come out, they won’t do anything about it, a section 9 statement. In this day and age, that is and if they do do anything about, it won’t get to court.” bonkers. There must be a better way. Think of how And so it goes on. We have to break that cycle, and that many police hours would be spent back on the streets or sort of work has to start now. By reducing the form-filling doing other work, if it did not take two police officers, and bureaucracy, we will begin at least to make our in most instances, to take a written statement. There police more efficient. However, we have to stop this idea must be better ways of doing that. that there is no point in contacting our police because I am concerned that so many cases are no longer they do not have the time or will to do the job. investigated by an officer of the right rank. I was When it comes to the police and what they give back, involved in a prosecution case—unusually, because I I want to see some big changes in how they think and did not prosecute much—involving a section 20, grievous operate. When police officers commit offences, whether bodily harm offence. The investigating officer was a like the assault on Ian Tomlinson that lead to his death police constable who had only come out of his training or like the case in which a police officer recently received two years before. I have defended people accused of a custodial sentence of six months, I want police officers rape where the investigating officer was a detective prosecuted fairly, vigorously and swiftly, just like anybody constable. I know I sound the age I undoubtedly am, else. There should be no bounds, and the police must be but in my day—many others would say this—a detective prosecuted properly. inspector always investigated the offence of rape. No I also want police officers to be prosecuted when they disrespect to the many detective constables I know, but give perjured evidence in court—[Interruption.] I see what happened in those cases was quite wrong. Rape is hon. Members nodding. I know of the work of the hon. a serious offence and it requires a senior officer to Member for Kingston upon Hull East (Karl Turner). investigate it. I am concerned that serious offences such Like many in the criminal justice system, we have sat in as section 20s are no longer being investigated by properly court and heard officers on oath tell lies. That has trained detectives, but by the uniform branch, to use happened, and we know of it. We also know that they that term. I am far from convinced that things are being have never been brought to book. That has to change. properly investigated; in other words, that justice is There is a duty on the Crown Prosecution Service, being done to everybody—victims and those accused. judges, counsels and solicitors to make those complaints Let me turn briefly to what underlies this debate, and for them to be taken up, if we are to restore which is the cuts. It is disingenuous of Labour Members confidence in our police service. not to face up to the reality of their legacy and the When police officers fail to do their job—I suspect situation that we have been left with. Even if they had there might be a few more nods of agreement from hon. won back in May, they know in their hearts that they, Members—when they fail to disclose material, as they too, would be faced with a deficit and would have had are statutorily obliged to do, when they fail to seize the to make the sort of decisions that the coalition is now CCTV or, if they have seized it, to view it rather than making. That would mean chief constables being placed destroy it, or when they fail to disclose it to the defence in a position, as they all are, of having to make serious or put it on to the schedule of material to be disclosed and long-term cuts in their budgets. I have been to see to the defence, those are important matters that should my chief constable. She has spoken to me frankly and not be left to rest, but must be taken up by the police we have discussed the situation. I have no doubt that and acted on in order to restore confidence in our one of the consequences in my county will be a reduction police. in police stations. That does not please me, but a clever, I do not want to sound overly critical of the police, thoughtful and resourceful chief constable will use this because I have real sympathy for many police officers. situation as an opportunity to say, “How can we improve In my previous work, I dealt with them on almost a the service that we give to people? How do we become a daily basis. better police force in this county? In facing these cutbacks in our budget, we could actually be brave and radical in Graham Evans: New police officers have a two-year how we operate.” probation period, during which they have to prove I know that the clock is against me, but I have to themselves to be hard-working, conscientious individuals, respond to what has been said about CCTV cameras and if they get things wrong or do not work hard and to bundle in something about ASBOs. I have no 401 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 402

[Anna Soubry] Britain’s streets, 350 or so of them in Derbyshire, and by the 16,000 police community support officers introduced difficulty with the concept of ASBOs, but I support by Labour. The PCSOs have moved from being scorned much of what my hon. Friend the Member for South by the press to being greatly valued by the public, who Swindon (Mr Buckland) said. They have been used can see the contribution that they are making. As the effectively, like CCTV, as a sort of sticking plaster. Let Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice admitted me refer hon. Members briefly to a case that I have in yesterday, the Labour Government were the first in Stapleford, a town in my constituency. We have a problem history to preside over a consistent reduction in crime. with antisocial behaviour, and there are those who, if I In addition to fighting serious crime and tackling the may say so, do not really think outside the box who say, new threats of more complicated terrorist networks, “Put a CCTV camera up. It’ll solve the problem.” more sophisticated paedophile rings and increasingly However, it will not, because the trees are overgrown, complex international drug and crime cartels, the Labour and even if there were a camera, it would not catch the Government also gave the police far more significant street. However, the real point is that a CCTV camera powers to reduce antisocial behaviour than ever before. will only move the problem on. The real solution, It was interesting to hear the Home Secretary claim that especially to so much youth offending, is to do what we one of the problems was that the police had too many have said we will do, which is look at the causes of crime different powers. She implied that they were like joiners and begin to tackle the social problems that have led to with too many tools, standing by a wall unsure which this increase in criminality. hammer to use, and that the extra powers at their disposal were somehow slowing them down and preventing Several hon. Members rose— them from getting on with policing. That was a rather strange thing to say. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Before I call the next speaker, I will extend the amount of time The antisocial behaviour powers gave the police the for speeches to 13 minutes. ability to deal in a different and more effective way with the low-level antisocial element that exists in every constituency in the country. The Home Secretary showed 5.18 pm us a window into her mind earlier, when she said that Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Thank you, there was an increased perception of antisocial behaviour Mr Deputy Speaker. I would be happy to let the hon. in poorer communities. Was she suggesting that, in Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry) intervene for regard to antisocial behaviour, the only difference between three minutes if she feels that she has been robbed. a poor community and a wealthy one was that poor It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Lady’s thoughtful people felt as though they were suffering as a result of speech. She is right to say that there is a difference in it, and that if the millionaires took the trouble to look analysis, but none the less, she brings her experience to out of their castles, they would see all the terrible things bear and it was a pleasure to hear it. However, after going on outside the castle walls? Her reference to the listening to her speech and many of the other contributions perception of antisocial behaviour was quite revealing that we have heard, I also felt that there was a bit about her mindset and her view of the job that she has missing. She says that she has spoken to her chief come into. constable and she is in no doubt that there will be fewer Like me, the police I have spoken to were staggered police stations, but with the cuts that we are talking by the Home Secretary’s decision to abandon the antisocial about, the reality is that we will have fewer police behaviour order powers. They say that those powers officers. Some 80% of the police budget goes on people. have done much to help them to work with community We will not save that money simply by shutting a few groups, with tenants and residents associations, and buildings down. When she says that an excellent chief with local councils to clean up the streets. It seems constable will look at the current situation and create a incredible that the Government should choose to strip better service with less money, she is indulging in a the police of a power that is clearly working, at a time myth. It is really unfair to the people in our communities, when all parties are concerned about reoffending rates. who rely on the Government and the police to keep About 65% of recipients of an ASBO did not reoffend, them safe, to continue to allow them to believe that the and 93% desisted after their third one. police will be able continually to achieve more with less. We have also heard a lot of talk about the effect on When the hon. Lady says that Labour would have communities of antisocial behaviour orders. My right had to face the same choices, she is not quite telling the hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) truth, because the Conservatives have chosen to double spoke of the situation in his community. Chesterfield the speed with which the deficit is paid off. Now that has a different environment, but our antisocial behaviour they have made that decision, we will have extra cuts. problems also lead on to low-level crime and, if those The shadow Home Secretary made it absolutely clear problems are not tackled at an early age, people can go that there would have been cuts; he listed some of them on to become serial offenders who will be found guilty for the second time, for the benefit of the Home Secretary, of much more serious crimes. I know that that is the who had missed them the first time round. He was quite experience of Members on both sides of the House. specific about them. People have been driven out of their homes by vandalism We also put in our manifesto that front-line policing to their car, for example. Every morning, when they would be protected, and that is key. A Government’s come out to go to work, they do not know whether their first duty must be to do all that they can to keep their tyres will have been let down or their wing mirrors citizens safe, and that is a duty that Labour understood smashed, or whether a big scratch will have appeared on well. It was demonstrated by the 17,000 extra police the bonnet. Those might be considered lower-level crimes, officers—compared with 1997—who are now patrolling but if they are not dealt with, the perpetrators will 403 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 404 decide that they are above the law and one thing will We also need to look at what some of the backroom lead to another and their crimes will become more and people do in the police service. I would not pretend that more serious. if we spoke to 100 police officers, none of them would We need real honesty in this debate about what we complain about bureaucracy. I have spoken to senior expect from the police. My right hon. Friend the Member police officers and I know that they do complain about for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) made the important it. Equally, however, I have not met a single police point that we now have an opportunity to reconsider officer who believes that 25% cuts to the budget can be the role of the police and decide what we want them to made by cutting the forms. That is not realistic. Much do. With the level of the cuts that are coming, the role bureaucracy falls outside the Home Office remit and, as we expect of the police is going to change drastically. some of my hon. Friends said earlier, much of police There is no point anyone pretending otherwise. bureaucracy arises from the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS requires such high evidential standards before The Home Secretary said that she wants to strip all it will take cases to court that the police have to provide the targets away so that the police have just one basic a tremendous amount of evidence to back the service target—to cut crime. That fails to acknowledge the up. A lot of it takes up time. If we are going to remove many different aspects of police work where no crime such bureaucracy, we will have to accept that the police has been committed. If we see a man on a bridge who are likely to achieve fewer prosecutions. The CPS might looks as if he is going to throw himself down on to the have to take more cases to court, but that might increase motorway, we are going to call the police—but no crime the justice budget, so we would be saving on the one has been committed; it is just a man stood on a bridge. I hand and losing out on the other. would like to think that the police of the future would still turn up at such an incident. If not, we would be My hon. Friends have also referred to other back living in a very strange world. office functions—the massive amount of work done on counter-terrorism, for example, or on breaking international When I was out with the police, they explained to me drug rings and international crime syndicates. The police another problem they have with the mental health wing also have people whose work is dedicated to the reduction of a local hospital. There is a secure unit there and of domestic violence. What often happens there is that patients from it are sometimes given a pass to go out. the police put in a great deal of work to get the evidence The pass might be for three, four or 24 hours. At together to achieve a prosecution, only to find that the 23 hours and 59 minutes, there is no problem, but at victim of the violence has subsequently patched up the 24 hours and a minute, the police are called out to find a relationship and decided not to prosecute. The police missing person. Again, no crime has been committed, have specialist teams dealing with child sex abuse. Such but the police are called. people may not be considered to be front-line police We need to be sensible in this debate about what to officers, but I should like to think that in any civilised expect from the police. I would certainly like to think society they would continue to work in the police force, that all Labour Members would join me in assisting the and I believe that the narrowness of the new police Police Minister in fighting his corner to get recognition target will be counterproductive. Far from being a Whitehall for the message he wants to send out about what we diktat, the policing pledge was put together by senior want the police to do. Road traffic accidents provide police officers who wanted to specify the standards of another example. A huge amount of police time is policing that people could expect wherever they lived. taken up attending them, but no crime has been committed I referred earlier to Liberal Democrats’ contribution in most cases. If the responsibility of the police is only to the policing policies pursued by the present Government. to stop crime, they might stop going out to road traffic People ask what the Liberal Democrats are doing, but accidents. Again, this shows the simplicity of the message; in this context their influence is clear, whether it involves it might be attractive to the readers of tabloid newspapers, their wish to get rid of ASBOs, their opposition to the but it does not reflect the complexity or reality of what DNA database—without which, as we have heard, 26 more the police do. I am not advocating that the police murderers would be out on the streets—or their justice should not turn up to road traffic accidents or should proposals, which mean that yobbos and criminals would not turn up when a man is about to commit suicide by not go to prison, but would be out on the streets as well. jumping off a bridge. What I am saying is that if we take It is hardly surprising that someone who was on the run the Home Secretary at her word, we need to think about decided that it was well worth supporting the Liberal the sort of service that we will end up with. Democrat party financially: he may have felt that there was some benefit in doing so. Mr Buckland: The hon. Gentleman, in making his I wonder what happened to the Conservative party. I point attractively, risks missing the point of the scenarios suspect that Lord Tebbit is turning in his crypt at the he has described. I can think of a number of crimes that current Tory policies. The Tories seem not to understand, might have been or could be committed in the circumstances as he did, how poorer communities and people in he describes, particularly in the case of road traffic deprived areas have been badly affected by crime. The accidents—starting with dangerous driving, to name Government are showing a lack of honesty about what but one. Frankly, he is not making a good point; if he will be faced by people on the streets if cuts of this has any better ones, I would like to hear them. magnitude are made, and a lack of awareness of what it is like to live in a deprived community that is under Toby Perkins: I would have thought that the hon. pressure from criminals. They do not seem to understand Gentleman could understand the basic point I am what it is like for people to wake up not knowing making—that the police do a hell of a lot of work that whether their properties will be left alone that day, or to does not actually involve cutting crime. I simply gave a go on holiday not knowing whether their properties will number of examples. be broken into. 405 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 406

[Toby Perkins] them. We must have CCTV, of course, but I would like us to prevent more crime so that we need fewer CCTVs. The current lack of vision about the best way in It is not that we do not want CCTV; rather, we want to which to spend police resources leaves our police force, prevent crime so it is not needed in the first place. our communities and the value of a law-abiding, decent Another problem is the micro-managed target culture society dangerously exposed. I urge the Government to of the previous Government and the bureaucracy, in think again before pulling the rug from under the feet of part driven by the right hon. Member for South Shields our police. (David Miliband) when he was head of Tony Blair’s policy unit. The Opposition talk about cuts, but three 5.32 pm years ago when they were in government they established Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I congratulate the a National Crime Reduction Board and then gave it no hon. Member for Chesterfield (Toby Perkins) on what budget. They talk about cuts, but for all their spending was, as always, a sometimes political but nevertheless they left England and Wales with double the crime rate thoughtful contribution. of the European average. The Home Secretary said The debate has focused on a number of issues, notably earlier that there were about 900,000 violent offences in accountability and cuts, but I want to talk about the 2009. The House of Commons Library has shown that situation in my constituency. I want to talk about what that rose from 618,417 such offences in 1998, so there has gone wrong, the cost of crime and some of the has been a huge rise in violent crime. solutions. I accept that great strides have been made in The Government’s reforms are urgently needed for fighting antisocial behaviour, and that major reforms Harlow, because there is not just the social cost of and successes have been achieved in Harlow. Recent families blighted by crime, but there is also the huge operations have succeeded in targeting the few prolific cash cost, which is hurting the recovery. Labour Members offenders who cause the majority of the problems. have talked about cuts and expenditure, but they must Nevertheless, the town still suffers from the highest accept that their policies led to crime now costing more violent crime rate in Essex and from a high rate of than £3,000 for every family in the UK each year. Given burglaries and car thefts, and in terms of crime and that there are about 40,000 family households in my disorder, some of its estates suffer from the worst 10% of constituency, the cost to Harlow could be in the order deprivation in the British Isles. We also have serious of £120 million a year. problems in specific areas such as the town centre. During the election campaign, my right hon. Friend Although crime in those areas is not always reported the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice visited to the police, I find—like other Members—that local with me a newsagent in Nazeing village that had been residents often contact me about it, and mention it to robbed three times in three weeks. This shop was just me frequently in surgeries. That is why I consider this one of many whose profits were suffering because of debate to be so important. We have some very effective crime. When we legally oblige police constables to spend police officers in Harlow and some good leadership in 50% of their time on paperwork, we deny people the Essex, but I believe that in the wider United Kingdom power to shape local policing and this is the sad result. there has been a breach of trust between the police and What are the answers? First, I would like to congratulate the public. The umbilical cord has been cut. Raymond chief superintendent Mr Simon Williams and chief Chandler, the American novelist, said: constable Mr Jim Barker-McCardle, as despite the “Crime isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom.” challenging economic situation they have no plans to It has already been said that Tony Blair promised to be cut the number of front-line police officers in Harlow tough on the causes of crime, but the last Government and intend to keep the police station in Harlow open for approached prevention in a chaotic way. For example, 24 hours a day. They are demonstrating that a smarter sadly, they rewarded family breakdown by penalising public sector can deliver more for less, even when it couples in the welfare system, and they also failed to spends 80% of its budget on people. Earlier this year, ban the sale of alcohol below cost price. before we entered government, Essex police had to cut We see this elsewhere, too. There has been much £2.5 million from its budget, and it did so without any comment in the debate about closed circuit television. I effect on front-line services. am in favour of it when it cuts crime, but the Under- We must also restore the trust between the wider Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley public and the police, and the umbilical cord between and Sidcup (James Brokenshire), came with me a few them. That is why I am a passionate advocate of the years ago to visit a company in Harlow called Rotatest Government’s policies to reconnect the police with which trains people in how to use CCTV. It has shown, the communities that they serve, which include having through using Home Office studies, that about 80 or the direct election of a police commissioner. I cannot 90% of CCTV in this country is not fit for purpose understand the opposition of Labour Members to making either because it does not comply with the Data Protection the police more accountable to the communities that Act 1998 or it is not operated properly or the machinery they serve. We also propose reducing police paperwork is not working properly. In 2006 alone we spent about and bureaucracy, so that constables can spend more £250 million on CCTV that was not working in the way time on the streets; introducing regular beat meetings, that it should. so that residents can hold the local police to account; Only a couple of years ago, the deputy chief inspector and publishing more detailed local crime statistics. of the Met, Mick Neville, said the system was an “utter We also propose to have more specials, and it is tragic fiasco”, with only 3% of London’s street robberies that their number has declined by 6,000 since 1997. I being solved using security cameras. Although Britain completely disagree with the comments made by the now has more cameras than any other European country, right hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) he said that “no thought” had gone into how to use about specials. There is scope for greater community 407 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 408 involvement in policing. For example, Essex has one of I would have liked to have been party to the coalition the largest forces of specials in England. In early-day talks and to have discovered how no priority was given motion 520, I welcomed the statement made by my to basic safety and security when they sat down to plan right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing and Criminal this great document. How did the Administration arrive Justice that there is a “huge untapped potential” for at the conclusion, based on all their experience of their recruiting more specials, and I suggested transforming manifestos and the election outcome, that the electorate them into a Territorial Army-type force. That would wanted to prioritise spending on international development enable specials to cover more policing duties and would and health above all else? I would like to see that put to offer excellent value for money. Specials are also a a referendum or discussed in one of the Deputy Prime genuinely local force and a valuable source of community Minister’s question and answer sessions around the intelligence. country. When I talk to voters, they tell me that the I am not asking for extra money, but rather for the Administration have got that wrong. Government to refocus their resources to incentivise special constables, so that they can work more hours Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): Will the hon. and develop professionally.Following many tragic fatalities Gentleman give way? on the railways near Harlow, I have called, including in my early-day motion 598, for a similar volunteer force Steve McCabe: The hon. Gentleman is very quick off of special rail guards to be established to improve safety the mark, but why not? on train platforms. In a time of scarce resources, special constables offer a big society answer to the crime problems Gordon Birtwistle: Is the hon. Gentleman saying that we face, not only in Harlow, but across the country. I he would cut the spending on health and international am talking about having fully trained constables with development and save money in other areas? He has not real powers who give a few hours a week to their local declared that before. neighbourhood. We already have 600 in Essex, and let us hope we have more soon. Steve McCabe: I am saying exactly that. I would not prioritise those two things above basic safety and security. Guy Opperman: Does my hon. Friend agree that I was about to say that we have already seen a cut in there is scope to widen the training and opportunities this year’s core funding for the police. Most chief constables available to the existing special constables, so that they and police authorities anticipated that and they have can carry out alternative tasks on a more big society taken some steps to prepare for it. That is what Programme basis? Paragon in the west midlands is partly about; it is a reorganisation of the police to get better efficiency and Robert Halfon: Yes, entirely, and I would like community use of personnel. Now, we are faced with even more support officers to have the chance to become specials. severe cuts on top—cuts to magistrates courts, to police, to probation, to prisons and to the entire criminal To sum up, our crime policy must move away from justice system. There is no area where the axe will not that of the previous Government, which was about fall. It is inevitable that that scale of cuts will lead to a bureaucracy and the big state. rise in crime and public alarm. That is a given. One of the areas where this Administration are falling Karl Turner: I might be wrong, but the hon. Gentleman down and could learn lessons is that Labour listened to seems to be suggesting that police offers go from being professionals and to the public about their concerns on paid to being unpaid. Is that the case? crime. That is why crime was down when we left office—we listened and we took on board the concerns. The danger Robert Halfon: I am saying completely the opposite. I here is that the Administration are not listening and am saying that for the special constables we should that we will all pay the price further down the line. create a model similar to that of the Territorial Army. I want to make it clear that I accept the argument for We should have a special constable force and its officers cuts. I do not happen to revel in them—unlike some of would be paid for the hours that they do, in the same the people on the Government Benches—but I accept way as TA people are paid. the argument. There should be savings and cuts—I have In summary, I think that we want to move away from no problem with that. I think it was the hon. Member the big state and bureaucratic policies on crime to an for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) who said that he wanted approach based on accountability and community. That to see some savings in standardising equipment purchase is why I oppose the Opposition’s motion. and in national procurement. So do I, and that is why they were in the White Paper that Labour produced. If I remember correctly, that White Paper also contained 5.44 pm our pretty ambitious plan to cut police overtime, something that the coalition has taken on board. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I am in favour of volunteers, but not as a substitute for the I have no problem with trying to make such savings real thing—that is the danger of the position taken by and I think, frankly, it is utterly dishonest of the people the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon). One of opposite to pretend that we are saying anything else. We the lessons that Labour learned from the Conservatives can argue about the scale of cuts and about the impact in the 1980s and early 1990s was the importance of the on the economy, but to stand there and try to pretend law and order agenda. That had a profound impact on that we are not saying that is downright dishonest. the Labour party, and the tragedy is that the coalition As I said, there is nothing wrong with a Government has forgotten that lesson. This Administration seem to seeking greater efficiency, but it is a question of numbers have the wrong priorities. and scale. I happen to agree with Her Majesty’s inspectorate 409 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 410

[Steve McCabe] As I have said, one reason for Labour’s successes in law and order was that we paid attention to the concerns of constabulary and the Audit Commission that cuts in voiced to us by the public and professionals. That is the excess of 12% will affect the capacity to police our real story behind why we introduced antisocial behaviour streets. It is as simple as that. Sir Paul Stephenson has orders. We recognised the need for a measure that made it clear that the scale of cuts being planned will would address the types of antisocial behaviour that the mean a much smaller force in London as we prepare to police and the public were telling us they were powerless police the Olympics. I am not sure that anyone has to deal with. ASBOs are not perfect, but they are better given sufficient consideration to what that might mean. than nothing. What we need is a measure that allows I personally think that we will see two effects from the people who are constantly on the receiving end of Government’s actions. First, we will see a freeze on antisocial behaviour and are not being helped by their recruitment—that is already happening in the west police or local authorities to go directly to court and midlands—and a freeze in promotion. Ultimately, that ask for something to be done. That would be much will drain morale and lead to a stunted, unbalanced and more effective. defensive police organisation. We will also see the reverse The bureaucracy that the Home Secretary worries of civilianisation—the very opposite of what the Home about is not inherent in ASBOs. The problem is the Secretary claims that she wants. bureaucracy and dilatory behaviour of councils such as Civilians, who are obviously easier to sack than police the Lib Dem-Tory coalition authority in Birmingham. officers, are going to be forced out, and police officers That is why it takes so long to deal with antisocial will then have to be redeployed to take on some of those behaviour. It would be much better if the Government civilian tasks. Rather than seeing crime fighters, we are put some energy into tackling that bottleneck, rather going to see trained police officers back on front desks than taking away one of the tools that people generally acting as receptionists. They will be answering phone feel is making a difference. Deciding to abolish ASBOs calls about minor matters and carrying out back-office without a sensible alternative is like turning one’s back admin tasks. They will not be out on the streets but be when people are suffering the worst kind of torment. It back in the offices reverting to doing simple typing suggests that the coalition is already out of touch. I am tasks. Reverse civilianisation will be the effect of sacking sure that if Ministers had spoken to people about this, civilians because they are easier to dispose of, and their they would not be setting out such a proposal. work will still have to be done by police officers. That It is good that we use technology to tackle miscarriages will be the consequence. of justice and to catch people who thought that they I am concerned that eventually chief constables will had got away with it. I worry that the Government’s be driven, probably in despair, to use what is known as position on DNA is pseudo civil liberties posturing and regulation A19 to sack officers who have completed doubt that it is reasonable or rational. I am not against 30 years of service. Perversely, that makes sense at force a review of CCTV, and given some of the points made level because those people draw some of the highest about Project Champion in Birmingham, there might salaries; it has an immediate impact on the budget be a good argument for a review. However, if the because salaries are the largest part of the budget. Government seriously think that ANPR and CCTV are However, the consequence is getting rid of some of our not needed in the fight against crime, they are totally most experienced police officers. That means getting rid and utterly wrong. On CCTV, we should, if anything, of the people who contribute most to the job while the be worrying about how we will find the resources for the public still have to pick up the tab for their pensions and next generation of cameras. Addressing that point in any pay-off arrangements that were made in persuading conjunction with regulation would be much more useful them to go. That approach makes no sense in the long than simply going along with the wheeze that we can get run and is a classic short-term economy with long-term by without them. ramifications. I understand that the West Midlands police force, which is admittedly the second-largest The Government talk a great deal about freedom, but force in the country, is looking at losing about 2,000 police I detect a certain degree of intolerance and authoritarianism jobs as a result of what is planned. To give an idea of behind the mask. The Audit Commission might cause a scale, about 14,000 people are employed by the force. problem—abolish it; the Association of Chief Police Officers might be awkward—emasculate it; police It is easy to trade statistics in debates such as this, and authorities might not play ball—scrap them. The we have heard one or two already, but I want to draw Government talk about localism and the big society but attention to one that has caught my eye. Cardiff university move in the opposite direction. They are destroying the recently demonstrated that there were 64,000 fewer links between ordinary people and the criminal justice violence-related attendances at accident and emergency system, and their obsession with cuts that go beyond departments in 2010 compared with 2001, which represents economic sense will destroy neighbourhood policing. a fall of 15%. We should pay attention to that independent research, because it tells a story about violent crime and I spoke at a charity event in Worcester the other week it rather contradicts some of the myths that we have along with the hon. Member for West Worcestershire heard recently. I commend it to the Government and I (Harriett Baldwin). I invite hon. Members to ask her hope that they will be willing to follow it up. There is privately—not in the Chamber—what a largely Tory also the British crime survey, which is not so popular audience thought about elected police commissioners. I with the Government, certainly not since they were will tell hon. Members why we will have such a short rebuked by Sir Michael Scholar for misusing statistics. I consultation on that: because the Government know often wonder how long it will be before we hear a that the proposal does not make sense. It is a fix, just statement that the UK Statistics Authority is to be like the Deputy Prime Minister’s boundary review, that abolished in the interests of Government efficiency. will not work. 411 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 412

The Government have a lot to learn about what station, and reinvent the wheel by explaining everything people really want from policing. Unfortunately, they to that lawyer, only to be told that the lawyer was not plan to learn on the job using the British public as their seized of all the necessary information and the key laboratory. decision to charge would have to be put off. That has led to real frustration, not only on the part of police 5.58 pm officers, but also, and crucially, on the part of witnesses who, having made their statements, have been asked to Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I am wait for months—sometimes for more than a year—before grateful for the opportunity to address the House. I giving evidence. What effect does that have, first, on the hope that I shall not use my full allocation of time ability of the witness to remember events clearly and, because I know that several hon. Members still wish to secondly, their enthusiasm to come to court? Those are play their part in this wide-ranging debate. The shadow fundamental problems that I saw at first hand, time and Secretary of State went through the gamut of policy in again, during my years in practice in the Crown court. general, talking about not only policing but wider issues of criminal justice, and I shall be as faithful as possible Another consequence was the culture of clear-ups—the to the parameters that he set in his opening speech. driver whereby the police had to resolve unsolved crimes. It did not seem to matter what the crime was; what was The preceding speech made by the hon. Member for important was getting that clear-up. The outcome was Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) was revealing essential. It did not matter if the crime was serious; as in the sense that he said that the Labour party learned a long as the box was ticked and it was moved off the lot about what people wanted during the ‘80s and ‘90s. system, everything was okay. That is not a reflection of However, it seems to me that Labour learned a lot about public opinion or public confidence, or of a Government what tabloid headlines demanded rather than about who are learning the lessons and listening to people. It what was happening on the ground. The Labour is a complete negation of what the public interest is and Government’s increasing distance from the reality of what the public really want. people’s lives was reflected by their culture of legislative incontinence and increasingly centralised control that Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East must have made police officers—from chief constables Cleveland) (Lab): If that point is juxtaposed with the down to those at ground level—feel that at times they other part of the Government’s plan to have democratically were being made to revolve on the spot. The consequences elected leaders of local police authorities, if a candidate of the lack of clarity—the ever-changing parameters set stood on a manifesto of clear-ups and won, would such for the police—were manifold. I shall concentrate on a policy be allowed? several that were worrying. The first casualty of the previous Government’s obsession Mr Buckland: Obviously, there will be a distinction with centralism and targets was trust in the ability of between police commissioners getting involved in day-to-day constables and more senior police officers to take operational duties and their other role, but I think it will decisions—decisions on the priorities that they wanted be perfectly in order for candidates to debate that to set in their localities, on the appropriate responses to question and how we deal with the clear-up issue. That complaints of crime, and on whether a suspect should is a matter of legitimate public concern and debate, so I be charged. One of the most fundamental powers available do not see any problem with dealing with that. It would to the police was rudely taken away from them, and I be a different matter if on a day-to-day basis, a particular am delighted that the new Government will restore in case were in some way influenced by a commissioner. In part that discretion to the police. I take this opportunity terms of the remit of that elected official, that would be to agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe to stray into the wrong territory. (Anna Soubry) in urging the Government to go further There was a rather absurd reversal of roles, whereby and to restore the power of charging completely to senior Ministers—a succession of Labour Home police officers. Let me tell the House why I believe that. Secretaries—wanted to outdo each other in order to In recent years, there has been an increasing obsession sound tough on crime. The right hon. Member for with the need for the investigating authority to get Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) is everything precisely in order before the decision to not in his place, but he described his era as a golden age: charge. That fad—that obsession—has led to debates in a year of broad sunlit uplands, peace and tranquillity, this House, before the election and since, and in the as he stood with a shining sword in hand, on his way to media about detention periods prior to charge. We have the new Jerusalem. Juxtaposed with that, senior police hotly debated the subject, here and elsewhere, with officers increasingly sounded like politicians and had to wildly and dramatically conflicting views expressed about defend the indefensible. Their language became more civil liberties. I am left wondering why we have ended up and more obscure, and they did not sound like police in that position. Why is there that obsession with the officers anymore or like the representatives of a police need to delay everything before the decision to charge? force—a point that my hon. Friend the Member for Time and again, when police officers made the early Broxtowe made and I strongly support. Something was decision to charge, it provided the key incentive to the rotten in our state, and, if this Government had not investigating authority to get on with the job of investigating acted quickly to recognise that, something would continue the case thoroughly, preparing it for trial and making to be wrong. sure that victims and witnesses were not kept waiting. Then, the decision to charge was removed to the Crown Tom Blenkinsop: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Prosecution Service. The advice before charge system involves an often Mr Buckland: I shall not give way at this point, experienced police officer having to telephone a CPS because I need to develop this point. I am delighted lawyer, probably located some distance from the police that in place of that rotten rhetoric, we have a sense 413 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 414

[Mr Buckland] That is not the approach we should adopt. We should use ASBOs as a bolt-on to the existing criminal justice of honesty and reality when it comes to addressing what system. They should be used judiciously and carefully—not is going on at the coal face of the criminal justice with a scattergun approach—to try to deal with a range system. of wholly unsuitable scenarios. Local authorities such A major part of the right hon. Gentleman’s speech as mine in Swindon use many stages before they resort was on antisocial behaviour, but by assuming that there to ASBOs. I encourage that approach across the country, will be a wholesale abolition of the structure, an assumption while recognising that in each different locality local that other Opposition Members repeated, an Aunt Sally bodies should be free to make decisions based on their has been set up. When the Home Secretary in her paper own priorities. described the process of moving beyond ASBOs, she I did not recognise in any way the remarks made by meant development and improvement, rather than the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve wholesale abolition. McCabe) about centralist authoritarianism as regards I shall propose a few sensible simplifications of the the new Government’s approach to dealing with crime. system. The criminal ASBO, or CRASBO, is a waste of I oppose the motion and commend the Government’s time and should be removed. At the end of a Crown approach. court trial, when a defendant has been convicted, punished and has received his sentence, an application is made, 6.12 pm almost as an afterthought, for a criminal antisocial Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab): I was not behaviour order, which is often poorly drafted, ill thought- going to participate in this debate, but I was struck by out, unworkable and unenforceable. the absence of discussion of a particularly important Several hon. Members rose— issue that is of the utmost concern to my constituents: the problem of serious youth violence, gun and knife Mr Buckland: I shall not give way at this point, crime, and the gang culture that still exists in some of because I have only four minutes left, and the couple of our major cities. points that I want to make are rather detailed. During the election, I spoke to many mums and dads When it comes to the rest of the ASBO structure, we who told me that while they recognised that serious have a system of “Thou shalt not”, a prohibitory system gang members had been taken off the streets, they were telling the subjects of those orders what not to do. still very fearful for the safety of their sons and daughters. There is a case for allowing the greater use of mandatory My concern about the Government’s proposals to reduce orders. They encourage positive behaviour and particular police numbers and the amount of resources that are steps that an individual should take to improve their available to our police forces across the country is that behaviour, rather like what was done with antisocial our police will not have the same ability to tackle this behaviour injunctions under the Housing Act 1996, the very important and serious problem in many of our year before Labour entered government, which was communities. amended in later years. I met representatives of my About three days ago, I received an e-mail from one local authority in Swindon during the recess to discuss of my constituents, and I thought that I would share it those issues, and I am grateful to them for their constructive with Members of the House. He said: submissions in this respect. The authority has a very “The other day my son was threatened at knife point and had proactive antisocial behaviour team, and it will make his phone taken on the very street where we live. To my absolute submissions to the review in due course. horror the police knew all of the gang member’s names, their I turn to my other concern, which I share with the street names and they knew they all carry knives and guns.” local authority. The Government have rightly said that My constituent went on to tell me that he had discovered the rather lengthy and cumbersome process of obtaining on YouTube links to this particular gang—videos with ASBOs in court must be streamlined. There has been a hours of footage that, in effect, act as recruitment discussion about whether the forum for the imposition videos for the gangs. One video had 15,925 viewings, of ASBOs should move wholesale to the county court, and I was appalled by some of the imagery contained but I agree with my local authority that we should urge in it. caution. I would suggest that the magistrates court is a I take this opportunity to ask the Government to set quicker, more effective and better forum for the resolution out in more detail what initiatives and plans they have of a lot of antisocial behaviour orders. If new, streamlined to tackle this very important issue in our constituencies. procedural rules need to be developed, then that can be I appreciate that it is not all about the police, and that done. organisations that can provide positive, accessible role My fundamental point is that we need to move away models to our young people are critically important. It from what has been a tendency by authorities to reclassify would be remiss of me, as the Member of Parliament crime as antisocial behaviour. The whole thrust of the for Lewisham East, not to bring this incredibly important legislation passed by the previous Government was issue to the attention of the House and to ask Ministers what one might call the Heineken approach—to refresh present here today to provide some assurances about the parts of our social problems that the criminal law what their Government will be doing to tackle this could not reach. I am afraid that the principle has been problem. undermined to a worrying degree as a result of the Those were the only points that I wanted to make. I target culture and the need to avoid “criming”—that is had not planned to make an intervention in the debate, a dreadful word, but I have heard it used many times; I but as the issue had not cropped up, I thought it was do not accept that it exists in the English language— very important to put it on the record, and I am particular complaints, driving them down the antisocial grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity behaviour route. to do so. 415 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 416

6.15 pm I hope that the Government will consider the fact that in a constituency such as mine, which is 1,150 square Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): At the heart of this miles, the vital issue of rural crime has been treated very debate is a single issue: what would we all cut? How differently from other crime over the past 13 years, and would we all approach the difficult dilemmas that we I hope that things will improve. That point encompasses face? Police budgets are, by definition, an emotive subject, why I oppose the closure of the magistrates court in my as anyone who has sat in the Chamber this afternoon constituency. The proposal is that we will have no can appreciate. Every one of us wants to have the magistrates court in our 1,150 square miles. I do not maximum possible number of police. However, health, believe that that is the right way forward, hence my education, defence, justice and all the other matters that strong opposition to such a measure. we have to address are also emotive. To look at the police budget on its own without considering other My final point is this. I ask myself why the right hon. issues is naive and does not approach the full problem. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson), the shadow Home Secretary, gave the speech The simple question is this: is anyone above budgetary that he gave today—it has been mentioned this afternoon cuts? I do not believe that we are, or that the police are. on several occasions. Some described it as an application All the police officers whom I speak to—I have done to the post-election shadow Cabinet, but I am not sure nine murder trials and spent the best part of 20 years that it was. I take the view that he expressed amazing working with officers—accept that things have to change. reverence for Lord Michael Howard. He seemed to We do not have to explain that in terms of class or disregard all Home Secretaries between Lord Howard Thatcherism. Those things do not apply, because it is and himself, when we reached, as others described it, simply about maths. As we all explained up and down the delightful sunlit upland of “the year of Johnson”, the country, if someone spends £400 but earns only as he called it. That was very eloquent. According to £325, the maths simply does not add up. I see no him, the world went from the “prison works” policy of problem in approaching that problem by saying, “This Michael Howard to him, but he disregarded the ASBO must change.” age of John Reid as Home Secretary and the CRASBO— criminal antisocial behaviour order—age of Charles Clarke, and indicated that we simply arrived in the year Toby Perkins: Seeing as the hon. Gentleman has set of Johnson when everything was sunlit and perfect. up his contribution based on the economy, he might choose to reflect on the fact that there is a fundamental I thought that the Howard-Johnson alignment had a difference between our parties. The Labour Government future, but then I remembered that that was the name of proposed to reduce the deficit, but not by nearly as a rather dodgy hotel chain in America that provides a much as the new Conservative Government. Because kind of cut-price service. Lord knows where we could they are increasing the pace at which we are repaying go with that. I support the Government, and I urge the deficit, they will have to cut more and there will be people to reconsider their approach. I accept that there fewer police on the beat and more crime. That is a are contrary arguments—police budgets are always fundamental difference in approach. emotive—but the Johnson alignment is not the right way. Guy Opperman: I disagree totally, because we are tackling the deficit earlier and will not have the problems 6.21 pm that we would have had if Labour had kept delaying the Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): cuts and spending as though there were no tomorrow. I The ability—indeed, the right—of people to live in can assure the hon. Gentleman that 6 May was the security is the most fundamental achievement of society, tomorrow, and his party lost it. and Government Members who too often give the In Hexham, the police have already taken a small impression that public is bad and private is good should budgetary cut. I walked the beat with them barely three remember that only the public sector can deliver a weeks ago. They are doing an amazing job of looking police force in which the public have confidence. after their area and are perfectly able to cope with the Like many hon. Members, I do not have an intimate difficulties that they have had thus far. Who knows knowledge of the police, which is why I was pleased to where the future will ultimately lie? However, they have the opportunity to go on patrol in Newcastle with understand and appreciate the problems and they know Northumbria police a few days ago. I was taken to that there are ways forward. As the assistant to Barack Newcastle’s Bigg Market by a local police sergeant and Obama put it, “We should not waste a crisis.” It is often a police community support officer. For those who are in the difficult times that we can re-evaluate who we are, unfamiliar with Newcastle, all human life is in the assess what we are doing and review what we are going Bigg Market, from those who beg and sing for their to spend our money on in future. supper, to the better-heeled student visitors and I endorse the comments made by my hon. Friend the tourists, and all those for whom alcohol and entertainment Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) and by the form part of a good evening out. I was struck by the hon. Member for Edinburgh West (Mike Crockart) in difference between the policing that I experienced then his excellent speech. The latter spoke with great eloquence, and the policing that I experienced during the Thatcher having been a police officer himself until nine years ago. years. He indicated, for example, that higher police numbers Police Community Support Officer James Maguire do not necessarily equal less crime. The example of and Sergeant Michelle Jahangiri had a deep understanding Belgium is well known. There are very significant numbers of the needs of the Newcastle community and of of police—the highest numbers in Europe—yet the Newcastle’s priorities. They told me how neighbourhood crime level is massively increased. meetings, which my right hon. Friend the Member for 417 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 418

[Chi Onwurah] is his assumption, and he is working towards that target. There is one element of the motion that I welcome, Don Valley (Caroline Flint) described so eloquently, and that is the recognition from Labour Members that enabled them to understand better the community’s it may be possible to reduce spending on the police by priorities. I also saw for myself how the balance between up to 12% without affecting the front line. However, PCSOs, who liaise directly with the community, and that raises the question why they did not do that. other police officers, means that the latter have more In Kent, we have been working to do that, and have time to address the more pressing policing issues. That the second-lowest precept in the country. We heard balance is important to successful policing. from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert The hon. Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), who Halfon). We are collaborating with Essex: we have a unfortunately is not in the Chamber, spoke of wanting a single command for all serious and organised crime, police force, not a service. I believe very strongly that and we have a single IT system and single purchasing. the people of this country want both. Policing is a Unlike a lot of areas of the country and the regional service. Force alone will not resolve the kind of policing talking shops introduced by the last Government, we issues that we face today, when it is the respect and trust work to find those savings. There are a lot more savings of the community that is so important. The hon. Lady to be found in bureaucracy as well, for example, through spoke of how children require the knowledge of supervision, not always having to go to the Crown Prosecution but those who elected me are not children. They require Service to charge, and working with the CPS, the probation a police force, but they also require a partner in the service and prisons, and perhaps trying to make them policing of their streets. That is why the changes that more responsive locally and get people working most Labour and the investment it made in policing as part efficiently. of a community service have been so important in The best thing we can do to help with the savings is Newcastle and across the country. introduce directly elected police commissioners, who The reduction in crime under Labour is clearly related could deliver efficiency and give the public the necessary to improved and increased policing, but it is also related savings. Every year, the police authority in my area to our actions elsewhere in Government—in the economy receives perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 pages. The formality of and in social services. As several of my right hon. and that process should be replaced with a single individual hon. Friends have said, everything was not perfect. working with the police efficiently to deliver what the There was still much to do, especially in the area of public want. That is how to deliver better policing and mental health care. The events in Newcastle before the to find these savings. Opposition Members failed to do summer showed how closely related effective mental that, and did not deliver in government. This Government health care provision is to the demands on our police. will deliver. But the plans of the coalition Government will increase enormously the burdens on the police while cutting the resources that they have available. 6.31 pm Cutting the area-based grant, for example, will mean Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): We have had an that in Newcastle we may lose our taxi wardens, who interesting debate, and the level of interest in crime and have been so successful in reducing violence at taxi policing provision has been demonstrated by the fact ranks. Cutting the future jobs fund will inevitably lead that 22 right hon. and hon. Members have spoken. That to more unemployment, which will in itself increase the is a significant number of people who have expressed an burden on the police, as well as leading to increased interest in the concerns before us. crime. Abolishing antisocial behaviour orders will not I would like to start be reiterating the Opposition’s only take away from the police an important tool that central charge against the Government’s proposals to they can use, but will take away a form of reassurance date. The record of the previous Labour Government from our communities, in some of the most deprived was one of achievement and one of which Labour areas of our cities. Members can be proud. It drove forward changes that I More generally, risking a double-dip recession, which am proud of today and introduced cultural changes to will inevitably lead to higher unemployment, will present the police service, but it will be put at risk by the our police with huge new challenges. At a time when the Government’s actions in the next few weeks and months. police will face an increased burden, it is recklessness In particular, that record will be put at risk—this is the taken to extremes to propose cuts of between 25% and major charge in the motion—by the proposals to cut 40%. It is understandable, perhaps, that the Liberal the resources of the police service. That proposal, which Democrats should be liberal with our security and fail was actually encouraged by the Home Secretary and the to consider the consequences of a free-for-all on our Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice—they did streets. But the British public would expect that the not fight the Treasury—will mean that we will face Conservatives would do all that they could to conserve potential major reductions of 20 to 25% in the police crime-free streets. This betrayal of our security will not service budget. That will create major difficulties in the be accepted. For that reason, I support the Opposition future—[Interruption.] The Minister says, “How do motion. you know that?” I know it because it was stated in the pre-Budget report and indicated to police forces across 6.28 pm England and Wales. I hope that that does not happen, Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): I declare but I expect it to do so. an interest in that I spent this morning, as a member of I am talking not just about funding issues, but about the Kent police authority, working with the chief constable the policy choices that the Home Secretary and the on getting cracking on finding these savings. He has Minister are making over CCTV,DNA, domestic violence bravely set out his plans to find a 20% reduction, which protection orders, control orders, the direct election of 419 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 420 police officials and penal policy. That will all put us on a Tackling the causes of crime and putting resources collision course—it has the potential to drive crime up into policing and police community support officers and to lose us the record that we have had to date. I am made a difference. Crime fell under the previous Labour proud of what the Labour Government did. My hon. Government. However, that is not to say that we would Friend the Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans), my right not have made savings had we been re-elected on 6 May. hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton Indeed, let me point to the White Paper that I produced (Sir Gerald Kaufman), my hon. Friend the Member for as Policing Minister in December last year, supported Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe), my right hon. by my right hon. Friend the now shadow Home Secretary, Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), and to show that not only were we trying to take forward my hon. Friends the Members for Lewisham East (Heidi policing initiatives; we also recognised that we could, Alexander) and for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain should and would have saved money by doing things McDonagh) all praised the work of the previous more efficiently. Government. Those efficiencies included reducing the overtime bill We should remind ourselves of what my right hon. by £70 million—the hon. Members for Weaver Vale Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and (Graham Evans) and for Peterborough (Mr Jackson) Hessle (Alan Johnson) said. The crime survey has shown made points about that—and developing national that crime has fallen 43% since 1997, confidence in procurement standards for police officers’ uniforms, policing is up, violent crime fell by 42% in those 13 years, beat cars and air support, thereby saving resources in overall personal crime fell 41%, household crime fell what our 43 forces do; standardising procurement of 44%, vehicle crime fell, convictions rose, there are more body armour; cutting stop-and-search paperwork; piloting people in prison and we have longer sentences. As a the transfer of Crown prosecution powers to the police result of that, crime is down by 43% overall, as I said. I for lesser offences; and looking at encouraging voluntary am not saying it was perfect, because it was not. If an mergers, with a £500 million fund that I put in place as individual is subject to a crime, to them it is 100% crime. Policing Minister for that purpose. Government Members [Interruption.] I am being heckled about reoffending raised the question of exposing and developing good rates, but those actually fell by 20% under the Labour practice. The Quest programme, which we supported, Government. The number of new entrants into the did just that; indeed, it extended it, including in Weaver criminal system also fell under the Labour Government, Vale, Cheshire, Runcorn and Warrington. In total, savings because we made the required investment in many of more than £1.3 billion by 2014 were identified by the areas. then Labour Government. Members on both sides of the House have mentioned Those savings would have been seen through by the that we have record numbers of police officers—143,734 Labour Government, but the choice that the Conservative police officers and 16,000 police community support Government are making is to go beyond that. They are offices. My hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and doing what my right hon. and hon. Friends have mentioned, Morden and my right hon. Friend the Member for which is cutting public spending because they believe in Salford and Eccles (Hazel Blears) mentioned that they cutting spending, not because they need to tackle the value the fact that PCSOs provide that service on the deficit now. That is the choice that the Conservative streets, giving reassurance. Those officers were not there, Government have made. Every right hon. and hon. in any shape or form before the previous Labour Member on the Labour Benches went into the election Government came to power. There are also 17,000 more with a commitment to maintain health, education, and police officers now than in 1997. That investment has policing and crime expenditure. We were elected on that made the difference in reducing crime. I simply put that basis—[Interruption.] The Home Secretary indicates on the record, because although what we did was not that that is not correct, but that was in our manifesto, perfect, it shows that we made a difference for people in upon which we were elected. I confess that it did not constituencies throughout the United Kingdom by reducing reach the hearts of all parts of the country, but it crime. secured us the mandate to argue today for that expenditure for the future. We did that not just because we put resources into policing and police community support officers, but What have we seen from the coalition Government? because we also did what Tony Blair said we would do, In July, we saw cuts of £125 million to a budget for this which was try to tackle the causes of crime, as well as year that they agreed in February and which we proposed crime itself. The past three years have seen the youth when we were on the Government Benches as Ministers. crime action plan, putting money into prevention work We are now seeing cuts of potentially 25 to 40% in the across the country and supporting after-school activities, number of police officers, which, as my right hon. weekend initiatives and a range of measures to help Friends the Members for Leicester East and for Salford tackle crime and the causes of crime; putting money and Eccles, and my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield into antisocial behaviour initiatives, with the thresholds (Toby Perkins) said, will damage the ability of police that we set until March this year to try to encourage officers on the streets. I happen to contend that, funnily local councils to have minimum standards; and looking enough, investment in police officers and community at issues such as family intervention projects and Sure support officers has meant that crime has fallen accordingly. Start. Indeed, the word “gobsmacked” came to mind The chief constables of Humberside, Gwent, Kent and when I heard a Conservative Member say how much Cambridgeshire have all predicted deep cuts that will they welcomed and enjoyed Sure Start. My hon. Friend have a profound impact on the crime-fighting abilities the Member for Kingston upon Hull East (Karl Turner)—in of their forces. a sedentary intervention, albeit a prescient one—said, As if that were not enough, we find that the “Aren’t the Conservative Government pledged to abolish Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is starting to Sure Start?” We will see in due course. dismantle some of the policies that have made a real 421 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 422

[Mr David Hanson] forces taking their eye off the ball when it comes to fighting crime. The introduction of directly elected difference on the ground in our communities, including commissioners will cost £50 million. Nothing has yet tackling antisocial behaviour through the use of antisocial been said about their roles and responsibilities, about behaviour orders. I am extremely surprised by that. I who will set the precept, about qualifications or about grew up in the 1980s, and I believed that the Conservatives staffing. The Government are developing a whole range were the party of law and order. That is what they told of issues that will ensure that the police focus on us, every week and every month. That is what they told reorganisation and not on their core business of fighting us all the time. Now, antisocial behaviour orders have crime in the community at large. been shown to make a real difference on the ground in My right hon. Friend the Member for Salford and stopping antisocial behaviour, with 65% of recipients Eccles mentioned control orders, the fight against terrorism stopping offending when the ASBO is put in place, and and the Prevent budget. These are serious issues, but the 95% stopping after their third order has been issued. Government are setting the needs of what they view as However, the Conservative coalition is going to dismantle civil liberties against the need to protect the community that system. at large. Again, I look forward to examining those The policing pledge, which sets minimum standards issues in detail, so that we can hold the Government to of service for the communities that we represent, is also account on the issues of terrorism, international crime, going to be thrown out of the window by the Conservative drug running and regional crime. coalition. The ability to use DNA to bring criminals to The Labour party would have maintained the resources justice is also to be thrown out of the window, despite for fighting crime and developing policing. We would the fact that, in the debate on the Crime and Justice Bill have increased the efficiency of the police service and before the election, the Conservatives and the Liberal allowed the police to look outwards to the public they Democrats supported proposals under which people serve. We would have strengthened the police authorities who had not been convicted of a crime—but who could and ensured that crime continued to fall, as it did potentially have been criminals—would not have their during the 13 years of the Labour Government. I look DNA stored. I look forward to a day that could be forward to taking on the Government on these issues. disastrous for the Government, if people are committing We will expose their softness on crime while ourselves crimes when they could have been prevented from doing adopting the position of the party of law and order. We so. People could be killed, injured, raped or attacked, shall expose their failings over the weeks, months and but individuals—[Interruption.] I say to the deputy years ahead. leader of the House, the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr Heath), that there are balances to be struck in this regard. An individual might have been 6.45 pm caught by the police but not charged. His DNA might have been collected. In 90% of cases, according to our The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick current research, such a person could potentially commit Herbert): Let us start with what is agreed on both sides a crime in the future. I look forward to being able to say of the House. We agree about the importance of tackling that we could have prevented some of those crimes from crime. Hon. Members of all parties have spoken about being committed. the importance of dealing with crime in their constituencies and of making their communities safe. We also agree The domestic violence protection orders, which the about the importance of the police in tackling crime Conservatives and Liberal Democrats did not oppose in and the need to support them. We should all join in the Bill in February, are now to be ditched by the Home thanking the police for the work they do. Secretary. Beyond that, however, agreement ended, and we heard Mrs May: I am grateful to the shadow Minister for two kinds of speeches, reflecting the divide in today’s giving me this opportunity to make it absolutely clear politics—the divide between this coalition Government that we have not ditched domestic violence protection and the Opposition who are stuck in the past. It is a orders. We have deferred their introduction to ensure divide between the realists and the reformers on this that, if we take the decision to carry on with them, they side and the deficit deniers and big spenders on the will be the most effective way of dealing with the issues other side. Government Members understand the that we all agree need to be dealt with. They have not importance of, and the responsibility to deal with, been ditched. the deficit. We understand the importance of organisations, whether they be in the private or the public sector, Mr Hanson: We must look forward to the fact that spending their resources wisely. two pilot schemes are being held back when they could We heard good speeches from my hon. Friends the have been developed. Members for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) and for On the issue of CCTV, there is certainly a need for Edinburgh West (Mike Crockart), reminding us that it regulation, but individual Government Back Benchers is not just the number of police officers, but what they have said—[Interruption.] Well, when we were in do, that matters. How available are they to the public? government, we were considering proposals for regulation. We should all be sobered by the report of Her Majesty’s The fact is, however, that the present Government believe inspectorate of constabulary, issued just a few weeks in reducing the number of CCTV cameras and in ensuring ago, telling us that only 11% of the police—about a that they are not deployed to the extent that we believe 10th—are visibly available to the public at any one time. they should be. Hon. Members have given their views We should ask ourselves the question why. Why is there on that as well. not greater efficiency in our police service; can the At the same time, a massive reorganisation of the money be spent more wisely? The report also said that police service is now pending, which will result in police higher spending forces are not necessarily better than 423 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 424 other forces and it proposed savings by greater use of Alan Johnson: I thank the Minister for giving way. It civilian staff—some forces are doing that; others are will give him a chance to get his breath back. not. As the Chairman of the Select Committee I have said this consistently, and I will say it again recommended, we need better procurement; we also very slowly. We set out in the November White Paper, need more effective collaboration and more back-office the pre-Budget report, the Budget and other public savings. documents savings of £1.3 billion over the next four years. That is about 12% of the Home Office budget. Hazel Blears: The HMIC figure of 11% of officers The HMIC report, to which the Minister referred, said being available on patrol has been much discussed today. that with a lot of effort it was possible to save 12% without What is the right hon. Gentleman’s target over the next affecting front-line services. That is the argument. 12 months? What does he think he can deliver when it comes to having more officers on patrol? Nick Herbert: The right hon. Gentleman says that he Nick Herbert: The right hon. Lady has not understood would have protected police spending. So which budget the new world, has she? We want to move beyond would he have cut more deeply? Would it have been targets. We do not believe that public services are improved health? Would it have been defence? Of course Labour by the targets of which she was so fond. Members will not tell us, but we do know that HMIC That issue was reflected in the second group of speeches, has said that £1 billion a year—12% of the budget— which called for more spending. Never mind that we could have been saved through better and wiser spending. spend £14 billion a year on the police—50% more over We will not know the availability of resources until the the lifetime of the last Government. These speeches—not outcome of the spending review on 20 October, but we least the right hon. Lady’s—called for more are determined to protect front-line services. authoritarianism. Never mind about civil liberties: to When he was Home Secretary, the right hon. Gentleman hell with those, and who cares about the deficit? That would not guarantee police numbers. Perhaps that is was the substance of the shadow Home Secretary’s not surprising, because we know that police numbers case. across the country were starting to fall on his watch. He knew that he could not guarantee the funding, and he Toby Perkins: Will the Minister give way? knew what was around the corner. The second part of the shadow Home Secretary’s Nick Herbert: No, I will not. contention was that we should make no attempt to The shadow Home Secretary said that we should not protect civil liberties. His entire attack was based on cut, that we should not make any savings in respect of what we planned to do in relation to the restoration of the police and that we should protect the police, but those liberties. The Labour party’s position is take no action to protect civil liberties or reform police straightforward: the DNA that is taken from innocent accountability. That was his contention. Let us deal people should be retained. The shadow Home Secretary with those matters in turn. based that on the argument that crimes would be solved, In his winding-up speech, the right hon. Member for so why should he stop there? If the end justifies the Delyn (Mr Hanson) said that the Opposition would means, why not take DNA from everyone? If the Labour have maintained resources for policing, while the Opposition party is suggesting that all people are potential criminals, motion says that the previous Government would have they should believe that that would deal with crime. In maintained core funding. Yet, on 20 July, on “The Daily fact, the end does not justify the means. Labour, the Politics” in a debate with me, the shadow Home Secretary party that proposed 90 days’ detention without trial, said that his Government would have cut by “£1 billion still does not understand that if we undermine liberty a year”—a cut of 12%. There was the admission that and erode public confidence in law enforcement—if we they would have cut spending. Now, however, they say take away freedom—we do not make people safer at all. that they would have maintained resources. They do not The third part of the right hon. Gentleman’s contention know what they would have done, but we know what was that we should not accept the need for reform of they would have done. policing. The Government believe that we must replace Mr Hanson: Will the Minister give way? the bureaucratic accountability and top-down targets of which the last Government were so fond with democratic Nick Herbert: No. accountability, rebuild the bridge between the police Just a few weeks ago, we know that Labour Members and the public and reduce Home Office interference, so voted against a reduction in police spending, which this that we can give local people a real say over policing in Government had to make in order to deal with the their areas. deficit. That reduction was by 1.5%, but Labour Members Labour Members raised various spectres. The hon. voted against it. Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans) spoke of the risk of politicians being in charge of police forces. Who else Mr Hanson rose— should be in charge of police forces, other than elected people? Police forces must answer to someone, and I Nick Herbert: No. suggest to the hon. Gentleman that it might be right How, then, can we take seriously the shadow Home and proper for them to answer to democratically elected Secretary’s contention that he would have cut by £1 billion? people. The shadow Home Secretary raised the spectre The truth is, as we know, that the Government who left of extremism. That is a constant cry from the Labour office bequeathed to the country £44 billion worth of party. The British national party won just 2% of the unspecified spending cuts. Those were cuts that they vote in the last election, but it suits Labour’s argument were going to make. They would not say how, but we to suggest that extremists will be elected. We on this side know that they were in the order of 20%. of the House say, “Let us trust the people when it comes 425 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 426

[Nick Herbert] Where did that glorious year end up? It ended up with 10,000 incidents of antisocial behaviour every day, to who will be elected to these positions.” The people 100 serious knife crimes every day, 26,000 victims of will decide who should represent them and hold the crime every day and 1 million victims of violent crime a police to account. year. That is not a glorious record. Five million to We are determined that local authorities will still 10 million crimes a year is not a glorious record; that is have a role on police and crime panels, and are determined not a record about which the Labour party should be to press ahead with this reform. The shadow Home remotely complacent, yet Labour Members rise from Secretary said that the reform simply was not necessary. the Opposition Benches and suggest nothing more needs Why? Why, in 2003, did the then Home Secretary, the to be done to deal with crime other than the ineffective right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside and remedies they proposed before. Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett), propose directly elected What did the Labour Government spend their time police authorities? “For many people”, the Labour doing? They spent it wasting money by amalgamating Government said then, forces, creating bureaucracy with reams of guidance, “the question of who is responsible for what in terms of keeping introducing a policing pledge and spending £6 million a communities safe is simply unclear. We must rectify this. Strong, year on doing so, and, of course, creating new laws: transparent accountability is vital for community confidence.” 50 Acts of Parliament and 3,000 new offences, and not In 2008 the Labour Government made the same just offences that would help deal with crime. After all, proposal for introducing a form of direct elections into did these offences make people safer? No, they did not. the governance of policing. The then Home Secretary, With their new laws, the Labour Government introduced Jacqui Smith, said: 24-hour drinking and the so-called café culture, and they downgraded cannabis. They also released “We are…committed to introducing a stronger link between those responsible for delivering policing and the public they serve. 80,000 offenders early under their end-of-custody licence We will legislate to reform police authorities, making them more scheme, which, of course, they scrapped just before the democratic and more effective in responding to the needs of the election was called. Above all, they spent and wasted local community.” industrial sums. They are in double denial: they created Do Opposition Members think these arguments have the deficit and they are failing to deal with it. We say changed? If they were right in 2003 and 2008, why are that we cannot go on like this, spending more than three they not right now? Indeed, the right hon. Member for times the entire budget of the criminal justice system—that Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) of the police, courts and probation service—on debt simultaneously said we should reject further interest every year. We are determined to deal with the restructuring—his motion says that—and proposed a deficit and it is our responsibility to do so. That is the third reform. He suggested just a few hours ago at the difference between the two sides—we are driving radical Dispatch Box that we should have directly elected police reform and they are stuck in the past. authority chairs. I say to the right hon. Gentleman, Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the “Three strikes and you’re out. You’ve reneged on your original words stand part of the Question. promise to reform police authorities twice; why should The House proceeded to a Division. we believe your latest back-of-the-envelope proposal to do it again?” Mr Speaker: I ask the Serjeant at Arms to investigate We, however, are determined to drive forward with the delay in the No Lobby. our programme of reform, and it is reform that does The House having divided: Ayes 232, Noes 327. not end at the greater accountability of local police forces. It includes measures to deal with serious and Division No. 57] [6.59 pm organised crime, the creation of a national crime agency, and placing police forces under strong duties to collaborate AYES so they can cut costs and tackle crimes that cross force Abbott, Ms Diane Blenkinsop, Tom borders. It also includes a serious programme to tackle Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Blomfield, Paul bureaucracy and to give the public more information Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Blunkett, rh Mr David through crime mapping and information about crime Alexander, Heidi Brennan, Kevin that is really happening in their streets—not statistics, Ali, Rushanara Brown, Lyn which, frankly, the public no longer believe. It includes, Allen, Mr Graham Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Anderson, Mr David Brown, Mr Russell too, proposals to reform the pay and conditions of Austin, Ian Bryant, Chris police officers, and we start from the position, as we do Bailey, Mr Adrian Buck, Ms Karen across the public services, that we trust the professionals. Bain, Mr William Burden, Richard That is why we want to return charging decisions to Balls, rh Ed Burnham, rh Andy police officers, as was mentioned by my hon. Friends Banks, Gordon Byrne, rh Mr Liam the Members for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry) and for Barron, rh Mr Kevin Cairns, David South Swindon (Mr Buckland). Bayley, Hugh Campbell, Mr Alan The reforms move beyond policing, too. There are Beckett, rh Margaret Campbell, Mr Ronnie reforms of the licensing laws to deal with the problem Begg, Miss Anne Caton, Martin Bell, Sir Stuart Clark, Katy of 24-hour drinking and reforms to the toolkit of Benn, rh Hilary Clarke, rh Mr Tom antisocial behaviour measures to ensure the police and Benton, Mr Joe Coaker, Vernon local authorities have the ability to deal with that problem. Berger, Luciana Coffey, Dr Thérèse We do not accept the right hon. Gentleman’s rose-tinted Betts, Mr Clive Connarty, Michael view of the years of the last Government. We do not Blackman-Woods, Roberta Cooper, Rosie accept what he described as the “glorious year of Johnson”. Blears, rh Hazel Cooper, rh Yvette 427 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 428

Corbyn, Jeremy Jamieson, Cathy Roy, Lindsay Trickett, Jon Crausby, Mr David Johnson, rh Alan Ruane, Chris Turner, Karl Creagh, Mary Johnson, Diana Ruddock, rh Joan Twigg, Derek Creasy, Stella R. Seabeck, Alison Twigg, Stephen Cruddas, Jon Jones, Graham Sharma, Mr Virendra Umunna, Mr Chuka Cryer, John Jones, Mr Kevan Sheerman, Mr Barry Vaz, rh Keith Cunningham, Alex Jones, Susan Elan Sheridan, Jim Vaz, Valerie Cunningham, Mr Jim Jowell, rh Tessa Shuker, Gavin Walley, Joan Cunningham, Tony Joyce, Eric Skinner, Mr Dennis Watson, Mr Tom Curran, Margaret Keeley, Barbara Slaughter, Mr Andy Watts, Mr Dave Dakin, Nic Keen, Alan Smith, rh Mr Andrew Whitehead, Dr Alan Darling, rh Mr Alistair Kendall, Liz Smith, Angela (Penistone and Wicks, rh Malcolm David, Mr Wayne Khan, rh Sadiq Stocksbridge) Williamson, Chris Davidson, Mr Ian Lammy, rh Mr David Smith, Nick Wilson, Phil Davies, Geraint Lazarowicz, Mark Smith, Owen Winnick, Mr David De Piero, Gloria Leslie, Chris Soulsby, Sir Peter Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Dobbin, Jim Lloyd, Tony Spellar, rh Mr John Wood, Mike Dobson, rh Frank Love, Mr Andrew Straw, rh Mr Jack Woodcock, John Docherty, Thomas Lucas, Caroline Stringer, Graham Woolas, Mr Phil Doran, Mr Frank Lucas, Ian Stuart, Ms Gisela Wright, David Dowd, Jim Mactaggart, Fiona Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Wright, Mr Iain Doyle, Gemma Mahmood, Mr Khalid Thomas, Mr Gareth Tellers for the Ayes: Dromey, Jack Mann, John Thornberry, Emily Mark Tami and Dugher, Michael Marsden, Mr Gordon Timms, rh Stephen Mr Frank Roy Eagle, Ms Angela McCabe, Steve Eagle, Maria McCann, Mr Michael Efford, Clive McCarthy, Kerry NOES Engel, Natascha McClymont, Gregg Adams, Nigel Burrowes, Mr David Esterson, Bill McDonagh, Siobhain Afriyie, Adam Burstow, Mr Paul Evans, Chris McFadden, rh Mr Pat Aldous, Peter Byles, Dan Farrelly, Paul McGovern, Alison Alexander, rh Danny Cable, rh Vince Field, rh Mr Frank McGovern, Jim Amess, Mr David Cairns, Alun Fitzpatrick, Jim McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Andrew, Stuart Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Flello, Robert McKechin, Ann Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Carmichael, Mr Alistair Flint, rh Caroline McKinnell, Catherine Bacon, Mr Richard Carmichael, Neil Flynn, Paul Meacher, rh Mr Michael Bagshawe, Ms Louise Carswell, Mr Douglas Fovargue, Yvonne Meale, Mr Alan Baker, Norman Cash, Mr William Francis, Dr Hywel Mearns, Ian Baker, Steve Chishti, Rehman Gapes, Mike Michael, rh Alun Baldry, Tony Chope, Mr Christopher Gardiner, Barry Miliband, rh David Baldwin, Harriett Clappison, Mr James Gilmore, Sheila Miliband, rh Edward Barclay, Stephen Clark, rh Greg Glass, Pat Miller, Andrew Barker, Gregory Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Glindon, Mrs Mary Mitchell, Austin Baron, Mr John Coffey, Dr Thérèse Godsiff, Mr Roger Moon, Mrs Madeleine Barwell, Gavin Collins, Damian Goggins, rh Paul Morden, Jessica Bebb, Guto Colvile, Oliver Goodman, Helen Morrice, Graeme Beith, rh Sir Alan Cox, Mr Geoffrey Greatrex, Tom Morris, Grahame Bellingham, Mr Henry Crabb, Stephen Green, Kate M. Benyon, Richard Crockart, Mike Greenwood, Lilian Mudie, Mr George Berry, Jake Crouch, Tracey Griffith, Nia Munn, Meg Bingham, Andrew Davey, Mr Edward Hain, rh Mr Peter Murphy, rh Mr Jim Binley, Mr Brian Davies, David T. C. Hamilton, Mr David Murphy, rh Paul Birtwistle, Gordon (Monmouth) Hamilton, Mr Fabian Murray, Ian Blackman, Bob Davies, Glyn Hanson, rh Mr David Nandy, Lisa Blackwood, Nicola Davies, Philip Harman, rh Ms Harriet Nash, Pamela Blunt, Mr Crispin Davis, rh Mr David Havard, Mr Dai O’Donnell, Fiona Boles, Nick de Bois, Nick Healey, rh John Onwurah, Chi Bone, Mr Peter Dinenage, Caroline Hendrick, Mark Osborne, Sandra Bottomley, Peter Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hepburn, Mr Stephen Owen, Albert Bradley, Karen Dorries, Nadine Hillier, Meg Paisley, Ian Brady, Mr Graham Doyle-Price, Jackie Hilling, Julie Pearce, Teresa Brake, Tom Drax, Richard Hodge, rh Margaret Perkins, Toby Bray, Angie Duddridge, James Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Phillipson, Bridget Brazier, Mr Julian Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Hoey, Kate Pound, Stephen Bridgen, Andrew Dunne, Mr Philip Hood, Mr Jim Qureshi, Yasmin Brine, Mr Steve Edwards, Jonathan Hopkins, Kelvin Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brokenshire, James Ellis, Michael Howarth, rh Mr George Reed, Mr Jamie Brooke, Annette Ellison, Jane Hunt, Tristram Reeves, Rachel Bruce, Fiona Elphicke, Charlie Illsley, Mr Eric Reynolds, Emma Bruce, rh Malcolm Eustice, George Irranca-Davies, Huw Robertson, John Buckland, Mr Robert Evans, Graham Jackson, Glenda Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Burns, Conor Evans, Jonathan James, Mrs Siân C. Rotheram, Steve Burns, Mr Simon Fabricant, Michael 429 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 430

Fallon, Michael Jones, Andrew Opperman, Guy Stewart, Bob Featherstone, Lynne Jones, Mr David Ottaway, Richard Stewart, Iain Field, Mr Mark Jones, Mr Marcus Paice, Mr James Stewart, Rory Foster, Mr Don Kawczynski, Daniel Parish, Neil Streeter, Mr Gary Fox,rhDrLiam Kelly, Chris Patel, Priti Stride, Mel Francois, rh Mr Mark Kennedy, rh Mr Paterson, rh Mr Owen Stuart, Mr Graham Freeman, George Charles Pawsey, Mark Stunell, Andrew Freer, Mike Kirby, Simon Penning, Mike Sturdy, Julian Fullbrook, Lorraine Knight, rh Mr Greg Penrose, John Swales, Ian Fuller, Richard Kwarteng, Kwasi Percy, Andrew Swayne, Mr Desmond Gale, Mr Roger Laing, Mrs Eleanor Phillips, Stephen Swinson, Jo Garnier, Mr Edward Lamb, Norman Pickles, rh Mr Eric Swire, Mr Hugo Garnier, Mark Lancaster, Mark Pincher, Christopher Syms, Mr Robert Gauke, Mr David Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Poulter, Dr Daniel Tapsell, Sir Peter George, Andrew Latham, Pauline Pritchard, Mark Teather, Sarah Gibb, Mr Nick Laws, rh Mr David Pugh, Dr John Thurso, John Gilbert, Stephen Leadsom, Andrea Raab, Mr Dominic Timpson, Mr Edward Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lee, Jessica Randall, rh Mr John Tomlinson, Justin Glen, John Lee, Dr Phillip Reckless, Mark Tredinnick, David Goldsmith, Zac Lefroy, Jeremy Redwood, rh Mr John Truss, Elizabeth Goodwill, Mr Robert Leigh, Mr Edward Rees-Mogg, Jacob Turner, Mr Andrew Gove, rh Michael Leslie, Charlotte Reevell, Simon Uppal, Paul Graham, Richard Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Reid, Mr Alan Vara, Mr Shailesh Grant, Mrs Helen Lewis, Brandon Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Vickers, Martin Gray, Mr James Lewis, Dr Julian Robathan, Mr Andrew Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Green, Damian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Robertson, Hugh Walker, Mr Charles Greening, Justine Ian Robertson, Mr Laurence Wallace, Mr Ben Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lidington, Mr David Rogerson, Dan Walter, Mr Robert Griffiths, Andrew Lilley, rh Mr Peter Rosindell, Andrew Gummer, Ben Lloyd, Stephen Rudd, Amber Ward, Mr David Gyimah, Mr Sam Lopresti, Jack Russell, Bob Watkinson, Angela Hague, rh Mr William Lord, Jonathan Rutley, David Weatherley, Mike Halfon, Robert Loughton, Tim Sanders, Mr Adrian Webb, Steve Hames, Duncan Luff, Peter Sandys, Laura Wharton, James Hammond, rh Mr Philip Lumley, Karen Selous, Andrew Wheeler, Heather Hammond, Stephen Macleod, Mary Sharma, Alok White, Chris Hancock, Matthew Main, Mrs Anne Shelbrooke, Alec Whittaker, Craig Hancock, Mr Mike Maude, rh Mr Francis Shepherd, Mr Richard Whittingdale, Mr John Hands, Greg May, rh Mrs Theresa Simmonds, Mark Wiggin, Bill Harper, Mr Mark Maynard, Paul Simpson, Mr Keith Williams, Hywel Harrington, Richard McCartney, Jason Skidmore, Chris Williams, Mr Mark Harris, Rebecca McCartney, Karl Smith, Henry Williams, Roger Hart, Simon McIntosh, Miss Anne Smith, Julian Williams, Stephen Harvey, Nick McLoughlin, rh Mr Smith, Sir Robert Wilson, Mr Rob Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Patrick Soames, Nicholas Wollaston, Dr Sarah Hayes, Mr John McPartland, Stephen Soubry, Anna Young, rh Sir George Heald, Mr Oliver McVey, Esther Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Zahawi, Nadhim Heath, Mr David Menzies, Mark Spencer, Mr Mark Heaton-Harris, Chris Metcalfe, Stephen Stanley, rh Sir John Tellers for the Noes: Hemming, John Mills, Nigel Stephenson, Andrew Jeremy Wright and Henderson, Gordon Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stevenson, John Mark Hunter Herbert, rh Nick Moore, rh Michael Hinds, Damian Mordaunt, Penny Question accordingly negatived. Hoban, Mr Mark Morgan, Nicky Hollingbery, George Morris, Anne Marie Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), Hollobone, Mr Philip Morris, David That the proposed words be there added. Holloway, Mr Adam Morris, James The House divided: Ayes 324, Noes 230. Hopkins, Kris Mosley, Stephen Horwood, Martin Mowat, David Division No. 58] [7.16 pm Howarth, Mr Gerald Mulholland, Greg Howell, John Mundell, rh David AYES Hughes, Simon Munt, Tessa Adams, Nigel Baldry, Tony Huhne, rh Chris Murray, Sheryll Afriyie, Adam Baldwin, Harriett Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Murrison, Dr Andrew Aldous, Peter Barclay, Stephen Huppert, Dr Julian Neill, Robert Alexander, rh Danny Barker, Gregory Hurd, Mr Nick Newmark, Mr Brooks Amess, Mr David Baron, Mr John Jackson, Mr Stewart Newton, Sarah Andrew, Stuart Barwell, Gavin James, Margot Nokes, Caroline Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Bebb, Guto Javid, Sajid Nuttall, Mr David Bacon, Mr Richard Bellingham, Mr Henry Jenkin, Mr Bernard O’Brien, Mr Stephen Bagshawe, Ms Louise Benyon, Richard Johnson, Gareth Offord, Mr Matthew Baker, Norman Berry, Jake Johnson, Joseph Ollerenshaw, Eric Baker, Steve Bingham, Andrew 431 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 432

Binley, Mr Brian Freeman, George Kwarteng, Kwasi Pickles, rh Mr Eric Birtwistle, Gordon Freer, Mike Laing, Mrs Eleanor Pincher, Christopher Blackman, Bob Fullbrook, Lorraine Lamb, Norman Poulter, Dr Daniel Blackwood, Nicola Fuller, Richard Lancaster, Mark Pritchard, Mark Blunt, Mr Crispin Gale, Mr Roger Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Pugh, Dr John Boles, Nick Garnier, Mr Edward Latham, Pauline Raab, Mr Dominic Bone, Mr Peter Garnier, Mark Laws, rh Mr David Randall, rh Mr John Bottomley, Peter Gauke, Mr David Leadsom, Andrea Reckless, Mark Bradley, Karen George, Andrew Lee, Jessica Redwood, rh Mr John Brady, Mr Graham Gibb, Mr Nick Lee, Dr Phillip Rees-Mogg, Jacob Brake, Tom Gilbert, Stephen Lefroy, Jeremy Reevell, Simon Bray, Angie Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Leigh, Mr Edward Reid, Mr Alan Brazier, Mr Julian Glen, John Leslie, Charlotte Robathan, Mr Andrew Bridgen, Andrew Goldsmith, Zac Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Robertson, Hugh Brine, Mr Steve Goodwill, Mr Robert Lewis, Brandon Robertson, Mr Laurence Brokenshire, James Gove, rh Michael Lewis, Dr Julian Rogerson, Dan Brooke, Annette Graham, Richard Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Rosindell, Andrew Bruce, Fiona Grant, Mrs Helen Lidington, Mr David Rudd, Amber Bruce, rh Malcolm Gray, Mr James Lilley, rh Mr Peter Russell, Bob Buckland, Mr Robert Green, Damian Lloyd, Stephen Rutley, David Burns, Conor Greening, Justine Lopresti, Jack Sanders, Mr Adrian Burns, Mr Simon Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lord, Jonathan Sandys, Laura Burrowes, Mr David Griffiths, Andrew Loughton, Tim Selous, Andrew Burstow, Mr Paul Gummer, Ben Luff, Peter Sharma, Alok Byles, Dan Gyimah, Mr Sam Lumley, Karen Shelbrooke, Alec Cable, rh Vince Hague, rh Mr William Macleod, Mary Shepherd, Mr Richard Cairns, Alun Halfon, Robert Main, Mrs Anne Simmonds, Mark Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Hames, Duncan Maude, rh Mr Francis Simpson, Mr Keith Carmichael, Mr Alistair Hammond, rh Mr Philip May, rh Mrs Theresa Skidmore, Chris Carmichael, Neil Hammond, Stephen Maynard, Paul Smith, Henry Carswell, Mr Douglas Hancock, Matthew McCartney, Jason Smith, Julian Cash, Mr William Hands, Greg McCartney, Karl Smith, Sir Robert Chishti, Rehman Harper, Mr Mark McIntosh, Miss Anne Soames, Nicholas Chope, Mr Christopher Harrington, Richard McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Soubry, Anna Clappison, Mr James Harris, Rebecca McPartland, Stephen Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Clark, rh Greg Hart, Simon McVey, Esther Spencer, Mr Mark Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Harvey, Nick Menzies, Mark Stanley, rh Sir John Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Metcalfe, Stephen Stephenson, Andrew Coffey, Dr Thérèse Hayes, Mr John Mills, Nigel Stevenson, John Collins, Damian Heald, Mr Oliver Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stewart, Bob Colvile, Oliver Heath, Mr David Moore, rh Michael Stewart, Iain Cox, Mr Geoffrey Heaton-Harris, Chris Mordaunt, Penny Stewart, Rory Crabb, Stephen Hemming, John Morgan, Nicky Streeter, Mr Gary Crockart, Mike Henderson, Gordon Morris, Anne Marie Stride, Mel Crouch, Tracey Herbert, rh Nick Morris, David Stuart, Mr Graham Davey, Mr Edward Hinds, Damian Morris, James Stunell, Andrew Davies, David T. C. Hoban, Mr Mark Mosley, Stephen Sturdy, Julian (Monmouth) Hollingbery, George Mowat, David Swales, Ian Davies, Glyn Hollobone, Mr Philip Mulholland, Greg Swayne, Mr Desmond Davies, Philip Holloway, Mr Adam Mundell, rh David Swinson, Jo Davis, rh Mr David Hopkins, Kris Munt, Tessa Swire, Mr Hugo de Bois, Nick Horwood, Martin Murray, Sheryll Syms, Mr Robert Dinenage, Caroline Howarth, Mr Gerald Murrison, Dr Andrew Tapsell, Sir Peter Dorries, Nadine Howell, John Neill, Robert Teather, Sarah Doyle-Price, Jackie Hughes, Simon Newmark, Mr Brooks Thurso, John Drax, Richard Huhne, rh Chris Newton, Sarah Timpson, Mr Edward Duddridge, James Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Nokes, Caroline Tomlinson, Justin Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Huppert, Dr Julian Nuttall, Mr David Tredinnick, David Dunne, Mr Philip Hurd, Mr Nick O’Brien, Mr Stephen Truss, Elizabeth Ellis, Michael Jackson, Mr Stewart Offord, Mr Matthew Turner, Mr Andrew Ellison, Jane James, Margot Ollerenshaw, Eric Uppal, Paul Elphicke, Charlie Javid, Sajid Opperman, Guy Vickers, Martin Eustice, George Jenkin, Mr Bernard Ottaway, Richard Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Evans, Graham Johnson, Gareth Paice, Mr James Walker, Mr Charles Evans, Jonathan Johnson, Joseph Parish, Neil Walker, Mr Robin Fabricant, Michael Jones, Andrew Patel, Priti Wallace, Mr Ben Fallon, Michael Jones, Mr Marcus Paterson, rh Mr Owen Walter, Mr Robert Featherstone, Lynne Kawczynski, Daniel Pawsey, Mark Ward, Mr David Field, Mr Mark Kelly, Chris Penning, Mike Watkinson, Angela Foster, Mr Don Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Penrose, John Weatherley, Mike Fox,rhDrLiam Kirby, Simon Percy, Andrew Webb, Steve Francois, rh Mr Mark Knight, rh Mr Greg Phillips, Stephen Wharton, James 433 Crime and Policing8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Crime and Policing 434

Wheeler, Heather Wilson, Mr Rob Jones, Graham Raynsford, rh Mr Nick White, Chris Wollaston, Dr Sarah Jones, Mr Kevan Reed, Mr Jamie Whittaker, Craig Wright, Jeremy Jones, Susan Elan Reeves, Rachel Whittingdale, Mr John Yeo, Mr Tim Jowell, rh Tessa Reynolds, Emma Wiggin, Bill Young, rh Sir George Joyce, Eric Robertson, John Williams, Mr Mark Zahawi, Nadhim Keeley, Barbara Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Williams, Roger Tellers for the Ayes: Keen, Alan Rotheram, Steve Williams, Stephen Mr Shailesh Vara and Kendall, Liz Roy, Lindsay Williamson, Gavin Mark Hunter Khan, rh Sadiq Ruane, Chris Lammy, rh Mr David Ruddock, rh Joan Lazarowicz, Mark Seabeck, Alison NOES Leslie, Chris Sharma, Mr Virendra Abbott, Ms Diane De Piero, Gloria Lloyd, Tony Sheerman, Mr Barry Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Dobbin, Jim Love, Mr Andrew Sheridan, Jim Alexander, rh Mr Douglas Dobson, rh Frank Lucas, Caroline Shuker, Gavin Alexander, Heidi Docherty, Thomas Lucas, Ian Skinner, Mr Dennis Ali, Rushanara Doran, Mr Frank Mactaggart, Fiona Slaughter, Mr Andy Allen, Mr Graham Dowd, Jim Mahmood, Mr Khalid Smith, rh Mr Andrew Anderson, Mr David Doyle, Gemma Mann, John Smith, Angela (Penistone and Austin, Ian Dromey, Jack Marsden, Mr Gordon Stocksbridge) Bailey, Mr Adrian Dugher, Michael McCabe, Steve Smith, Nick Bain, Mr William Eagle, Ms Angela McCann, Mr Michael Smith, Owen Balls, rh Ed Eagle, Maria McCarthy, Kerry Soulsby, Sir Peter Banks, Gordon Edwards, Jonathan McClymont, Gregg Spellar, rh Mr John Barron, rh Mr Kevin Efford, Clive McDonagh, Siobhain Straw, rh Mr Jack Bayley, Hugh Engel, Natascha McFadden, rh Mr Pat Stringer, Graham Beckett, rh Margaret Esterson, Bill McGovern, Alison Stuart, Ms Gisela Begg, Miss Anne Evans, Chris McGovern, Jim Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Bell, Sir Stuart Farrelly, Paul McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Thomas, Mr Gareth Benn, rh Hilary Field, rh Mr Frank McKechin, Ann Thornberry, Emily Benton, Mr Joe Fitzpatrick, Jim McKinnell, Catherine Timms, rh Stephen Meacher, rh Mr Michael Berger, Luciana Flello, Robert Trickett, Jon Betts, Mr Clive Flint, rh Caroline Meale, Mr Alan Turner, Karl Blackman-Woods, Roberta Flynn, Paul Mearns, Ian Twigg, Derek Blears, rh Hazel Fovargue, Yvonne Michael, rh Alun Twigg, Stephen Blenkinsop, Tom Francis, Dr Hywel Miliband, rh David Umunna, Mr Chuka Blomfield, Paul Gapes, Mike Miliband, rh Edward Blunkett, rh Mr David Gardiner, Barry Miller, Andrew Vaz, rh Keith Brennan, Kevin Gilmore, Sheila Moon, Mrs Madeleine Vaz, Valerie Brown, Lyn Glass, Pat Morden, Jessica Walley, Joan Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Glindon, Mrs Mary Morrice, Graeme Watson, Mr Tom Brown, Mr Russell Godsiff, Mr Roger Morris, Grahame M. Watts, Mr Dave Bryant, Chris Goggins, rh Paul Mudie, Mr George Whitehead, Dr Alan Buck, Ms Karen Goodman, Helen Munn, Meg Wicks, rh Malcolm Burden, Richard Greatrex, Tom Murphy, rh Paul Williams, Hywel Burnham, rh Andy Green, Kate Murray, Ian Williamson, Chris Byrne, rh Mr Liam Greenwood, Lilian Nandy, Lisa Wilson, Phil Cairns, David Griffith, Nia Nash, Pamela Winnick, Mr David Campbell, Mr Alan Hamilton, Mr David O’Donnell, Fiona Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Campbell, Mr Ronnie Hamilton, Mr Fabian Onwurah, Chi Wood, Mike Caton, Martin Hanson, rh Mr David Osborne, Sandra Woodcock, John Clark, Katy Harman, rh Ms Harriet Owen, Albert Woolas, Mr Phil Paisley, Ian Clarke, rh Mr Tom Havard, Mr Dai Wright, David Coaker, Vernon Healey, rh John Pearce, Teresa Wright, Mr Iain Coffey, Ann Hendrick, Mark Perkins, Toby Connarty, Michael Hepburn, Mr Stephen Phillipson, Bridget Tellers for the Noes: Cooper, Rosie Hillier, Meg Pound, Stephen Mark Tami and Cooper, rh Yvette Hilling, Julie Qureshi, Yasmin Mr Frank Roy Corbyn, Jeremy Hodge, rh Margaret Crausby, Mr David Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Question accordingly agreed to. Creagh, Mary Hoey, Kate Creasy, Stella Hood, Mr Jim The Speaker declared the main Question, as amended, Cruddas, Jon Hopkins, Kelvin to be agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)). Cryer, John Howarth, rh Mr George Resolved, Cunningham, Alex Hunt, Tristram That this House notes the appalling fiscal deficit left by the last Cunningham, Mr Jim Illsley, Mr Eric Government and reiterates the urgent need to restore the nation Cunningham, Tony Irranca-Davies, Huw to economic health; recognises that the police will need to play Curran, Margaret Jackson, Glenda their part in reducing that deficit; and welcomes the Government’s Dakin, Nic James, Mrs Siân C. proposed policing reforms, which will deliver a more responsive David, Mr Wayne Jamieson, Cathy and efficient police service, less encumbered by bureaucracy, more Davidson, Mr Ian Johnson, rh Alan accountable to the public and, most importantly, better equipped Davies, Geraint Johnson, Diana R. to fight crime. 435 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Diabetes 436

Diabetes Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): I congratulate my right hon. Friend on choosing this subject for debate. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Will he also pay tribute to the work of the Juvenile do now adjourn.—(Jeremy Wright.) Diabetes Research Foundation for the work that it is doing to try to highlight the difficulties of young people 7.29 pm with diabetes? Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I am most grateful for the opportunity to raise in this House the very Keith Vaz: I certainly will. As the House knows, my important issue of the prevention of diabetes. I must right hon. Friend has a debate next Wednesday in which first declare my interest as a sufferer of type 2 diabetes. I he will explore the issue of young people and diabetes. I was diagnosed with this condition when I was asked by know that his own daughter is a sufferer of type 1 my local GP to open a diabetes awareness day in my diabetes. I certainly pay tribute to the work that that constituency. I attended, I was given a test, and I was organisation does. These voluntary organisations are of telephoned the next day by my GP to inform me that I great importance in raising awareness. had type 2 diabetes. It is not just diabetes itself that causes problems, it is Since 1996, the number of diabetes sufferers in the also the complications and other conditions that arise United Kingdom has risen from 1.4 million to 2.6 million, from having it. For example, diabetes is the leading and it costs the NHS £1 million an hour. I believe it is cause of blindness, amputation, renal disease and vital that we stop this epidemic. Diabetes is an incurable cardiovascular disease. Some 4,200 people in England metabolic condition that leads to high blood sugar are blind due to diabetic complications, and that number levels, which can have serious consequences for short-term increases by 1,280 a year. Some 100 people a week lose a and long-term health. The hormone insulin, which is toe, foot or lower limb due to diabetes, and cardiovascular made by the pancreas, helps glucose to leave the blood disease is a major cause of death and disability in and enter the body’s cells, where it is used for energy. people with diabetes, accounting for 44% of fatalities People with diabetes experience raised blood sugar because among people with type 1 diabetes and 52% among insulin is not being produced by the pancreas or there is people with type 2. Diabetes is also the single most insufficient insulin or insulin action for the body’s needs. common cause of end-stage renal disease. It is evident that suffering from diabetes is detrimental to a person’s As the House will know, there are two types of general health, especially when it is not managed effectively. diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In the UK, 90% of adults Diabetes currently costs the NHS 10% of its annual with diabetes have type 2, where the pancreas produces resources, and in the next 15 years the costs will continue insufficient quantities of insulin and/or the insulin has a to escalate significantly as the prevalence of diabetes reduced effect on the muscle and liver cells. Type 2 increases. The NHS cannot allow or afford the diabetes diabetes can be managed through healthy eating and explosion to continue. Diabetes and its complications regular exercise, but if the disease progresses, anti-diabetes cost the NHS about £9 billion each year, which, as I tablets, incretins or insulin injections may need to be have said, equates to £1 million an hour. About 7% of taken. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce that is attributable to the cost of prescription medicines, insulin at all as a result of the body’s defence system and a significant proportion is made up of the costs of attacking its insulin-producing cells. Treatment involves treating serious long-term complications of the condition. daily insulin injections, in conjunction with healthy eating and regular exercise. Type 1 diabetes is usually How do we avoid those costs, both human and financial? diagnosed in children or young adults. For the purpose Early identification is the key. The later the diagnosis of of this debate, I will be referring largely to type 2 diabetes, the higher the human and financial price that diabetes, which is, in my view, preventable, as opposed we have to pay. It is estimated that there are currently to type 1, which is not. 1 million people living with diabetes in the UK who are simply not aware of having the condition. A fundamental Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD): May I pay tribute problem is that type 2 diabetes is more often than not an to the right hon. Gentleman for securing this debate asymptomatic condition. It is thought that many people and for his support for the all-party group on diabetes? with type 2 diabetes may have had it for nine to 12 years Some studies have shown that preventive action can put before diagnosis. As I said, it was sheer chance that I off the diagnosis even of type 1 diabetes, so he is turned up in my doctor’s surgery that morning to be speaking for all diabetics tonight. told that I had type 2 diabetes. Raising awareness of diabetes and making testing available is therefore essential Keith Vaz: I am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman if we are to get a grip on the problem. for his intervention. I pay tribute to him for the work I could mention a number of organisations, including that he has done in this House as chair of the all-party Diabetes UK, and I pay tribute also to the Silver Star group, which has made a profound difference to Parliament’s organisation, which was established in Leicester some understanding of the issue. He is quite right—the research years ago and continues to campaign among the south does indicate that. It is important that we take on board Asian community in particular. Such organisations are the very important research that is being done in this vital because the NHS cannot do it all on its own. area, as he describes, and indeed pay tribute to the work Diagnosis does not necessarily mean that a sufferer is of other organisations such as Diabetes UK, which has getting the care and help that they need. It is thought campaigned for so many years on the issue. that approximately 40% of people in the UK with Diabetes is a ticking time bomb—a time bomb that diabetes are in poor diabetic health, which means that needs to be defused. It is estimated that by 2025 more their condition is not being effectively regulated. Of all than 4 million people will suffer with diabetes. That will the reasons why people are liable to diabetes, obesity be a shocking increase in the numbers. has been identified as having the strongest association 437 Diabetes8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Diabetes 438

[Keith Vaz] susceptible to diabetes. Sometimes, people have the condition but do not realise that they have it. I was also with type 2 diabetes. Almost two in every three people recently in Kenya, where the figures were very high in the UK are overweight or obese, and the National indeed. When I was there, I was told that you, Mr Speaker, Audit Office suggests that 47% of type 2 diabetes cases will be leading the delegation next week to the in England can be attributed to obesity. That puts an Commonwealth conference. People in Kisumu, which is extremely high number of people at risk of contracting it. my wife’s place of birth, told me that it, too, has a The most deprived people in the UK are two and a diabetes explosion. They need not so much medicines, half times more likely than average to have diabetes at but food to enable them to change their diets. As in the any given age. That is surely symptomatic of the inequalities Gulf, many of the community eat dates and, in the that exist not just in our health system but in our Asian community, sweets, especially at festival times. society. Type 2 diabetes is up to six times more common We could control diabetes if people changed their diets. in people of south Asian descent and up to three times I know that this is an Adjournment debate and that it more common among people of African and Afro- is not in prime time, but I am delighted to see so many Caribbean origin. Although we must raise awareness in right hon. and hon. Members here. If we act now, we all sections of society, it is clear that knowing which can save the health service a huge amount of money groups are at the highest risk gives us an advantage in and save lives. I hope that the Minister agrees. targeting campaigns and prevention programmes. I welcome the Minister to the Dispatch Box. Whenever 7.43 pm I have raised the issue with him, he has been extremely helpful and listened very carefully to what I have had to The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Paul say. I am sure that when he responds, he will tell us Burstow): I am grateful to the right hon. Member for about the programmes that currently exist, some of Leicester East (Keith Vaz) for taking the opportunity to which were started by the previous Government. If apply for this debate, and congratulate him on his good there is one thing that I wish to stress to him, it is the fortune in securing it. It follows on from the questions need to prevent the condition rather than treat it. With he asked at Health questions yesterday. I know that he the inevitable changes in our NHS—there will be reductions has an enduring, personal interest in pursuing this in some areas in the context of the coalition Government’s cause, and I pay tribute to his work, effort and leadership overall commitment to keep health expenditure at last in raising awareness of diabetes among the south Asian year’s levels—the more we can spend on preventive communities in his constituency. He rightly paid tribute work, the better it is in the long run. If we spent the to the work of the Silver Star organisation. £1 million an hour that we currently spend on treating Let me first address his final point, which was on his diabetes on preventing it, in the long run, some of those discussions with Ministers in the previous Administration in the Chamber tonight who are younger than me, and and the intentions to create a centre of excellence. I their children and grandchildren, will benefit greatly. need to be honest with him. I cannot give him an I shall conclude by raising one local constituency undertaking tonight other than the most important one issue. About a year ago, I had a meeting with the then that any Minister should give at the Dispatch Box, Health Secretary and the chief executive of the local which is that I will go away and properly consider the primary care trust, Mr Tim Rideout, who recently matter and come back to him as speedily as I can. If informed me that he is leaving Leicester to go to London that means a further discussion face to face, I would be to work on the commissioning programme. I thank him happy to do that as well. and the PCT staff for their work, and I am sure that I also look forward to the debate that I will have with when the Minister meets him, he will find that he is an the right hon. Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) on excellent officer of the NHS. Leicester was promised a type 1 diabetes, and I hope that we will get the opportunity state-of-the-art diabetes centre of excellence. In fact, to explore some other issues on that topic. While these when we went to see the then Health Secretary, we did are not prime-time debates, they are an opportunity to not even ask for money—it was in the budget, so very air issues that affect the lives of our constituents, so I unusually, a delegation led by an MP did not ask for am grateful to the right hon. Member for Leicester East money. We were told by the PCT that £6 million was in for raising this matter tonight. He is right to highlight the budget and that a centre of excellence would be the disturbing rises in the rates of diabetes in this created in Leicester, principally because of the high country, because it is placing a huge strain on the NHS, calibre of diabetes experts in the city, and obviously and has a profound effect on people’s long-term health, because the diaspora who live there mean that it is the with the most deprived and excluded groups often best place to conduct such research. paying the highest price. However, I understand that that money is no longer Diabetes could be described as a head-to-toe condition. available because the PCT is to be scrapped. I know that Complications—many extremely serious if poorly budgets are very tight indeed, but I hope that the managed—can affect every part of the body. I was Minister will consider whether there are any resources particularly shocked, as I prepared for the debate, to that will allow Leicester PCT to fulfil its ambition of discover that 73 lower limb amputations occur every creating a centre of excellence, not just for the people of week due to complications from diabetes. More shocking Leicester, but for the people of our country, so that we still, 80% of those amputations could have been prevented, can be a leading part of diabetes prevention in Europe some by lifestyle changes and others by changes in the and the rest of the world. approach of the NHS. Every preventable amputation is I ask people in every country that I visit about their an appalling human tragedy, and something we need to diabetes figures. I was recently told in the Gulf that improve on, which is why I am so pleased that we are 20% of the population of Dubai have diabetes or are discussing these issues tonight. 439 Diabetes8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Diabetes 440

There was plenty in the right hon. Gentleman’s speech cardiovascular diseases. We are also committed to working that I supported and much common ground between with industry on a new public health responsibility deal us. I wholeheartedly agree that we must do more to to ensure that business takes action together with others prevent diabetes across all age groups and all social to support the nation’s health. backgrounds. The Government’s approach therefore has On early intervention and diagnosis, the right hon. three levels. The first is the population level, and in Gentleman is right to emphasise the importance of diabetes, this is about improving general health across identifying pre-diabetes. There are two developments the population at large, recognising—as the right hon. that relate to the role of GPs. First, the National Gentleman rightly said—that diet and lifestyle are key Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is developing risk factors in diabetes. Then come targeted interventions guidance on preventing adult pre-diabetes in the first for people at risk, which recognise that we can reduce place. This will be published next year and will inform and even reverse the worst effects of diabetes if we and support local public health strategies and others, as intervene early enough. Finally, there is the long-term I have already described. Secondly, NICE is also preparing management of established disease, and people with guidance on preventing pre-diabetes from progressing diabetes and clinicians must work together to delay, to type 2 diabetes. That will be a valuable tool in our reduce or prevent complications. We need to get all fight against diabetes, and will help GPs and other three aspects right in order to secure the better results in health professionals to advise and support people at diabetes care that all hon. Members would wish to see. risk, hopefully to stop the disease in its tracks. On the population level, rises in diabetes are closely The right hon. Gentleman is right that earlier intervention linked to lifestyle and behaviour, which makes this a and better diagnosis is crucial. NHS Health Check, considerable public health challenge. Much of this is which was introduced by the last Government, can about individuals taking responsibility for their own prevent more than 4,000 people a year from developing health—for example, choosing not to have some of the diabetes, and could detect 20,000 cases earlier, so it can sweets that the right hon. Gentleman mentioned—by be, and should be, a very powerful means of detecting changing what they eat, drink and how much exercise and supporting people at risk. they take. We are clear that the Government and the NHS, while they have their parts to play, cannot and should not do everything. But what we can do is educate Mr George Howarth: Before the Minister moves on to people about the risks, and give them the information to the wider issues, I want to make a point about GPs and lead healthier lives and understand and change the how they can be helped, which he was talking about. influences that govern their behaviour. One of the difficulties is that often GPs are ill equipped I can confirm that the Change4Life programme will to diagnose diabetes in the first place, and there is an continue to be a focal point, as it has been successful in argument for them to be given a series of protocols on putting the issue on people’s radar. The Change4Life how they should deal with certain symptoms. That brand will continue, but we will need to change it, as it would lead them towards a proper diagnosis, so I hope can no longer be about glossy, national advertising that he will consider something along those lines. campaigns directed from the centre. We need Change4Life to become less an old-style, centrally directed campaign, Mr Burstow: I will both consider it and hopefully and more a genuinely social movement, owned collectively have the opportunity to come back in next week’s by communities, families, voluntary organisations and debate and say a little more about it. industry, and driven locally. Hand in hand with this, we need a much more targeted and community-led approach to health improvement as a whole. In the White Paper, Mr Sanders: The right hon. Member for Knowsley we said that local councils will be given a central leadership (Mr Howarth) makes a very important point. There is role on public health, and we would expect local authorities also the role of pharmacists, who need to be aware of to work with the NHS and other services to develop the the symptoms that people might describe to them. appropriate strategies and approaches. There are also the opticians and chiropodists. Any number of health professional could be involved in a Keith Vaz: Some of the key people in this are GPs. I preventive campaign. welcome everything that the Minister has said so far, but we need to get guidance out to GPs to tell them that Mr Burstow: My hon. Friend is right, and I certainly they need to be proactive, as my GP Dr Farouki was. pay tribute to him for his work as chair of the all-party When they have a patient who matches the criteria and group on diabetes. He has been a powerful advocate on is therefore at risk, they should perform the test, which these issues for many years. I applaud what he has done, takes only five minutes. Such guidance could be very and he is right—pharmacists and other health care effective. professionals are part of what we need to do in order better to equip the whole service for detecting and Mr Burstow: I am grateful for that point. I will say a intervening. little about guidelines in a moment, because good news I was told that the right hon. Member for Leicester is on the way in that regard. East was going to ask about extending the age range. I was talking about the public health role of local That is an important point that needs to be discussed. authorities that we are developing. It will be supported At the moment, NHS Health Check starts at 40 and by a dedicated ring-fenced budget and the implementation calls people every five years. The best clinical and most of a new health premium, which will allow local areas cost-effective case was made for doing it at that age. to target reductions in health inequalities, including However, there is nothing to prevent primary care trusts inequalities associated with diabetes and other from commissioning services that widen the age range. 441 Diabetes8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Diabetes 442

[Mr Burstow] on in-patient management are already helping hospitals to discharge patients sooner and give them a better They should be considering that, particularly in areas experience of care. However, there is more to do on with more susceptible populations, and clearly Leicester that—as well as in other services, such as foot care and is one of those cases. eye services—to ensure that problems are dealt with early on, and certainly long before amputations become Keith Vaz: Last year, I wrote to the chief executive of necessary. every PCT asking how much they spent on preventing Meanwhile, in primary care the relationship with diabetes and on health checks such as the ones the GPs is crucial, as the right hon. Gentleman rightly said. Minister described. Some thought it was a freedom of We need them to be alert to the signs of pre-diabetes in information request and became very defensive. Will routine consultations and to play a key role in the the Minister go back and get this information from his ongoing management of existing conditions. How we Department and place it in the Library of the House? incentivise GPs to do so is a key issue. Clearly the qualities and outcomes framework is one avenue that Mr Burstow: I will look into that. My view is that we could be explored, but it is for the National Institute for need far more transparency when it comes to such Health and Clinical Excellence to determine what QOF issues, so that people can make comparisons of the indicators are ultimately introduced. My hon. Friend performance of their local organisations and hold them referred to pharmacists. I certainly agree that they to account over how they spend taxpayers’ money on provide another channel for reaching those at risk, these services. which is precisely why they are one of the ways in which I want to move on to long-term management. Once health checks can be used in various settings. diagnosed, people need personalised support to manage In conclusion, the right hon. Gentleman spoke about what is a highly complex and changeable condition. A his experiences in Leicester and the important lessons person with diabetes must know how to spot and report that he has drawn. He is right to point to the financial changes in their health, and how to get the right services climate, which is undoubtedly a constraint on what any to prevent more serious problems. That issue was raised Government can do. However, it is also correct to say by my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Mr Sanders) that this is not just about beds and buildings; it is in Health questions yesterday. He was right to do so, actually about services and where they matter most in because it is important to ensure that we have good care identifying diabetes early and then providing the appropriate planning, embodying the principle of “No decision care. The issue is fundamentally about outlooks, attitudes about me, without me”, which is vital in starting to and priorities in the NHS and beyond. The principles transform the relationship between GPs and patients. that we have set out in the White Paper—pushing power Indeed, the diabetes year of care programme, led by downwards, paying for quality and strengthening the Diabetes UK and the NHS, is already looking at how voice of patients—will bring fresh impetus to improving we can improve care plans for diabetes. Education goes outcomes for diabetes. hand in hand with that. I know that many NHS It is clear that this issue is not just for the NHS, but organisations offer patient-structured education for all of us—for the society in which we live. We need programmes, specialist diabetes advice, care planning to strengthen preventive action on diabetes. Let me discussions and annual checks. We need more of that: it conclude by saying that I share the right hon. Gentleman’s needs to be consistently applied and we need to ensure commitment and passion. I look forward to maintaining that good practice becomes the norm. a close dialogue with him, and with my hon. Friend and On treatment, it is no surprise to learn that the best the all-party group on diabetes, and to participating in results are achieved when there is a fully integrated, next week’s debate on type 1 diabetes. multidisciplinary team working across primary and Question put and agreed to. secondary care, which picks up on my hon. Friend’s point. Programmes such as the excellent “Think glucose” 7.57 pm campaign and the guidance produced by NHS Diabetes House adjourned. 73WH 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 74WH

governance is that, at most levels of the game, those Westminster Hall who pay for it are excluded from the decision-making structures in clubs, leagues and governing bodies. This Wednesday 8 September 2010 debate would be an entirely academic exercise if football fans were satisfied with that state of affairs and if there was no appetite for change. However, the evidence [JOHN ROBERTSON in the Chair] suggests otherwise. A YouGov poll conducted in April this year reportedly found that 56% of fans wished to Football Clubs (Governance) take control of their clubs. In Manchester and Liverpool, where fans are outraged at the way in which their clubs Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting are being exploited by wealthy foreign businessmen, the be now adjourned.—(Stephen Crabb.) figure rose steeply to 82% and 72% respectively. 9.30 am We might expect such findings in relation to supporters themselves, but there is a broad in-principle consensus Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): I am delighted among politicians, sport analysts, football governing to have been granted the opportunity to debate this bodies and clubs that fans have a role to play. In 2003, issue. I am equally delighted to have been joined by the then chairman of the Football Association, Lord Members from both sides of the House; their presence Triesman, said that clubs should be owned by people confirms the interest in and importance of the subject who embrace the history and values of football and at the highest level. I also welcome the many people in who want to see their clubs succeed. In 2008, the then the Public Gallery. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my I am aware that a debate on this subject in this very right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), Chamber was initiated in February by my hon. Friend urged Liverpool supporters to take back the club from the Member for Manchester Central (Tony Lloyd). within. In 2009, UEFA president Michel Platini told a That debate touched on many of the ills currently newspaper: afflicting our national game. I am keen to establish from “I think it is a great idea…that the supporters invest in a club the outset that I do not seek to open up a brand new because they at the end of the day defend the club’s identity”. wide-ranging debate today; I simply want to continue a Parties across the board profess to be supportive. What dialogue that has already begun and to highlight an is more, the concept of support and engagement is idea that has already gained considerable traction. I neither new nor—at least in theory—controversial. should add that I am aware of the excellent work A range of ownership and governance models exist, carried out by the all-party group on football, and I from token support and representation on club boards acknowledge its commitment and expertise. I am pleased to outright ownership. In the United Kingdom, football to see members of that group here today and I look supporters’ trusts have been established at more than forward to their contribution to the debate. 160 clubs, and 15 clubs are owned or controlled by such It is important to acknowledge the progress made on trusts. More than 110 trusts have shareholdings in their football governance by the previous Government— clubs, and almost 60 trusts have directors sitting on the particularly that made by senior members of the club boards. Progress has clearly been made, largely due Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Thanks to to the effort and commitment at grass-roots level, and their efforts, much of the ground work has been done. I that is to be commended. hope that colleagues will welcome my humble attempt to build on that foundation. Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab): I am I do not propose to discuss football governance per se most grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. I have or any other of the plethora of football-related topics. to declare an interest; I am a season-ticket holder at Instead, I intend to address one specific aspect: the role Port Vale football club. Does my hon. Friend agree that of supporters in the governance of football clubs. Today’s the way in which the fans of Port Vale bought out their debate feeds into the wider debate on the reform of club when it was in administration also suggests a way football governance. In my view, a broad package of forward? The dilemma and the main cause of tension is reform should include changes at every level of the that football clubs depend on investment. The degree of football hierarchy—but that is a debate for another day. investment now needed because of the unlevel playing I declare an interest at this juncture. Not only am I a field brought about by the premiership gives the impression self-confessed football fanatic, but my constituency happens that people can simply come in with that money, but it to play host to two renowned football clubs—Everton, is not necessarily available at the local level. which I have to mention first, and Liverpool FC. I also declare an interest as a season ticket holder for the red John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. Will Members half of that duo. I hasten to add that that is not the sole please keep interventions short? reason for my being keen to secure this debate—not entirely, at least. Indeed, Northampton Town Supporters Steve Rotheram: I imagine that my hon. Friend the Trust, the country’s longest established supporters collective, Member for Stoke-on-Trent North (Joan Walley) and says that this subject has an inescapably political dimension. Robbie Williams are both Port Vale supporters. She is I shall elaborate on what I mean by “politics” a little probably right that the premiership is top-heavy, given later. its revenue. I start with the basics. In 2009, the all-party group on I return to the question of football governance. The football found that those who are most under-represented problem, as I said earlier, is that it is patchy and sluggish, in football are those who should have the most say—the and is largely the preserve of lower division clubs and fans. One of the biggest problems connected with football non-professional governing authorities. They might be 75WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 76WH

[Steve Rotheram] John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. Can we keep the interventions as short as possible? Many hon. Members proactive and continue to reform their own governing want to take part in the debate, so please keep the structure, but it happens at a snail’s pace; the premier questions short. league, however, remains a law unto itself, with little apparent interest in seriously engaging with the very fan Steve Rotheram: Just to build on what I said, the base that sustains it. It is no coincidence that supporters proposal is very doable. A recent example of democracy of nearly 70% of clubs in the top five divisions of in action has been demonstrated by Arsenal Supporters English football and the top four divisions in Scotland Trust, which invited fans to invest in a new “fanshare” have established supporters’ trusts. However, a 2009 scheme. For as little as £10 a month, Arsenal FC report indicated that only 19 of the 92 football league supporters can now contribute to a pool, which, in time, and premier league clubs have supporters’ representatives will be used to buy a stake in the premier league club. on their boards, which suggests that the supporters’ That will entitle shareholders to vote on club policy, movement is thriving but that the clubs do not take receive financial and corporate information and attend them seriously. the annual general meeting. The club is fully behind the scheme. The chief executive described the enhanced The mood is changing, however, and momentum is supporter-club relationships as growing. Premier league supporters are not prepared to “good for the club’s soul.” do things by halves. They are pushing for outright control. Supporters of Manchester United and Liverpool The four major shareholders all fully endorse the scheme. FC, both iconic premiership clubs, have taken collective Arsenal FC is one of the more enlightened premiership action and set their sights on more than token representation clubs, but the success of its trust demonstrates that on their boards; the Manchester United Supporters supporters are quite capable of forming intelligent, Trust and its equivalent on Merseyside, SOS- committed and influential collectives. ShareLiverpoolFC, advocate a long-term vision of outright Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): I congratulate club ownership. my hon. Friend on his choice of subject for today’s debate. Does he accept that the incremental nature of Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): I congratulate the Arsenal model is one way of getting over the difficulties my hon. Friend on obtaining what is probably the most of the vast sums of money involved in fans’ taking over popular debate ever in Westminster Hall. He is clearly at any given club, particularly in premiership land? making history here today. Steve Rotheram: I totally agree with my right hon. As my hon. Friend knows, in 2005 the Glazers took Friend; there is not a one-size-fits-all response to this over Manchester United. The club is now £700 million problem. First, we must identify that there is a problem, in debt, with £69 million a year being paid in interest—and to see what we as Members of Parliament can do to that money comes from the fans through tickets and alleviate it. Football supporters are shouting from the merchandise. It is an appalling situation. Does my hon. rooftops about it. Friend support a more rigorous “fit and proper person” In my own neck of the woods, the pressure group test in respect of takeovers of football clubs? In Germany, Keeping Everton in our City achieved its objectives by every club has to be 51% owned by the supporters. Does stopping its club from being used as a pawn by big he support a similar provision for clubs in this country? business. The aforementioned SOS-ShareLiverpoolFC Such a scheme would make a real difference. has more than 30,000 members and a board packed full of expert professionals with a detailed proposal for Steve Rotheram: Absolutely. As for the “fit and proper funding and securing a buy-out of its club and for person” test, it was one of the recommendations in the governance restructuring along more democratic lines. 2009 report, and it needs to be acted on. I will come Supporters are thinking and talking big. later to my right hon. Friend’s point about the German model, in which supporters have a 51% stake, and to the Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): On the models in Spain. It is interesting that a YouGov poll specific point about governance from the fans, does the survey earlier this year found that supporters would be hon. Gentleman know—perhaps the right hon. Member prepared to invest on average £600 each to buy their for Leigh (Andy Burnham) can help as well—what the football clubs. If we do the maths, the prospect of fans who may be running a club would think, say, of the supporters seizing control is not quite as far-fetched as commercial viability of a ground share between Liverpool it may initially seem. and Everton? Would that be an example of fans’ passions overriding the business case?

Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The amount of Steve Rotheram: Give us an easy one! The tribal money that my hon. Friend mentions demonstrates the nature of football, which I will come to later if I have extent to which such a suggestion is out of reach for the opportunity, can sometimes override the common-sense many people. At one time, football was very much the approach. The example that the hon. Gentleman gives working man’s game, but it has become an increasingly is a good one. Although the economics stack up in expensive pastime. If one has to have £600 to own a favour of Liverpool and Everton sharing a football stake in a club, the prospect will be out of reach for a ground, there are not many examples in the whole of large percentage of our society. The example of the the United Kingdom of such ground-sharing schemes. Glazers, who bought the club with the club’s own It is like suggesting to a Man United supporter that money and then put it into debt, shows how the game they share Manchester City’s stadium. If that is what has been stolen away from the supporters and become the hon. Gentleman is suggesting, it would be a difficult merely an interest to big business. proposal to sell on the doorstep. 77WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 78WH

There are those who would say, “Leave them to it. This is a timely debate, because the calls for greater Keep politics out of football and football out of politics.” supporter involvement chime with the coalition The UK Government have traditionally veered away Government’s much-vaunted big society idea. It is altruism from being heavy-handed in football business, leaving that drives supporter activism. Supporters’ trusts are the sport to its own internal devices and regulatory systems. run by people who give their time, money, effort and However, the game itself is now a huge, complex and skills for the love of the game. Their overriding motive lucrative industry, which, by definition, impacts on the is to see their clubs prosper, on and off the pitch. economy. Premier league clubs alone are saddled with an If the big society is all about citizens engaging proactively estimated cumulative debt of about £3 billion. We ignore with activities and institutions that impact on their lives that and the culture that has permitted it at our peril. and the shared life of their communities—although, Another major money-yielding industry that, until frankly, it all depends on which Minister is trying to recently, was deemed untouchable and was pretty much define it—football governance reforms provide an ideal left to get on with things on its own, went belly up. On opportunity for the Government to push for improved that basis alone, there is a strong case for the Government supporter representation and involvement. to intervene. I will go even further and say that the The social benefits of supporter involvement are Government not only have a right but a responsibility already in evidence. A report recently commissioned by to get involved. Football has received much financial and Supporters Direct entitled “The Social and Community political support from Government over the past decade Value of Football” examined this issue in full and or so, and, at a national level, with Government support, detailed the specific advantages of supporter ownership, it is bidding to host the World cup. Therefore, in return, including the Government have a right to expect the highest standards of governance and a duty to step in when the game falls “a greater sense of engagement and inclusion with fans and wider short of those standards, which it currently does. stakeholders; better integration with the community; more open and responsible governance; good relationships with local authorities, However, the case is more nuanced than that; for many, and partnerships with voluntary organisations.” it is personal. The football industry is unique because So there is really no excuse not to take this idea on football is a product like no other. Supporters in general board. are not simply consumers who can exercise purchase power and walk away from the product if they are The Conservative party made the right noises in its unhappy with its quality or performance. Football fans election manifesto, pledging that invest emotionally as well as financially in their clubs. “we will reform the football governance arrangements so co-operative Club allegiances, as we have just identified, are deep-rooted ownership models can be established by supporters”. and passionate and are often passed down from generation I note with a little concern that the coalition Government to generation. They are inextricably bound with community made a rather more non-committal promise to “encourage” ties and identities. In that respect, football, like politics, reform in its coalition agreement in May. I may be is tribal. It commands loyalty and constancy and requires splitting semantic hairs here, but I sincerely hope that member engagement if it is to thrive. The industry itself that did not signal a downgrading of the commitment. should recognise and respect that. My own party has a proven track record on football The issue is political in other ways. It is said that the governance reform. It was the Labour Government new politics is about transparency and accountability, who introduced the umbrella organisation for fans, and about more rigorous and meaningful forms of Supporters Direct, in 1999. It also commissioned the democracy. It is precisely those democratic principles— Burns inquiry into football governance in 2005, and transparency and accountability—that football followers tackled the Football Association and other football wish to see enshrined in the conduct of their clubs. It is governing authorities in 2009 over their failure both to entirely in keeping with the spirit of the age that football work together and to implement reforms. The new fans should seek greater influence in how their clubs are Government have talked the talk on the big society and run, particularly when they see the clubs being run into the role of football supporters in the governance of the ground by profit-fixated asset strippers with little or football clubs. The challenge now—I throw down the no understanding or empathy with a club’s heritage or gauntlet for the Minister—is to walk the walk. culture. I should say a word about supporters’ trusts, as they Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I congratulate are crucial to the success of this kind of democracy in my fellow Liverpool supporter on securing this debate. action. They are formal, democratic and not-for-profit However, I do not agree that Governments should fans organisations and they aim to extend supporter intervene in this matter. The whole issue has arisen, ownership, representation and influence at their respective particularly for the supporters, because of the financial clubs. Sadly, if unsurprisingly, they have commonly engineering that has been going on. Does the hon. been founded in response to financial or mismanagement Gentleman not agree that instead of trying to regulate crises at a club; crises that have compelled supporters to in a particular way, we should use tax incentives to take matters into their own hands. encourage mutuals, such as the Arsenal share scheme? Instead of debt-financed football clubs, which rely on On a far more positive note, supporters’ trusts are tax incentives, we should have a different approach that generally voluntary, they operate effectively on minimal encourages supporters’ ownership of the clubs. funding and members are motivated purely by their passion for the game. In that respect, they are true Steve Rotheram: I think that if that recommendation grass-roots movements and their successes prove that emerged from this debate and was supported by Members fan ownership, control or representation can work. in the hon. Lady’s party, that would be a fantastic Many of them are run along the lines of the extremely outcome. Hopefully, during the rest of the debate, we professional Northampton Town Supporters Trust, which can tease out some further recommendations. was established in 1992. At that time, it was the first 79WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 80WH

[Steve Rotheram] As I was saying, it is a case of “horses for courses” and it would be naive to suggest that we should simply collective of its kind. It enjoys a shareholding in the adopt the Barcelona model or anything else off the second division club, as well as representation on the rack. Clubs such as Barcelona are long-established products board of directors. of their respective cultures, politics and histories, and there is little evidence that their ownership models John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): would prove suitable, or even desirable, here in the UK. In Barrow, many people share their love of Barrow It would be equally naive to suggest that supporter AFC with support for other successful clubs; I would ownership or control of major clubs in the UK would say that those clubs are Liverpool, Manchester United prove to be some kind of panacea. Teams will always and Sheffield Wednesday. Will my hon. Friend join me have lousy seasons, as my team did last year. There will in paying tribute to the supporters right across the always be controversy surrounding management decisions, country—who would imagine that there are Manchester many clubs will intermittently struggle financially and United fans right across the country?—who have lobbied there have been failed, or at least unworkable, experiments Members of Parliament to get involved in this debate? I in supporter ownership before now. find their energy extraordinary and it is a real sign that A useful lesson that might be drawn from those this can be a successful venture for football organisations. experiences, and from the European models that I cited earlier, is that mutuality alone is not enough. Mutuality Steve Rotheram: I absolutely join my hon. Friend in must be coupled with effective business practice and paying tribute to those supporters. I think that we regulation. Supporters fully appreciate that. Manchester ignore football fans at our peril. It is not just about United Supporters Trust has declared that Manchester United or Liverpool, or the other big clubs. “we have neither the desire nor the intention to run the day-to-day Bees United acquired a 60% stake in Brentford football affairs of the club. A club like United should be run by professionals club in 2006, which made Brentford, who are in league whose experience and expertise will ensure its success.” one, one of only two Football League clubs to be Such a sentiment should allay the fears of those who majority-owned by their supporters. My hon. Friend view supporters as little more than a bunch of amateurs mentioned Sheffield Wednesday; I think that it was who wish to take over the show, or lunatics taking over Brentford who enjoyed a resounding victory over Sheffield the asylum. Supporters are not stupid—they want and Wednesday at the weekend. recognise what is best for their club. The point is not to As I have said, no discussion on this subject would be establish some type of cure-all for the systemic problems complete without reference to the Spanish and German in the game’s governance but to seek ways to make that models of club ownership, which I suspect are feared governance fairer, more robust and more fitting for a and grudgingly admired in equal measure by the corporate global sport in the 21st century. football world in the UK. Both Spain and Germany boast thriving, long-established equivalents to our premier Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): I league. Clubs in those two leagues exist in a culture of congratulate the hon. Gentleman on the timeliness of mutual or co-operative club ownership. In both leagues, this debate. Does he not agree that an essential element it is a matter of civic pride that top-flight football clubs in coming to grips with the problem of the modern-day should be controlled or owned by their supporters. game is that however difficult it is, we must grasp the Spain’s FC Barcelona, which is the “big daddy” in this nettle of the obscenity of the six-figure-sum-per-week respect, is routinely held up as a utopian ideal of football footballer, which is totally unsustainable and is corrupting club governance and is structured as a co-operative the game from within? society owned by some 170,000 members, with a democratically elected president—and Barcelona do not Steve Rotheram: It is a difficult issue. I am a supporter do so badly, generally. It is a case of “horses for courses”. of one of the supposedly big four—Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool—and that is how we The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh and some other clubs attract the big footballers. Robertson): I have been listening carefully to the hon. Implementing that idea would be like turkeys voting for Gentleman. However, it is only fair to say that Spain Christmas, but I understand the rationale behind the has an entirely different model for distributing television obscenity of somebody earning such huge sums when revenues from Britain. Spanish clubs negotiate TV rights the people paying his wages are on a fraction of what he individually and they go directly to Barcelona and Real earns a year. Madrid, so the majority of TV rights and therefore the I have described the “Why?”, so the next question is majority of TV money goes directly to those two big “How?”. What can we as politicians do to assist? The clubs, and the smaller clubs underneath them, which social value report that I mentioned concluded with constitute the larger Spanish football family, suffer several recommendations on how national Government accordingly.By contrast, here there is collective negotiation can do their bit. Time constraints prevent me from for those TV rights, putting British clubs on a very listing them, but they are excellent ideas worthy of different financial basis. serious exploration, and I urge interested colleagues to Steve Rotheram: I hear what the Minister is saying. I take a look at the document. myself do not think that the Barcelona model or any Having made a fundamental commitment to encouraging other model is a panacea. I am not suggesting that, all reform, the coalition Government have not yet revealed of a sudden, the fans of every single football club will how they intend to proceed, but the previous Labour go out and seize control of their clubs in a revolution, Government published a raft of proposals before the but regarding the way in which clubs such as Barcelona 2010 election. They include making Government support— are structured, the argument cannot be made that those especially financial support—conditional on co-operation, structures make them less likely to be successful. creating the right framework for better regulation from 81WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 82WH the top down and grassroots up, and working with with the behemoths of the game. We need to go further governing bodies to enshrine supporters’ rights to buy and faster. Given all that, and in the absence of any their clubs and/or be represented in the ownership and overarching, fully independent body to propel matters governance of the club. forward, I urge the all-party group on football to undertake a fresh and specific inquiry into the subject of this Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): One thing that debate, with the aim of developing a spectrum of practical people have mentioned to me is their concern about solutions and models allowing for a range of supporter admission fees. A well-heeled Chelsea supporter can involvement options. attend matches on a regular basis; an Arsenal supporter I have spoken at length, because I have taken many does not have to be as rich, because Arsenal’s system interventions. I thank everyone for their patience, but I allows admission; a Bradford supporter can probably ask to be indulged for a minute or so longer. As we have go to every match. A Leicester City supporter like me heard in Members’ passionate interventions, football is unfortunately cannot attend due to distance. In the not just our national sport and a source of national governance Act that the hon. Gentleman proposes, will pride—even for the Scottish Members here today, who supporters’ clubs have input into admission fees? will remember that 97th-minute winner. At one end, football is a multi-billion-pound industry; at the other, Steve Rotheram: The dichotomy is that in some of the it is a local business offering local employment opportunities. foreign models where football supporters are represented It cuts across age, class and geographical boundaries, on boards, match ticket prices are much lower than in and is one of the few unifying activities in our society. the premier league. Anyone who goes to Europe—as we Every one of us here today, irrespective of the demographic will do this year, although on a much lesser basis than in profile of their constituency, represents significant numbers previous seasons—will find out when they buy tickets of football supporters. that European games are always much cheaper than their equivalents in the premier league. One does not For some time now, the beautiful game at its highest always go with the other. Football supporter representation level has stood in danger of being blighted by controversy, at least gives that concern a voice. debt, bitterness and poor performance, because it is It is more easily said than done. In the current political structurally and organisationally out of kilter with modern and economic climate, many difficulties and setbacks lie Britain and the expectations and aspirations of our ahead. Any lack of will or any outright resistance by 21st-century democracy. Many football fans feel the parties involved—the Government, the governing disillusioned and disenfranchised by this great British authorities and the premiership clubs—will make the institution. Let us put that right by doing all that we can task more challenging. In its 2009 report, the all-party as enlightened and socially responsible politicians to parliamentary group on football recommended a help return football to the very people in our heartlands straightforward, one-size-fits-all solution: an elected who made it so great. supporters’ representative drawn from the relevant Several hon. Members rose— supporters’ trust should sit on the board of all 92 football league and premier league clubs. The group also suggested John Robertson (in the Chair): Before we proceed any that a requirement to involve supporters should be a further, I should say that a number of people have prerequisite for future takeovers—that is interesting to indicated that they wish to speak. If colleagues are as a few of us here—and that the football regulatory brief as possible, we will get more people in. authority can evaluate that as part of the reformed “fit and proper person” test. 10.7 am Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): I am a Mr Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) Portsmouth fan, so I welcome the momentum behind (Con): I congratulate the hon. Member for Liverpool, football reform, but I would like to introduce a note of Walton (Steve Rotheram) on enticing a bigger attendance caution. I support fan ownership, but we might be than even the antics of the Independent Parliamentary asking fans who are already paying clubs large amounts Standards Authority. That is greatly to be congratulated. of their disposable income to have a stake in those clubs I suspect that I speak for virtually everyone here when I that is not genuinely meaningful. A Portsmouth fan say that I share the sentiments in his final peroration might want a veto on a new owner or the sell-off of about his passion for the game. I am also a keen and land. I welcome what the hon. Gentleman says about lifelong football fan, having followed the fortunes of focusing on governance structures, and I hope that we Bury. I am glad to see that my hon. Friend the Member do not miss some quick wins on that front by focusing for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) is here; he will point out, solely on ownership. as I suspect will many hon. Members, that it is the only Steve Rotheram: What happened to Portsmouth is an Greater Manchester football club to be located in a absolute disgrace. Football supporters on the relevant Conservative constituency, although we will hopefully boards might at least have been able to inform other work on that in time. Portsmouth supporters what was going on. Apparently, I have been the vice-chairman of the all-party group one owner did not even know that he was no longer the on football, and I played a role in the debates and owner after the club was sold. That is an absolute reports of 2003 and 2009, to which the hon. Member disgrace to football governance, which is why something for Liverpool, Walton referred, on the governance and needs to happen and the Government need to take finance of the game. We have long argued that football some control. as a whole is far too loosely regulated. The football regulatory authority is a good starting English football has undergone a dramatic point, but it makes no provision for supporters seeking transformation in the 18 years since the creation of the outright control or ownership or those locking horns premiership, as the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent 83WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 84WH

[Mr Mark Field] I would like to mention a couple of things that are happening outside the premiership, because much of North (Joan Walley)—perhaps I should say the hon. the debate has inevitably focused on the big four—or at Member for Burslem and Stoke—pointed out in her least the big 20—within the premiership. The attendance intervention. There is now an unprecedented and in of Football League games last year exceeded 17 million, many ways unbridgeable gulf between the top clubs and and the league clubs’ community teams worked locally the rest, partly as a result of lax governance and the with more than 1.5 million people. I have had a chance absence of effective regulation. The fact is that English to see one or two of those projects over the years and, football is a multi-billion pound global branding industry, most recently, I have watched what has been happening with a hugely complex domestic structure and turf wars with Crystal Palace. That club has been in great financial between the Football Association, the Football League difficulties, but it has done a tremendous amount of and the premier league. As the hon. Member for Liverpool, work with its academy and has ensured that educational Walton pointed out, frankly, such a situation works standards have remained tremendously high for young only to the interest of the very largest premier league players, some of whom are breaking into the first team clubs. already. Such clubs are very much at the heart of their The new coalition Government have sought to introduce communities, and I think that many hon. Members in more co-operative types of club ownership, for example, this Chamber who are here to represent football clubs by the fans. However, in reality, that will be virtually will share the community values referred to by the hon. impossible to impose without ripping up company law Member for Liverpool, Walton. and effectively nationalising privately owned businesses. The reality is that there are quite effective cost controls in league two—the fourth tier of the English professional game—because clubs cannot spend more than 60% of Alec Shelbrooke: Will my hon. Friend give way? their turnover on players’ wages. That measure has been extremely effective and I hope that it is rolled out to Mr Field: If my hon. Friend will excuse me, I will not. other parts of our professional game. There is no doubt I know others want to contribute, so I shall speak for that the championship—the second tier of football—is only a few moments. massively financially overstretched because of the huge Those people who push a somewhat idealistic view incentive of going into the premiership. Parachute payments are a little misguided. In citing both Barcelona and Real have been extended from two to four years for clubs that Madrid as model clubs, the Minister made the important come out of it—in other words, provided that a club point that the massive advantage those two Spanish spends one year in every five in the premiership, the clubs have over any of their potential competitors in road seems to be paved with gold. However, all sorts of their home country is that they can sell their television problems arise as a result of that. rights in that market individually rather than collectively, We need to make it absolutely clear—I hope the as happens with the premiership. Before the world is too Minister will do so—that it is important to pay immediate much older, I fear that there may be a big push to do attention to proper cost controls within our national something similar in this country—if not from the big game. If we can find a way forward in that regard, it will four then from a big seven or eight that might emerge. allow our clubs to focus on what they do best in their That should be resisted at all costs. communities. We need to ensure that they have proper I should also point out that the role of the president community facilities and are engaged in youth development of a club such as Barcelona is similar to that of an at academy level and within their local vicinity. The owner in the UK—one must not get confused by the funds required for that crucial work, which is very much terminology. In Spain, a club that narrowly came fifth part of the big society, can only be obtained through in its league, Real Mallorca, has been disbarred from having proper cost controls within our game. There is a European competition this year because of the magnitude vicious cycle that must be broken at the earliest opportunity. of its debts. That is obviously a debate that will particularly affect Liverpool and Manchester United in their current Several hon. Members rose— state. Some clubs do flourish under co-operative ownership; John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. It is my intention for example, Exeter City briefly dropped out of the to call the Front Benchers at 10.45 am. I call Barbara league and have come back much stronger. However, Keeley. co-operative ownership has also led to some big problems. Stockport County is a good example of a club that has 10.14 am ended up in administration. It has only just come out of administration after a damaging period in its history, Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): It which occurred after following that particular model. is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Forcing a single one-size-fits-all ownership model on all Mr Robertson. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member clubs is wrong. I am sure that some clubs would gain for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) on securing the from co-operative ownership models, but others could debate; he spoke very well. I am not speaking as a potentially fail. One ownership model will not necessarily football fan, but am here to represent fans. I have fit the demands of every single football club. The reality received more than 50 notes from constituents who are is that vast majority of clubs are in one form or another supporters of Manchester United. I am sure many hon. owned by fans. Sometimes that might involve individuals— Members in this Chamber have also received such men and women—pumping millions of pounds into correspondence—those from Salford and further afield. their team. They might get very little credit or support from the supporters of a club for doing so. Steve Rotheram: Much further afield. 85WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 86WH

Barbara Keeley: And those from much further afield. There is plenty of legislation on football, but it is The constituents who have contacted me are also members directed at the fans—for example, on all-seater stadiums, of the Manchester United Supporters Trust. They have football banning orders and controls on drinking in become disillusioned with how their club is being run sight of the pitch. What about some legislation to and are concerned about the state of the national game. constrain what goes on in the boardroom? Legal models They think that football must start to be regulated from elsewhere could be adapted to work in England properly and have its governance reformed. and Wales. We have heard about examples from Germany, but there are also examples in France, the United States Many Manchester United supporters in my constituency and Canada. Spain already has a national sports law are greatly concerned that their club is now the most that establishes a statutory national sports council and heavily indebted club in the world, after a hostile and a special company status of sporting limited company. highly leveraged takeover by the Glazer family in 2005. That law is not perfect—I understand that the Spanish My right hon. Friend the Member for Salford and Parliament is considering reforming it—but it does give Eccles (Hazel Blears) touched on the debt situation of a clear legal context for professional and amateur sport that club. Prior to the takeover, the club had no debt at and recognises the unique characteristics of professional all. It now services debts in excess of £750 million. sports clubs. Will the Minister say whether he has Although the club is still reporting a healthy operating considered or intends to consider other models of profit, the money is not necessarily going into improving governance for professional sports clubs? the club; it is being spent just on servicing the debt. The 2009 report by the all-party group on football points Hugh Robertson: Does the hon. Lady want me to out that supporters paying off the debt in such situations respond now? do not even have a tangible influence over the direction of the club. As with Portsmouth’s situation, the longer-term Barbara Keeley: The Minister can do so when he future of the club is no longer assured. summing up, given the number of hon. Members who wish to speak. That level of debt and uncertainty has a clear impact It may also be time to consider the tax regime that on supporters. Many feel that the decisions made by gave financial incentives to leverage buy-outs, such as controlling interests in the club in the boardroom do the takeover of Manchester United by the Glazers, and not demonstrate long-term commitment to the club whether such tax breaks are any longer appropriate. and its supporters. That is why dissatisfaction sometimes breaks out and there is a sea of green and gold instead Supporters and fans need the Government to take of red at big matches at Wembley. My constituents action to improve the governance of football in this rightly feel it is time for dedicated football fans to be country. The Sports Minister made commitments to do given some sort of stake in the clubs that they and their that, but more recently he seems to have softened those families have helped to build over many years. commitments, saying: “We’ll give football the chance to sort itself out first by seeing Football clubs are an integral part of the community, how they plan to reform over the summer, and if it doesn’t work and their ownership and financial management should then the Government will step in. We need to take a serious look not just be dealt with through company law. Indeed, I at reforming the governance and structure of football in this remember when Manchester United behaved as if it country.” was part of the local community in Trafford, where the Will the Minister tell us today what plans the Government club is based. When I was a Trafford councillor, a young have after the summer to step in and take action, and David Beckham came to open a new centre for young when does he propose to start? people leaving care. Members of the team made visits to On fans owning their clubs wholly or in part, I believe schools to read to children during reading weeks and that ordinary company law is insufficient because football the players were much more involved in the community clubs are not ordinary companies, which is shown by that was home to their club. That changed and the the fact that they are called clubs. That is how most of players started to be seen more as a corporate resource. them started: they were clubs that were rooted in their Prices for tickets and kit increased dramatically and local communities, not profit-making entities. They trade players’ salaries soared. It has become much harder to on the name, history and traditions of the city and the see clubs such as Manchester United as part of our community they come from. They are unlike other local community. businesses and should be treated as such. Football clubs are unique, and their sole purpose should not be to There should be stronger regulation to ensure that make profit for one individual or company at the expense those owning and running football clubs understand of their fans and the wider community. their wider responsibilities to the community. Football clubs should not be run on the basis of massive debt, I will finish by saying that one never hears of anyone which can threaten the stability of both individual clubs wanting to have their ashes scattered on the car park of and the health of the game as a whole. At the moment, their local supermarket or business park after they die. the game has clear laws enforced by referees and assistants However, fans do want their ashes to be scattered in on the field. However, off the field, it is like trying to their football clubs. That is why football clubs are play a game with hardly any pitch markings, unclear different. laws and no referees. That is why, off the field, various forms of financial crisis are appearing all over the 10.21 am place—from Cardiff City to King’s Lynn, from Chester Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I congratulate the City to Southend, and from Manchester United and hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) Liverpool to Portsmouth. We could say that governance on securing this important debate. I agree with many of in the football industry is no better than the levels of the sentiments that he expressed and with the points governance of the banking industry over recent years. made by my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal 87WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 88WH

[Robert Halfon] should be included in those reforms and freed from the iron grip of the premier league. As a Conservative, my (Dr Coffey) on tax incentives to encourage more democracy hope is that the FA would adopt those reforms voluntarily. in football clubs. Football is close to my heart. I am Just as the people of this country elect the Government, proud to have a good and strong club in Harlow, and so the fans should have some say in the state of our regularly meet its owner to discuss its plans; it is good to national game. I want all England fans to be able to say see the club back on track after years of difficulties. The genuinely that we are all in this together, and for that to new management team have some exciting plans, which be backed up by real community power. Enough is I am sure will mean a great season. enough: if England are to win a major tournament, we I am a community Conservative, which is why I cannot go on as we are. If the FA does not reform itself, support moves for co-operative ownership of football I urge the Minister to develop a framework for serious clubs and other football institutions. I believe that we reform. must have a democratic revolution that will give fans a greater say in the running of their local clubs. As the 10.25 am hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton mentioned, the Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): I thank my Conservative pledge was to reform football governance hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve arrangements so that co-operative ownership models Rotheram) for securing the debate—he has been in the could be established by supporters as part of a wider House only since May but he is already making a major package of reform of football finance and governance. impact, both here and in his constituency. I declare an To adapt what Abraham Lincoln famously said of interest as a lifelong member and supporter of Liverpool democracy, I hope that our Government will give football FC. Ever since my father first took me to the Kop at age clubs a new birth of freedom, so that football of the seven, I have been lucky enough to be a supporter of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish most successful club in Britain, and the one with the from the earth. greatest fans—there, I have started my comments with However, the problem is not only with local clubs an uncontroversial point. ignoring their fans. In my view, the real obstacle is the I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend that the failed managers, failed contracts and the failed payouts— recommendations in the report and the suggestions that some say that it is up to £50 million or £60 million—of he has made today are the right way forward to ensure the Football Association itself. Some Members will that no further clubs fall into the same position as have read my early-day motion 329, tabled before the Manchester United and Liverpool, but I do not think recess, which called for the FA board to resign following that they will address our problems with those clubs. the England World cup debacle. I said that that was the When one looks at the finances of both clubs, it is hard time for a democratic revolution, led by the fans, to to see how they will reverse their terminal decline and transform football governance in our country. move forward in a positive way. That is because the The FA board is run like a Byzantine court, with politicians and the football authorities have badly let decisions being made like puffs of white smoke appearing down the fans by accepting that football is nothing from the Vatican rooftops. The FA enjoys a virtual more than a business. monopoly over the sport. It is a semi-public body and I remember having a discussion with someone from its activities are of great public concern, so the public the premier league who said, “It’s just like Tesco; it’s a must have some means of redress. Currently, its board is business.” I replied that there was a massive difference not democratically accountable to fans, and it is not between a football club and a supermarket. If I do not even bureaucratically accountable to any outside body. like the product or the price in Tesco, I can go to Asda, That is why I tabled early-day motion 374, which calls but it is highly unlikely that I, as a Liverpool fan, would for a complete overhaul of the way the FA is run so that go to watch Everton if I did not like the product or the the organisation can become truly accountable to England price. It is unlikely that a Manchester United supporter fans. There must be a form of voting rights that would would go to watch Manchester City—that is not going give England supporters the opportunity to have their to happen. There is a massive difference, and we must say on who should be in charge at the FA. If the FA take that into account when looking forward at how to board can be booted out by the fans, it will start to sit deal with the problems. up and listen. My solution would be the introduction of a paid Mr George Howarth: My hon. Friend, as a Member subscription system—perhaps £50 a year—whereby for St Helens, should know that there is an alternative England fans could exercise voting rights in the FA. It club available: Prescot Cables. would be like a co-operative shareholding, but limited to one vote for each person. It would be in the national Mr Watts: I know that that club has an illustrious interest for England fans to be able to vote for the FA past. I remember that a prominent member of the board and chairman and to fire them if they did a bad Liverpool squad—Tony Hately—signed for Prescot Cables job. Fans could vote for the board and chairman for a in later life, and he did well. three or four-year term. They would also have the right We need to think about how we can move on. We to decide the level of spending on grass-roots and have let the fans down badly by allowing people such as community football, and to vote on the annual budget Glazer, Gillett and Hicks to take over our clubs, frankly, report. with no money. They borrow money from elsewhere I wholeheartedly support our coalition agreement, before taking over a club and treating it like a cash cow. which refers to reforming football governance and When Glazer wants some money for his other businesses, institutions so that co-operative ownership models can he goes along and takes the money out of the club. In be established by supporters. My plea is that the FA the case of Hicks and Gillett, they bought the club to 89WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 90WH sell 12 months or two years later for twice the price they Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) called community paid, without having put anything into it. We cannot conservatism. We can all agree with that. We do not accept the present situation or trust the football authorities want to hear vague recommendations about trying to any further. We need an independent regulator who will work with people or trying to get support. We want real put the fans first and take into account the vested action from the Government to support the people interest that already exists in the premier league. who, every day and every week, in their hearts, believe I agree with the comments made the hon. Member in the clubs they support and represent. for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) on the need to reform tax legislation, and with the comments made by my 10.33 am hon. Friend the Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) on company law. We will address the Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ problem only if we make special provision for football Co-op): Thank you, Mr Robertson, for the opportunity and take into account the fact that it is not just a to speak in this important, significant and—judging by business, but something that is important to people. As the number of hon. Members here and the number of footballs fans, we might be politicians or take a great people in the Gallery—popular debate. I, too, have had interest in politics, but the one thing that normally e-mails from members of the Manchester United overrules that—I see it all the time—is people taking as Supporters Trust. I am sure that nearly everyone has. I much interest in their football team as they do in am not sure whether the hon. Member for Guildford politics. For ordinary people, it is a way of life, but we (Anne Milton), is present, but I suspect that she might have already priced millions of fans out of the game. have had the most of all. I support the proposals of my hon. Friend the Member I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, for Liverpool, Walton, and hope that Ministers will Walton (Steve Rotheram) on securing the debate. As he listen to them and take them on board. We need to said, his constituency is home to two professional clubs ensure that no other clubs fall as Manchester United which have had problems at various times over governance, and Liverpool have fallen, but also to look carefully at ownership, fan involvement and stadiums. My constituency their situation. We need to see what we can do to get rid does not have any professional clubs—Celtic and Hamilton of those three individuals and to ensure that people are just outside the boundaries—although it is home to who have the best interests of the club and the community the junior clubs of Rutherglen Glencairn, Cambuslang at heart take over the clubs. Rangers and Blantyre Victoria. I wish to declare an interest, as a Co-operative Member of Parliament: Supporters Direct was born out of the 10.30 am co-operative movement, and the Co-operative party Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): I shall be brief because was very involved. As the founding chair of the Fulham I have a bit of a cold. Supporters Trust, I would like to speak from the perspective of being involved with, establishing and running a I am probably in a unique position. When I was supporters’ trust. I was involved in that long before I seeking to stand for Parliament, and my party was had any pretensions to enter elected politics. interviewing candidates, one question was a catch-all about any indiscretions I might want to describe. My The Fulham Supporters Trust was born from a specific reply was, “Actually, I don’t like football.” I am not here and ultimately successful campaign about a football because of that but because many of my constituents stadium. The people running Fulham football club are passionate about football. It is an essential part of deigned to believe that the future of the club would be the fabric of the English character. I am here not only better served by moving away from our traditional because many of my constituents support national football community and catchment area to a new ground, for teams, but because of the work of the Bedford Eagles the financial benefits that they prescribed would follow. Supporters Trust, which is a community organisation Such circumstances are typical, and many trusts have supporting football. It has worked through the generations come into being in response to a campaign. The issues to support our team, even when we were sometimes arise when people running clubs make a mess of things: competing against the likes of Arsenal, Everton and of the finances, of the issues around the stadium or of Newcastle in the FA cup—relatively successfully. Bedford how they communicate with and involve supporters. Town is not one of the big teams, but it is a home for Such a situation shows where the importance of people who believe passionately in football. No more supporters’ trusts lies and what we need to make clear in vivid illustration of the character of supporters is drawn discussion. Often club ownership, which is so disparate than when, as many hon. Members have mentioned, in character, is not the issue. However, the people below clubs are in trouble—and the supporters come to their the level of ownership—those who are in charge of rescue. Why do they not have a voice in the good times running clubs—often take the attitude that football as well? supporters and fans have no business in being interested I am here because of the supporters’ work and because in or involved with, or in taking a view on what is I am passionate about the concept of the big society. happening in the running of their club. Yet we have seen The Government have a huge opportunity to make real from examples, to which hon. Members have alluded, the concept of the big society, and to introduce plans that they can in fact do a far better job than some of the about what they will do to support organisations such paid professionals. Supporters have had to ride to the as the Bedford Eagles Supporters Trust in the case of rescue on far too many occasions. community teams and, as the hon. Member for Liverpool, One of the most important aspects to be dealt with is Walton (Steve Rotheram) said, the supporters of large the involvement of trusts other than at a time of crisis—that teams, to make real and tangible to the people of this is, not just when rescuing a situation because no one country what is meant by what my hon. Friend the else is prepared to take up the challenge. The role of 91WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 92WH

[Tom Greatrex] is a good thing for football clubs to be connected to their supporters—their customers, the people who are Supporters Direct is therefore crucial. For those of us digging deep to fund ever-growing transfer fees. Actually, involved in establishing and running trusts, Supporters at non-league level, Swindon Supermarine, the other Direct has been a superb resource—an efficient and club in Swindon, faced dropping down two divisions effective organisation run, as far as I can tell, on very this season unless it found £40,000. The fans got together— little money. It has done a great job of providing many hands make light work—and I am delighted that guidance and advice to supporters’ trusts. I have asked the club is still in the same division and competing well. questions of the Minister and we corresponded on the My final point, which I shall make quickly, is that issue early on in the Parliament. I hope that since our there must be reality checks in the system. As was exchange he has had the opportunity to meet Supporters mentioned earlier, not all individuals who invest in Direct and to understand its work. I hope that he will clubs are terrible people. A good example was Jack refer to that in his closing remarks. Walker at Blackburn Rovers. Not only did he invest in As other Members have mentioned—I welcome the the club that he supported from his youth—my mother words of the hon. Member for Bedford (Richard Fuller) remembers standing next to him on the terraces—but in particular—the coalition Government have said a lot the trust is still putting some £3 million into protecting about mutualism, the big society and such issues. It the club. That is an example of looking after fans in the would be great if we could see a concrete example of community, and is a bit of a reality check. For all the that sometimes rather difficult-to-grasp concept in how bad individuals, there are many good individuals—it is supporters are involved in their clubs—not just football a matter of getting the right balance. clubs, but rugby league clubs and other sports that are starting to develop the trust model. 10.41 am My main point is that supporters are often Mr Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab): underestimated and quite often dismissed. Too often, I am deliberately wearing a Merthyr rugby club tie this the attitude of clubs is to see supporters as an irritant. If morning, and I have come to talk about Wales, women the clubs expended as much energy and time in involving and football. supporters and their organisations as they do, in some I am wearing the tie because I am a supporter of the cases, denigrating them, that would be a much better soccer club. That sounds bizarre, and it is bizarre, in the use of time and energy. I hope that that message comes sense that Merthyr is a particular place. It has always out of today’s debate. had an interest in both games, both of which flourish in It is not about what some people have alluded to as the town. It is odd, perhaps, to see that in a Welsh valley imposing a model on all clubs and all situations. It is town. Merthyr soccer club is 100 years old, and is now a about involvement and awareness, which can help the trust. It has struggled, kicking and screaming, to get to way in which clubs are run. That is why I commend the that position, and it needs assistance. This is not just direction in which Arsenal has developed: a progressive about Liverpool, Arsenal, London or England. It is trust that might allow early involvement, to prevent about something bigger than that. It is about the game some of those problems that would need trusts and of football, which is also about health and community. fans’ organisations to ride to the rescue. I hope that the It is not about potentates, oligarchs and bandits of Minister can respond to some of the issues that have various descriptions from around the world manipulating been raised and give assurances about how Supporters the UK tax regime to make profit. That is not really Direct will exist in future. what it is about. Football has a power beyond that, and we need to get a regulatory framework in place at the 10.39 am top of the game because the money-making process at the top, which we all know is now the real power of Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): I congratulate sport, perverts and distorts the whole of a process that the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) could be something much greater than that. on securing the debate. We have all enjoyed having lots Let us be clear on the business of sharing facilities. If of football-related e-mails, which makes a pleasant we democratise the process a little and speak to the change from some of the casework that is sent to us. people who are really interested in the game of football, I will be brief because I am conscious that a lot of and to those who actually play it, we find that what they other people want to speak. Many Members have made really want is for the game to flourish, not for it to be excellent points, but I want to touch briefly on three perverted by some process. One of my local pubs has issues. The priority has to be to tighten up the “fit and now formed its own team. People are trying to play proper” test. We have seen with Manchester United, football—they want to do it—but they are not being Liverpool, Portsmouth, some of the previous owners at helped to do so. my local club, Swindon Town, and huge swathes of When Merthyr soccer club was in private ownership, non-league football clubs, unsuitable individuals rip out it received some television money. They had one game the heart of the community and decimate something in the FA cup, because they play in the English pyramid— that is so important to many people. they do not play in the Welsh league. I believe they lost I fully support the need for fan representation on 1-0 to Walsall. Sky was bumping gums about Merthyr clubs. I am interested in the idea of fan representation Tydfil a lot yesterday. It did one thing for Merthyr: it being built into any future takeover. Working with the provided that one game. In one night, a little bit of Sky Swindon Town supporters’ trust in previous years, I TV money provided two years’ revenue. Where did the pushed hard to get fans included for two reasons: first, money go? I have no idea. It went into some financial so that the club would be open and transparent, and, soup that the owner of the club was involved with at the secondly, because surely it makes commercial sense and time. There was no transparency. 93WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 94WH

The one word that we need to hang on to in all of this models on offer. It is right that we do not have a is “transparency”. We need a process in which people one-size-fits-all model; there are different models, and can see what is happening in the game. They will then they should be developed. understand it, and they will exert pressure. A social We have been told that the Government should not enterprise model would be the right one for many get involved because the international federations would places. It would build the community, and clubs would not like it—that UEFA and FIFA take exception to run academies if we allowed them to—they have a lot to Governments trying to get involved in the running of say about education—and run them properly. We know football. Up to a point, that is true, but I know from all those things, so that model is crucial. discussions I had with FIFA and UEFA that they were I am afraid that, yes, television money has to be part concerned about the sustainability of debt in the English of the discussion. The situation is difficult and unfortunate, game, and that is why it was important that we put but television money is perverting the process—that pressure on the football authorities to respond. and the tax regime. The FA has a tremendous role to play. Obviously, I I ask the Minister to deal with those three things: am saddened by the demise of Lord Triesman in the television, tax and transparency. Obviously, everyone is role of independent chairman and by the resignation of waiting for him to say what he will do. Was he serious Ian Watmore as chief executive. The FA has a key role when he referred during the summer to drinking in the to play, and how it replaces Lord Triesman will be last chance saloon? I would like to know what plans the important. The Minister might want to develop that clubs have come up with for reforming themselves. If theme. I am surprised at the length of time that it will they do not do that, my money is on him as the man to take, given what needs to happen. do it for them. The hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr Field) spoke about turf wars. The FA has a key role 10.44 am in sorting them out, and in ensuring that, for the good of the game and our communities, supporters’ trust Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South) (Lab): It is a models can develop and we can look at other ways of great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, doing things. Mr Robertson. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) on securing Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): My hon. this debate, and on the large turnout of right hon. and Friend mentioned supporters’ trusts. Will he congratulate hon. Members from both sides of the House. It is the Tranmere Rovers supporters close to my constituency important that football authorities get the message that who ingeniously came up with the Les Aid fund to aid we will not go away.Some people in the football authorities the manager, Les Parry, in developing the squad? The think that politicians should have no truck with the supporters came up with great fund-raising models and running of football, and I believe they were rather are able this season to inject cash into the club and get it pleased when there was a change of government. Perhaps through its league one campaign. they are not now—we will hear what the Minister has to say shortly. Mr Sutcliffe: I am happy to do that, and to congratulate all supporters’ trusts on the innovative models they have On the momentum of what the Labour Government come up with for their own clubs. There are some were trying to achieve on governance issues, there is tremendous examples of supporters’ trusts working with always a problem for a Government in their relationship local communities. with sport. It is the Government’s role not to run sport Clearly, financing the game is a key factor, and people but to create the circumstances in which sport flourishes. have spoken about the disparity between the premier Football is our national game. Some progress has been and the lower leagues. I was heartened by the conference made, but not enough and not fast enough. league’s changing its rules to ensure that clubs have Supporters’ trusts are important, and I am grateful to transparency and the right approach. The Football my hon. Friend for pointing out that it was a Labour League is now going in the right direction with the Government who introduced them and, indeed, Supporters league two regime. We cannot say that there has been no Direct. I would be grateful if the Minister updated us progress. There certainly has been progress, and we have on funding for Supporters Direct. Richard Caborn, seen some real changes in the premier league and Football who was then the Sport Minister, entered into an League. We are happy that they have taken place, but arrangement with the premier league to look at the change needs to continue and to happen more. Football Foundation and new ways of funding Supporters It is also important that the Government do what Direct. I hope the Minister can give us some comfort they can to support clubs when they are in trouble. The about that funding, because it is important that Supporters Revenue’s relationships with football clubs needs to be Direct continue its work not only in football but in looked at. I understand that Sheffield Wednesday may other sports as well. have a problem at the moment, so the Minister might So the debate is about momentum. It is about ensuring want to consider that. that we keep the pressure on football authorities. My On the Labour party’s election manifesto, we were right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), prepared to legislate, because we had tried to get the now the shadow Secretary of State for Health, wrote, as authorities on board but that approach was not working Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media fast enough or quickly enough. I am interested in and Sport, to the premier league, the Football Association hearing what the Minister has to say about that. and the Football League about the very issues that we have been discussing today—the “fit and proper person” Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): During test, transparency, and clubs looking to their communities the election, both major parties promised to tackle the and fans for support—but also about the different issues of debt, better regulation, transparency and supporter 95WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 96WH

[Dr William McCrea] game, or who follow it casually in the newspapers or on television. Everybody involved in the game ignores that ownership. What practical steps does the shadow Minister at their peril. suggest that the Minister take to make those things a reality? Mr Watts: May I caution the Minister against seeing a solution for the rest of football in the example of Mr Sutcliffe: A starting point would be to follow Arsenal? The present owners of Arsenal want to protect through with the seven questions put to the football the club from the sort of people who have taken over authorities. People have talked about the “fit and proper our club, Manchester United. It is not a typical example person” test, but there are three tests and those need to and we need to be cautious about that. be reduced to a single one on transparency. My hon. Friend made a good suggestion about the all-party Hugh Robertson: Absolutely. Here we get into the group’s continuing to consider this matter, because that problem with the process. It is pointless for me to will help the Minister. One frustrating thing about pretend that there is a one-size-fits-all solution. If there being Minister for Sport—the best job in Government—is were, I am sure that it would have been implemented in the amount of time that dealing with football takes. It is the past few years. helpful for the all-party group to be involved and to The Spanish model has been cited at length this continue the discussion on the issues raised this morning. morning, but, as has been said correctly, two clubs sit at I will stop at that point, because right hon. and hon. the top of La Liga and they have huge financial resources Members want to hear what the Minister has to say. because they negotiate their own television rights. Hon. Members asked about Spanish sports law. I asked about 10.51 am that a month ago and was told that there were so many The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh faulty aspects to it that the Spanish are now trying to Robertson): Before I start, Mr Robertson, may I pay re-regulate. The Spanish model is not always a great tribute to the work done by the hon. Member for example, although some aspects of it might be relevant. Bradford South (Mr Sutcliffe) in this and so many other We are not starting from the same point as many of the areas across the sports spectrum? This is the first time I Spanish clubs. have had the opportunity to do so, because questions As a young Army officer in the middle of the siege of were not asked directly during the first round of Culture, Sarajevo, I remember saying, “I wish this was different, Media and Sport questions. The hon. Gentleman had a because this is a disaster.” Someone replied, “You can’t good innings as Minister for Sport, and many officials deal with a situation you wish you had. You have to deal in my Department rate him highly. I thank him for his with the one that’s in front of you.” That is the problem. contribution. I congratulate the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton Mr George Howarth: The hon. Member for Cities of (Steve Rotheram) on securing this debate. He reiterated, London and Westminster (Mr Field) mentioned the as he did in his maiden speech, his views about the difficulties in dealing with privately owned clubs, particularly current ownership of the club that he supports— at premiership level. The one negotiating chip is the Liverpool—and his desire for supporters to have a ownership of the fixtures list, with all its consequences greater role in running football clubs. The twin aims of in relation to television rights. Is the Minister prepared greater supporter involvement in running football clubs to consider that? and the reform of football governance are shared across the political spectrum and are, as the hon. Gentleman Hugh Robertson: To be honest with the right hon. correctly said, part of the coalition agreement. However, Gentleman, whom I know well, I am prepared to consider I have to tell him that, although the issue is widely any sensible suggestion that will move this discussion agreed in this place, it is not entirely shared in the wider on. What he has mentioned is part of a much wider football family. There is a battle to be fought to convince debate that many sports are having about betting rights the football family of the merits of this case. and image protection. There are considerable problems with betting rights, because if a levy were taken from I will deal in a moment with various points raised by the bookmakers they would simply move offshore. Many hon. Members, but before we get into that, it might help Opposition Members who represent constituencies where if I say that developments at Arsenal football club have bookmaking is a big thing would notice that. The been some of the most encouraging in recent months. I shadow Minister will have scars on his back from that intend to meet that club urgently to examine precisely debate. how we can encourage other football clubs to put in place a similar scheme. If one thing that anybody has Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- said to me or that I have read about this matter has op): I agree with the point about one size not fitting all. stood out in recent months, it is a quote from Arsenal’s Will the Minister return to a point made by a number of chief executive—an enlightened, able individual—who hon. Members about the future of Supporters Direct, said: which has surely been the key to capacity building for “I think we are moving into a post-materialistic world.” supporters’ trusts, enabling them to find the right business That is an interesting phrase, which sums up my approach model? The co-operative and mutual business model to football. People who think that football can be run has been successful, and not just in football. solely and completely as a business have got it wrong. Of course there are business elements in football—it Hugh Robertson: I am happy to deal with that point, has to be run properly; nobody in this Chamber would which relates to points made by the hon. Member for deny that—but it is a business with a social conscience. Bradford South. Let me reassure the hon. Gentleman Football is an important part of the lives of the many and the hon. Lady that the approach taken on either the millions of fans who turn up to watch and play the wider governance agenda or the funding of Supporters 97WH Football Clubs (Governance)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Football Clubs (Governance) 98WH

Direct is no different from the position that the hon. the money that we have as a Government is targeted at Gentleman was negotiating at the end of his time in getting more people, particularly young people, playing office. sport. That remains my overriding priority. However, I The strength of this morning’s debate lies in its will consider the demands that have been made. representing the feeling throughout the House that Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): I am lucky something needs to be done. It is useful because it that Huddersfield Town, the football club that I support, allows me to go back to the football authorities, put which is on the edge of my constituency, is owned by a pressure on them and tell them that we had a Westminster local businessman who is a lifelong fan. Social conscience Hall debate that was better attended even than those on is important. Last season’s shirt sponsor for Huddersfield the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Town was the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity. More This debate is a pretty good weather vane, showing the than £100,000 was raised for that charity and for an strength of feeling on this issue. I am determined to academy. However, not all football clubs are so lucky; make progress and to push ahead with both the wider we have heard about Liverpool, Manchester United reform agenda and football supporters’ involvement. and others. It all comes back to the issue affecting every Member Please will the Minister push forward on considering of Parliament in their constituency surgeries: there is a how the Government can intervene? I do not have total moment when they face somebody and ask, “What confidence in football’s governing bodies at the moment. exactly do you want me to do about this?” There are a There are issues to do with fit and proper persons and number of possible outcomes; some might work well with transparency. The manager of Manchester United for one club, but not for another. Many suggestions cannot even be made to fulfil his media obligations. were made by hon. Members today and we might follow Please continue pushing forward, to see how we can up on the issue of a tax concession, but no hon. intervene and ensure that all clubs can have confidence Member in this Chamber will need reminding about the that they are being run as well as Huddersfield Town is. state of the nation’s finances. Currently, six demands for taxation breaks for sport are sitting on my desk, including Hugh Robertson: The trouble with debates such as subs for junior sports clubs—[Interruption.] this is that they quickly turn into a basket of issues. We have not even touched on the 2018 bid, which I am sure Mr Sutcliffe indicated assent. all hon. Members will support and is the Government’s top priority. Hugh Robertson: The shadow Minister is nodding; he I thank the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton for has been through all this. Other demands include instigating the debate and I thank all hon. Members corporation tax exemptions for sports governing bodies, who have taken part in it. The governance reform so that they can invest in the grass roots; tax breaks to agenda and how we secure greater involvement for entice international federations back to London, so we supporters are both issues that I am— can increase our influence; and a levy on the betting tax—and so it goes on. I am determined to ensure that John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. 99WH 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unscrupulous Landlords 100WH

Unscrupulous Landlords Jon Cruddas: If my hon. Friend will bear with me, I want to raise that precise matter. I appreciate and 11 am respect his experience. The essential points that I want to make include the Jon Cruddas (Dagenham and Rainham) (Lab): As following. Most private landlords are responsible and the terraces empty from the previous debate, I want to honest in how they deal with their tenants. That is make a few comments about unscrupulous landlords in beyond dispute, but those who are not bring down the the private rented sector. As a Portsmouth football club reputation of the whole sector. The Government must fan, I wish I had been present for the previous debate accept that Shelter’s investigation has uncovered significant because I would have had something to say. problems with rogue landlords that require action. Many I apologise for my croaky voice—I am full of cold—but aspects of existing law are not properly enforced by to set the scene, I shall read two quotes that clearly local authorities. They often do not treat this as a detail the Government’s thinking. The first is from the matter of priority or do not have a properly resourced Minister for Housing and Local Government, the right enforcement team available. hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps) who Let us consider some basic statistics from Shelter. said as recently as June: There are currently just over 3 million private rented “With the vast majority of England’s three million private households, representing 14.2% of all households. In tenants happy with the service they receive, I am satisfied that the that sector, 1.3 million tenants—approximately 40%—are current system strikes the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.” in receipt of housing benefit. The sector has surged in popularity in recent years, with the percentage of households The second quote is even more recent, and was placed renting privately increasing by 40% since 2001. If that on the website of the Department for Communities and rate of increase continues, there will be more private Local Government in August: renters than social renters within the next five years. “In the past, over-regulation drove landlords out of the rented Some 80% of private renters are aged under 55; market. We don’t want to introduce any measures which would form a barrier to potential landlords considering renting out their almost one third are aged 25 to 34; 58% of 16 to properties.” 24-year-olds are private renters, and 59% of private Those two quotes are unequivocal, and we conclude renters expect to buy in future, compared with 27% of that the Government do not see a need for further social renters. However, compared with two years ago, protection for tenants or for the regulation of unscrupulous private renters expect to rent for longer before being in a landlords, and that they believe the current arrangements position to buy their own home. Vulnerable households strike the right balance, not least because of the fear of who rent their accommodation privately are more likely red tape. That is in contrast with the previous Government’s to live in non-decent homes compared with social tenants— views. At their departure, they had plans for a new the averages being 51% and 26% respectively. national register of landlords, regulation of letting and MPs regularly deal with problems associated with management agents, and compulsory written tenancy unscrupulous landlords, and my hon. Friend the Member agreements. The current Government’s status quo position for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) touched on this. is unfortunate, and Shelter today announced a new They include harassing tenants or throwing them out of investigation into rogue landlords, which aims to raise their homes without notice, effectively making them the profile of the private rented sector as a political homeless; failing to carry out essential maintenance, issue. leading to unhealthy or unsafe conditions; deliberately Let us consider one basic statistic from Shelter. Nearly ignoring the legal requirement to protect tenants’ deposits 1 million people throughout the UK have fallen victim using an approved scheme, and then unfairly withholding to a scam involving a landlord or a rented property in the deposit at the end of the tenancy; and driving the past three years, so on average, every MP will have tenants into arrears by adding exorbitant fees or charges just under 1,500 constituents who have been the victim to their account without telling them, and then presenting of landlord scams. The purpose of this short debate is them and their guarantors with a huge unpaid bill at the to help to raise awareness, to praise Shelter’s campaign, end of the tenancy. to raise some concerns, and to ask the Government What does the law say? Harassment and illegal eviction some questions. We want the Government to recognise are criminal offences. Local authorities can prosecute the problem of rogue landlord activity in the private landlords who commit such crimes, and can serve rented sector, and to take action because rogue landlords improvement notices or prohibition orders if housing cause enormous damage to the lives of often vulnerable conditions fall below acceptable standards. If the landlord tenants, which may spread to the wider neighbourhood, fails to comply, they can be prosecuted. Landlords and resulting in run-down properties blighting communities. letting agents are legally obliged to protect tenants’ deposits using an approved scheme, although that can Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): I commend be enforced only if a tenant takes the landlord to court. my hon. Friend for securing this debate. My constituents Landlords are now obliged to obtain a licence from include 165 leaseholders of the Peverel Group, which is their local authority to rent out larger houses in multiple a massive freehold landlord with 500 estates throughout occupation, and must meet certain standards to do so. the country. At a recent tribunal, they managed to claw Failure to obtain a licence is a criminal offence. their way to overturning a scam whereby leaseholders, when paying their service charge, find that one third of Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): I congratulate it is an odd cash-back arrangement between the insurer my hon. Friend on securing this debate, and I commend and the freeholder. There are many loopholes in the law, the Shelter campaign. Does he agree that proper regulation and I hope that he will press the Minister to change his of multiple occupation properties and private landlords mind and to take a more proactive stance today. must go hand in hand because the problems overlap? 101WH Unscrupulous Landlords8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unscrupulous Landlords 102WH

Indeed, in retreating from and watering down the measures I would like to refer to some of the key findings in the that the Labour Government were introducing, after Shelter-CIEH survey. The results are stark: 99.2% of much campaigning by many MPs on behalf of tenants environmental health officers working in the private in that sector, the coalition Government risk giving a rented sector claim to have encountered landlords green light to rogue landlords. who persistently ignore their responsibilities; 96% of environmental health officers have encountered damp Jon Cruddas: I agree totally, and I shall conclude my and mould; over 90% have found electrical hazards; and comments with similar questions. My right hon. Friend more than 91% have found fire safety hazards in the will agree that rogue landlords escape the law because of private rented sector. More than 60% of environmental three basic elements: lack of awareness by tenants, lack health officers say that cases involving vulnerable people of enforcement, and lack of resources afforded to authorities make up more than half their work load, and over half to carry out such tasks. On lack of awareness, victims of those officers believe that environmental health problems rogue landlords frequently do not report them because in the private rented sector are set to get worse over the they are not aware of their rights, or fear that if they next year. come forward their landlord will find out and evict Those issues cannot be separated from the wider them. On lack of enforcement, the law is not enforced policy context, which cannot be ignored. Many vulnerable often enough. For example, in 2004 only 26 landlords people have been forced into the private rented sector were convicted or cautioned for unlawful eviction, and because of the shortage of social housing. Local authorities in 2008 only one person received a custodial sentence increasingly look to the private rented sector to house under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. homeless families, which in turn has forced up the bill for housing benefit. The Government spend millions of Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): Does the hon. pounds on the private rented sector through the local Gentleman agree that the legal process may be a little housing allowance, and as a major customer in the slow, not only for legal remedies for tenants, but for sector, it is important that they properly monitor and landlords when tenants are in arrears? Perhaps both question quality and standards. The recession has changed problems should be examined. the nature of the private sector. There has been an increase in the supply of private lettings as home owners defer sales or are unable to sell and become “reluctant Jon Cruddas: I do not dispute that there are occasionally landlords”. Meanwhile, the majority of people whose problems on the other side, and I think we all agree on homes are repossessed will move into the private rented that. Such problems also need resolution, but they are sector. completely and empirically outweighed by tenants’problems that confront us as MPs. The National Landlords Association has warned that the coalition Government’s planned changes to the On lack of resources, the Government’s Rogers review local housing allowance will drive vulnerable tenants showed that more than 60% of councils devote a low or into the hands of rogue landlords. Making local housing very low proportion of their regulatory resources to allowance payments directly to landlords would make enforcing health and safety requirements or HMO licensing. the market more attractive and secure for reputable What can be done? The problem could be split between landlords, while helping tenants who find it difficult to local and national Government. The Government could manage their finances. prioritise the private rented sector and give councils the As I said earlier, the Minister for Housing and Local tools that they need to force out rogue landlords. They Government has announced that Labour’s plans for a could tighten the law to close the loopholes that rogue new national register of landlords, the regulation of landlords currently use to exploit tenants, and they letting and managing agents, and compulsory written could make it easier for tenants to enforce their legal tenancy agreements will be scrapped in the name of rights. Transparency and accountability could be increased, protecting “good” landlords from red tape. The national so that the public are better able to hold local politicians register of landlords planned to allow tenants to make to account. basic checks on prospective landlords. It aimed to make Local governments could prosecute rogue landlords it easier for councils to identify local landlords, thereby and make use of the full range of tools and powers making the enforcement of letting rules simpler. The already at their disposal. They could be proactive in regulation of letting and managing agents was aimed at protecting tenants by carrying out regular housing condition tackling rogue landlords and driving out the worst surveys, and they could make sure that enforcement is practices, such as wrongful eviction. It aimed to raise properly resourced. They could also take advantage of standards and provide protection for landlords and the Housing Act 2004, which allows them to recoup tenants in the event of a dispute. The compulsory costs by charging them to the landlord. written tenancy agreements sought to strengthen the Today, Shelter has launched its campaign, and a new hand of tenants in the event of a dispute and to ensure section of its website focuses specifically on action to that tenants and landlords were clear about their rights tackle rogue landlords. It highlights the top scams that and responsibilities. In the light of Shelter’s report, rogue landlords use against their tenants and releases perhaps the Government will look again at those ideas the results of a survey produced jointly with the Chartered and give them another hearing. Institute of Environmental Health. It publicises the I know that my colleague, the hon. Member for online and face-to-face advice service for people who St Austell and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) wants to say have fallen victim to rogue landlords, and it encourages a few words, so I shall conclude with some questions for MPs to approach Shelter directly if they know of rogue the Minister. Does the Minister recognise the problems landlords operating in their areas and to refer their with rogue landlords that Shelter has identified? Given constituents to the advice services. the steady increase in the number of private renters, 103WH Unscrupulous Landlords8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unscrupulous Landlords 104WH

[Jon Cruddas] and basic repairs, thereby wilfully neglecting their responsibilities and putting the health of their tenants does he agree that tackling those problems should be a at risk. Government priority? Will the Government introduce The Minister for Housing and Local Government is measures in the decentralisation and localism Bill to clearly experienced and knowledgeable about housing, ensure that local authorities can be properly held to and he is committed to ensuring that everyone has account for their policies on tackling rogue landlords? somewhere decent to live. He has already said that he What steps will the Government take to tackle rogue expects councils to use landlords who repeatedly commit the same offences? “the full range of powers at their disposal to make sure tenants Many MPs urged the last Government to fast forward are properly protected.” their plans to implement the national register and to I believe that local authorities must take a zero-tolerance crack down on those unscrupulous landlords whom we approach to rogue landlords and that they must use all have all come across. Those ideas appear to have been levers at their disposal to root them out. Enforcement kicked into the long grass. I urge the Minister to study powers are available to local authorities, but all too in detail the report launched today by Shelter and to often such powers are not used. We do not necessarily come back and think again about what can be done to need a raft of new legislation, but priority must be given stop exploitation, harassment and negligence in the to the enforcement of current legislation against rogue private rented sector. landlords. Councils must be proactive in protecting tenants by ensuring that they know where the problems 11.14 am are locally and prosecuting when necessary, and by considering the use of existing powers to introduce Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I selective licensing. commend the hon. Member for Dagenham and Rainham (Jon Cruddas), and I thank him for securing this debate Again, I congratulate the hon. Member for Dagenham on the important research that Shelter has published and Rainham on securing this debate. It is a vital issue and for allowing me to say a few words. Cornwall is that affects millions of people across the country and I experiencing an acute housing crisis, and the private will be interested to see what plans the coalition Government rented sector continues to play an important role in have to tackle the problem. addressing that crisis for my constituents. However, 11.19 am Shelter’s research should be a cause of concern to hon. Members from all parties. We all know that the majority The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for of landlords act responsibly and treat their tenants Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): I reasonably. Nevertheless, a minority of landlords are congratulate the hon. Member for Dagenham and Rainham inflicting great suffering on vulnerable people. (Jon Cruddas) on securing the debate and other colleagues Across the United Kingdom, 3 million households on their potent interventions. In particular, let me mention live within the private rented sector—that is 14.2% for my new colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for statistics junkies. That number has grown massively St Austell and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert), and thank over recent years, and in my constituency, latest statistics him for bringing to the attention of the House some of show that in Newquay, one in five homes—20%—is in the specific and horrific examples that he described. the private rented sector. That is well above the England I think that everyone present understands the importance average. We must ensure that private landlords look of the private rented sector in delivering affordable and after people in their care. It is an important issue across suitable accommodation for households. As has been the country. reported, there are 3 million private tenants in this During the three or four months in which I have been country. In the area represented by my hon. Friend the a Member of Parliament, my constituency postbag has Member for St Austell and Newquay and in London, a shown examples of the kind of rogue landlord activity much higher percentage—as many as one in five—are in that Shelter mentions in its report. That includes illegal private rented accommodation. The sector provides a evictions, sometimes including violence, or cutting off lot of choice and flexibility at all levels of the housing water and electricity to force people to leave their homes. market. Last summer, a family of four were evicted without Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): The Minister makes warning, under the threat of violence and the use of the point that there is quality provision in the private knives. They were left with only a car to sleep in while rented sector, but I should like to point out the situation one of the family’s daughters was doing her GCSEs. in my constituency and the east Lancashire corridor, Another couple in my constituency, who have a small which probably reflects that in many areas of the country. baby, were living in rotting, damp, leaking conditions. In my area, 40% of properties do not meet the decent They were threatened by their landlord for reporting homes standard and 11% are unfit for human habitation; the situation to the environmental health officers that and within those statistics, it is predominantly the private the hon. Member for Dagenham and Rainham referred rented sector that features. How can the Minister say to. The situation culminated in their utilities being cut that there is adequate provision and no need for regulation off during a cold spell last winter. when such squalid conditions exist? Urgent action is Cases such as those and the many others that take needed on rogue private landlords. The hon. Member place across the country are unacceptable. We are hugely for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) made the indebted to Shelter for its research and for bringing the good point that environmental health officers are really problem to light at a national level. However, the issue is struggling. The sector does need regulation, because not just about violence and evictions. Tenants can suffer such landlords are able to evade legislation. They are if landlords refuse to carry out essential maintenance able to work round— 105WH Unscrupulous Landlords8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unscrupulous Landlords 106WH

John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. The hon. does not come anywhere near meeting the decent homes Gentleman should not be making a speech. standard? When environmental health officers are asked to go round and look at properties, they have no power Andrew Stunell: Indeed. I am getting a bit cramped at all to make the house reach a decent standard, as has for making my own speech, if I may say so, Mr Robertson. been pointed out by the hon. Member for St Austell and I shall just challenge the hon. Member for Hyndburn Newquay. (Graham Jones) on one point. He says that 40% of the homes in his constituency are below the decent homes Andrew Stunell: I am not quite sure what the hon. standard—a figure that I fully accept. I do not know Gentleman is asking me to do. If he thinks that there what proportion of them are in the private rented should be a legal requirement for private landlords not sector—he did not say—but of course a lot of homes to let if their home is not of a decent standard, I think below the decent homes standard are not in the private that that will give a number of social housing landlords rented sector, and I do not want him to get away with problems as well. I fully accept the hon. Gentleman’s the idea that the coalition Government believe that point that standards in some places are low and need to there should be no regulation. On the contrary, I shall be brought up to standard. I was trying to illustrate the outline in a moment, I hope, what we think is there and fact that local authorities have powers at their disposal should be there and what should be done to enhance the to achieve that. situation that we face. There is an extensive enforcement framework. Where The hon. Member for Dagenham and Rainham, in high levels of hazard are identified—categories 1 and 2—the introducing the debate, was, I think, criticising my right local authority can compel private landlords to make hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Local the necessary improvements. It can issue improvement Government for saying that the vast majority of private notices and can require property to be closed down. tenants are satisfied with the service that they receive. Failure to comply carries a fine of £5,000. Well, 75% of them say that, which I think is somewhat One of the points that the hon. Member for Dagenham near to being a vast majority, but I certainly recognise and Rainham made was that there are repeat offences, that there is poor practice. and one of his questions to me was what the Government Graham Jones: Will the Minister give way on that will do about repeat offenders. Repeat offenders go to point? the courts, and the courts will take the decision based on the facts of the case. I strongly support the hon. Andrew Stunell: I think that it would be a courtesy to Gentleman in thinking that the courts should take the House if I continued with my speech at this point. those breaches very seriously. Perhaps there will be a space at the end of the debate. There is bad practice; a minority of landlords clearly Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East behave in an unacceptable way; and the management of Cleveland) (Lab): Given that the legislation in place to the poorest-quality stock is an issue. Those properties pursue rogue landlords is not strong, and even if we are often the ones that are occupied by the most vulnerable take the Minister at his word that the current legislation tenants, too. That causes real problems, as my hon. is strong enough, is it not the case that when local Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay pointed authorities are being asked to make cuts of 25 to 40%, out. the ability to pursue those landlords will be curtailed? The Minister for Housing and Local Government is Andrew Stunell: The reality that we face means that well aware of the position that some people face. He is there will be less public money to spend. The whole also well aware of the Shelter campaign. I can tell hon. policy of the Department for Communities and Local Members that he will attend a public meeting with Government and of the whole Government is to devolve Shelter in a couple of weeks’ time, when he visits the the priority-setting process to local councils. If local Liberal Democrat conference, so I am sure that if he is councils share the hon. Gentleman’s view that increased in any doubt, he will be able to understand the position enforcement is an essential core activity that they must fully there. build up, they will have much more freedom to do that. What can we do to tackle the problem? Local authorities They will have to set priorities, just as the Government already have significant powers. Some hon. Members have to set priorities. talked about illegal action that has taken place. Illegal action can be confronted by local authorities, whether Conditions in the private rented sector have improved. by environmental health or by rent officers. Indeed, in Since the early 1990s, the gap in the levels of decency Liverpool, there is an interesting situation in which such between owner-occupied and privately rented homes action is being confronted by the primary care trust, has narrowed. Indeed, on average, the private rented which is also involved in local health issues. It is certainly sector has become more energy efficient than the owner- our intention to work with those who have an enforcement occupied sector. I fully understand that averages disguise role, to ensure that the barriers to them using their highs and lows, but we should not demonise one sector powers effectively are lifted. Of course, those are mostly of the housing market without taking better account of powers that are given to local authorities, which is the evidence. exactly as it should be. Where landlords fail to maintain Local authorities have powers in respect of management their properties, local authorities can use the housing standards. Under the houses in multiple occupation health and safety rating system to make a risk assessment. regime, there are statutory requirements for HMOs of three or more storeys occupied by five or more people Graham Jones: The health and safety rating system who form more than one household. It is a bit of a involves very minimum standards. Does the Minister rigmarole to say that, but we know what we mean. not agree that it involves appallingly low standards and There is also the power for local authorities to have 107WH Unscrupulous Landlords 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 108WH

[Andrew Stunell] Unauthorised Encampments discretionary licensing schemes in their areas, covering smaller HMOs that do not meet the mandatory licensing criteria where they have identified problems with [ANNETTE BROOKE in the Chair] management and property condition. Hon. Members will know that there is a selective licensing scheme to cover all privately rented property in areas that suffer 2.30 pm from low housing demand and persistent antisocial Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): The debate behaviour. title given in the Order Paper is “Unauthorised As part of the previous Government’s localism agenda, encampments and development in the countryside”; local authorities were granted, from April of this year, a when that topic comes up, it is often accompanied by general consent to introduce discretionary licensing the words “Gypsies” and “Travellers”. When seeking schemes without reference to the Secretary of State. It is this debate, however, I deliberately omitted reference to right for local decisions to be made by those who are any community or tradition. I did so for the simple directly accountable to local communities. We certainly reason that most Gypsies and Travellers are not engaged have no plans to repeal that power. in unauthorised development. What we are talking about Licensing schemes mean that local authorities can today would be just as problematic for any community. impose conditions on licences, such as a specified maximum The vast majority of Gypsies and Travellers are entirely number of occupants and that adequate amenities are law-abiding. Four fifths of caravan pitchings are in in place. Private landlords have to be identified as “fit authorised locations, and many more among these and proper” in terms of their suitability to manage the communities live in bricks-and-mortar homes. We are property. That perhaps deals with the repeat offenders therefore talking about a small segment. We should point from a different direction. A breach of a licence acknowledge up front that Gipsy and Traveller communities condition is an offence. Letting or managing a property face particular problems. In health and education, they that requires a licence without one could result in a are among the most disadvantaged groups—their life maximum fine of £20,000. Given all that, the Minister expectancy is 10 years less than the national average for Housing and Local Government came to the view and their attainment at GCSE is less than half the that there was no need for more regulation at present. national average. As politicians, we have to rise more We do not want to introduce new burdens for landlords fully to those challenges, to ensure good life chances for that will discourage them from letting homes to those all. Without doubt, the provision of decent sites in who really need them. workable locations is an important part of that; so, too, Several comments were made about the tenancy deposit is mutual understanding with others in the community, protection scheme. Of course, that is on a statutory to ensure that everyone is on board. basis. It helps to ensure good practice in deposit handling, As I said, most Gypsies and Travellers are entirely so that when a tenant pays a deposit and is entitled to law-abiding, but the small segment who are not—those get it back, they can be assured that that will happen. who occupy land illegally or make unauthorised Perhaps in the last second of the debate, I can say developments to land that they own—can sour relations that when it comes to raising tenants’ awareness, I am with local communities. That, in turn, can make it entirely with the hon. Member for Dagenham and harder to secure the improvements in life chances and Rainham. I believe that it is of absolute importance that outcomes that we all want to see. at national and local level and by us as MPs, the point is Problems that arise can be roughly categorised under made to tenants— one of three headings: first, trespass and occupation of public land by Gypsies and Travellers; secondly, their 11.30 am trespass and occupation of private land; and thirdly, Sitting suspended. unauthorised development on land owned by them. That last category has seen big growth in recent years and is the source of the greatest problems in my constituency of East Hampshire—and, I dare say, in many other constituencies. Since 2004, there has been a national increase of more than two thirds in the number of Gypsy or Traveller caravans stationed on unauthorised sites owned by Gypsies or Travellers. I note in passing that that increase occurred at the same time as a large increase— indeed, in absolute terms a much larger increase—in the number of authorised sites. This is a typical scenario. Someone buys a field from a farmer to keep horses, for example; after a while, an electric line and water supply are installed in connection with the keeping of the animals; then, over a weekend or a bank holiday, one or two caravans or mobile homes arrive, along with the heavy machinery need for laying a hard surface and other works. A retrospective planning application is then made. It often turns out that the field in question is located on the edge of a settlement in 109WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 110WH what the planners define as a sustainable location. I understand that there is a role for retrospective Temporary permission may be given, and so a cycle planning applications, but it must be possible to construct begins. a set of principles that allows for genuine mistakes yet It is said by some that local authorities have only excludes the wilful abuse of the system to create wholly themselves to blame because they do not make adequate new dwelling places. That would not solve every problem, provision for sites within their borders—even if, for but it would go some way to restoring public confidence example, a site is available just outside the boundary. in the system, which has become badly discredited. I The assumption may be that one new authorised site hope that the Minister and his colleagues will consider will mean one unauthorised site less, but that will not the idea. always be so. Nevertheless, I repeat that I support I conclude where I started, by stressing that we are provision of good authorised sites, and I welcome the talking about the actions of a small segment of the Government’s inclusion of Traveller sites in the new Gypsy and Traveller community. We need fairness and home bonus scheme; I hope and trust that that will equality before the law. I am confident that that would result in more sites. aid rather than impair community cohesion and mutual Hon. Members may have read in the press about the understanding, with further improvement of the conditions village of Ropley in my constituency. The local community and outcomes for members of the Gypsy and Traveller woke up to find that a Traveller site had been developed communities. I know that many hon. Members wish to overnight. It was not the first in the area. The villagers speak, so I shall stop there. I look forward to hearing knew that the matter could lead to months or years of their contributions. appeals and uncertainty. So little faith did they have Annette Brooke (in the Chair): The Minister and the that the matter would be resolved that they clubbed Opposition spokesperson have agreed to take 10 minutes together through voluntary subscription to buy the site for winding up. Many Members have indicated a wish at a substantial premium over what it had changed to speak. The calculation is in their hands. I call Mr David hands for previously. Tredinnick. If a small village community feels compelled to find a six-figure sum because they simply have no faith in the fairness of the legal and planning systems, there is 2.39 pm clearly something wrong with the system. We need to David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): I am grateful to find new ways to deal with the problems of unauthorised you, Mrs Brooke, for calling me in this debate, not least development and encampments in which the whole because I have in my constituency a very large community community can have confidence. People want fairness; of travellers, some of whom have been resident there for they want to see the same rules applying to all. a very long time. Some live on the Good Friday site, which came about, predictably, on Good Friday when a Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): I am grateful to group of Travellers moved in. They fell under the third my hon. Friend for giving way. I entirely support his category of Travellers mentioned by my hon. Friend the proposals, and I congratulate him on securing the debate. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds), whom I Does he agree that, in trying to rebalance things to congratulate on securing this debate. Those in that recognise the human rights of those who live next to category buy land and then illegally improve it. Travellers’ unauthorised sites, we should give greater The group moved in with diggers and concrete-laying recognition to those already living in the location, tipping equipment, and laid out a properly made up caravan the balance away from what was proposed by the previous site. They had no permission, and, unfortunately, the Government? They appeared to favour greater human council was caught napping. The chief executive was rights for those who illegally occupy sites, such as the not available and nor were the councillors who might three that have been occupied in Gloucester during the have been able to do something about it. As a result, last 12 months. They are all public sites and the most we have a major problem there. Other sites in the area recent is on school land. that have been purchased and then improved without permission have also proved to be very difficult to Damian Hinds: I thank my hon. Friend for that remove. That infuriates local communities more than intervention. What he says goes to the heart of the any other issue. We have seen such developments across issue. I believe that people want to see not so much a Warwickshire, Hampshire and Gloucestershire, and it tipping of the balance towards or away from one group infuriates law-abiding constituents to see the law flouted or another; they want to see the same rules applying to in such a way. everyone. That is what underpins the compact of a A related issue is the allocation of housing after an cohesive society. appeal. In the Markfield area of my constituency, a site Some steps are already being taken. I welcome the went to appeal and, as a result, 112 new houses, which had announcement made by the Department for Communities been opposed by local people, are now being imposed and Local Government on 29 August, which revokes on the community. That further increases the tension, not flawed Whitehall planning circulars. It gives new incentives least because at Groby, just by Markfield, I have had to provide sites, which is important, and it gives stronger another problem of illegal encampments on roads. tenancy rights to Gypsies and Travellers on official What we need is a new policy. I very much welcome council sites. The Secretary of State said in the same the plans of the Secretary of State for Communities and announcement that he was looking for new ways to Local Government to introduce new powers for councils empower local authorities to deal with rogue developments. in relation to Traveller sites. The plans do not excuse I wish to suggest one, and I would be interested to hear councils from not implementing the existing rules; for the Minister’s opinion of it. planning officers, that can be a huge challenge because 111WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 112WH

[David Tredinnick] paddock. Unfortunately, the chap’s health deteriorated about three or four years ago and he became disabled. such an issue is not necessarily at the top of the list. He wanted to be close to his horses so he put in a Nonetheless, I welcome the plans to give new powers to planning application to Swale borough council for a local authorities. bungalow to be built on that land. In addition, we should not automatically be expanding The planning officers and the development committee areas on which we have a large number of existing sites. turned down the planning application on the grounds There should be a fairer distribution across the country. that the building of a bungalow in a countryside gap [Interruption.] I am most grateful for the applause was inappropriate. The couple then decided to sell their from my hon. Friends. It is absurd that this tiny community land to somebody who lives in Medway, which is outside in my constituency, between Bagworth, Newbold Verdon my constituency. As soon as the land was purchased, a and Barlestone, should have a disproportionate number planning application was submitted for a static caravan of sites. Moreover, why should we not put the new sites and a Travelling caravan to be installed on the site and nearer roads, so that travellers can actually travel? Not for outbuildings to accommodate them. all the communities are settled. The planning officers, who only 18 months before Why allow travelling people who are coming into the had turned down a planning application on the grounds area to park their caravans way off the roads? The that it was inappropriate to have development in an situation has been further exacerbated by the policy in important countryside gap, recommended approval of the Republic of Ireland, which, paradoxically, took a the planning application on the grounds that, because very tough line with itinerants. As a result, we have a the applicants were of Gypsy extraction, it was appropriate large number coming over here. to have a development in the countryside gap. Moreover, we also have large numbers of illegals That type of contradiction infuriates settled people. coming over from the European Union. Romanians, for People go through the correct procedures to submit example, have chosen to come into the area. I have to planning applications and then somebody else comes say that Leicestershire county council has been magnificent along and gets approval. The officers were following in the way in which it has helped the children of those Government policy; they were not making it up on the communities in the schools. In particular, Barlestone hoof. They were following guidance put out by the Primary Church of England School, which has a previous Government. I very much hope that, as a disproportionate number of Traveller children, has made priority, the Secretary of State for Communities and very great efforts. Local Government will scrap that particular guidance Notwithstanding how we feel about trying to help note, which persuades local authorities and makes them such minority communities, we have to come back to give preferential treatment to one community over another. the fact that the majority is very dissatisfied. If we have I know that there is some talk about local authorities a situation in which most people think that the law is an not being able to move people on because they are not ass, they will take the law into their own hands. On that providing sufficient sites. In my view, however, this issue note, I will end and ask the Minister to take note of my is not about providing additional sites; too often, it is concerns. about somebody making a fast buck. That is epitomised by the case that I have just mentioned. 2.44 pm Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con): 2.50 pm I agreed with my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) when he said that we needed Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): I thank my hon. Friend fairness, which is why I am speaking out on behalf of the Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for the settled community in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. raising this issue. People there are fed up to the back teeth with the way in I want to talk about the issue of people illegally which the previous Government allowed a two-tier planning developing land, and to focus particularly on the issues system that explicitly gave preferential treatment to caused by multiple temporary consents. The established Gypsy and Traveller sites. Settled people in my constituency practice of a community’s moving on to land and do not object to Gypsy and Traveller sites per se, but putting down infrastructure before the local planning they believe that planning applications for those sites authority can respond has been referred to already. should be treated in exactly the same way as any applications When that happens, the usual procedure is for the local from the settled community. authority to invite the people carrying out the development I could give any number of examples of unauthorised to apply for permission and, if that permission is granted, sites that have sprung up in my constituency. They have for it to apply retrospectively. That is not just in respect infuriated a number of communities, including that of of this type of development; it is in respect of all types Upchurch, which is surrounded by seven unauthorised of development. sites, including Brambledown on the Isle of Sheppey. I However, when somebody goes on to agricultural should add here that, historically, the Isle of Sheppey land and puts down infrastructure, in most cases the has never had any Travellers or Gypsies, yet a site has application is refused. Of course, that application then now been installed. goes to appeal and in many cases the appeal process is One site in particular epitomises the concerns that very lengthy.The matter then becomes one of enforcement, settled people have with the two-tier planning system. but enforcement cannot take place while an appeal is In the small semi-rural community of Bobbing, just pending. All these things take time. outside Sittingbourne, a crematorium has been established During that time, development becomes entrenched, for just a handful of years. Opposite is a large field that roadways are often made up, hard standings are put in was being used as a paddock. A couple owned the place for mobile homes and fences are erected. While 113WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 114WH that is happening, the law-abiding settled community time at a redeveloped caravan park nearby. That sees laws apparently being disregarded, often by another development has not happened, and it is feared that group, and they become frustrated at the lack of progress. that new site is still not available. The concern of the So it is clear that the system needs attention and that residents of Barnacle is that there will be a further councils need stronger powers. temporary consent. They have suffered from the “nowhere The concept of retrospective applications should not for them to go” issue; despite continued unauthorised be available in certain cases. By way of example, I want development, that issue has enabled the site to be occupied to focus on a particular area that has suffered from for seven years already. And as each year passes, the site multiple temporary consents. It is a village or hamlet becomes more established and more permanent in its called Barnacle in the northern part of my constituency nature. and it is in the green belt, where there is a presumption The residents of Barnacle find on their doorstep a against development. development that contravenes both national and local planning policy and one for which local elected Barnacle is a small community, with 105 households representatives have consistently refused consent. Yet and a population of 267, according to the 2001 census. they have lived with it for the past seven years. This It is approached by narrow country lanes and its parish issue needs to be redressed, with a review of the legislation, council describes it as an ordinary place where working so that residents of places such as Barnacle can again people enjoy living in a friendly, sociable environment. enjoy their normal quality of life. However, those people now have on their doorstep a site comprising 50 caravans and 10 mobile homes, and it is 2.55 pm believed that there are 28 separate households on the Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con): I want site. It is the contention of those who live in Barnacle to thank my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire that the scale of the site is out of all proportion to a (Damian Hinds) for securing this debate today. village containing 100 households. I think that many if not all of us in Westminster Hall I want to set out the sequence of events that has led today have had to deal with the very difficult problem of to this situation, which started as long ago as April Gypsy and Traveller sites. It is an absolutely critical 2003. On the Good Friday, unauthorised use of a issue in South Staffordshire. Only last weekend, in the paddock began and the local authority immediately village of Coven Heath we had an illegal invasion of a issued an enforcement notice. An appeal was immediately field, involving nine caravans. I can see an application lodged against it. It took until February 2004 for the going in to make that site permanent in the very near Planning Inspectorate to uphold the enforcement notice, future. but it set the period of compliance at 18 months. South Staffordshire already has to carry a great burden At the end of that period of compliance, in August in terms of providing accommodation for Gypsy and 2005, a planning application was submitted for a temporary Traveller sites. From 2007 until today, 30 pitches have two-year permission to be granted for people to reside been granted planning permission in South Staffordshire on this particular site. That application was heard by for Gypsy and Traveller sites. Every single one of those Rugby borough council in October 2005. The council 30 pitches was rejected by local people and local councillors, refused the temporary consent, but it extended the but they were forced on them by the last Labour period of compliance, with the enforcement notice delayed Government. That is an utter and total disgrace. until August 2006. It does not stop there. We already have three applications In April 2006, four months before the new compliance involving another 16 pitches that are going to the planning period expired, a planning application was submitted inspectors at Bristol. Because of the last Labour for a permanent dwelling. It took until July 2006 for the Government’s idea that there should be one law for the local authority to refuse permanent consent, but at that settled community and a different law for the Gypsy time the authority extended the period of compliance, and Traveller community, there is every chance that so that the enforcement notice ran until August 2007. those applications could get passed, too. What is even An appeal against the refusal was submitted and in worse is that it does not stop there. Another 13 pitches September 2007 consideration of the planning appeal have already been applied for that are due to go to was deferred while the council considered the matter planning. further. Through their famous circular on Gypsy and Traveller We now move on to January 2008, when the Planning caravan sites—ODPM 01/2006—the last Government Inspectorate again granted a temporary planning consent have created an imbalance in the law, which discriminates at the site for a further two-and-a-half years, to expire against every person in this country who is not a Gypsy in July 2010. At that time, the residents got in touch or a Traveller. I know that it has been announced that with me, as I was the new Member of Parliament for the that circular will be changed, but I urge the Minister to area. The application made in July 2010 has not yet ensure that it is changed swiftly. been heard; it is likely to be heard by Rugby borough The Government have announced that the regional council in October. The anxiety of the residents of spatial strategies are going to be abolished— Barnacle is that a further temporary consent may be granted, meaning that there will be no resolution to the George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) (Con): They have issues that they face. been abolished. The problem that I want to draw attention to is the Gavin Williamson: I am told by my hon. Friend that number of temporary permissions and extended compliance they have been abolished, but we know that the Gypsy periods that have been granted. Temporary consents Traveller accommodation assessments are being used to were granted principally on the basis that suitable get these sites passed on appeal. I urge the Minister to accommodation would be available at a later point in do all he can to ensure that they are scrapped. 115WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 116WH

[Gavin Williamson] The unfairness of retrospective planning has been discussed extensively. I support the new Secretary of The Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment State for Communities and Local Government in tearing for the west midlands was pulled together by Salford up some of the nonsense that came before us under the university, which went around the west midlands and last Government, recognising that councils may wish to decided that, if there were 40 encampments in a district, provide sites appropriately and giving them financial it therefore needed another 40, and if a district had one incentives to do so, as my hon. Friend the Member for encampment, it needed one extra. That is incompetent. East Hampshire mentioned. It irritates me that people My daughter of five could have done a better and more are often buying agricultural land at cheap rates. Once worthwhile report than Salford university’s. I urge the planning permission is obtained, of course, we all know Minister to freeze every single planning application that the value increases astronomically. until new rules are drawn up. This Government have I am not attacking transient communities. They are a signalled their intention of dealing with the problem. I welcome part of society. Everyone in society makes demand of the Minister not just to talk but to do. choices about how we live, but we must also accept the responsibilities that go with those choices. We should 3pm also be considering not only our own solutions but other countries’. I find it ironic that the landmark Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I congratulate ruling in 2000 giving Irish Travellers ethnic status does my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian not apply in Ireland, which has made a different decision Hinds) on securing this important debate. I have been about how to categorise them that does not afford them moved to contribute by a recent situation in my constituency protection under the Race Relations Act 2000 or subsequent involving incidents in Southwold and, subsequently, legislation. Brampton. When I voiced my concern and my support It is not racist to be concerned about unauthorised for the local permanent community, I was accused of development. It is not racist to press for fairness for our racism. As a consequence, I feel strongly that many of constituents. It is not racist to say that the law of the the viewpoints being expressed today are not about land should be respected or that wilful trespass should racism but about fairness, being seen to be fair and be dealt with promptly and effectively, without costing having a law that backs those who want to be fair. a small number of local taxpayers a fortune. I welcome The situation that I am going to describe is not too the actions thus far and look forward to seeing more. different from many others. Some hon. Members may have been on holiday to Southwold; the last Prime Minister certainly visited once. Those who have can 3.5 pm imagine the surprise when a sudden development happened Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): I am on the common. It was, I think, no coincidence that it grateful to you, Mrs Brooke, for calling me so early in happened at the weekend, when access to lawyers and the debate, and to my hon. Friend the Member for East councils was an issue, or that when the community were Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for securing it. It is hugely approached, they said, “We’re only coming here on our important to the situation in South Derbyshire. Since holidays; we’ll move off in a week.” My retaliation was, February alone, we have had 24 illegal incursions, in a “Well, why don’t you pay to go down to the Caravan district with authorised sites. That is why it is so galling Club site rather than encroaching on the common?” It for the people and voters of South Derbyshire. When is a fine piece of open land that exists for the enjoyment we do the right thing, we are taken for mugs. Frankly, of all the community and visitors. we are fed up. We will not put up with it any more, and Concerns were also expressed—I did not see this nor will our voters. I assure the Minister that there will myself, so I cannot categorically affirm it—that a scrap be civil disobedience over the issue. metal business was being developed, which suggested I am grateful for the strong messages issued by the that the encampment was not going to be temporary. Department for Communities and Local Government. There were concerns about what would happen further We have finally won our appeal with the inspectors along the line. I believe that the community kept their against illegal encampments and planning permission. word and moved on, but only a few miles down the road It is the first that I have known in all my time in politics to Brampton, which is also in my constituency. Again, in South Derbyshire, which I assure hon. Members is a similar issues gave rise to a need for intervention. long time. We have an achievement, so I thank the new We all know that police are reluctant to intervene. To Government. some extent, I do not blame them, because of the cost For goodness’ sake, when councils do the right thing and the resources required and the possible issues involved and authorise encampments, can we please push forward in moving on families. Councils and trustees of commons with eliminating the John Prescott 21-day rule? It requires up and down the country must face legal costs every public authorities to go through a long process of time the situation arises, which is not fair either. sorting out whether there are human rights implications I do not think I am alone in thinking of examples— and goodness knows what else for these people, and it perhaps not in Suffolk but in Hampshire, where I used does not apply to anybody in our settled communities. to live—of the temporary, almost semi-permanent sites It is complete nonsense. of more traditional Traveller communities. I can think We have good police action in Derbyshire, where we of one on the Harroway near Whitchurch and another seek to assist private landowners to go down the 24-hour on the way to Hurstbourne Tarrant where people have bailiff route to remove people where—I say this again— taken up a sort of residence set away at the side of the vacancies are available on authorised sites. But when road, deliberately not trying to create an effective empire the land is owned by the authority, Severn Trent, the with a number of permanent pitches. Highways Agency or similar, there is still the nonsense 117WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 118WH of having to do the dance of the John Prescott 21-day the landowners or do not know who they are, there rule. Will the Minister assure us as much as he can should be some obligation on them to prove that they today, and later in writing, that that rule will be scrapped? have a right to be there. It should not just be for the We are delighted by the strong ruling to get rid of the public authorities to prove that the Travellers do not regional spatial strategy and the pitches rule. It assisted have the right to be there, particularly when the process enormously when we wrote to the Planning Inspectorate might take quite a long time, and it is clear that we are and helped us fight off the latest planning inquiry. That dealing not with a temporary encampment, but with a was the first one ever. I wrote the strongest letter I have permanent occupation of the land until an enforcement ever written in my life. The language was not particularly notice has been granted. parliamentary, but it got the point through and we won. In the example that I gave, the Travellers made no Will the Minister please carry on with the issue and attempt to create an illegal, permanent camp or to alter ensure that it is sorted out? My electorate expect it to the land in any way; they were simply going to stay on happen in the coming Session, and I look to him to see the land for as long as they could, until they were it through. moved on. However, they did that in the full knowledge that that could take quite some time, and there was nothing that the resident community could do while we 3.8 pm were going through the relevant processes. I would be Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): Like grateful if the Government looked at the issue and gave my hon. Friends, I am grateful to my hon. Friend the us some advice as to whether we can simplify or revise Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for securing the law. Could some consideration be given to the this debate. He said in his opening remarks that he databases and the land registry for the ownership of wanted to focus on three aspects of the issue. I will public land where land is passed between public bodies make a few remarks about the first aspect, trespass and and there may be some confusion as to who is the occupation, based on incidents in my constituency, responsible party? although I do not claim that we have had the same number of incidents as the constituencies of other Several hon. Members rose— Members who have spoken. I wanted to highlight the fact that some small groups Annette Brooke (in the Chair): Order. There is considerable of Travelling communities are clever in exploiting tactically time until the winding-up speeches at 3.40 pm. Two chosen sites. The ownership of the land might be disputed, people are standing at the moment, and others who it might take some time to find out who is responsible wish to speak should indicate that they want to do so. and a lot of time is wasted before an enforcement notice is made. 3.2 pm We have had particular problems with this in Folkestone, Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I will try where a single group of Travellers have moved between not to fill the long period that you described between different sites. They have been able to stay at sites for now and the winding-up speeches, Mrs Brooke. I several months. Recently, a community spent three months congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for East on a piece of land backing on to a residential community Hampshire (Damian Hinds) on raising this issue, which in Birkdale drive in the Park Farm area of Folkestone I have heard debated four or five times in this Chamber before an enforcement notice was made. That was largely in the past five years or so. That, along with the number because of a dispute between Kent Highway Services of my hon. Friends seeking to speak in the debate, and the Highways Agency as to which of them was demonstrates what an extremely important issue it is. responsible for the site. It turned out that the Highways Indeed, it affects communities across the whole of England, Agency believed that it had transferred ownership to and those hon. Members here today probably represent Kent Highway Services, but there was no record of any only a small number of those on both sides of the such transfer, and the community stayed on the site House who have significant worries about the issue. during the to-ing and fro-ing. My hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and I have every sympathy for the district commander of Hythe (Damian Collins) raised the particularly interesting the local police, who was keeping a careful eye on the topic of trespass. As far as I can recall, the issue was site, but who was powerless to do anything until dealt with quite well in one of the last Acts passed by the enforcement order was made. Even then, when the the previous Conservative Government in 1997, which dispute had been resolved, and Kent Highway Services made some efforts towards putting the point right. agreed to go to court to try to get the enforcement Although the legislation no doubt needs improving, the notice—it was still not clear whether it owned the basic machinery is there. With the exception of my hon. land—it took time to get court time and to get the Friend, however, all the others who have spoken in the notice granted. Residents felt that no one was really debate have addressed the identical problem of people doing anything to resolve their plight. The Travellers of one sort or another—I will come back to who they cleverly exploited the ambiguity to enable them to stay, are—illegally occupying a vacant site, of which they and they have moved from site to site doing the same have taken ownership, nearly always on a bank holiday thing. Monday. Within a few days, they insert hard standing. My constituents’ question is whether we could look at the law on trespass, alongside some of the other Heather Wheeler: The interesting point about trespass points that have been raised, and which I know the is that there is no criminal trespass law on which we can Department is considering. If Travellers have gained rely in relation to public authority land. We are looking access to a site, and it is clear that they do not own the for our new coalition Government to bring forward land and have made no efforts to establish contact with from our manifesto a new intentional criminal trespass 119WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 120WH

[Heather Wheeler] is now defunct—local authorities were required to assess how many Travellers there were in their area and what law that will allow us to have the same rights for public provision there was for them. However, there is no way authority land as for private authority land. That would of doing that. By definition, these people are Travellers. be a major development, and I thank my hon. Friend Are we talking about the Travellers resident in the for allowing me to mention it. county of Wiltshire, the south-west of England, the west of England, Wessex, England or what? There is no Mr Gray: My hon. Friend makes a similar point to scientific way of assessing who these people are, because, my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe. by definition, they do not live in one place. A very large Both my hon. Friends are quite right, although their number of the Travellers in my constituency come from point is not absolutely central to the topic of today’s Ireland. Others come from the continent of Europe. debate, which is the illegal occupation of land owned by Incidentally, one interesting side issue is that the Irish Gypsies, Travellers and others. and the Romanies will not live on the same site. The site As I said, the pattern we see is a similar one, and at Thingley junction in my constituency has vacancies, many people have described it in the debate. People but it is occupied by Irish Travellers. The Romanies, move on to land, often on a bank holiday weekend. perfectly reasonably, say that they do not want to go Before anybody knows what is happening, hard standing there, because the two groups do not like each other. I has gone down, toilet blocks have been erected and am just not certain, however, that society has a duty to gardens have been put in. Often, little bungalows—we provide for people who do not happen to like each are not talking about caravans—are established in a other. If somebody came to my constituency surgery very short time, as I have seen in Minety in my constituency. and said, “I want a council house, but I’m not going to I have eight or 10 illegal Gypsy encampments in my live in that council estate full of Irish people, because I constituency, including at Calcutt park, near Cricklade, don’t want to live with the Irish,” I would say, “I’m and various other places. In a short time, something extremely sorry about that madam, but you’re jolly well that looks for all the world like a village has been going to have to put up with it.” The same applies in this established. There are wheelie bins at the end of the case. drive, electricity has been laid on and these people have As I said, we do not know who these people are. By established something that no one else would be allowed definition, they are Travellers. The Traveller population to establish. in the United Kingdom has been increasing exponentially I will not bore hon. Members by repeating what a over the past 30 or 40 years, and I will come back to that number of my hon. Friends have eloquently described. in one second. Asking a local authority whether it has However, I want to address the reason why such enough provision for these people is an impossible developments are allowed to occur. My hon. Friend the question to answer. It cannot, by definition, say, “Yes, Member for South Derbyshire (Heather Wheeler) referred we do.” to the way in which the noble Lord Prescott—what a noble Lord he is—introduced planning circular 01/06. Gavin Williamson: I am not sure whether my hon. Hon. Members will recall that the circular told planning Friend has witnessed a similar situation in Wiltshire, inspectors that where local authorities are not able to but a number of Gypsies and Travellers in south demonstrate that there is adequate provision for Gypsies Staffordshire have successfully applied for planning and Travellers elsewhere in their area, there should be a permission and obtained established sites. I then notice presumption in favour of illegal Gypsy and Traveller in the local newspaper that those sites are being encampments. That has meant—I have had several such commercially marketed to people who are not Gypsies cases in my constituency—that where the planning inspector and Travellers. People are exploiting the law for personal sits on an appeal, the law requires him to say that unless profit. the local authority can demonstrate that there is adequate Mr Gray: I noticed that episode when it was recently provision elsewhere, he must give the Gypsies and Travellers mentioned in the newspapers, but that has not been my permission for their illegal encampment. I do not blame experience. All the illegally occupied sites in my constituency, the inspectors; they have no other option but to do that, and I think throughout the west country, have gone on because that is what the single planning note requires to be fully occupied by Gypsies and Travellers. I have them to do. not seen any being sold on, although I suppose there is Leaving aside the two-tier planning system that such no reason why they should not be. However, I have my an arrangement implies—I will come back to that in a doubts about whether a local authority would give second—there are several specific problems associated planning permission to a settled person to take over a with the circular. First, it does not stipulate who Gypsies Gypsy encampment afterwards. I certainly recommend and Travellers are. No distinction is made under law that it should not. between hippies, new age travellers, people who are The numbers are extremely interesting. When I was homeless, traditional Romanies, of whom there are special adviser to the then Secretary of State for the many in my constituency, Irish Travellers, Roma and Environment we had the great joy of repealing the people coming in from France. Indeed, the French legislation that required local authorities to make provision Government recently expelled a large number of Roma, for Gypsies and Travellers in their counties. We did so and there is nothing to prevent them from coming here because when the Labour Government passed the and declaring themselves to be Gypsies or Travellers. provisions there were, from memory, 3,500 illegally There is therefore no definition in the law to distinguish parked caravans in England. In 1996, by the time we between those people. had repealed them, there were 6,000 illegally parked As another speaker mentioned a moment ago, when caravans, so the illegals had more or less doubled. That the Gypsy and Traveller assessments were made under was in addition to the 7,000 pitches that local authorities the regional spatial strategy—I am glad that that document had by then provided. Those authorities had provided 121WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 122WH twice as many pitches as they were required to under the could not make it a going concern. Had it been profitable Act, and a further 6,000 were illegally parked. That my constituent would have been allowed to carry on total of 13,000 caravans in England has now become living in the caravan. That in itself is bizarre. She was 18,355, according to a recent survey. The number went required to leave the caravan, although, incidentally, from 3,500 to 18,500 in as many years. she was allowed to leave it for chickens. It could remain where it was as long as she did not live in it. Fine so far. David Tredinnick: My hon. Friend touches on an Next door, just down the road, is an entirely vacant important point, which can perhaps be illustrated by a field that was bought at a very high price by a group of comparison with road building. When an extra lane is Travellers. They moved on to the site and are in the put on a motorway it does not solve the problem; it just same position as the non-Traveller organic farmer. They brings in another lane’s worth of traffic. went to appeal and said, “We are Gypsies” and the inspector was required by law to give them permission Mr Gray: My hon. Friend is right. It is what I would to remain in the field, adjacent to the one from which describe as a Parkinson’s law of Gypsy caravans. No someone from the settled community had been removed. matter how many sites are provided for them, more That seems to me to be disgraceful. There is no reason appear. That takes us back to the original question of why any group in society—white, black, green, gay, the definition of what those people are. Who are Gypsies? straight, Chinese or anything you like—should have What are Romanies? What definition do we have under different planning rules from those affecting anyone the law? The answer is none at all: the more sites are else. There should be one law for one, and one law provided, the more people appear to fill them. for all. I therefore do not subscribe at all to the underlying principle behind planning policy guidance note 01/06 George Hollingbery: I am curious about the example that somehow a local authority must demonstrate that that my hon. Friend has raised, and the more general it has made adequate provision. It is not possible for a implications. He has rightly said that there is no formal local authority to demonstrate that. No matter how legal mechanism for assessing whether someone is a many sites it provides, it is perfectly possible for the Gypsy or a Traveller, yet local authorities regularly Gypsy and Traveller community to say that there are make such assessments. Does he have any experience of not enough. Indeed, there seems to be a moth-to-a-flame how local authorities make the decision? Perhaps the attraction: the more sites are provided in a county, the Minister will elucidate the matter and tell us how local more Gypsies and Travellers appear to try to fill them. authorities can make a better job of assessing who is, or Wiltshire and the west country as a whole seem to be a is not, qualified under the Human Rights Act 1998 or bit of a hot spot for that. other legislation. That seems to me to be completely wrong, and the Mr Gray: I am afraid that my hon. Friend and I will Government have indicated their intention to address not agree on this issue. I take the view that it is not up to the situation. We must do so by abolishing Lord Prescott’s local authorities to decide who is a Gypsy, who is a planning guidance note and the regional spatial strategy Romany, who is an Irish Traveller, who is a dropout, and by telling local authorities exactly what they are who is a hippy and who is a settled person. Every told in relation to homeless people from the settled human being, of every kind, whatever their colour, race, community: the rule for the settled community is that if background or class may be, should be treated identically someone needs a council house they go to see the by the local authority, which does not need guidelines local authority or—too often—their MP, or a housing about what to do. The same applies with respect to the association. To get a house one must demonstrate need, Human Rights Act, about which some hon. Members in a certain prioritised way, and a local connection. If in the Chamber have reservations. I do not think that it someone came to my constituency surgery and said, should come into the consideration of whether land “Hello; I come from Inverness and I am homeless. I should be set aside for Travellers or anyone else. The want you to get in touch with the local authority and Act is about human rights, but the issue that we are get me a council house,” I would say, “I’m awfully sorry. talking about is planning, and I do not think that You must get back to Inverness and get your council Travellers or anyone else should be given preference house there. You aren’t going to get one in Wiltshire over the settled community merely because they are because we demand a local connection.” Precisely the Travellers. What a perfect definition of racism that same applies to the Gypsy community. They are very is—for a local authority to say “We are required to do nice people. A number are close friends of mine. Those something for you, not because you are a good man, or who live in Wiltshire have a right to proper Gypsy a bad man, but because you claim to be some kind of encampments there. However, those who come to Wiltshire Romany, Irish, Roma, Gypsy or who knows what. You from elsewhere have no right to demand that the people claim you are that, and therefore I must do something of Wiltshire should pay for sites to accommodate them. for you that I will not do for someone else.” That seems Exactly the same rules should apply to them as to to me to be unacceptable in 21st century Britain and I anyone else with regard to planning and housing. hope that the new Secretary of State will do away An example from my constituency, which I think is with it. an outrage, highlights what has gone wrong with our planning process. A very nice lady came to see me. She Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): I apologise to the hon. had an organic farm in the village of Box in my constituency. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) for missing She had a caravan, in which she lived, in the centre of the opening speeches; I was detained on other business. the organic farm, which was about 15 acres. Rather I intervene on the eloquent speech of the hon. Member bizarrely, the local authority looked at the profitability for North Wiltshire) to ask whether he is denying the of the organic farm and concluded that it was not existence of Travelling people as a community in the UK. profitable and was not a going concern, and that she If so, presumably he would disagree with the approach 123WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 124WH

[Andrew George] my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) on initiating the debate and on how he has that I believe the Government have retained, that local balanced his comments. All hon. Members recognise authorities should, wherever possible, find and provide their obligations to the Traveller community, as they do sufficient official sites to meet the needs of the Travelling in respect of every other community in Great Britain. community. If that were done, we would not be debating No one would wish to detract from that, and I congratulate the issue of illegal encampments because sufficient pitches hon. Members on how they have dealt with the matter. would be available for those in need. The focus of the debate has moved geographically; I think my seat, Lancaster and Fleetwood, is the most Mr Gray: The hon. Gentleman and I have crossed northern one represented by hon. Members here. That swords for many years on many subjects. He was late for surely proves the national scale of the problem. I first the debate and I am not sure whether he missed any of became aware of the matter that I wish to raise on the my speech as well; I certainly was not denying the evening of 6 November 2009, which happened to be a existence of the Travelling community. Quite the opposite. Friday. At 6 o’clock on a Friday evening, council offices I said at the beginning of my speech that I felt strongly and the planning department shut down. that the Travelling community had a perfect right to be Travellers; good luck to them. That is fine. It is not my I was informed by the residents of a small hamlet way of life. I cannot stand camping at all. However, if called Preesall Hill—just 50 or 60 houses—that a triangular they want to be Travellers, that is fine. It is right that the piece of land surrounded by roads was suddenly covered local authority should make suitable provision for the in Travellers. They told me that hardcore was being Travelling community, as it does for the settled community. moved in, electricity was being supplied and boarding It is right to do that for the local Travelling community, was being put up. That development went on all over but I see no reason to do so for the wider Travelling the weekend, when no one could get to the council. I community. I certainly do not deny its existence, nor the would like to repeat the reference to the word “wilful.” state’s responsibility to make proper provision for it. It My hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire made is right to do that, but we are discussing the means by a significant point about that, and we hope that the which that happens, not whether it should happen. Minister will reply to it. If anything can be called wilful, I welcome the stricter stance taken by the incoming the actions that I have described must fall into that Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, category. and the abolition of the regional spatial strategy, which On Monday, the police were called, so they were is the document behind much of what we are debating. I diverted from other matters. The council was also called— hope that as part of what happens we shall do away everyone and his aunt were called to consider the matter. with the Gypsy and Traveller assessments, which were It was then discovered that the Travellers had actually flawed, to say the least, whoever did them—Salford bought the land, which posed the council with another technical college or anyone else. I call on the Secretary problem. The council sought an injunction—in the end, of State to stipulate that the planning status of Gypsies it had to seek three injunctions—to call for a retrospective and Travellers is precisely identical to the planning planning application. By that stage, some of the Travellers’ status of everyone else—indeed, their rights in every children were going to the small village school, on other respect should be identical to everyone else’s. I which there was also an impact. So, the impacts were also call on him to introduce stronger enforcement starting to add up. The people living in Preesall were powers, so that when these outrages occur, local authorities saying, “What is going wrong around here? Who can have the power to go on to these sites and deal with get away with this?”Other hon. Members have mentioned these people as they would anyone else. I very much similar responses. welcome the fact that he has stipulated in his general On 2 September last week, the matter finally got to approach to planning that the people who decide whether planning—by the way, when it first went to planning, or not these things occur, whether with regard to Gypsies not enough information was supplied, so it had to be or to houses, should be local councillors who are answerable deferred. As I say, the matter got to planning on to local people. They should make up their mind about 2 September and there were all the relevant reports— how such things happen; it should not be down to Lord ecology, engineering, highways and so on. The land had Prescott or his successors in the DCLG. been designated as countryside by the local Wyre district plan, and was actually a field. The difference with this Several hon. Members rose— case is that a company called Green Planning Solutions turned up at the planning. Its website states: Annette Brooke (in the Chair): I call Mr Ollerenshaw. “we specialise in winning planning permission on difficult sites, I remind you that the wind-ups will start at 3.40 pm. usually rural locations including the green belt.” Meanwhile, a Preesall action group of concerned 3.30 pm neighbours had been set up and people who were in the Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): I process of selling their properties were unable to do so. will try to be brief, Mrs Brooke, so that other hon. People who have jobs and other things to do were Members may contribute. Thank you for calling me. taking action to try to restore their community. To be My comments may seem repetitive to the Minister, but I fair to those people, they were also trying to establish am told that repetition sometimes helps when dealing some sort of relationship with the Travellers who were with Ministers. The huge number of hon. Members by that time arguing that they needed a permanent present should demonstrate to him how much of a pitch. By the way, twice over the past 12 months, the national problem the issue is, although the Labour Travellers have disappeared somewhere for three months, party do not seem to be aware of that. I congratulate so they must have sites in other places. 125WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 126WH

I return to when the matter got to planning. At the the six months before the election has been removed. meeting, a Mr Green—who apparently runs Green However, with your permission, Mrs Brooke, I shall Planning Solutions, which advertises in the way I have touch on some of the things that were done in that described—boasted to the Wyre planning committee period. that he usually wins most of his cases. He said that In March 2010, DCLG launched guidance that was 47% of his cases go to appeal and that he usually wins sent to police, local authorities and other agencies. That 94% of those. Apparently, he warned the council that if guidance focused particularly on adopting a multi-agency it dared to appeal, it would cost the council and taxpayers approach to helping communities tackle the problems dear. of antisocial behaviour on Travellers’ sites, including the use of antisocial behaviour orders and acceptable Heather Wheeler: I hesitate to interrupt because my behaviour contracts. I shall return to those important hon. Friend is in mid-flow and, as ever, he is excellent to points. listen to. What I find absolutely galling—this may help other hon. Members in this Chamber—is that we have In introducing that document, my right hon. Friend had five planning permissions go through under which the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham), Travellers have now got authorised sites, but the Travellers the then Secretary of State, said: are not there. Where are they? Why do they need those “local councils and the police have strong powers and tools to sites? They have got them, apparently, only because of crack down on anti-social behaviour—and I expect them to be need, but they have not been on them for 12 months. used to the full. This guidance will help ensure that the local Lancaster and Fleetwood should get on with it. This is agencies understand the powers available to them.” just outrageous. The Home Secretary at that time, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle Eric Ollerenshaw: Thank you, Derbyshire. I totally (Alan Johnson), said—it is important to make this point agree—whether Travellers want permanent or non- because various hon. Members have mentioned it— permanent sites. I should also compliment my hon. Friend the Member for North Wiltshire (Mr Gray) as “The Gypsy and Traveller community is treated no differently he has some history on this matter. The point about the than the rest of the community. Perpetrators of crime and antisocial definition of Travellers and so on was really pertinent. behaviour will be punished and, where appropriate, taken through the criminal courts and jailed.” In the case that I have mentioned, the Travellers are obviously waiting to see whether there will be an appeal. From the Opposition’s point of view, I would like to Nothing has changed on the site, and they are assuming emphasise that that principle, elucidated by the former that there will be an appeal, which will lead to costs for Home Secretary, stands four-square. a small district council. Meanwhile, Mr Green has In addition to that, on the question of unauthorised boasted that he wins most of his appeals. What does developments, a statutory instrument was laid before that say to people who pay their rates and do the usual Parliament on 9 March 2010, which reduced the period law-abiding thing? As all hon. Members have said, all of appeal against refusal of an unauthorised development they want is fairness and for local councils to have the from six months to 28 days. That reduced the ability for ability and powers to deal with the issues that affect the time frame to be exploited where unauthorised them and their residents. developments are in situ. Annette Brooke (in the Chair): I thank the large That did not come out of the blue; it was based on number of contributors. Everyone has been fairly brief, the findings of the Briscoe report, which was set up in which has been very helpful. I call Mr Gordon Marsden. 2007 and revised in 2009. It is worth noting that that was regarded as a priority by DCLG Ministers, which is why it reached the statute book before the wash-up and 3.36 pm Dissolution. That was because of the importance of the Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): It is a need to reduce the period of uncertainty for local great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, residents after local authorities refuse a planning application. Mrs Brooke. I congratulate the hon. Member for East In addition to those enforcement measures, the previous Hampshire (Damian Hinds) on a crisp and temperate Government continued to support local councils in presentation of the issues that not only he but other their bids to establish authorised Traveller sites, and hon. Members in the Chamber have encountered. I was £32 million was pledged from the Homes and Communities particularly interested in his strong focus on the issue of Agency budget as part of the site grant for 2010-11. unauthorised occupation—that matter has come across I have mentioned the difference between authorised strongly today. Some of the difficulties surrounding and unauthorised sites. Although I appreciate that in that issue are very different from those surrounding the some circumstances there can be significant problems debate about the need for authorised sites, which again with authorised sites, I believe that the development of has been robust. I shall try to bring out some of those authorised sites helps to combat the problem. To be fair, issues in my remarks. the current Government believe that as well, but the I start by mentioning some of the facts and the question of where the money will come from is another chronology of what the previous Government did—or, matter. On that main point, however, there is a consensus indeed, attempted to do—regarding some of the matters between the Opposition and the Government. There is raised. I understand that some Conservative Members evidence that the creation of authorised sites saves may not be aware of those points. That is not surprising, councils significant amounts of money. Once Bristol given that a “year zero” approach seems to have been city council invested in a transit site, for example, having adopted by the Department for Communities and Local relied on enforcement action before, it reduced its related Government website; all reference to what was done in annual costs from £200,000 to £5,000. 127WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 128WH

[Mr Gordon Marsden] In his policy announcement in August, the Secretary of State talked about liberating local authorities from The previous Government also intended to amend Whitehall control, but he did not offer any clear substance the Mobile Homes Act 1983 to give improved security or resources with which councils could act on his guidance. and right of tenure to Gypsies and Travellers on official It is all very well talking about improving security of sites. Unfortunately, as the present Government were tenure for Travellers on local authority sites, but what kind enough to acknowledge in a statement to the local authority sites are likely to exist when funding is House on 27 July, there was no parliamentary time to cut and obligations are removed? Surely that will lead to debate those statutory instruments before the general a growth in unauthorised sites and the associated costs election. They do, however, relate to the application of of enforcement. the 1983 Act. The Minister will no doubt remark that The Secretary of State also announced that Traveller the Government intend to make a decision on section 318 sites would be delivered as part of the new homes bonus in due course, in the context of the wider strategy. There scheme, but the details of that scheme will be set out in is no difference between the policies of the previous and a public consultation later this year. Concerns have current Governments. already been expressed about how the new homes bonus I now turn to what the current Government have said scheme will operate. I invite the Minister to elucidate and done since taking office. In May 2010, as part of further how the funding for Traveller sites might be the first round of spending cuts, the Homes and delivered under the scheme. Communities Agency ended the Gypsy and Traveller A lot of strong rhetoric has been used in relation to programme grants for the creation of authorised sites. planning circulars 01/06 and 04/07. Given the subject, I As far as I am aware, the regional spatial strategies have understand that but the Government have made no been revoked but not yet formally abolished. Their concrete announcements on how enforcement powers formal abolition will no doubt be presented later in the will be increased. Again, further announcements are to year as part of the decentralisation and localism Bill be made in due course. Once again—I am afraid that that the Government are promising—or threatening us this has been a characteristic of DCLG Ministers since with. That removed the obligation for local authorities they took office—rhetoric and talk of abolition has to identify sites that could be used for authorised Travellers. come before any thoughtful addressing of new structures However, nature abhors a vacuum, and I suspect that and guidance. that will be the case if there is no formula whatever. I invite the Minister to say a little more on the matter On the point about returning to regional spatial and on antisocial behaviour and acceptable behaviour strategies, there will be no formula whatever for dealing contracts. We believe that those remain an important with what will be a continuing problem. I put it to tool for preventing antisocial behaviour on Traveller Members and the Minister that without some form of sites. However, the Government, and the Home Secretary overarching framework there is a danger that local in particular, have talked about their desire to move authorities will pass the parcel and try to shift the onus beyond ASBOs and acceptable behaviour contracts. of provision on to neighbouring authorities, which will Would the Minister state what consultations DCLG be doing likewise. Ministers will have with the Home Secretary before they spell out some of those changes in chapter and verse in the decentralisation and localism Bill? Mr Gray: Why should there be an overarching vision? Surely it should be for local authorities to decide what provision they make for Gypsies and Travellers in their 3.47 pm areas. Why should anyone else decide that? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): I congratulate you, Mrs Brooke, on chairing the debate Mr Marsden: I would not accuse the hon. Gentleman today and my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire of nimbyism, but I think that such action is common (Damian Hinds) on his measured introduction to what sense. Indeed, in his eloquent contribution he explained is undoubtedly a difficult issue for many Members. that Travellers move around a lot. Simply playing pass Eleven other Members have also made speeches and a the parcel with those people is no mechanism for dealing few more have intervened in the debate, so I hope that with them, and I find the idea that it is rather bemusing. they will forgive me if I do not respond to every point that was made. Andrew George: I wish to elaborate on the issue that The Government share the concern that has been the hon. Gentleman is addressing. It is clear from many expressed today about unauthorised Traveller encampments studies that authorised sites are far better for community and developments and their effect on local communities. relations within an area, and for the health and welfare The record will show some strong stories from across of Travellers, than unauthorised sites. In areas where England. The Government want to see fair play and the Travelling community clearly needs an authorised everyone treated equally and even-handedly, whatever site, but where the local authority refuses to provide it, community they come from or lifestyle they choose to how would a Government ensure that that need is met? pursue. We certainly will not allow a small minority of That is the crux of the problem. Travellers to set up unauthorised encampments and developments to create resentment and give other Gypsies Mr Marsden: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his and Travellers a bad name, worsening community cohesion contribution. He is absolutely right; it is for the Government along the way. to decide how to deal with that conundrum. My point is It is worth putting on the record the fact that 80% of that one cannot just assume that the problem will go Gypsy and Traveller families—those who are on the away, so it needs to be addressed. move and not already in bricks and mortar—are on 129WH Unauthorised Encampments8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Unauthorised Encampments 130WH authorised public or authorised private sites and therefore Let me come back to the core of what has been said outside the scope of the complaints and discussions today. We have already written to local authorities, that we have heard today. [HON.MEMBERS: “Hear, hear.”] reminding them to be alert to the particular risks of I am pleased to hear hon. Friends acknowledge that unauthorised development over bank holidays and to reality. We must be careful not to demonise the community be ready to respond to that. The revocation of regional because of some bad behaviour by some bad apples, strategies means that the decision making about housing whether they are Gypsies, Travellers or individuals from of all types, including Traveller sites, will come back to any other community. local communities. We have announced our intention to About 13% of Gypsy and Traveller families are on revoke circular 01/2006 and to bring local authority their own land, but unauthorised sites. About half as Traveller sites into the Mobile Homes Act 1983, which many again are trespassing and encamping on land that was on the verge of happening before the general election, they do not even own. We want to ensure that we as the hon. Member for Blackpool South correctly provide stronger enforcement powers for local authorities pointed out. We believe that it is right that that should to tackle such unauthorised sites and encampments. We go ahead. want to limit the opportunities for retrospective planning I have been asked to give more detail about the New applications. I fully share the frustration and anger that Homes Bonus scheme, but I must hold back and refer has been expressed in the debate about how those hon. Members, once again, to the statement on 20 October. applications can be manipulated in such cases. However, the work is there and everything is ready. I am sure that hon. Members who have recently I now turn to exactly what the problem is. Under the joined the House will find, as their in-trays get fuller, previous Government, the number of caravans on that they get complaints of a similar kind about retrospective unauthorised developments increased from 887 in 1997 planning applications of all sorts, not simply about to 2,395 in 2010. My hon. Friend the Member for Gypsies and Travellers. The localism Bill will be taking North Wiltshire (Mr Gray) drew attention to that—the a completely fresh look at planning legislation and will problem has not been getting smaller. The problem is include specific provisions about that. I hope that hon. not a reducing, residual one, but a continuing and, in Members understand that I am not in a position to spell some ways, growing one. We will ensure that the planning the provisions out in detail. laws provide fairness between the settled and Travelling communities. We want to incentivise local authorities to provide appropriate sites. The hon. Member for Blackpool South Andrew George: Given the vacuum following the (Mr Marsden), the Labour spokesman, suggested that removal of the RSS requirements and the Minister’s we were speaking far too often before we had worked statement that local authorities must now provide out the detail, but then he was pressing me to speak adequately for the Travelling community in their own before we had the detail. I assure the hon. Gentleman areas, what do the Government propose if the need is and the House that the detail is being worked out but, clear but the local authority is unable or refuses to as with so many other things, as a junior Minister I ensure such provision? How can the need be met in must say, “Await the Chancellor’s statement on 20 October.” order to avoid circumstances in which such illegal and unauthorised encampments occur? Mr Marsden: I do not expect the Minister to have every dot and comma to hand—the devil is indeed in Andrew Stunell: I am not announcing the details of the detail, and he does not want to be tackling the devil the Government’s policy on Gypsies and Travellers in until he needs to. However, I gently point out the issue today’s debate—I cannot pre-empt such an announcement. about the regional spatial strategy. The Secretary of However, we are looking at such matters carefully, with State set out his intention in a five-line letter, causing some policies to be made explicit in the localism Bill, considerable concern—and, in some cases, hilarity—among together with what we are doing about planning powers the planning departments of various local councils as and enforcement, and some policies from other directions, to its legal force. as we work through the implications of providing incentives for local authorities to provide sites where needed. Andrew Stunell: For every sign of distress, I saw Gavin Williamson: I asked a brief question in my 10 signs of joy. speech about Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs I want to make the point that we are also committed assessments. When considering appeals, are the planning to addressing the discrimination and poor social outcomes inspectors to disregard totally the flawed GTAAs? experienced by Traveller communities. Some of those issues have been mentioned—schooling, health and the Andrew Stunell: The Secretary of State has made it security of their living accommodation. In the longer clear that we are repealing circular 01/2006. I hope that term, we want to see a plan, policy or strategy that can the hon. Gentleman feels that that is the answer he deliver the Travelling community authorised sites, where needs. If I have missed a point, he can write to me and they can live in harmony with the settled community we can explore the issue in a little more depth. and with the access to health and education that everyone In the course of preparing for the debate, I had the else has and is entitled to. opportunity to speak to the assistant chief constable of As the hon. Member for East Hampshire said when Warwickshire, who holds the Gypsy and Traveller portfolio introducing the debate, some of the figures are dramatically for the Association of Chief Police Officers. He takes bad—length of life, maternal and child mortality, responsibility across England for the police approach. educational attainment—and ought to fill us with despair His views were clear. Of course it is right that there and a determination to do something about the situation. should be strong enforcement and that the existing law 131WH Unauthorised Encampments 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 132WH

[Andrew Stunell] Direct Democracy Initiatives should be followed through—and promptly. There should 4pm not be long delays while sites that should never have been there in the first place get unofficially authorised, Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): I appreciate as outlined so eloquently today. this opportunity to speak about direct democracy, and I However, as a senior police officer speaking on behalf thank the Minister for attending the debate. of ACPO, he was also clear that the policing of such In recent years, we have undeniably seen a mass issues cannot be tackled solely by increasingly rigorous disengagement from the political process. The figures enforcement. We must tackle the underlying conditions speak for themselves: former allegiance to political parties of deprivation and alienation that beset the issue. That has plummeted over the past 15 to 20 years, and turnout is why, as well as following through on what the Secretary at elections has followed a similar trajectory. I believe of State has already announced and on all the other that the last three general elections had the lowest work to ensure fair treatment for both the settled and turnout of any since the second world war, so much so the Gypsy and Traveller communities, we are also making that the Commission on Parliament in the Public Eye sure that we tackle the underlying issues of disadvantage. said two years ago that no Government could now I was asked one or two specific questions and, for the claim democratic legitimacy. Therefore, it is heartening most part, I hope that I have dealt with them. I have that the coalition Government have embarked on a tackled and explained retrospective planning permission, programme of reform. which will be dealt with in the localism Bill. As far as However, whatever changes are brought in, it is key treating planning applications equally is concerned—some that they are real, not synthetic, and that, at their heart, examples were given by the hon. Member for Sittingbourne they have a commitment to reducing radically the distance and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson)—we will have guidance between people and power. I shall focus on two areas—the and a light touch, rather than a prescriptive national recall mechanism and local referendums—and others code overruling local common sense. may add to them. I noted a point made by the hon. Member for Folkestone The new Government have already promised to bring and Hythe (Damian Collins). He wanted to know whether in a recall initiative which, theoretically, would allow we could have a proper land register of public land and voters to get rid of MPs mid-term, or between elections, assets. Oh, how I wish we could, and how I wish it was as happens in several different countries, including possible to settle all such questions. Hopefully, local Switzerland. Some states in the United States of America authorities of all sorts, and the Government, will become have the same mechanism and right. However, the more alert to what they own, why they own it and measures proposed by the Government fall far short of whether they need to, thus proceeding towards a more genuine recall. rational estate. The terms of reference are to be restricted to serious wrongdoing which, as far as I know, has yet to be defined properly. However, even with a definition, it will be for a parliamentary sub-committee—the Committee on Standards and Privileges—to determine whether an MP qualifies for such treatment. Instead of handing power down to voters, which is the whole point of a recall initiative, we would see power handed up to a small group of MPs. That is not by any stretch or interpretation a true recall mechanism. Ironically, it could actually aggregate even more power at the top by handing a tiny group at Westminster the power to rid Parliament of difficult, troublesome MPs. True recall allows people to sack their representatives, for whatever reason, if a majority have lost confidence in them, and it certainly is not subject to approval by a central authority. The right should exist not just in respect of MPs but at every level: councillors, the Greater London authority, mayors, mayoral candidates, representatives and so on. This country could not be further from that at present. I accept that this does not happen in practice, but, theoretically, it is possible for a new MP to jet off to the Bahamas the day after the election, delegate all their parliamentary and constituency work to a team of people employed at public expense and return four or five years down the line, probably to be booted out in the next election. It is likely that they would be deselected by their local party; if not, they would have the Whip removed by the central party. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the local people who put them in position would not be represented at all during the entire lifetime of the Parliament. True recall would change all that, 133WH Direct Democracy Initiatives8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Direct Democracy Initiatives 134WH and would make politics much less remote and much Zac Goldsmith: I strongly agree with everything that more responsive. I urge the Minister to look again my hon. Friend just said. I am thrilled that the coalition seriously at the Government’s plans. Government have already begun a programme of radical My second and final point, before I hand over, relates decentralisation. I believe that 1,200 targets were imposed to local referendums. This, too, is something that the on local government in the past 13 years—the figure coalition Government have promised to facilitate. In may be slightly out, but it is thereabouts. The effect is my view, such referendums are absolutely key. If people that local authorities cannot do the things the electorate have pulled away from politics—I do not believe that expect them to do. That means they often hide behind anyone can really argue with that—it is not because of a that ambiguity when it comes to unpopular decisions, lack of interest in politics. Millions and millions of but also that they often get the blame for bad decisions people around the country have signed up to pressure when the fault lies with central Government. I absolutely groups, a million people marched against the war in accept that both processes need to happen at the same Iraq, and half a million people marched against the ban time. on hunting. We have endless examples of a very political Shortly before the election, a major part of the coalition population. Government—the Conservative party—invited people The reason why people are pulling away from the to join the British Government. It was a message that political process is that it has become far too remote, went down well in some quarters, and one that I certainly and that is true at every level of political activity. It is welcomed. If we do not introduce binding referendums, true at the level of the European Union, as has been we will undermine the very core of our message. It debated ad nauseam in Parliament itself. It is certainly would be almost an insult to voters, who would be told, almost inconceivable to ordinary people that they could in effect, that they are not to be trusted with taking influence any decision made at any level in the EU. decisions that directly affect their lives. Nationally, the equation is only marginally more I have set out provisions for genuine recall in my favourable. In real terms, in the 1,500 or so days between recall of elected representatives Bill, and for binding general elections, people are denied any meaningful local referendums in my local referendums Bill. I shall access to the decision-making process. Local authorities, publish them soon, and I hope that Members will support meanwhile, have been almost completely stripped of them. More importantly, I hope that the Government their powers; in effect, they have been neutered. There is will incorporate them in forthcoming legislation. very little their local electors would expect them to do that they can do. 4.9 pm Direct democracy would provide a direct answer. It is Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): I congratulate a simple concept: it would allow people to intervene on my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac any local issue at a time of their choosing. Assuming Goldsmith) on securing this debate. It is fundamentally that they have majority support, decisions could be important that we consider ways to revive our moribund challenged and new ideas could be proposed. The direction democracy. I would go so far as to say that, if one good of local political activity would be determined by the thing came out of the previous, rotten Parliament, it people most likely to be affected by those decisions. was a recognition that there is something profoundly The Government have said that they will introduce wrong with our democratic system and that we need local referendums, but the details remain unknown. change. They mostly relate to the mechanics: how referendums It is not surprising that our democratic system is not would be triggered, on what issues could they be triggered, working, given that seven out of 10 constituencies are and so on. The really big issue is whether the results of safe seats—one-party fiefdoms—which makes Members referendums would be binding. It would be a huge of Parliament inwardly accountable and inwardly responsive mistake if, as some people fear, the proposal is simply to to party Whips, rather than outwardly responsive to the give people the power to force their representatives to people. Direct democracy can help us change that in debate an issue. two or three key ways and I am pleased that the Government There is an argument that councils would feel obliged are toying with some ideas. However, with respect, I to adhere to the results of a local referendum held in fear that Sir Humphrey Appleby and the powers that be their area, but, in reality, that is merely a far-flung hope. in Whitehall fear the full implications of direct democracy We can all reel off endless examples of local authorities and are already trying to water down some of the ignoring local opinion, hiding behind bureaucratic radical intentions of the coalition agenda. procedure and so on. In reality, non-binding referendums Open primaries are the most significant way that we would be an expensive gesture. We would almost be can make democracy outwardly accountable and responsive. better off without them, and I say that as someone who Instead of leaving it to the party machines and hierarchies is passionately committed to introducing them. in London to decide who gets to be a Member of this legislature, we can have open primaries to throw open George Hollingbery (Meon Valley) (Con): I thank my the question, particularly in safe seats. If Senator John hon. Friend for securing this important debate. Would McCain, a well-known national figure in the United he agree that a corollary of having binding referendums States who has stood for the office of President, is is a requirement that the decisions that voters attempt forced to contest the nomination to be the Republican to influence are those that the people on whom they are candidate in his home state, Tory, Labour and Liberal binding can indeed influence? He referred to the impotence MPs in safe seats should be subject to the same process. of local government. Would it not be an absolute We must ensure that open primaries are not open requirement of binding local referendums that there caucuses. They must be full elections involving the should be a great deal more flexibility for local governments entire constituency, rather than just matters of sectional, to fund themselves and spend as they wish? self-selecting self-interest. We must overcome the problem 135WH Direct Democracy Initiatives8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Direct Democracy Initiatives 136WH

[Mr Douglas Carswell] for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith) for calling the debate and my hon. Friend the Member for Clacton of the cost. In this country we have had three open (Mr Carswell) for chipping in with his thoughts on primaries: in Totnes and Gosport, and for the Mayor of direct democracy. London. The cost was prohibitive in other constituencies. My hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park We must, without resorting to state subsidy, taxpayer-funded correctly set out some of the problems that we face, politics or, heaven forbid, giving the party chairman the including public engagement with Parliament. Some power to decide where open primaries should be held, issues with the previous Parliament that my hon. Friend find a way of allowing people to have a say about who the Member for Clacton highlighted are well known, gets to be the candidate in their constituency. A simple which is why political and constitutional reform is one way to do that is to piggyback primaries on to pre-existing of this Government’s central features. We need to ensure local ballots and allow people to petition their returning that people are properly engaged with Parliament and officers to trigger the process. politics—those are not always the same thing—and that I hope that the Government listen and get this right, we do a much better job than the previous Government because if they get it wrong it will mean strengthening did. the power of the big corporate party hierarchies in London, Let me respond to the two things that my hon. Friend rather than opening up democracy to local people. the Member for Richmond Park mentioned: recall and The Government need to get two other things right. local referendums. I will come to the issues raised by my People should be allowed a direct say in law-making. hon. Friend the Member for Clacton later. The prominence Rather than contracting out the process to a professional given to recall by all three major political parties at the caste of politicians and a priesthood of party managers, general election reflected its importance. There was we should allow people a direct say. I am delighted that consensus among all those parties, particularly off the the Government are toying with the idea of a great back of the expenses scandal, that we needed to do repeal Bill—a freedom Bill—written by the people. something to deal with that issue. However, I fear that they are not running this project as Under the Government’s proposal, which my hon. a wiki Bill, like the wiki Bill on Wikiversity, which is run Friend the Member for Richmond Park does not think completely as a crowd-sourced, open-source project. goes far enough, the recall mechanism would be set in Instead, they are running it as a Government-owned motion only if there were, effectively, a trigger—if an online consultation. The difference is that, if something MP were engaged in serious wrongdoing. At that point, is genuinely crowd-sourced and the people are allowed a if 10% of constituents signed a petition, a by-election say, it tends to be pretty optimistic and liberal and is not would be triggered in which the individual would be dominated by demands to legalise cannabis, for example. able to stand and defend their record. Effectively, that There tends to be a much more angry and illiberal would put the decision in the hands of the people. exchange in respect of a project on a Government-owned website. I hope that the Government amend the online We decided to do that to deal with specific issues in architecture of their freedom Bill proposal, replace it the previous Parliament, because members of the public with what is available free on the Wikiversity site and were rightly saying, in respect of matters raised with an try to introduce the latter to the House. MP early in the Parliament, “We’ve got an MP who’s been judged to have fallen below the standards we The Government talked about a right of popular expected, but they can continue sitting in Parliament, initiative, meaning that, instead of leaving it to the taking their salary for the rest of the Parliament and Sir Humphrey Applebys and a few Ministers to decide there’s nothing we can do about it.” the legislative agenda of the Commons, we should give the people a say. There was a wonderful proposal for a My hon. Friend thinks that we should go further. We threshold mechanism, under which, if a proposal got a balanced that right because we do not want this mechanism certain number of signatures it would be introduced or used as a political tool by political opponents, with at least given time and MPs would be forced to debate Members of Parliament consistently being faced with a and vote on it. I ask the architects of this proposal in recall challenge based on nothing more than the fact Whitehall, again, to be cautious about allowing thresholds that people disagree with them. for this popular initiative. A far better way of ensuring that the outcome is liberal and inclusive—sunshine Mr Carswell: I respect the Minister’s statement that it politics, rather than reactionary, angry and sectional is important that we should not have a system that politics—is to ensure that different proposals have to allows vexatious attempts against good, legitimately compete for Floor time in the House of Commons, elected MPs, but will he consider the example of Winchester rather than having to pass a certain threshold. If we in 1997, when a vexatious attempt was made by the allow the threshold mechanism to be used, we would be Tories to trigger a judicially sanctioned recall election asking for proposals that, as a liberal, I would feel because they felt that they had lost, unfairly, by two uncomfortable supporting. votes? They went on to lose that election by more than 20,000 votes. Surely, we should trust the people, who I hope the Government listen to these concerns and have pretty good judgment to decide what is and is not a ensure that, through the mechanisms they introduce, legitimate complaint against a Member of Parliament. direct democracy means more liberalism, rather than reactionary illiberalism. Mr Harper: I remember that well, as I suspect my hon. Friend does. I went tramping round the streets of 4.14 pm Winchester in that rather thankless by-election. The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark In his article in the press, my hon. Friend the Member Harper): I am grateful for your chairmanship of this for Richmond Park mentioned the Californian recall debate, Mrs Brooke. I thank my hon. Friend the Member system, through which every governor since Ronald Reagan 137WH Direct Democracy Initiatives8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Direct Democracy Initiatives 138WH in 1968 has faced a recall petition. Clearly, most of local councillors, as well as from Members of Parliament. those petitions were not successful. The state of California We have announced that we will replace the existing is of a significant size, compared with the United Kingdom, standards regime, which is centralist and leads to vexatious and it takes a fair amount of organisation and initiative complaints. We are working closely with colleagues in to even get a recall petition sorted out. the Department for Communities and Local Government Given the size of a parliamentary constituency and and local colleagues to decide what sort of regime will that most hon. Members face significant blocks of replace that. My hon. Friends had a meeting with the Opposition voters, recall could easily turn into a tool Minister with responsibility for decentralisation earlier used by our political opponents. I will explain in a this week, and I know that he will welcome any ideas moment why I think that that would be particularly about what that regime should look like. bad, and I will try to do so in a way that my hon. Friend the Member for Clacton will find appealing. Zac Goldsmith: I understand what has been said about the need for politicians to be able to make bold Zac Goldsmith: I understand that recall has been statements and to think outside the box, but the recall successful only once in California, despite all those process would necessarily take many months. The right attempts, precisely for the reasons mentioned by my to trigger a recall would have to be activated and in hon. Friend during his intervention. turn, if that were successful, it would lead to a by-election in which the same candidate—the person who had been Mr Harper: That is right. I hinted at that in my recalled—could stand. The process would be lengthy, remarks. Let me mention one reason why recall would and the time would give any challenged MP, local not be a good idea. My hon. Friend the Member for councillor, MEP and so on an opportunity to sell their Clacton wants legislators and those in positions of ideas to the electorate. If they failed, they would lose power to be fearless and to put forward bold ideas—to their job, and that would be a consequence of democracy. be able to come up with challenging ideas, demonstrate I am sure that every hon. Member here can think of them and argue for them in public. I think that I have individual local councillors who waste public money characterised some of his views correctly. Under the and deliver almost nothing. There must be a mechanism recall system that we are talking about, legislators could that allows local people who feel under-represented by be subject to recall by their constituents at any moment. councillors in safe wards, and who are given a limited If that fact were held over MPs, it would drive away any menu of options at elections, to assert themselves and opportunity to set out bold or challenging ideas that to ensure that they are properly represented. I again took a while to deliver. urge the Minister to consider including councillors in If someone had an idea involving a tough and difficult the recall mechanism. period with a payback taking some time to come to fruition, and if there were a recall petition hanging over Mr Harper: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s them that could be triggered for political reasons, I clarification. suspect that they would be off. People who wanted to bring forward bold and radical ideas would be deterred, Esther McVey (Wirral West) (Con): I thank my hon. and the proposal would have the opposite effect. Friend the Member for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith) for this debate. Engagement with the public is vital, Mr Carswell: I do not wish to labour the point, but particularly now. We need to know that we can hold our under our proposal, recall would be a two-stage process. elected representatives to account. In respect of the The people, rather than a committee of grandees in this recall mechanism and direct democracy, is there not a place, would decide in a vote whether there should be a need for greater sanctions within the establishment as a recall, and there would then be a by-election. I would whole so that the public can see what goes on in the rather face the judgment of the good people of my House and in their councils, and whether they are being constituency than a committee of grandees in Whitehall. correctly dealt with internally, as well as externally?

Mr Harper: I understand why my hon. Friend might Mr Harper: My hon. Friend raises a good point. I think that, but Members of Parliament might feel constant referred to the standards regime and one reason why we pressure. There is always a challenge in politics when will sweep that away is that we do not believe that it putting forward bold ideas and having time to allow works adequately. The Secretary of State said that if them to come to fruition before facing people’s judgment. councillors are guilty of illegality, sanctions and a system Those of us in the business of putting forward such exist to deal with that. If they are guilty of political ideas, whether in Government or outside, must make a foolishness, the ultimate sanction is that electors can judgment, and the Government’s view is that it would throw them out. That is why we will change the conduct not be sensible if a recall could be triggered at any time regime, and we are considering how to do so. I am not without there having been serious wrongdoing. We have sure what my hon. Friend is proposing on specifics, but set out what we want to do, and triggering a recall on that is why we will change the system. serious wrongdoing was a policy proposed in the manifestos In the few minutes remaining, I want to touch on the of all three major parties at the last election. My hon. local referendum issue, which is a little closer to what Friends the Members for Richmond Park and for Clacton my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park was still have some way to go to persuade the Government talking about. We want to give citizens much more say to change position. in terms of local referendums than at the moment. We I turn to local government. Reference was made to have made a commitment to give local residents the whether recall should apply to other elected officials. power to trigger local referendums on local issues. That Clearly, we want high standards of behaviour from was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Meon 139WH Direct Democracy Initiatives8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Direct Democracy Initiatives 140WH

[Mr Harper] on to the Deputy Prime Minister his thoughts about how the debate on what is in the Freedom (Great Valley (George Hollingbery). The issue must be local Repeal) Bill could be more liberal than the way in which and the local authority must be able to do something the Government are undertaking it. about it. My final point picks up on the intervention by my We intend to include the necessary legal provisions as hon. Friend the Member for Meon Valley about local part of the Decentralism and Localism Bill, which was government and its scope. I hope that he will be pleased announced in the Queen’s Speech. That work will be that, to promote devolution of power and greater financial taken forward by the Minister with responsibility for autonomy, we have made a commitment to have a decentralisation. The measures will set out the nature of review of local government finance. That is a brave local referendums and whether and in what circumstances undertaking, given the history of local government they will be binding. finance reviews, but we want to do it because it is clear My hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park that unless local authorities are given more control over touched on the extent to which authorities will be revenue and money, we cannot shift more power in that bound by the decision. This is a significant step forward. direction. At the moment, local authorities can have referendums, The Government have said that they will have a but they, not local people, decide whether to have them. serious and wide-ranging examination of local government Clearly, my hon. Friend will engage in that debate and finance and its powers, I hope that my hon. Friend will consider the Government’s proposals when they are welcome that. It is an important measure to give local published later this autumn. authorities more power and responsibility, and will Something else that we will do—this was set out in make the ability to have referendums and to engage the coalition programme for government, and my hon. local people in what local authorities do more meaningful. Friend the Member for Clacton touched on it—is to It is meaningless to have local referendums if the local ensure that any petition that secures 100,000 signatures authority cannot do much in response. will be eligible for debate in Parliament. The petition The coalition Government’s package of political and with the most signatures will enable members of the constitutional measures that come under the heading of public to table a Bill that will be debated and voted on direct democracy, even if they do not go as far as my in the House. hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Park wants, are I listened carefully to what my hon. Friend said about a step forward in reconnecting this House and this how we should deal with the details of that proposal to Parliament with the country and getting the public to ensure—this will be music to the ears of the Deputy feel that they have more ownership of how we do Prime Minister—that measures that are brought forward politics. are liberal rather than illiberal. We will announce details Zac Goldsmith: I want to ask on the record whether of that proposal in due course; they are currently being the Minister would be willing to come and meet the worked on. I will share the views of my hon. Friend newly formed all-party group on direct democracy so with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the that we can continue this discussion. House. We will think about them as we develop our proposals. That is a positive step forward. Mr Harper: I would be pleased to accept that invitation. My hon. Friend knows that the coalition Government’s This has been a good debate, and has provided colleagues programme includes a commitment for open primaries. with the opportunity to make some good points. I am I heard what he said about how he would like them to happy to continue it in a more informal setting so that operate, and I have taken careful note of that. I will pass we may continue to develop these ideas. 141WH 8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Telford (Regeneration) 142WH

Telford (Regeneration) that the programme is going ahead and will be effective in towns such as Dawley, Stirchley and right across the borough. 4.29 pm I would now like to canter through some of the local communities and mention one or two of the key issues David Wright (Telford) (Lab): It is good to see you in and challenges facing them. My home town is Oakengates, the Chair this afternoon, Mrs Brooke. I am in the which is one of the older communities in Telford. I shall Chamber to talk about what I believe to be the most begin by saying what an excellent job the chamber of important issue in Parliament—my constituency. Of trade is doing in trying to sustain and promote the local course, every hon. Member quite rightly thinks the economy through its activities and its superb website, same thing about their own constituency.As hon. Members visitoakengates.com. I grew up in Oakengates, which will know, I represent the new town of Telford that was has received investment over recent years. The theatre so designated in the 1960s and is one of the most has been refurbished, and there has been a significant successful new towns built post-world war two. The amount of housing-led regeneration on former industrial town comprises a mix of older communities on the east sites throughout the town. Partner agencies have come Shropshire coalfield such as Oakengates, Dawley and in, such as the Salvation Army which redeveloped a new Madeley. In the 1960s, a number of new developments hall that is a fabulous facility. We have also seen investment were created to infill the area between those towns. In through the primary care trust and with GPs in new many ways, the community is rooted in east Shropshire, surgeries. However, Oakengates faces continuing challenges although people have moved in, largely from the west that are the same as those confronting many towns. The midlands conurbation, when issues such as overcrowding street environment needs to be improved—I know that and slum clearance were tackled during the 1960s. the council has been talking to the community about There is a big challenge facing all new towns as a that. The town has serious parking problems, which are result of the fact that, because they were designated at a dangerous. We must redesign the centre of the town to particular time, the fabric of the town ages over the make it more attractive to retailers and the public, and same time period. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we must make parking safer. significant parts of the new town estates in Telford There used to be a vibrant market, and although needed to be regenerated. In addition, the older communities there are still two or three stalls on market day, but there in our town also needed support and investment over used to be a lot more. We need to see a revitalised time. Therefore, there is a mix of older towns that, as I market in Oakengates and in other towns across Telford. have said, are focused around mining communities, Perhaps the Government should go back to the drawing engineering and heavy industry, much of which has now board and think again about how to promote markets, sadly gone. There are also new town estates that were not just in Telford but across the UK, and what more designed in the 1960s and often based on the Radburn we can do to support their establishment and survival. layout where non-traditional design patterns and In many ways, Oakengates is the centre of the night-time architectural patterns were used to put housing estates economy in Telford, and CCTV provision must be together. That has thrown up a series of challenges that improved and enhanced. There is also an old, classic I will touch on in my speech. building called the Walker Tech building. I know it well, I will now run through Telford geographically, going but it has fallen into disrepair and is boarded up. It is a broadly from north to south, touching on the issues classic building and must be brought back into use as confronting each particular community. Before I do so, quickly as possible. It is owned by a private developer I will mention two key issues. First, housing has got to who I hope we can encourage to bring the scheme be the cornerstone of any regeneration activity. It was forward. The Government must think about how they right for that to be the case when the new town was can encourage developers who own older, empty buildings designated, and it is right for that to be the case now. to bring forward investment and bring classic old buildings, There are a large number of people on the housing such as the Walker Tech building, back into use. waiting list in Telford, with over 10,000 people seeking Another area I want to mention is St Georges, which social housing. Over the past 20 to 30 years, we have not is another area that I know well, as it is where I went to built enough social housing in the town and we must school. Continuing with my theme, there is another address that problem. I do not place blame on any classic building in St Georges called the Gower street particular Government; we must come together and youth club. It was an old school building but it is now acknowledge that we need more social and rented housing. empty. It could be converted into flats to provide high- That must be the cornerstone of our regeneration strategy. quality accommodation, but again, that scheme needs Secondly, Building Schools for the Future is proving to be developed quickly. I gathered a petition of over to be particularly successful in Telford, where the Minister 300 signatures from people in St Georges who want the will be pleased to know that the BSF programme is building to be brought back into use. We must develop a going ahead, largely because it has been well put together. strategy for new youth provision in St Georges. Regeneration The initial bid by the old council was good, as are the is not only about bricks, mortar and fabric but about schemes being pursued by the existing council. It is a sustaining communities. As I have said, youth provision pleasure to say that I support the scheme and welcome was taken away when the Gower street youth club was the fact that it is continuing and that we will see over closed, and it has never been properly replaced. There £100 million of investment in new schools across Telford. are also significant parking issues in St Georges. Some schools have already been rebuilt and are proving I will now briefly mention one of the new town incredibly popular with pupils and parents. In many areas—Hollinswood and Randlay. Hollinswood is a communities, those new schools will form the focal classic new town estate based almost on a Radburn-style point of regeneration activity, which is why I am delighted layout with a road network that is different from a 143WH Telford (Regeneration)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Telford (Regeneration) 144WH

[David Wright] how we engage people, through schemes such as the future jobs fund or a replacement for it, to get people traditional road layout. We need investment in the active, cleaning up neighbourhoods and receiving training fabric and in things such as estate roads and footpaths. as well. We need Government support to develop a It is simple: often, regeneration is not about grandiose major regeneration plan for the Brookside area. large schemes but about sustaining the investment that One of the first major regeneration schemes that we has already been made. In Hollinswood, we need investment pursued in Telford was at Woodside. I am very proud to in the local centre and in the general infrastructure of have been involved in that project over the years, right the estate. from its start. We have done some fantastic work up To the council’s credit, plans for the Randlay centre there. We are now starting to see work progress on the are extremely good, but we need to get on with them as local centre and on the area to the east of the estate, quickly as possible. The community has been waiting which needs to be redesigned. I would like to hear from for a long time to see the local centre in Randlay the Minister today an ongoing commitment to Woodside. redeveloped. It is a partnership with the private sector; I am sure that he will be able to give one—I hope he it is a good scheme and it should be moved forward as will—because the project is the lynchpin of regeneration quickly as possible. in southern Telford. Dawley was the town on which the new town is Similarly, I would like the Minister to give a commitment based. It was called Dawley new town before being to further investment on Sutton Hill, which was the first redesignated as Telford. Dawley is an old community new town estate to be built. It has major design and that has undergone a lot of change. I welcome the infrastructure needs. There is a big scheme on the anvil investment in Dawley centre even though I have concerns to redevelop the centre of the estate, alongside the and reservations about the new bandstand in the centre investment that has been made in the children’s centre of the town and the reintroduction of traffic to the high and in the new school over recent years. There is a very street. However, I am open-minded and willing to be positive agenda for Sutton Hill, but the local centre proved wrong about my concerns. needs to be remodelled, and we have to examine the I very much welcome the investment going into Dawley, layout of the rest of the estate as well, because regeneration but we must do more, as we need a renewed drive does not just involve the centre. We need to remodel the against antisocial behaviour in the high street. I continue roadways and the neighbourhoods, because of the design to raise that with the police, as it is an ongoing problem. of the estate. Local residents constantly say to me that it is a serious I welcome the work that the police have done in issue, particularly at night. When they go in to use the recent weeks to tackle fire starting in the Sutton Hill town, there are gangs of young people concentrated in area. Someone has been setting fire to vehicles and the town. We need to divert those people and give them caravans there. The police have been working very hard something else to do, but we also need to crack down on on that, with information from the local community, antisocial behaviour, which is unacceptable. That must and I very much welcome that. However, there are other be a priority for the police in Dawley. issues of antisocial behaviour on Sutton Hill where, at We also need the market back in the high street in night, young people gather and intimidate others. We Dawley on a Friday. Because of the street works, the need to think about how we police that area and, again, market has been moved to the adjacent car park. We how we divert the people involved and make the need to get the market back in the high street as quickly environment safe. as we can, so that we can support local traders and I have mentioned a number of new town estates, and continue to have a popular market in Dawley. one of the big issues on those estates is empty homes, Stirchley is another new town estate, and is a good which are often owned by private landlords, who perhaps example of where Building Schools for the Future will own one, two or three properties. They are very often sustain the area and help us to develop a new local absentee landlords who do not look after their properties. centre with a focus. It is a good example of how The Government need to re-examine how to secure investment through a project such as BSF can come possession of those empty homes, which are owned by a together with a range of partners—the private sector, single landlord or small groups of landlords, because retailers and the health service—to remodel a local they drag an area down very quickly and a whole street centre. I look forward to seeing exciting plans relating can be blighted if one property is empty. to Stirchley. Madeley is a good example of how the private sector Brookside in my constituency is another new town can lead regeneration. The scheme in Madeley is excellent, area that needs investment. The local centre is a mess. and I congratulate Tesco on the fantastic job that is has The buildings are incredibly unattractive, and the street done there. The centre has been completely revitalised pattern has turned the area in on itself. It needs to be through a good partnership with Tesco, involving investment cleared and redeveloped, and we need to put together in the local street scene, rather than an out-of-town an exciting initiative, in partnership with the private store. Tesco deserves some credit for that. sector, if that is to happen. There are serious street I now want to discuss Telford town centre, where drinking problems outside that local centre, and the there are a number of key private sector interests and police need to deal with that effectively. where the local authority, too, has its offices. There is a The Wrekin Housing Trust has been using people real opportunity to transform the environment and engaged in the future jobs fund to progress improvements create a lively centre with high-quality shopping, on the estate. Unfortunately, that programme is coming entertainment and office and residential development. to an end. More than 20 people have been involved. I My concern is that the partners are not producing a would like to think that agencies could look again at comprehensive vision for the area because the owners of 145WH Telford (Regeneration)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Telford (Regeneration) 146WH the shopping centre—Hark Group Ltd—and the local work with the local community on the creation of new authority seem to be at odds over the best way to regeneration plans for areas such as Brookside, and that proceed. he will look positively on proposals that may be made The council sold its Malinslee House headquarters to to extend the scope of regeneration activity under way Asda, which is moving out of the shopping centre. I or planned in areas such as Sutton Hill. disagreed with that decision, as the original plans for Finally, will the Minister take another look at some the redevelopment of the Telford centre envisaged the of the housing issues? Housing will be a central element Malinslee House site as a mix of residential, office and of our plans to regenerate the town. Will he consider small retail units. In my view, that is still the best use of any proposals that may be made to develop more social the site. That said, local government means just that— housing in the town and will he take another look—a government, not administration. The council has taken serious look—at empty homes and their impact, not its decision democratically, which is fair enough. However, just in Telford but throughout the country? I am concerned that an application by Hark to create a new supermarket and a range of smaller shops and 4.49 pm restaurants on the Red Oak car park site has been with the council for some nine months. That application The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for must be determined as soon as possible. Hark invested Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): It is £450 million when it purchased the Telford shopping a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mrs Brooke. I join in centre, and that scheme could provide 400 jobs that the the congratulations to the hon. Member for Telford town desperately needs. (David Wright) on securing the debate, which he has I welcome the initiative in the town centre to redevelop made full use of on behalf of his constituents. In the Southwater area, and the council and the Southwater addition, I welcome my hon. Friend the Member for Event Group seem to be working well together. The The Wrekin (Mark Pritchard), who is also interested in Telford international centre is, by the nature of its this issue. It is an important one, and I appreciate the name, a venue of international quality, and we need to way in which the hon. Gentleman put his case. support it fully. There is a real opportunity to transform Regeneration is something to which the Government the environment and we should grasp it. are absolutely committed, and I was interested and pleased to learn about Telford and Wrekin’s ambitious Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I congratulate regeneration agenda and the projects and programmes the hon. Gentleman on initiating this important debate. that were mentioned, including the multi-million pound He is a fair-minded Member of the House, so will he borough town initiative. That tailored approach to meeting congratulate Conservative-controlled Telford and Wrekin the needs of six individual and distinctively different council on the regeneration partnerships that it has towns demonstrates the importance of local understanding already formed and the regeneration not only of wards in developing successful regeneration programmes. in his constituency, but of market towns in other parts Local people have not only the knowledge but, more of the borough? Also, will he put on the record his importantly, a vested interest in the best sense of that support for the formation of a local enterprise partnership phrase in driving forward the changes needed to improve with Shropshire council and other stakeholders in the their communities and areas. That is why the Government county and in the borough, devolving powers from are committed to devolving power to neighbourhoods, Advantage West Midlands to ensure that rural areas scrapping regional planning and allowing communities and places such as Telford and Wrekin—urban areas— and local councils such as Telford and Wrekin to have receive more funding, rather than just urban areas in much greater control and power over their own destiny. Birmingham? By removing the regional tier of government and abolishing the regional development agencies, neighbourhoods—and David Wright: It is good to see my hon. Friend, as I their councils and partners, as we heard—will finally be shall call him, here this afternoon. There has been a at the very heart of regeneration. good record, under both the Labour Administration I am conscious, however, that no two areas are the and the Conservative Administration we have now, of same and that each has its own priorities and faces its putting together partnerships. Woodside was put together own challenges. That was amply demonstrated by the under the Labour Administration and has been very hon. Gentleman. That is why we invited local authorities successful. Other partnerships put together by the and business leaders to form local enterprise partnerships. Conservative-controlled council have also been successful. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman looks forward to I do not think there is a need for us to divide up on that. finding out the details. My hon. Friend is right that We have a good record over a number of decades of there is a bid from the local authorities and the business putting together regeneration programmes, which is community in the Marches to join local authorities in positive. We are meeting about the local enterprise forming exactly such a partnership, with interventions structures in the next two or three weeks, and I shall be focusing on enterprise, employment, planning and housing, keen to see what the council is proposing on that score. transport and infrastructure, education and skills, I am conscious of the time and I wanted to secure sustainability and strategic leadership. I know that the from the Minister a commitment to the regeneration bid picks up on a number of those factors, including programmes that we currently have in Telford through a housing, education and skills, which were referred to confirmation from him that existing funding is safe, during the debate. that schemes will be completed and that budgets through Those partnerships are key regeneration vehicles. They the local government settlement and through the Homes will empower local areas to provide the strategic leadership and Communities Agency will be protected. I would needed to drive economic growth and enterprise and to like to think that he will agree to commit the HCA to meet local priorities. It will give local authorities, businesses 147WH Telford (Regeneration)8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Telford (Regeneration) 148WH

[Robert Neill] of the need for housing and a willingness to grow, are precisely the areas that will stand to benefit from the and the voluntary sector the opportunity to join in Government’s new homes bonus scheme, particularly in rationalising existing arrangements and focus economic relation to the need for social or other affordable housing. activity at the local level. Those reforms, together with Funding at 125% will be a particular incentive for such the new general power of competence, will make it authorities. I am sure that that will be a material benefit. easier for local authorities to bring about real change I understand that Telford was one of the first authorities and drive forward the regeneration that their communities in the west midlands to develop a local investment plan want. with the HCA, in which it set out its key housing Alongside that more permissive neighbourhood-based priorities for the next three years. As we have heard, it is approach to delivering regeneration, we are developing focusing on town centre renaissance and regeneration, a new way of thinking. We need to get away from the including the projects referred to by the hon. Gentleman, idea that things can be fixed only through Government and the establishment of a housing and regeneration intervention. The Government are not always needed to partnership board with the borough council and the fix things. We need to get into the habit of finding local HCA—another good example of community working. solutions to local problems, driven by local people. In relation to the specifics of Woodside raised by the However, that does not mean that the Government are hon. Gentleman, I am aware that Telford and Wrekin entirely out of the picture; of course we have a responsibility council is currently working out proposals for the next to provide communities with the right incentives, tools phase of the project, including the provision of affordable and information that they need if we want them to homes, open space and the remodelling of existing participate actively in the regeneration and economic areas. We will of course consider those proposals with growth of their local areas. interest. I hope that the levers that we have will encourage That is why, in addition to the introduction of local the council. Similarly, in relation to Sutton Hill, the first enterprise partnerships, the Government are establishing phase is under way, focusing on the local centre benefiting a £1 billion regional growth fund to provide support for from HCA investment, match-funded by the local authority, projects that offer significant potential for sustainable and the strategy for future phases is being considering economic growth that can create new private sector further by Telford and Wrekin council. Again, we look employment. As hon. Members know, the fund will forward to seeing its proposals. operate for two years and will play a central role in The hon. Gentleman mention empty housing; he rebalancing the economy in those regions where, historically, made a fair point. It is still a problem in various parts of there may have been some reliance on public sector the country and local authorities have a key role in spending. Proposals for that could come from both identifying empty homes and working with owners to private and public bodies—and, I hope, private-public bring them back into use. The Government have given a partnerships. I am sure that local enterprise partnerships commitment to explore a range of measures to bring will play a key role in that process. empty homes back into use, and we began the process in I am conscious that the spending review dominates a the summer and autumn as outlined in the Department great deal of thinking at this time. I am sure that the for Communities and Local Government’s structural hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I cannot pre-empt reform plan. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will its results. have seen that plan; it is available on the website. Again, the power of general competence gives a further potential Mark Pritchard: The local enterprise partnership lever for local authorities to use in that regard. submission to the Government from Shropshire, Telford, I turn to the question of markets. As a local councillor, Wrekin, Herefordshire, the Marches and business partners I had a spell as chairman of my borough council’s makes various recommendations and requests. One relates markets committee. It was a fascinating period of my to the Homes and Communities Agency, which has political life. Markets make an important contribution significant assets in Telford and Wrekin. I hope that the to the local economy. We are alert to the matter, and my Government will look carefully and favourably on allowing fellow Minister, the hon. Member for Hazel Grove HCA assets to come to the LEP in order that regeneration (Andrew Stunell), is working on the matter and will can take place locally. shortly be issuing further proposals. We hope to work with the market and retail sectors, giving advice and Robert Neill: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that support for existing markets and encouraging new ones. intervention. I am aware of that ambition, and Ministers The Government can work with the retail sector to in my Department and in the Department for Business, encourage such things. The hon. Gentleman has made a Innovation and Skills will want to consider the bid timely intervention on that topic, and we are endeavouring carefully. I am glad that the LEPs are ambitious in such to take it on board. matters. We will obviously need to consider the detail of I look forward in due course to finding out more the bid, which was received only recently. I am sure that about Telford. I have done my best to deal with the the growth of LEPs, together with the regional grown points raised by the hon. Gentleman, and I am grateful fund, will be of benefit for exactly that sort of consideration. to him for having drawn those points to our attention. I am well aware of the hon. Gentleman’s interest in Question put and agreed to. housing and housing growth in Telford. He spoke of the shortage of affordable housing in the borough. Areas 5pm such as Telford, where there appears to be a recognition Sitting adjourned. 15WS Written Ministerial Statements8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 16WS

Please visit the Skills Funding Agency website (http:// Written Ministerial skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk) for a full list of successful colleges. Statements COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Wednesday 8 September 2010 Thurrock Thames Gateway Urban Development Corporation BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Investment in the Further Education Estate Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): Iam today announcing that from 1 April 2012 the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (TTGDC) The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong will cease operation and become part of Thurrock Learning (Mr John Hayes): On 24 May the Government borough council, although a decision on the treatment announced that £50 million of re-prioritised Train to of the assets currently held by TTGDC will be made at Gain funding would be invested in the further education a later stage. infrastructure to support the development of new college Last year, the previous Administration undertook a facilities. On the 21 June, I informed the House that quinquennial review of the development corporation’s though the Government could not undo the previous performance from inception. Following that review, it mismanagement of the FE capital programme, they was decided that the Urban Development Corporation fully recognised the importance of ensuring that the (UDC) should be transferred into the Homes and teaching and learning facilities in our further education Communities Agency (HCA). I have reviewed this decision colleges be modern and fit for purpose. and have concluded that this should not be implemented—it That is why I made it clear that the Government was a centralising measure that would have further would support those colleges who had not previously distanced local people from decisions about the future benefited significantly from public investment and so of their area. In addition, the consultation undertaken the £50 million would be targeted at those further as part of the review showed clearly that there was no education colleges that had received less than £5 million local support in favour of this decision. in total grant support since 2001 from the Learning and In deciding the way forward for TTGDC, I have Skills Council. considered the coalition commitments to cutting the I am pleased to inform Parliament that the Skills costs of quangos and increasing accountability, and to Funding Agency has today written to those colleges localism. I have concluded that it is right TTGDC informing them that they will each receive up to a should transfer to the local council. This will chime £225,000 renewal grant. The chief executive has informed with our approach to the Thames Gateway generally, 21 of these colleges that in addition to receiving a where I am decentralising strategic oversight to local renewal grant they will also receive an additional enhanced political leaders. This will lead to a number of benefits renewal grant taking their total grant up to £1 million. including: This will help colleges modernise their facilities, giving maintaining the momentum of private sector investment; them a much needed boost at a time when education enabling efficiency savings to be made through shared services; could not be more important. Finally, the Skills Funding achieving value for money by limiting public sector investment Agency is working with a further five colleges to resolve necessary to enable maximum private investment; affordability issues so that they too can receive capital strengthening local control over regeneration and the operation investment. of planning responsibilities, and; The Skills Funding Agency received 92 applications strengthening the council’s capacity to drive regeneration. which were assessed in a robust and transparent process In order to affect these changes TTGDC will move using three key criteria: the existing condition of the into the council’s premises by March 2011, enabling college estate and its facilities; proposed benefits to some efficiency gains to be realised quickly. TTGDC learners; and how the projects would contribute to the will work more closely with the council during 2011-12, regeneration of their local communities. before ceasing independent operation from 1 April 2012. This Government are committed to open and transparent It will be formally wound up following adoption of its decision making and accordingly the assessment exercise final report and accounts later that year. The treatment was scrutinised by representatives of the Association of of the assets currently held by TTGDC will be considered Colleges who were satisfied that the selection process as part of the detailed arrangements for the transfer. had been conducted properly and run smoothly. All recipients of the enhanced renewal grant are DEFENCE expected to begin construction shortly with completion anticipated in September 2011 allowing learners to benefit Defence Fixed Telecommunications Services from these new facilities in the 2011 academic year. In addition I expect colleges to leverage additional The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence private resources and I am pleased to inform the House (Peter Luff): I wish to inform the House that my that it is estimated that the £50 million allocated by the Department has recently extended our public-private Government will produce a total investment in the partnership contract with BT Group to provide the further education estate of over £230 million. I am sure Defence Fixed Telecommunications Services (DFTS). the House will agree that this investment will make a DFTS provides secure and survivable wide area network significant difference to learners across the country. voice, data and video telecommunications services to 17WS Written Ministerial Statements8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 18WS defence users in the UK and abroad, and also to defence The risk of further spread among horses is considered and industry partners including the National Air Traffic by experts to be very low, but this will be kept under Systems and the Met Office. The services provided review pending further epidemiological investigation. under the contract are vital to the daily operation of the Expert advice from the Health Protection Agency is Ministry of Defence and the armed forces, both in that EIA is not a risk to human health and that there is peace and at war. no evidence that this incident presents a risk to the local The current contract, which expires in July 2012, has community. been extended for three years until 2015 under existing This is the second case of equine infectious anaemia contractual provisions. The extension is valued at about in recently imported horses this year. Prior to 2010 £810 million. It is expected to achieve net operational there had been no confirmed cases since 1976. This and financial benefits in excess of £90 million and, shows the success of our post import testing regime. through taking full advantage of BT’s 21st century This was an apparently healthy horse carrying a notifiable network programme, will lead to improvements in disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. performance and security which would otherwise be unachievable. A number of impending obsolescence issues will also be resolved. HOME DEPARTMENT Work is under way to re-compete the contract before this extension comes to an end in 2015. This will form part of a major overhaul in the way the MOD procures Extradition Review and manages voice, data, video and information and communication technology services, and will reflect the outcome of the strategic defence and security review. The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May): I am today announcing to Parliament the Government’s plans to review the UK’s extradition ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS arrangements. The coalition’s programme for Government document published on 20 May, stated that Equine Infectious Anaemia “We will review the operation of the Extradition Act—and the US/UK extradition treaty—to make sure it is even-handed”. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and This announcement sets out how we propose to do this. Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): I wish to inform There are a number of areas of the UK’s extradition the House that on the afternoon of 6 September 2010 arrangements which have attracted significant controversy the chief veterinary officer for the United Kingdom in recent years. The Government understand that these confirmed equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in one horse are long-standing concerns and the review will therefore in Northumberland following importation from the focus on five issues to ensure that the UK’s extradition Netherlands. arrangements work both efficiently and in the interests A single premises is currently under disease control of justice. These issues are: restrictions and the infected horse has been humanely breadth of Secretary of State discretion in an extradition destroyed. case; The infected animal arrived in a group of six horses. the operation of the European arrest warrant, including the The other five horses have tested negative for the disease. way in which those of its safeguards which are optional have been transposed into UK law; There are a further 11 horses on the premises which are also being tested for the disease. As part of our control whether the forum bar to extradition should be commenced; measures we will be undertaking a detailed epidemiological whether the US-UK extradition treaty is unbalanced; investigation. We have identified a bridleway adjacent whether requesting states should be required to provide to the premises. We have agreed with the local authority prima facie evidence. that they will put in place notices at relevant points The review will be conducted by a small panel of leading to the bridleway advising horse owners not to experts who we are now seeking to appoint. We expect exercise their horses in this area. the review to report by the end of the summer 2011. 3P Petitions8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Petitions 4P

attack, nine internationalists died and at least 20 were Petition wounded; further declares that the humanitarian workers and peace activists were attempting to deliver assistance Wednesday 8 September 2010 to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians; and further declares that the petitioners believe that this attack on civilians in international water attests to Israel’s continued PRESENTED PETITION occupation of Gaza and that it is evidence of Israel’s lack of commitment to a peaceful and viable solution Petition presented to the House but not read on the Floor for the Palestinian people. Blockade of Gaza The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to condemn Israel’s The Petition of residents of Trowbridge, and others, blockade of Gaza, to withhold all military financing of Declares that the Israeli Army attacked a convoy of Israel, and to stop all trade until Israel shows a commitment ships destined to deliver humanitarian aid to the people to non-violence and peace. of Gaza; further declares that the six boats included over 600 peace activists from over 50 nations and 10,000 tons And the Petitioners remain, etc. of humanitarian aid; notes that, in the aftermath of the [P000857]

339W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 340W

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Written Answers to Education what guidance his Department issues on whether members of staff of a maintained school may Questions vote on a resolution on application for academy status proposed by the governing body. [12048] Mr Gibb: As part of the application to convert, the Monday 6 September 2010 school’s governing body will need to pass a resolution signalling its intention to convert to an Academy. The [Continued from Column 338W] school’s governing body will include representation from school staff as well as parents and the local authority. The majority of the governing body will need to be in favour of converting to an Academy. EDUCATION Academies: Equality Academies Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice he has received on the compliance Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for of the proposed Academies Bill with the provisions of Education whether the governing bodies of new academy the Equalities Act 2010. [9691] schools will inherit sole responsibility for private finance initiative or local education partnership contracts previously Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2010]: All the held by the relevant local authority. [9099] provisions of the Academies Bill comply with the Equality Act 2010. Mr Gibb: Although arrangements for each PFI school Academies will be subject to all the private duties set converting to academy status are specific to that school, out in the Equality Act, such as those applicable to the normal arrangement would be that the local authority’s schools, employers and service providers, when the Act contract with the PFI contractor remains in place. The comes into force in October 2010. This means that an obligations of the academy trust and the local authority academy may not discriminate against, victimise or necessary for continued fulfilment of the contract would harass any pupil or prospective pupil, employee or be contained in a new schools agreement made between recipient of services, on the grounds of disability, gender the academy trust and the local authority. There would reassignment, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. also be a principal agreement made between the local (Employees and recipients of services are additionally authority, the Secretary of State and the academy trust protected in relation to the characteristics of age and which contained indemnification for the authority in marriage/civil partnership.) relation to various obligations of the academy trust. Furthermore, it is, and always has been, the intention to add academies to the list of bodies in Schedule 19 of Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Equality Act. Including academies on the list of Education what mechanism he plans to put in place for public authorities in Schedule 19 means that academies intervention in case of failure of an academy school. will also be subject to the public sector duties set out in [10845] Part 11 of the Equality Act, when they come into force in April 2011. Mr Gibb: We already have a range of mechanisms in place for intervention in the case of the failure of an Academies: Faith Schools academy. These are outlined in each academy’s funding agreement and articles of association and include powers Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State to enable the Secretary of State to appoint additional for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure the members to the governing body and ultimately to terminate provision of a balanced curriculum for pupils in the funding agreement if required. A draft model funding academy faith schools. [10483] agreement is available on the Department’s website at: Mr Gibb [holding answer 22 July 2010]: All academies, www.education.gov.uk/academies/supporting-documents including faith academies, are required to provide a The Young People’s Learning Agency is responsible for broad and balanced curriculum satisfying the requirements monitoring the performance of academies on behalf of of section 78 of the Education Act 2002 via their the Secretary of State. Academies are also subject to the funding agreement. The Academy Trust must ensure same Ofsted regime as maintained schools. that this includes English, mathematics and science. The provision of a balanced curriculum is set out in Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education the funding agreement. The Young People’s Learning over what period schools may apply to become academy Agency (YPLA) is responsible for ensuring that open schools. [11457] academies comply with their funding agreements. A model funding agreement for outstanding schools Mr Gibb: A school may register interest for academy converting to academies is available to view at: status at any time but must submit an application to convert, to the Department, at least three months before www.education.gov.uk/academies the proposed opening date. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Primary and secondary schools that have been rated for Education by what mechanism he will ensure that outstanding overall in their most recent Ofsted inspection the selection and appointment of teachers in academy are able to apply to convert to academies. The application faith schools is compatible with the provisions of the process for other schools will open at a later date. Equalities Act 2010. [10485] 341W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 342W

Mr Gibb [holding answer 22 July 2010]: All new Mr Gibb: The freedom and autonomy enjoyed by academies, as with existing academies, will be governed academies is crucial to enabling them to drive up standards. by the employment provisions contained in the School We believe that academies should have the freedom to Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA). The SSFA respond to parental demand and provide a high standard permits faith schools, including faith academies, to of food that meets the needs of their pupils. discriminate on religious grounds in relation to certain staff and its provisions are preserved under the Equality Building Schools for the Future Programme Act 2010. Faith academies, in line with voluntary aided schools, may apply religious criteria to the appointment of teaching staff but not to non-teaching staff unless Mr Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for there is a genuine occupational requirement for them to Education what the cost to the public purse has been of be of a particular faith. the local education partnership in each local education authority area since the Building Schools for the Academies: Finance Future programme began. [7017]

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: Data on the set up costs for each Local Education by what mechanism he will determine the Education Partnership (LEP) are held by individual level of additional funding that new academy schools local authorities who record costs differently.The National Audit Office (NAO) report on Building Schools for the will receive. [5216] Future (BSF) published in February 2009 concluded that the set up costs for the first LEPs were higher than Mr Gibb: The additional funding received by new they needed to be because of unavoidable delay by local academy schools is intended to ensure that they are no authorities, extensive reliance on consultants by local better or worse off than they were as maintained schools, authorities, large numbers of sample schemes and having regard to their additional responsibilities. It will unnecessary alterations made to standardised documents. consist of a grant to meet VAT costs, and a grant in lieu of certain local authority (LA) services. The VAT grant is calculated by using historical data on schools’ expenditure Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education to derive a typical proportion of spend that attracts if he will ensure that his Department’s Capital Review VAT. The grant in lieu of LA services is calculated by Team will (1) take into account the growing population dividing LA spend on those services by the relevant in Ealing Central and Acton constituency when making number of pupils in the local authority to derive a decisions on school building; [8158] per-pupil sum. New academy schools will also receive (2) give priority to areas where there is a shortage of funding for insurance and rates at actual cost. school places when allocating resources; and if he will In addition, new academy schools will also receive a make a statement. [8159] grant of £25,000 to help meet the costs of conversion. Mr Gibb [holding answer 14 July 2010]: The capital Academies: Property review team will produce interim advice in the autumn. This will guide future spending decisions over the next Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for spending review period (2011-12 to 2014-15). Meeting Education if he will bring forward proposals to ensure demographic pressures will be a key concern for the that an academy school governing body cannot sell off Department in spending review negotiations. land, buildings or playing fields without the permission The capital review team will look at how best to meet of the relevant local education authority or church parental demand; make current design and procurement representative. [9486] cost-effective and efficient; and overhaul how capital is allocated and targeted for areas where there is a shortage Mr Gibb: Publicly funded land that is transferred to of school places and a growing population. an academy by way of a lease from the local authority to the academy trust will be protected by provisions in Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education the lease which will prevent the land from being sold or what advice his Department received on potential otherwise disposed of. If a freehold interest in publicly compensation claims from (a) private companies and funded land is transferred to an academy, then protection (b) local authorities over the cancellation of (i) against disposal would be secured via the Funding Building Schools for the Future projects and (ii) other Agreement and by a restriction entered on the title. capital projects. [10663] Arrangements for land that is privately owned, for example church owned land that is used by an academy, Mr Gibb [holding answer 22 July 2010]: The Secretary is a matter for the parties involved and any protection in of State took into account advice and information from relation to selling off that land will be a matter for the a range of sources in coming to his decision on the parties. Building Schools for the Future programme. As was the case with the previous Government, information relating Academies: School Meals to internal discussion and advice is not normally disclosed.

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the application of Education (1) whom he contacted at Wigan metropolitan national nutritional standards for school food to borough council to discuss the cancellation of the Building academy schools. [9549] Schools for the Future programme in that area; [11065] 343W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 344W

(2) on what date he contacted Wigan metropolitan Children: Day Care borough council to discuss the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme in that Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for area. [11066] Education what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of his Department’s plans for free Mr Gibb [holding answer 26 July 2010]: The Secretary childcare provision, announced on 6 July 2010; by what of State wrote to the chief executive of Wigan borough mechanisms that provision will be made; for children of council on 5 July. In his letter he set out the review of what age range that provision will be made; and what the Building Schools for the Future programme and the eligibility criteria applied to (a) married couples, (b) future of capital spending in schools more broadly. couples in civil partnerships, (c) single parents, (d) The chief executive of Partnerships for Schools also adoptive parents and (e) foster parents applying for wrote to the Director of Children’s Services of Wigan assistance under that provision. [9963] borough council on 14 July to confirm the position for Wigan’s Building Schools for the Future programme. Sarah Teather: The coalition agreement is clear in its support for free nursery provision and that we want it to reach the most vulnerable families. We announced on Building Schools for the Future Programme: 7 June that we will be extending free nursery education Construction to 15 hours a week from September 2010. Funding of £340 million in this financial year has been made available Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State to local authorities to implement the extension. As with for Education what assessment he has made of the all Government spending, decisions about future years effects on the construction industry of the ending of will be taken as part of the spending review process. the Building Schools for the Future programme. [7731] The mechanism for delivery of the free entitlement is through a diverse range of providers in the maintained, Mr Gibb [holding answer 13 July 2010]: The Secretary private, voluntary and independent sectors, funded by of State considered wide-ranging advice from officials the local authority. It is a universal entitlement for every on the impact of his decision on the Building Schools three and four-year-old, from the term after their third for the Future (BSF) programme, including discussions birthday, until they reach compulsory school age (the of the impact on the construction industry. term after their fifth birthday). All children in this age group are eligible, regardless of family circumstances. The cancellation of BSF does not represent the end of capital investment in schools, nor opportunities for the construction industry. The review announced by the Class Sizes Department on 5 July 2010 will make recommendations to help shape the design of future capital investment in Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education schools; to ensure that future capital investment represents what recent representations he has received on class good value for money and strongly supports the sizes and the Comprehensive Spending Review from Government’s ambitions to reduce the deficit, raise (a) teaching associations, (b) teaching unions and (c) standards and tackle disadvantage. other representative organisations. [11044]

Building Schools for the Future Programme: Lancashire Tim Loughton: No recent representations have been received on class sizes in the context of the spending review from (a) teaching associations, (b) teaching Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for unions and (c) other representative organisations. Education if he will compensate Lancashire county council for its expenditure incurred in relation to those Curriculum elements of the Building Schools for the Future programme in Lancashire which will not now proceed. [9761] Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to enable all schools to have discretion Mr Gibb: There are no plans to compensate local on whether to follow the national curriculum. [11455] authorities for expenditure incurred in relation to these elements of the Building Schools for the Future programme which will now not proceed. Mr Gibb: All maintained schools are currently required to follow the National Curriculum and we have no plans to change that requirement. Subject to the passing Building Schools for the Future Programme: North of the Academies Bill, academies will offer a broad and London balanced curriculum. Through their Funding Agreements, they will also be required to teach English, mathematics Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for and science. They will not, however, be required to Education what information his Department holds on follow the National Curriculum. the costs incurred by private sector contractors to Building Schools for the Future projects in the London Departmental Billing borough of (a) Camden and (b) Brent to date. [8603] Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: Costs incurred by private sector contractors Education what percentage of payments made by his in the London boroughs of Camden and Brent for Department to (a) small and medium-sized enterprise Building Schools for the Future are not held centrally. suppliers and (b) all suppliers were made (i) within 345W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 346W

10 days of receipt of invoice and (ii) on the agreed Directorate Function payment terms in the last three months for which information is available. [11381] Young People Directorate Workforce Group

Tim Loughton: The percentage of all invoices paid by Internal Audit Internal Audit the Department for Education within 10 and 30 days of receipt are shown in the following table. Corporate Services Chief Information Officer Group Please note that our accounts payable shared service Commercial Group provider (the Department for Work and Pensions) does not identify small and medium-sized enterprise suppliers Communications Group separately so the data represent payments to all suppliers. Human Resources Strategic Analysis, Research and Percentage Policy Impact Group April May June Departmental Civil Servants Fewer than 10 days 94.61 94.18 94.21 Fewer than 30 day 99.20 98.39 98.82 Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for DCSF changed its arrangements for invoice processing Education how many employees of his Department on 2 November 2009. From that date all invoices payments and its predecessors attended Civil Service Live in (a) to DFE suppliers are processed by the Department for 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and what estimate he has Work and Pensions as part of their shared services made of the (i) employee working hours taken up by provision. and (ii) cost to his Department and its predecessors of such attendance in each such year. [9051] Departmental Buildings Tim Loughton: Civil Service Live events are owned and managed by the private company Dods (the publishers Mrs Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for of Civil Service World), who bear all of the financial Education what plans he has for the future of his risks. Department’s site at Mowden Hall in Darlington; and The overall delegate numbers for Civil Service Live in if he will make a statement. [11181] 2008, 2009 and 2010 were approximately 6,000, 8,000 and 7,700 respectively. Delegate registration is managed Tim Loughton: The Department for Education is centrally by Dods. Departments do not keep a detailed currently reviewing all aspects of its administrative record of every member of staff that attends. expenditure including the money spent on its estate. This work is being done in the context of the new policy Civil servants do not pay to attend Civil Service Live priorities of the Government and the need to reduce events. There will have been some travel and subsistence administrative costs overall as part of the spending costs for delegates, which will be paid for by individual review process. Departments. Civil servants attending the event will have followed the travel and subsistence guidelines set A decision is pending on whether the Department by their Departments. should continue its planned redevelopment of a new smaller site in Darlington town centre or remain at Departmental Contracts Mowden Hall.

Mrs Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education which functions are conducted by his what processes are in place for competitive tendering of Department at its Mowden Hall site in Darlington. contracts to be let by his Department. [5510] [11326] Tim Loughton: The Department complies with the Tim Loughton: The Department for Education conducts UK Public Procurement Regulation 2006 and officials the following functions at its Mowden Hall site at involved in the procurement process are obliged to Darlington: comply with departmental procurement guidance which is based on the guidance produced by the Office of Directorate Function Government Commerce. This requires that all contracts are competitively tendered unless a legitimate exemption Schools Directorate School Formation and for single tendering applies. All single tenders have to be Investment authorised by a deputy director or higher grade. Local Improvement and Performance Departmental Official Cars School Standards Group School Resources Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department has spent on the Children and Families Directorate Early Years, Extended Schools Government Car Service since the Government took and Special Needs Group office. [7992] Families Group Safeguarding Group Tim Loughton: The total invoiced expenditure on the Government Car Service for the Department for Education is £68,318. This compares with a cost of £92.927.97 for 347W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 348W the same period in 2009. Both figures relate to costs Sarah Teather [holding answer 19 July 2010]: A incurred from 12 May to 12 July for all car services for report commissioned by the Children’s Workforce officials and Ministers. Development Council (CWDC) in 2009 showed that there are approximately 2,200 educational psychologists Departmental Public Expenditure employed in local authorities in England. A work force planning exercise by CWDC in 2009 showed that Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education approximately 120 new entrants to the profession are which categories of (a) contracts for the provision of required annually to maintain a similar sized work force services to his Department and (b) grants to charities and meet current local authority demand. made by his Department require Ministerial approval. [12031] Faith Schools Tim Loughton: Ministers set the policy direction of the Department which will ultimately result in spend Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education but there is no requirement for them to approve specific whether the proposed requirement on new faith schools categories of expenditure. to admit at least 50 per cent. of their intake without reference to faith will be on a statutory basis. [10560] Departmental Reorganisation Mr Gibb: Children of any or no faith should all have Diana R. Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for access to high quality local education. New faith academies, Education how much it cost to rename the Department that do not replace an existing faith predecessor school, of Children, Schools and Families as the Department will be required to admit at least half of their intake for Education. [8051] without reference to faith, and this policy will be given effect through each new academy’s Funding Agreement Tim Loughton: The cost of renaming the Department with the Secretary of State, rather than through legislation. was £5,250. he same requirement does not apply to any new Education: Colchester maintained faith schools that are established. Establishment of local authority maintained schools usually follows proposals that are locally approved, following assessment Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education of local need, including the demand for faith provision. what estimate he has made of the change in the level of value added tax schools and colleges in Colchester constituency will be required to pay in financial year Foster Care (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [4569] Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State Tim Loughton: The Department has not yet assessed for Education what steps are taken to ensure that the implications of the recent Budget changes around children removed from foster care are (a) enabled to VAT. It will form part of our considerations for the say goodbye to their former foster parents and (b) spending review which is now in hand. given an explanation for their removal. [9344] Education: Finance Tim Loughton: Statutory guidance makes clear the importance, whenever possible, of achieving a planned Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for ending to a placement, with foster carers involved in Education if he will direct his Department’s review of preparing the child so as to ensure as gentle and sensitive capital spending in schools and colleges to (a) examine a transition as possible. This includes giving the child the capital funding requirements of sixth form colleges proper time to say goodbye to his or her carer. and (b) make recommendations for their future funding. [10048] Children’s wishes and feelings should be taken into account when decisions are made about them, including Mr Gibb: The Department’s review of capital spending a decision to move them to a new placement, and they to be conducted by Sebastian James, group operations should be given the information they need to understand director of DSG International plc will review all such decisions. This principle is made clear in current Department for Education capital investment programmes. regulations, guidance and national minimum standards, The review will guide future spending decisions over the and is being strengthened in planned revisions to national next spending review period (2011-12 to 2014-15) and minimum standards. will look at how best to meet demand, and make A child’s care plan must be reviewed whenever a current design and procurement cost effective and efficient. significant change is proposed, such as an unexpected The review team will consult the sixth form college placement change. It is for the child’s Independent sector to inform its conclusions and recommendations. Reviewing Officer to ensure that they are able to make a meaningful contribution to the review. Educational Psychology: Manpower

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Free Schools Education what his most recent estimate is of the number of (a) qualified educational psychologists and Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (b) educational psychologists required in the education which units in his Department are responsible for liaison system. [9683] with the New Schools Network. [11976] 349W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 350W

Mr Gibb: The strategic relationship with the New Tim Loughton: Specific locations for the pilot phase Schools Network is held by the Local Improvement and of the National Citizen Service (NCS) will be subject to Performance Group within the Department’s Schools the outcome of a competitive tendering process. Directorate. Government-backed pilots for the scheme will start next summer and will provide around 10,000 places. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education We began a competitive tendering exercise for what guidance his Department offers to parents wishing organisations to deliver these pilots in early August, to set up a new school. [12030] inviting potential providers to submit bids. Organisations Mr Gibb: The guidance provided by the Department are developing bids from then, and we will announce for Education to parents and organisations wishing to the successful candidates around the end of October. set up a Free School is available at: The second phase of the pilots will run in the summer of 2012, with national roll-out planned from the summer www.education.gov.uk/freeschools of 2013. (The scale of the programme will be subject to The Department will work with those involved in the spending review which concludes in autumn 2010). setting up the first Free Schools to develop its guidance overtime. The New Schools Network also provides advice and support to parents and organisations who wish to New Schools Network set up a Free School.

General Teaching Council Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) for what period the New Schools Network has been Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education contracted to administer initial inquiries into free schools; what estimate he has made of the (a) cost and (b) and when this contract was awarded to the New Schools savings to the Exchequer arising from the abolition of Network; [5498] the General Teaching Council for England in (i) (2) how much funding his Department has allocated 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13. [1203] to the New Schools Network; and what period that Mr Gibb [holding answer 7 June 2010]: There are a funding covers; [5499] number of factors which may have an impact in terms (3) for what reasons a contract has been made with of potential cost and savings arising from the abolition an outside organisation to administer initial inquiries of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) about free schools; [5511] over the period 2010-2013, including factors relating to (4) what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials of the extent of any transfer of the GTCE’s existing functions his Department have had with representatives of the and GTCE staff to other bodies. The current cost of the New Schools Network since his appointment; [5512] GTCE to the exchequer is estimated to be around £16 million per year. Our aim is to introduce new arrangements (5) what tendering process was undertaken in for the regulation of the profession which are more awarding the contract to administer initial inquiries on cost-effective and efficient than the current system. setting up free schools; and what organisations submitted tenders; [5513] Higher Education: Admissions (6) what processes are in place to ensure value for money from the work being undertaken on behalf of Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education the Department by New Schools Network; and what whether he plans to continue to strengthen entry oversight his Department will have over this work; requirements for university entrance for students taking [5514] social work degrees from September 2012. [10756] (7) what information his Department holds on the Tim Loughton [holding answer 26 July 2010]: On 2 capacity of the New Schools Network to process initial June 2010, the Secretary of State for Education confirmed inquiries about free schools. [5566] the Government’s intention to take forward and build upon the recommendations of the Social Work Task Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Force. Among their recommendations, the task force what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his concluded that the entry requirements for the social Department had with representatives of the New Schools work degree should be strengthened. Network since 12 May 2010. [5759] The Social Work Reform Board is taking forward the task force’s recommendations and is considering a number Mr Gibb: The New Schools Network (NSN) is in of approaches to improving the calibre of people embarking receipt of a £500,000 grant from the Department, details on the social work degree. It will put advice to Ministers of which are available here: on how best to strengthen the entry requirements for http://www.education.gov.uk/freeschools/~/media/Files/ social work students in due course. lacuna/freeschools/nsnletter.ash National Citizens Service: Morecambe The Department has given out similar grants in the past, such as to the Specialist Schools and Academies David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trust and the Youth Sport Trust. Education when he expects the National Citizens Service Officials meet with the NSN on a regular basis to project to be rolled out to young people in Morecambe review proposals they have received and to discuss and Lunesdale constituency; and how many places he NSN’s capacity and sufficiency of resource. Ministers expects the project to provide in that constituency. met with NSN representatives on 21 May, 17 June and [11601] 30 June 2010. 351W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 352W

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education The revised code of practice—which is statutory (1) whether his Department’s payment to the New guidance on provision of free nursery education—is Schools Network was a (a) grant or (b) payment for due to come into force in September. I am considering provision of services; [11432] whether it would be helpful to review this guidance. (2) what service level agreement is in place between However, current primary legislation requires local his Department and the New Schools Network; [11433] authorities to secure early years provision free of charge, whether or not there is statutory guidance in place. (3) whether his Department’s payment to the New Schools Network was subject to the Compact Qualifications: Doncaster Commissioning Guidance; [11434] (4) what steps he took to ensure that his Department’s Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for payment to the New Schools Network complied with Education what percentage of pupils at Trinity Academy the Public Contract Regulations 2006. [11435] in Doncaster achieved (a) five or more A* to C grades, (b) five or more A* to C grades including English and Mr Gibb [holding answer 27 July 2010]: On 18 June mathematics, (c) two or more A* to C grades in science 2010 the Department agreed to enter into a £500,000 subjects, and (d) an A* to C grade in a modern foreign grant agreement with New Schools Network (NSN) to language at the end of key stage 4 in each year since provide support for groups wanting to find out more 2006. [11641] about setting-up a free school. However the Department has not yet entered into a formal funding agreement Mr Gibb: The figures requested are published as part with, or made any payments to, the NSN. Officials are of the Achievement and Attainment Tables and are currently developing the grant details which will take available from the following link: account of the relevant regulations and agreements. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/ Ofsted: Care Homes Excel spreadsheet copies of these publication files have been placed in the House Library. Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Note: how many children’s homes have been classified by The requested science indicator was introduced into these tables Ofsted as (a) outstanding, (b) good, (c) satisfactory in 2007 and the modern foreign language indicator was introduced and (d) inadequate in each local authority area in each in 2008. year since 2007. [9911] Schools: Ealing Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 July 2010]: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply for Education what estimate has been made of the has been placed in the Libraries. number of school places which will be required in the London borough of Ealing in (a) 2015 and (b) 2020. Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education [9555]

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mr Gibb: The Department for Education does not whether he plans to consult (a) the Church of England, estimate the number of school places which will be (b) the Roman Catholic Church, (c) representatives of required in local authority areas. It is the duty of each other Christian denominations and (d) representatives local authority to provide a pupil place for each child of of other faith groups for the purpose of his Department’s statutory school age who wants one, and to plan to review of the (i) religious education and (ii) sex and provide these places. relationships education elements of the curriculum. This Department supports provision of new pupil [11237] places where needed, based on information provided by authorities. Meeting the need for the rising numbers of Mr Gibb: We will consult with a range of groups, primary pupils will be a priority consideration for the including representatives of faith groups as we develop next spending review period, informed by the outcome our policies on religious education and sex and relationships of the review of the Department’s capital programmes education. which the Secretary of State announced on 5 July.

Pre-school Education Schools: Finance

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the suspension of the Education what the total net revenue balances held by code of practice on the provision of free nursery education education authorities in England were in each year places; and if he will make a statement. [8609] between 1985-86 and 1999-2000. [10034]

Sarah Teather: The coalition agreement is clear in its Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 July 2010]: The previous support for free nursery provision and that we want it to Government started to collect data on school revenue reach the most vulnerable families. We announced on 7 balances from 1999-2000, when net revenue balances June that we will be extending free nursery education to held in schools totalled £741 million. This figure does 15 hours a week from September 2010. As with all not include maintained nursery schools—data for these government spending, decisions about future years will were first collected in 2003-04. There are no relevant be taken as part of the spending review process. data for the years before 1999-2000. 353W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 354W

Figures from 1999-2000 up to 2008-09, including by community special schools, foundation schools, foundation local authority, are available on the Section 251 website special schools, voluntary aided schools and voluntary at: controlled schools. www.education.gov.uk/section52 Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools: Special Educational Needs Education what percentage of schools rated by Ofsted at their last inspection as (a) outstanding, (b) good, (c) satisfactory and (d) inadequate are (i) grammar Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for schools, (ii) comprehensive schools and (iii) academies. Education whether his Department has reviewed the [10067] effect of its pupil premium policy on special needs provision. [10499] Mr Gibb: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to my hon. Mr Gibb: The pupil premium will provide additional Friend and a copy of her reply has been placed in the funding to help schools to raise the attainment of House Libraries. disadvantaged pupils. Since there is a considerable overlap between deprivation and special needs, this means that Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 23 July 2010: the pupil premium will help schools to provide additional support to pupils with special needs. Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her. Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response. The latest period for which published figures about maintained Schools: Standards school section 5 inspection outcomes are available is the spring term of 2009/10. This answer looks at the latest inspection Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for judgement for those grammar, comprehensive and academy schools Education what proportion of schools which had an which were open on 21 April 2010 (taken from the Department improved Ofsted rating between their last two for Education’s Edubase system) and had received an inspection on or before 31 March 2010. inspections had changed status in the intervening Tables 1 and 2 contain the information requested. These give period. [9398] the total number of inspections with their overall effectiveness grade as a percentage of all secondary schools and as a percentage Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2010]: Just under of the national picture for all schools, which includes-primary; 1% of schools that improved their rating between their nursery, special school and pupil referral unit provision. last two ‘section 5’ inspections changed their status in A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister the intervening period, as defined by their designated of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both school type. This encompasses community schools, Houses.

Table 1: Grammar schools, comprehensive schools and academies as a proportion of all secondary schools-categorised-by their overall effectiveness Type of establishment Grammar Comprehensive Academies Other secondary2 All Overall secondary effectiveness schools1 No. % No. % No. % No. %

Total 3333 164 5 2578 77 203 1 388 17 Outstanding 625 101 16 453 72 18 3 53 8 Good 1369 56 4 1114 81 23 2 176 13 Satisfactory 1073 7 1 890 83 27 3 149 14 Inadequate 122 0 0 106 87 7 6 9 7

Table 2: Grammar schools, comprehensive schools and academies as a proportion of all schools categorised by their overall effectiveness Type of-establishment Grammar Comprehensive Academies Other establishments3 Overall effectiveness National1 No. % No. % No. % No. %

Total 22249 164 1 2578 12 203 1 388 87 Outstanding 3743 101 3 453 12 18 0 53 85 Good 11004 56 1 1114 10 23 0 176 89 Satisfactory 6694 7 0 890 1 27 0 149 86 Inadequate 550 0 0 106 19 7 1 9 80 1 Schools yet to be inspected are excluded from the analysis so the breakdown by overall effectiveness will not add up to the national or secondary school totals. 2 Other secondary includes all other secondary establishments inspected under section 5. 3 Other establishments include all other education establishments inspected under section 5. Note: Latest inspection taken from inspections as at 31 March 2010 for schools open at 21 April 2010 355W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 356W

Schools: Transport Sixth Form Colleges: Buildings

Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for by what date local authorities are obliged to produce Education what estimate he has made of the number of their forthcoming plans for education transport for sixth form colleges requiring refurbishment which have 16-19 year olds; and whether he plans to review such not received capital funding for that purpose in the last plans before they are adopted. [12017] 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [10049]

Mr Gibb: Local authorities are required to publish Mr Gibb: No estimate has been made of the number their transport policy statements each year by the end of sixth form colleges requiring refurbishment which of May. It is not for central Government to review the have not received capital funding for that purpose in the plans, which are the statutory responsibility of local last 10 years. authorities, and which set out transport provision and support for young people of sixth form age. The Department has commissioned a review of all of its capital expenditure to inform decisions about future capital investment. The review team will consult the sixth form college sector to inform its conclusions and Schools: VAT recommendations. All funding after this financial year is subject to the Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. The Education what estimate he has made of the value review team will provide an interim report in the autumn added tax paid by maintained schools in the latest year and a final report by the end of the year that will guide for which figures are available. [7269] future spending decisions over the next spending review period (2011-12 to 2014-15). Mr Gibb: In general terms, local authorities can recover input value added tax. Maintained schools count as part of the local authority when spending local Sixth Form Education authority funds (section 49(5) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998); therefore they can recover VAT through their maintaining authority. There are a Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for few exceptions to this rule, but we do not collect any Education what criteria he plans to use to assess the figures so cannot make an estimate. (a) educational case and (b) business case for new applications from secondary schools to open sixth forms. [10050] Schools: Visits Mr Gibb: Under current legislation, decisions on Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether a secondary school can expand and open a on how many occasions he has visited schools in Warrington sixth form are a matter for local determination. A since his appointment. [11746] statutory process must be followed and all proposals are decided under local decision making arrangements. There is no role for Ministers. Tim Loughton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education has visited several schools since his The Secretary of State retains responsibility for making appointment in May but as yet has not visited any any decisions relating to significant changes in academies, schools in Warrington. including in relation to new provision such as the addition of a sixth form. In making such decisions he would want to take account of any relevant factors, which Secure Training Centres: Inspections might include, amongst other things, the quality of existing provision in the area and the impact of any new provision, as well as demand and support from the local Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for community. Education whether it is the practice of Ofsted inspectors visiting secure training centres (a) to have private meetings with children and (b) to ask such children about their Teach First experiences of (i) restraint and (ii) other uses of force. [10905] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many graduates from each region have Education whether Ofsted inspectors visiting secure taken part in the Teach First programme. [12273] training centres examine (a) medical notes following the use of restraint, (b) reports of the child’s perspective Tim Loughton: The Teach First initiative was launched on the use of restraint and (c) other documents relating in London in 2003, extended to Manchester in 2006, the to the use of restraint. [10906] Midlands in 2007, Liverpool in 2008 and Yorkshire from 2009. Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply. The available data relating to Teach First recruits by These are matters for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, their home region relates to the 2008/09 academic year Christine Gilbert, has written to my hon. Friend and a only, and is given in the table. Final recruitment data for copy of her response has been placed in the Library. 2009/10 are expected to be published in January 2011. 357W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 358W

Recruitment to the Teach First Programme. Coverage: Government Written Questions: Government Responses office region, England Number of recruits to the Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008/09 Teach First Programme Education when he plans to respond to Question 3217, England 370 on the Building Schools for the Future programme in Birmingham, tabled by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Trainee home region: Northfield on 15 June 2010. [12093] North East 5 Mr Gibb: A response was given to the hon. Member North West 45 on 26 July 2010, Official Report, columns 808-09W. Yorkshire and the Humber 15 East Midlands 15 Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for West Midlands 55 Education when he expects to answer Question (a) East of England 20 11065 and (b) 11066, on the Building Schools for the London 150 Future programme, tabled by the hon. Member for South East 35 Makerfield on 21 July 2010. [12671] South West 15 Mr Gibb: A response has been given to the hon. Member today. Unknown 15 Note; Young People: Unemployment Numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: TDA’s Teach First Database Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the Teachers: Employment provision of careers advice and support for young people who are not in employment, education or training in (a) Birmingham Erdington constituency and (b) Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Birmingham local authority area of recent reductions if he will take steps to increase the number of placements in area-based grant allocations to local authorities. for newly qualified teachers. [9882] [6894]

Mr Gibb: The Department for Education determines Mr Gibb: The savings from the Department for the number of initial teacher training places to be made Education’s area based grant (ABG) to local authorities available in any particular year. Officials are currently are part of the local government contribution to deficit collecting the data necessary to run the models to help reduction in 2010-11, which represents a 3.6% cut in determine the initial teacher training places which should funding to local authorities. It will be for Birmingham be made available for 2011/12 and we expect to be able local authority to consider the need for savings across to confirm the numbers to the Training and Development all areas of its expenditure, regardless of whether the Agency for Schools later this year. initial source of funding is formula or area based, As determined by the modelling undertaken by the taking account of statutory responsibilities, local priorities Department, there should be sufficient teaching positions and of the Government’s commitment to protecting available in England to enable newly qualified teachers front line services wherever possible. The reduction in to begin teaching and complete their induction year. It ABG does not imply a direct cut to those services is a matter for employers to determine whether a teaching funded by the grant, which include careers advice and position should be offered to a newly qualified teacher. support for young people not in employment, education The Department does not set targets for the number or training. of placements in schools that will be available for teacher trainees to carry out their teaching practice. It is the responsibility of training providers to ensure that each BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS trainee teacher has taught in at least two schools prior to the recommendation for the award of Qualified Apprentices Teacher Status as part of their course provision. John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Westgate School Newcastle Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to achieve the same level of technician apprenticeships (level 3) as in Germany, Australia and France. [12182] Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the funding allocated by Newcastle’s Mr Hayes: The coalition Government are committed Capital Fund to Westgate Primary School in 2008 will to improving the quality of apprenticeships to make continue. [10174] them better suited to the needs of employers and learners. Our strategy for sustainable growth, published in July, Mr Gibb: Capital funding including funding for primary outlined our plans for a skilled work force including schools will form part of the capital review announced apprenticeships, particularly at Level 3 and above, to by the Secretary of State on 5 July. The review is provide the growth in technician level skills that a scheduled to release an interim report in the autumn of dynamic economy needs. As other advanced industrial 2010 and its final findings by the end of the calendar nations, we need to refocus on technical skills and year. All funding after this financial year is subject to strengthen progression routes through apprenticeships the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. and into higher level skills and professional development. 359W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 360W

Responding to the demand for new and high level Departmental Assets skills is vital if we are to maintain our competitive edge. Our intention to raise the quality of apprenticeships Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, and to build formal progression routes from apprenticeships Innovation and Skills which former (a) buildings and to higher education is a step change in boosting the (b) land owned by (i) his Department and (ii) (A) quality, credibility and esteem of the apprenticeships non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for system in England. which his Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale Business, Innovation and Skills what the qualifying accrued in each case. [12330] criteria are for small firms to obtain the £2,000 grant for taking on an apprentice; and if he will make a Mr Davey: This Department and its predecessors statement. [12587] have not sold any buildings or land since May 2005. All buildings on the core BIS Estate are leased. Mr Hayes: At present there is no national Government Information for non-departmental public bodies is subsidy for employers of any size when they recruit an not held centrally and could be provided only at apprentice. I recognise the attraction of such a policy disproportionate cost. but in the context of the current fiscal climate we need I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency to be cautious and ensure that we secure the best Service, Companies House, The National Measurement possible value for our apprenticeship funding. Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Earlier this year the National Apprenticeship Service Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. ran the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, a time-limited Member directly. initiative which gave 5,000 SMEs a subsidy of £2,500 Letter from Gareth Jones: for recruitment of a 16 or 17 year-old apprentice. We will want to consider the evaluation of this initiative I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 July 2010, UIN 12330 to the Secretary of carefully before making any decisions about future subsidies State for Business, Innovation and Skills. for SMEs. Companies House has not sold any buildings or land since However, Government do fully fund the training May 2005. costs for 16-18 year old apprentices, and makes a significant Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 August 2010: contribution towards the training costs for adult apprentices. I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question, tabled on 26 July 2010, to BP: Libya the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills asking about sales of buildings and land owned by the Department and the public bodies and agencies for which it is Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for responsible since May 2005. Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) Neither the National Measurement Office nor its predecessor, Ministers and (b) officials in his Department had with the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, have sold any (i) BP and (ii) the government of Libya on oil drilling land or buildings since May 2005. off the coast of Libya between July 2007 and March Letter from John Alty, dated 23 August 2010: 2008. [12934] I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26th July 2010, to the Mr Prisk: There were no meetings in the period July Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and 2007 to March 2008 between the Department for Business, Skills. Innovation and Skills and BP, or the Government of The Intellectual Property Office, an executive agency of the Libya, concerning oil drilling off the Libyan coast, at Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not sold any either ministerial or official level. property or land in this period. Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 26 August 2010: Civil Service Live Conference I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Parliamentary Question UIN 12330 tabled on 26 July 2010 :To ask Her Majesty’s Government which former (a) buildings and Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) land owned by (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public bodies and (B) agencies for which his Department is public purse was of the (a) BusinessLink and (b) responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of Government Office for Science stand at Civil Service each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the Live 2010. [12836] sale accrued in each case. The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of BIS on 1 April 2010 and has not in the last 5 months since its creation, Mr Davey: Businesslink.gov shared a Government sold any properties. on-line exhibition stand at Civil Service Live 2010 with Directgov and NHS Choices. The total cost of the The Learning and Skills Council - the predecessor to the Skills Funding Agency did not sell any properties in the period May stand was £12,200. The Business Link contribution to 2005 - 31 March 2010 as the LSC did not own any freeholds this was £4,300, paid by HMRC who manage the therefore no capital receipts were ever generated. businesslink.gov website. Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 28 July 2010: The Government office for science shared an exhibition The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation stand with the Office of National Statistics. The total and Skills has asked me to reply to your question if he will list the cost of the stand was £18,700. The Government office former (a) buildings and (b) land of (i) his Department and (ii) for science contribution to this was £9,350. (A) non-departmental public bodies, (B) agencies and (C) independent 361W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 362W statutory bodies for which his Department is responsible which In March 2010, the Department spent £3,000 on have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each (1) was Google Adwords as part of the ‘Who Gets the Tip?’ at the time of sale and (2) is at current prices; and whether the campaign. No money was spent on other search engines. money accrued was (x) retained by his Department and (y) claimed by the Treasury. The Student Finance Campaign also spent money on The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department Google Adwords: £154,360 in 2007-08; and £85,000 in for Business, Innovation and Skills has made no sales of buildings, 2008-09. property or land in the last five years. The Insolvency Service does In 2009-10, this campaign was superseded by the not own any current holdings of this type and will therefore not Graduate Talent Pool. £85,554 was spent on marketing benefit from any future sales. this website with Google. Departmental Buildings I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Business, Innovation and Skills how much office space Funding Agency and they will respond to my hon. per employee his Department and its predecessors Friend directly. occupied in each year since 1997. [13005] Letter from Gareth Jones: I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Mr Davey: This Department does not hold information Question tabled on 15 July 2010, UIN 10011 to the Secretary of going back to 1997 centrally and to provide it would State for Business, Innovation and Skills. incur disproportionate cost. Companies House has never spent any money on search engine I refer my hon. Friend to the Office of Government biasing. Commerce ‘State of the Estate’ reports for 2008 and Letter from John Alty, dated 19 July 2010: 2009, which can be found at the following link and I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office which includes the information requested for the financial to your Parliamentary Question tabled 15th July 2010, to the years 2007/08 and 2008/09. Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and http://www.ogc.gov.uk/ Skills. high_performing_property_the_state_of_the_estate_2009.asp The Intellectual Property Office has not spent any money on search engine biasing with Google or any other search engine in Departmental Furniture the last five years. Letter from Peter Mason, dated 16 July 2010: Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Business, Innovation and Skills how many chairs his Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 15 July 2010, to Department and its predecessors purchased in each the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and year since 1997; how much was spent in each such year; Skills asking about expenditure on search engine biasing either and what the five most expensive chairs purchased in with Google or other search engines in each of the last five years. each such year were. [12804] Neither NMO nor its predecessor, the National Weights & Measures Laboratory, has spent any money on search engine Mr Davey: This Department centrally held records biasing in any of the last five years. do not split out the cost of chairs from overall furniture Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 19 July 2010: costs and to provide this along with information on I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your numbers of chairs purchased would incur disproportionate Parliamentary Question tabled on 15 July (UIN 10011), to the cost. Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, concerning spend on search engine biasing with (i) Google and (ii) other Departmental Internet search engines in the Department and its agencies in each of the last five years. Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of BIS on Business, Innovation and Skills how much (a) his 1 April 2010. Since that date we have not spent any money on Department and its predecessor and (b) its agencies search engine biasing with Google or any other search engine. spent on search engine biasing with (i) Google and (ii) Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 16 July 2010: other search engines in each of the last five years. The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation [10011] and Skills, has asked me to reply to your question how much (a) his Department and its predecessor and (b) its agencies spent on Mr Davey: In June 2007 the Department for Business, search engine biasing with (i) Google and (ii) other search engines Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the in each of the last five years. Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the Department and the Department for Children, Schools and Families for Business, Innovation and Skills. Over the last five years The (DCSF) were created from the former DTI and the Service has spent no money on Google or any other search engine former Department for Education and Skills (DfES). biasing. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Departmental Motor Vehicles (BIS) was created on 5 June 2009 by merging BERR and DIUS. This reply contains information relating to the former DTI, the former BERR and the former Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, DIUS. Innovation and Skills what the annual expenditure on vehicles of (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non- No money has been spent by BIS on buying search departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for engine keywords or other forms of paid search engine which his Department is responsible in each English marketing for the corporate website: region was in each of the last three financial years; and www.bis.gov.uk what the planned expenditure for 2010-11 is in each or any of its predecessors. case. [12466] 363W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 364W

Mr Davey: For the central Department, expenditure The National Measurement Office and its predecessor, the on vehicles is not broken down on a regional basis and National Weights and Measures Laboratory, spent the following the data could be obtained only at disproportionate on vehicles: cost. I have asked the Chief Executives of the Department’s agencies to respond directly to the Member. Information £ on expenditure on vehicles by the Department’s NDPBs Financial year is not held centrally and could be obtained only at 2007-08 9,884.46 disproportionate cost. 2008-09 7,088.71 Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 27 August 2010: 2009-10 14,371.45 I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your Around 78% of the above costs were fully recovered from Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 July 2010 (UIN 12466). To customers that pay for NMO commercial services. ask the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation The planned expenditure on vehicles for the 2010-2011 financial (a) and Skills, what the annual expenditure on vehicles of his year is £24,000. Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible in Letter from John Alty, dated 23 August 2010: each English region was in each of the last three financial years; I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office and what the planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11. to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26th July 2010, to the The Skills Funding Agency was set up as an agency of BIS on Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and 1 April 2010 and has not in the last 5 months since its creation Skills. had an expenditure on vehicles. The Intellectual Property Office, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spent the following Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 23 August 2010: on vehicles The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what the annual £000 expenditure on vehicles of (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which 2007-08 128 his Department is responsible in each English region was in each 2008-09 114 of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure 2009-10 107 is in each case for 2010-11. 2010-11 (estimated) 105 The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills incurred the following annual This mainly comprised hire cars and did not include expenditure on vehicles in each English region in each of the last any purchases. three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is in each Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 29 July 2010: case for 2010-11. I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26 July 2010, UIN 12466 to the Secretary of £ State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Actual Actual Actual Forecast 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 There has been no expenditure on vehicles in any English region in the last three financial years by Companies House, and Region there are no plans for any in 2010-11. East 127 0 106 163 Departmental Pay Midlands East of 311 49 135 209 England Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, London 9,073 11,855 4,021 4,484 Innovation and Skills how much was paid in remuneration North East 278 1,179 245 378 in total to civil servants in his Department in 2009-10. England [9932] North West 33 541 439 675 England Mr Davey: In total, £186,078,000 was paid as South East 96 88 0 0 remuneration to civil servants by Department for Business, England Innovation and Skills in 2009-10. This includes pay, South West 88 259 373 575 employer pension contributions and national insurance England payments, as well as any taxable benefits and non West 1,517 5,225 1,847 2,000 consolidated performance related payments. Midlands Yorkshire 0000 Departmental Pensions and Humberside Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 11,523 19,196 7,166 8,484 Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost was of In all cases the vehicle expenditure relates to car or van hire for pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department ad hoc purposes where public transport is not available or it is and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) more economical and secure to move equipment b y this method. executive agency for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions Letter from Richard Sanders, dated 25 August 2010: and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 July 2010, to 2010-11. [12465] the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills asking the annual expenditure on vehicles in each of the last Mr Davey: Pension contributions for the last three three financial years and what the planned expenditure is for the financial years plus planned expenditure for 2010-11 2010-11 financial year. are given as follows for core BIS. 365W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 366W

I am replying on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency to your April to March each year £ Parliamentary Question UIN 12465 tabled on 26 July 2010 to ask 2007-08 26,196,959 the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) 2008-09 21,983,957 his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body 2009-10 23,738,026 and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in (A) 2010-11 27,086,938 Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Notes: Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years: and 1. Data for non-departmental public bodies is not included as gathering what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. it would have incurred disproportionate cost. We are detailing below the pensions contributions incurred by 2. It is not possible to split the expenditure by region. both The Skills Funding Agency which was set up as an agency of BIS on 1 April 2010 and its predecessor organisation the Learning Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 27 August 2010: and Skills Council.

£ Learning and Skills Council Skills Funding Agency 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

PCSPS 22,681,829.51 23,419,088.12 23,054,144.09 14,492,968.95 Partnership 174,126.41 158,165.11 171,362.50 119,892.24 ASLC 13,997.51 12,844.20 13,622.50 8,685.57 Private pensions 29,643.77 27,240.87 27,525.72 8,634.66 Total 22,899,597.20 23,617,338.30 23,266,654.81 14,630,181.42

Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 August 2010: The Intellectual Property Office, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills employs staff in I am responding in respect of the National Measurement two locations Wales and London. The cost of pension contributions Office to your Parliamentary Question, tabled on 26 July 2010, to made, mainly to the Civil Service Superannuation Scheme, by the the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Office were: Skills asking what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by his Department and the public bodies and agencies for which it is responsible for each of the last three financial years; and what £000 the planned expenditure is for 2010/11. Wales London The National Measurement Office, and its predecessor the 2010/11 (est) 5,200 220 National Weights & Measures Laboratory, incurred the following 2009/10 4,998 197 pension contribution costs for the last three financial years: 2008/09 5,486 114 £ 2007/08 5,162 74

2007/08 376,060 2008/09 367,360 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 25 August 2010: 2009/10 486,628 The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation Note: and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what the cost The figure in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2009/10 shows was of pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department and £515,000 in respect of 2008/09 in order to provide a comparative (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive figure, for Machinery of Government accounting purposes, following agency for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) the move of the National Measurement System to NMO on 1 April each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of 2009) the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is Planned expenditure in 2010/11 implies pension contribution for 2010-11. costs of £508,742. The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 4 August 2010: for Business, Innovation and Skills incurred pension contributions I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and Question tabled 26 July 2010, UIN 12465, to the Secretary of (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and State for Business, Innovation and Skills. has planned expenditure for pension contributions in 2010-11 as follows. The costs incurred by Companies House on pension contributions in the last three financial years, and the amount of the planned (A) Scotland expenditure for 2010/11 is as follows: £ 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Financial year £000 Scotland 128,724 132,015 135,898 139,171 2007/08 4,263 2008/09 4,351 Insolvency law in Scotland is partially reserved and partially devolved. Pension contributions in Scotland relate to the 2009/10 4,361 administration of redundancy payments and disqualification of 2010/11 4,261 directors. Letter from John Alty, dated 23 August 2010: (B) Wales £ I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 26th July 2010, to the 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Wales 303,360 359,427 375,133 400,634 Skills. 367W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 368W

(C) Each of the English regions Lords parliamentary questions £ On time English Date for regions 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 answer Total tabled Number Percentage

East 512,697 567,901 570,992 609,807 June 2010 37 37 100 Midlands July 2010 66 66 100 East of 905,788 1,044,246 1,064,000 1,129,577 England The Department continues to monitor performance London 3,703,996 3,721,694 3,591,042 3,701,363 in answering parliamentary questions in line with the North East 327,990 369,387 385,371 411,568 previous Government’s response, (7 December 2009—HC England 129), to the Procedure Committee report on written North West 1,327,933 1,478,765 1,511,271 1,602,776 parliamentary questions. England South East 797,029 849,611 816,070 871,545 Electric Vehicles: Finance England South West 830,821 890,230 882,440 945,659 Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, England Innovation and Skills what his plans are for the future West 1,547,604 1,994,857 2,203,067 2,486,113 of the plug-in car grant scheme for electric vehicles. Midlands [12786] Yorkshire and 703,058 785,867 780,716 833,787 Humberside Mr Prisk: The Secretary of State for Transport (D) Northern Ireland announced the Government’s plans for the consumer £ incentive for ultra-low carbon cars on 28 July 2010. 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Employment Agencies: Regulation Northern 000 0 Ireland Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Northern Ireland has its own insolvency regime. Innovation and Skills if he will undertake further consultation with the recruitment industry on the provisions Departmental Written Questions of the Agency Worker Regulations 2010. [12369] Mr Davey: The Government are aware of the different Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, points of view expressed by various stakeholders, including Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion the recruitment industry, about certain aspects of the of questions (a) for ordinary written answer, (b) for agency workers regulations and is currently considering written answer on a named day and (c) tabled in the the way forward. House of Lords for answer by his Department have been answered on the due date in each month since May Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2010; and if he will make a statement. [12228] Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department made of the cost to the agency worker industry of the Mr Davey: The Department aims to answer all House implementation of the Agency Worker Regulations 2010; of Commons written parliamentary questions within and if his Department will take steps to reduce the five sitting days of the question being tabled and to amount of regulation on such agencies. [12392] provide substantive replies to named day parliamentary questions on the date specified by the Member. For Mr Davey: An impact assessment was published under House of Lords parliamentary questions the Department the previous Government at the time of laying the aims to answer within 10 calendar working days. Based Agency Workers Regulations in January 2010. on these targets, the information for parliamentary questions tabled before the summer recess is as follows1: The annual costs to the private and public sector 1 represents about 0.3% of the total UK wage bill (around For questions tabled to the Department or transferred to the £1,800 million). Department from another Government Department. The Government are aware of the different points of Commons written parliamentary questions view expressed by various stakeholders about certain On time aspects of the agency workers regulations and is currently Due for considering the way forward. answer Total tabled Number Percentage June 2010 316 230 73 Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for July 2010 310 222 72 Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effect on job creation and Commons named day parliamentary questions economic recovery of the Agency Workers Regulations On time 2010; and if he will make a statement. [12639] Date for answer Total tabled Number Percentage Mr Davey: An impact assessment (IA) on the Agency May 2010 5 10 10 Workers Regulations was published when they were laid June 2010 86 65 76 by the previous Government in January 2010. This July 2010 95 71 75 considered a range of possible dynamic effects, including 1 The five named day parliamentary questions received substantive the impact on job creation. The IA noted that higher answers within two sitting days from the date requested. costs associated with hiring temporary agency workers 369W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 370W may manifest themselves in terms of price (wages) Mr Prisk: The UK’s allocation for the European and/or quantity (number of agency workers hired) regional development fund in the period 2007-13 is ¤5.4 adjustments, and that the nature of the effect is likely to billion and the Government expect this allocation to be vary by sector or occupation. fully spent by the closure of the programmes in 2015. However a number of factors may prevent this allocation Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for from being fully spent such as variations in the exchange Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department rate or the presence of irregularities in projects. Progress has to consult with (a) employment agencies and (b) in meeting the spend targets will be monitored throughout employers in advance of the implementation of the the programme period. Agency Workers Regulations 2010. [12640] Football: Insolvency Mr Davey: Two public consultations took place in 2009 under the previous Administration. The first on Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the policy proposals (May-June 2009) and the second Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to on the draft regulations (October to December 2009). retain Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs preferential Employment agencies and employers responded to both creditor status in cases involving insolvent football clubs. consultations. The Government are aware of the different [12501] points of view expressed by various stakeholders about certain aspects of these regulations and are currently Mr Davey: The Government have no plans to add any considering the way forward. creditor to those currently considered preferential in an insolvency proceeding. Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will extend the Further Education: Finance 12 week qualification period contained in the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 relating to pay and Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, associated benefits; and if he will make a statement. Innovation and Skills what proportion of funding for [12641] further education colleges was provided from (a) central Government, (b) local government and (c) other sources Mr Davey: The 12 week qualifying period contained in the latest period for which figures are available. in the Agency Workers Regulations is based on an [12973] agreement reached between the TUC and CBI in May 2008. Under the provisions in the directive, a member Mr Hayes: Since 1 April 2010, the Skills Funding state may introduce a qualifying period only on the Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for basis of an agreement between national level social Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), has responsibility partners. for allocating funding to Further Education (FE) colleges and other training organisations for the delivery of Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for post-19 FE and skills provision. Business, Innovation and Skills if he will delay the FE colleges may also receive funding for 16-18 FE implementation of the provisions of the Agency Workers and Skills provision, Higher Education and programmes Directive 2010; and if he will make a statement. [12642] for the unemployed from central Government. In addition they may receive funding from local authorities and Mr Davey: The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 European Social Funds. As autonomous bodies colleges implement the European Agency Workers Directive also receive private funding from individuals and employers. and are scheduled to come into force on 1 October 2011 Each FE College is required to publish a set of All member states are required to bring the directive annual accounts, which can be found on the Skills into force by 5 December 2011. 1 October 2011 is the Funding Agency website: closest common commencement date to this deadline. http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/ The most recent data available are for the academic EU Grants and Loans year 2008/09, when the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) was the major funding body for both 16-18 and Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of 19+ FE. The online figures for this year show that State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent income across listed FE colleges which was recorded as discussions he has held with regional development “total funding bodies and government agencies income” agencies on the European Regional Development was £6.3 billion. A total of £82 million was invested in Fund. [12779] FE colleges by “local authorities and schools,” while “total other” college income was £465 million. Mr Prisk: The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), has held no recent Industrial Disputes discussions with the regional development agencies (RDAs) on the European regional development fund (ERDF). Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many industrial action ballots Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of were held by organisations in (a) the private sector, (b) State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he the public sector and (c) each category of the 2007 expects any of the European Regional Development Standard Industrial Classification in each year since Fund allocations to the UK for period 2007-13 to go 1990; how many union members were (i) in favour and unspent. [12780] (ii) against industrial action in each case; what proportion 371W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 372W of the (A) eligible union membership and (B) total position in negotiations on a new EU instrument for workforce these figures represents; and if he will make a data protection. These are expected to commence in statement. [12920] 2011.

Mr Davey: There is no requirement for trade unions Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, or others to report such information to the Government; Innovation and Skills under what legislation file sharing therefore the Government do not possess these figures. is regulated; what changes to such legislation are planned during the next two years; and if he will make a statement. Internet: Public Libraries [12227]

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Vaizey: File-sharing technology is, of course, Business, Innovation and Skills what account he took entirely legal, it is its use to unlawfully share copyright of the Government’s digital inclusion agenda in formulating material which is addressed within the Digital Economy his policy on free internet access in public libraries; and Act 2010. The Act sets out two obligations to tackle what assessment he has made of the likely effects of online copyright infringement. The obligations set out that policy on levels of public access to high speed in sections 3-8 will be imposed on internet service broadband internet services. [9933] providers (ISPs) to send notifications to subscribers alleged by right holders to be infringing copyright and Mr Vaizey: Government recently decided not to constrain to record the number of notifications with which each local authorities’ spending decisions by pursuing the subscriber is associated and make this data available to commitment to deliver entirely free internet access in all right holders, without revealing the identities of the public libraries which was set out in the Public Library subscribers on request. Modernisation Review Policy statement published in The second obligation will allow the rights holder to March 2010. Library authorities need as much freedom apply for a court order to get access to the name and as possible when deciding how to spend their budgets address of the serious repeat infringers, in order to and they should be free to pursue the initiatives that are target legal action against them. suitable for their community. These measures will only take practical effect once a However, public libraries have been embracing their code has been approved by Ofcom and Parliament. We digital role and helping people navigate through digital expect these measures to make a significant difference as well as printed information for many years. 79% of to the level of unlawful file-sharing, and so have no library services in England provide free internet access current plans to make any changes in the next two and a further 12% charge nothing for the first hour years. (91% of the total). The availability of this low cost internet access in every community will be vital to Race Manufacturing Advisory Group Online’s mission to build a UK of near-universal web literacy by the time of the Olympics and get everyone of Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, working-age online by the end of this Parliament. Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future The library promise to support Race Online by of the Manufacturing Advisory Group. [12970] introducing 500,000 people to the internet for the first time will be a perfect opportunity to prove that free or Mr Prisk: The coalition Government recognise the low cost internet access and support to get online in importance of manufacturing to the UK. We believe it libraries can be instrumental in closing the digital divide. is key to engage with industry through individual sector stakeholder groups and we are actively involved in fora Internet: Regulation such as the Automotive Council, to ensure that Government and industry can respond together to the challenges Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, facing industry. Therefore, we have decided not to continue Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals with the Ad Hoc Ministerial Advisory Group on to require internet providers to identify individuals who Manufacturing. leave derogatory or insulting comments about others on internet sites; under what legislation the internet in the Minimum Wage United Kingdom is regulated; what changes are proposed; and if he will make a statement. [12226] Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the Mr Vaizey: United Kingdom law, including the laws number of people who have received an increase in of defamation and libel, does not differentiate between wages consequent on each uprating of the national the online and offline environment. What is unlawful minimum wage since its implementation. [12251] offline is unlawful online. Citizens who believe they have suffered derogatory or insulting comments online Mr Davey: The Low Pay Commission (LPC) estimate are able to take civil action to seek redress. that around 970,000 workers stand to benefit from the The Government have issued a Call for Evidence on October 2010 uprating of the NMW. Similarly, BIS the European Data Protection Directive and the Data estimate that around one million jobs have had their Protection Act 1998 to ensure that there are safeguards pay increased each year because of annual upratings of for people’s personal data. The Call for Evidence, which the National Minimum Wage (NMW). closes on 6 October 2010, will enable interested parties It is not possible to add up the number of potential to inform the Government as to the adequacy of the beneficiaries of the NMW over the years since its current data protection laws. The information will then implementation because consecutive years’ figures may be assessed and used to inform the United Kingdom’s include many of the same people. However, over time 373W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 374W people move in and out of jobs and progress up the pay discussions took place prior to the National Lottery scale so new individuals will be affected by the NMW Commission’s provisional decision on 16 July not to every year. Therefore the total number of people to give consent to the Camelot proposal. have benefited from an increase in wages due to upratings in the NMW since 1999 is likely to considerably exceed Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for one million. Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made by Post Office Ltd., Camelot and the National Nanotechnology: Cosmetics Federation of Sub-Postmasters on the application by Camelot for a licence to provide commercial services, Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, including bill payments and mobile phone top-ups, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of with a view to enabling the proposed new bill payment the effects on health of the use of (a) nano-materials service to be provided through Post Office Ltd.; and if and (b) C60 fullerenes in cosmetic products; what he will make a statement. [12787] account was taken of the findings of the (i) EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products in 2008 and (ii) Mr Davey: The National Lottery Commission announced Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in 2007 on 16 July that it had reached a provisional decision not in making such an assessment; and if he will make a to give consent to Camelot’s application as there is a statement. [12080] significant risk of it breaching EU/Competition law. The Commission is giving all parties the opportunity to Mr Davey: The Department has made no such make any final representations on this provisional decision assessment. by 3 September 2010. Cosmetics are regulated under the Cosmetic Product (Safety) Regulations 2008 and while nanomaterials are Post Offices: Finance not specifically mentioned, all products are required to undergo a safety assessment which has to take into Diana R. Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for account, among other things the particle size of ingredients. Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his A new European Regulation which comes fully into policy to provide a level of subsidy to the Post Office force in July 2013 will require all new cosmetic products which will ensure no reduction in the number of post to be notified to the European Commission six months office branches beyond 2011. [12218] prior to being placed on the market and this notification will include a section on nanoparticles. The report shall include the identification of the nanomaterial, the size Mr Davey: The Government fully recognise the important of particles, physical and chemical properties; an estimate social and economic role of post offices in the communities of the quantity of nanomaterial intended to be placed they serve and have made clear they will not repeat the on the market per year; the toxicological profile and the closure programmes of the previous Government. We safety data foreseeable exposure conditions relating to are also committed to making a social network payment the category of cosmetic product. of £180 million to support the network at around its present size in 2011-12, subject to state aid clearance National Composites Centre from the European Commission.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Public Sector: Procurement Innovation and Skills what funding his Department has allocated for the development of supply-chain Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for capability in the National Composites Centre in Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to 2010-11. [12785] assist small businesses to participate in the tendering process for public sector services. [12598] Mr Prisk: BIS has provided £16 million to build the National Composites Centre and has provided a further Mr Prisk: Improving public procurement processes £6 million for a Composites Grand Challenge to develop to ensure fair access for small businesses is a priority for innovative ways to make composite structures quickly the Government. The Coalition agreement announced and cost effectively. our aspiration that 25% of Government contracts should Any further BIS spending on composite initiatives be awarded to small and medium sized businesses. will be subject to the Spending Review. Officials are developing a programme of activity and Post Offices: Bank Services details will be announced in due course.

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Regional Development Agencies Innovation and Skills what discussions his officials have had with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, on the proposal by Camelot to enter the bill payment Innovation and Skills whether he has issued guidance to and mobile telephone market; and if he will make a regional development agencies on public expenditure statement. [12532] since the publication of the Coalition agreement; and if he will make a statement. [7532] Mr Davey: My officials were briefed by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters on their views and response Mr Prisk: The Regional Development Agencies each to the consultation on the Camelot proposal to provide have a Financial Accountability Framework which sets commercial services through lottery terminals. These out their main financial duties. 375W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 376W

Since the publication of the Coalition document we effectiveness. The number of SSCs should be for employers have written to each of the RDAs detailing the reductions to determine, taking account of the structure of the in RDA budgets for 2010-11 and highlighting the economy and the need to resource effectively.The coalition requirements for new spending prior to and beyond Government will welcome any proposals from employers March 2011, the latter to be approved by BIS and HM to merge or rationalise SSCs were this is in the best of Treasury. interests of their sectors. This Department has also written recently to all its Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property arms-length bodies with regard to new arrangements in relation to consultancy and marketing expenditure. Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Business, Innovation and Skills whether any powers Department plans to take to support industries that exercised by regional development agencies (RDAs) rely on the protection of intellectual property following will be transferred to central Government upon abolition the decision to close the Strategic Advisory Board for of RDAs. [12051] Intellectual Property; and if he will make a statement. [12854] Mr Prisk: We are reviewing all the functions of the RDAs. We believe some of these are best led nationally, Mr Davey: The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) such as inward investment, sector leadership, responsibility continues to promote innovation by providing a clear, for business support, innovation, and access to finance, accessible and widely understood Intellectual Property such as venture capital funds. Some of the RDAs existing (IP) framework so that creators, users and consumers roles are being scrapped, such as Regional Strategies. can benefit from knowledge and ideas. The IPO supports The forthcoming White Paper on sub-national economic industry by granting robust IP rights and further through growth will set out our approach in more detail. business support activities such as IP education programmes. The Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Policy (SABIP) which was formally established on 2 June Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to 2008 provided Government with independent, strategic, take to ensure that funding under the Regional Growth evidence based advice on IP. Following the decision to Fund is prioritised for regions and areas with greater dissolve SABIP, the sponsoring agency, the IPO, economic needs. [12054] consolidated key IPO and SABIP research into one Mr Prisk: The consultation on the Regional Growth programme. The combined work is designed to bring Fund was launched on 23 July and closes on 6 September. together existing sources of data on IP rights, linking Criteria to be applied to ensure that the Fund achieves them to economic data to develop a definitive information its main objectives will be set out, following the consultation, base with direct relevance to policy evaluation. in the White Paper on sub-national growth, which will During 2010/11 this evidence will be used to answer be published in the autumn. the following questions: The objectives of the Growth Fund are: How much does UK industry spend creating IP protected by To stimulate enterprise by providing support for projects with IPRs, and what does this investment deliver? significant potential for economic growth and create additional How big is investment in the copyright economy, who earns sustainable private sector employment; and what from it and how are value chains affected by digital To support in particular those areas and communities that are media? currently dependent on the public sector make the transition to Do patents add value to R&D—how much, and in which sustainable private sector led growth and prosperity. industries/markets? Which firms make money out of IP and innovation without James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for patents, and how? Business, Innovation and Skills which powers exercised Do trademarks help innovation and growth—and which firms by regional development agencies he plans to transfer win from branding? [12061] to local enterprise partnerships. Why is UK design a major success despite using few registered rights? Mr Prisk: No decisions have been taken as yet regarding which functions previously carried out by the regional Are EU copyright levies a useful reward system or distortion development agencies will move over to local enterprise of the market? partnerships. Can patent markets create depth and transparency to benefit innovators? Sector Skills Councils Research partners will help the IPO bring together data on business use of IP rights, innovation and business John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, performance, creating a knowledge base that other Innovation and Skills what plans he has to reform researchers and policy analysts will be able to access, sector skills councils; and whether he will reduce the use and develop. All the research reports will be published. number of such councils. [12181] I do not intend to make any further statements. Mr Hayes: The coalition Government believe in a Telephone Services strong employer role and voice in the skills system, and that this is best organised at sectoral level. Sector Skills Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Councils have a crucial role in all aspects of our skills Business, Innovation and Skills how many telephone policy, including apprenticeships. We will continue to lines are in use in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each empower them as the voice of employers in the skills region of England and (d) Northern Ireland; and how system—and to challenge them to perform with maximum many such lines are broadband lines. [12287] 377W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 378W

Mr Vaizey: The Department does not gather or keep Development countries for skills, employment and such statistics. Ofcom’s Communications Market Report productivity performance; and if he will make a 2010 reports that in 2009 the number of fixed telephone statement. [12142] lines in the UK was 32.1 million. Ofcom’s Technology Tracker Q1 (January to February 2010 fieldwork) for Mr Prisk: In ‘A Strategy for Sustainable Growth’, fixed line telephone and fixed broadband penetration published by the Department for Business, Innovation (proportion of households with each service) indicated and Skills in July, the Government state that, by that in the UK, 85% of households had a fixed line, strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals and providing (some 27.3 million lines) and 65% of households had a strong framework for business and growth, it aims to fixed broadband (some 20.9 million lines). The Technology increase productivity through skills, innovation, ICT Tracker also records the following country and regional diffusion and new firm start-ups. We are in the process information by household: of further developing this strategy to improve the UK’s performance. Percentage We want to build an internationally competitive skills England Scotland Wales N. Ireland base. We have already begun the process of reforming Fixedline86797981the further education and skills system by refocusing Fixed 66 54 57 62 funding on 50,000 extra apprenticeship places, and broadband putting measures in place to free colleges and training organisations from unnecessary bureaucracy. But we Percentage want to go further, to redesign the system so it places East power and responsibility in the hands of learners and South South East West of employers, and supports the vision for a “Big Society”. London East West Midlands Midlands England We are therefore consulting on the future direction of skills policy, including how to measure how well employers Fixed 84 92 90 85 83 92 and the skills system are progressing in meeting our Line priorities. Fixed 63 74 72 69 58 72 broadband On productivity, between 1998 and 2008, the UK closed the productivity (as measured by output per worker) gap with Germany and narrowed the gap with France, and broadly kept pace with the US. Over the Percentage same period, the gap in productivity in terms of output Yorkshire/ Humberside North East North West per hour worked has also narrowed with Germany, though remained broadly unchanged with both France Fixed line 84 82 82 and the US. Fixed 64 63 60 On employment, the latest comparable data (2009) broadband shows the UK’s employment rate is 70.6% compared Tobacco with an OECD average of 64.8% in 2009. We seek to support a flexible labour market. We also recognise the continuing need to provide strong employment support Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for to those that are out of work. Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have Trade Unions had since 7 May 2010 with representatives of those engaged in the manufacture and sale of tobacco Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for products; what the (i) nature and (ii) subject of those Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how much his meetings was; and if he will make a statement. [12137] Department and its predecessors has paid to trade unions in each year since 1997; and what estimate he Mr Davey: BIS officials have met once with tobacco has made of the monetary value of facilities provided manufacturers since 7 May to discuss the proposed EU by his Department and its predecessor for use by trade Reference Standard in respect of ‘low ignition propensity’ unions in each year since 1997; [11685] cigarettes. BIS officials have also met on one occasion since 7 May with tobacco retailers to discuss the (2) how many paid manpower hours civil servants in forthcoming tobacco display ban. There have been no his Department and its predecessors spent on trade other meetings between BIS officials or Ministers with union-related duties and activities in each year since tobacco manufacturers or retailers other than the Secretary 1997; [11686] of State for Business meeting with retailers in his own (3) how many civil servants in his Department and constituency.However there may have been other meetings its predecessors spent the equivalent of (a) five days or between officials and retailers (some of which sell tobacco fewer, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to products) because the Department has regular contact 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days and (f) 25 days or more on with retailers on a variety of business issues. trade union-related activities or duties while being paid salaries from the public purse in each year since 1997. Trade Competitiveness [11687]

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to and Skills (BIS) was created on 6 June 2009 by merging seek to ensure that by 2020 the UK will be in the top the former Department for Business, Enterprise and eight Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Regulatory Reform (BERR) with the Department for 379W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 380W

Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Records of Table: Trade union density by gender, region and sector, 2009 Q4 Trade Union related activities are therefore not available Percentage not seasonally adjusted for 2009/10 or before the merger. Gender The trade unions represented within this Department Country Region Sector All Male Female are: FDA, Prospect and PCS. Since the formation of Public 55.3 56.6 54.6 BIS in 2009, no money has been paid to any of the three West All 28.1 26.3 29.8 trades unions recognised for collective bargaining in Midlands employees BIS. Private 16.2 19.7 11.6 BIS currently employs 3.0 full-time departmental Public 57.6 56.4 58.1 Trade Union Side Officers at an approximate cost of East of All 22.8 20.9 24.7 £90,000. Across BIS a number of staff have small England employees facilities time allocations. More details on this can be Private 12.6 14.5 10.1 provided only at disproportionate cost. Public 49.4 48.7 49.7 This Department provides office facilities within its buildings at 1 Victoria Street, London and at St Paul’s London All 21.5 19.2 24.0 employees Place in Sheffield for the use of the Trade Union Side. The current cost per annum of providing this space is Private 11.0 11.9 9.7 £26,205. As a consequence of the Department’s formation, Public 49.8 48.3 50.8 it operates two IT contracts with different service South All 21.9 20.3 23.5 components and differing charging regimes that are in East employees the process of being unified. Currently it is not possible Private 11.6 12.7 10.2 to separate the costs sufficiently to respond accurately Public 51.0 53.5 49.6 to this specific request. South All 26.0 24.9 27.0 West employees Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Private 15.8 18.5 12.6 Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the Public 50.7 47.7 52.3 workforce (a) of each sex and (b) in each region are Wales All 35.4 31.1 39.3 members of a trade union in (i) the public and (ii) the employees private sector; and if he will make a statement. [12959] Private 18.3 19.7 16.6 Public 64.5 62.3 65.7 Mr Davey: The following table provides the proportion Scotland All 31.8 28.4 35.2 of employees who are trade union members, the trade employees union density by gender, region and sector for the latest Private 16.8 18.8 14.1 period available. This information is self-reported by respondents to the Office of National Statistics’ Labour Public 63.2 61.0 64.4 Force Survey. Northern All 39.9 35.4 44.0 Ireland employees Table: Trade union density by gender, region and sector, 2009 Q4 Private 25.3 27.0 23.0 Percentage not seasonally adjusted Public 65.6 62.0 67.4 Gender Country Region Sector All Male Female Source: Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics United All 27.4 25.2 29.5 More detailed information on trade union membership Kingdom employees statistics can be found on the BIS website: Private 15.1 17.2 12.4 http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/employment-matters/research/ Public 56.6 56.2 56.8 trade-union-stats England All 26.1 24.3 27.9 employees Trade Unions: Finance Private 14.5 16.6 11.8 Public 54.9 55.0 54.8 Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments have been made North All 35.7 35.7 35.8 East employees to trades unions through the (a) Partnership At Work Private 21.3 26.4 14.6 and (b) Strategic Partnership Fund in each financial year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. Public 62.8 63.3 62.5 [12651] North All 32.1 29.7 34.6 West employees Mr Davey: The following table provides the payments Private 17.2 19.4 14.3 and commitments made to trade unions through the Public 64.3 66.6 63.1 (a) Partnership at Work fund (b) Strategic Partnership Yorkshire All 28.7 27.3 30.2 Fund in each financial year during their lifetimes. and the employees (a) Funds committed to unions 2000-03 Humber Year in Private 16.8 19.5 13.3 which Public 56.8 57.7 56.4 commitment Amount East All 26.4 24.5 28.3 Union Purpose made given (£) Midlands employees AEEU Partnership 2000 49,912 Private 15.2 17.1 12.8 Fund 381W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 382W

(a) Funds committed to unions 2000-03 (b) Funds paid to unions, 2005-08 Year in Year ended which 31 March 2005: commitment Amount Union Purpose £ Union Purpose made given (£) TUC Strategic Partnership 34,270 Amicus Partnership fund 2002 47,360 Fund Community and Partnership 2000 50,000 UCATT Strategic Partnership 69,898 Youth Workers Fund Fund Union Year ended 31 March MSF Partnership 2000 20,000 2007: Fund GMB Strategic Partnership 15,000 MSF Partnership 2000 30,000 Fund Fund TUC Strategic Partnership 68,000 MSF Partnership fund 2000 26,405 Fund Numast Partnership 2002 36,800 UCATT Strategic Partnership 4,443 Fund Fund Royal College of Partnership 2000 34,000 Year ended 31 March Midwives Fund 2008: Royal College of Partnership 2002 18,650 Amicus Strategic Partnership 286,881.41 Nursing Fund Fund Scottish TUC Partnership 2000 37,575 PCS Strategic Partnership 17,500 Fund Fund TGWU Partnership 2001 50,000 Fund Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for TGWU Partnership 2002 42,276 Business, Innovation and Skills what payments have Fund been awarded to trade unions through the Union TUC Partnership 2000 14,450 Fund Learning Fund in each financial year since the fund was established; and if he will make a statement. TUC Partnership 2000 24,300 Fund [12773] TUC Partnership 2002 43,015 Fund Mr Hayes: The Department for Business, Innovation Unison Partnership 2000 32,500 and Skills (BIS) currently provides funding to support Fund the union learning fund (ULF) and unionlearn, the Unison Partnership 2000 13,440 TUC’s learning and skills organisation, which administers Fund the Fund on behalf of the Department. The main Unison Partnership fund 2000 50,000 purpose of this budget is to enable trade unions and Unison Partnership 2001 14,000 union learning representatives (ULRs) to work with Fund employers, employees and learning providers to encourage Unison Partnership 2003 50,000 greater take up of learning and raise skill levels in the Fund workplace. All ULF projects are bound by contracts Note: with defined learning targets and outcomes. Annual breakdowns of the expenditure before 2004 are not available, Since the introduction of ULF in 1998 annual so we have provided details of commitments made to individual unions. expenditure in each financial year has been as follows: (b) Funds paid to unions, 2005-08 Year ended £ million 31 March 2005: 1998-99 1.7 Union Purpose £ 1999-2000 3.1 Amicus Strategic Partnership 37,592 2000-01 3.9 Fund 2001-02 6.3 GMB Strategic Partnership 96,871 2002-03 7.4 Fund 2003-04 12.2 GPMU Strategic Partnership 3,880 2004-05 14.4 Fund 2005-06 15.4 TUC Strategic Partnership 26,472 Fund 2006-07 16.9 TUC Strategic Partnership 12,544 2007-08 18.4 Fund 2008-09 21.4 UCATT Strategic Partnership 61,045 2009-10 21.5 Fund Year ended 31 March Unions and their ULRs play a significant role in 2006: helping adults, particularly those who are poorly qualified Amicus Strategic Partnership 261,381 and with no background in continuing their education, Fund to become engaged and more confident with learning GMB Strategic Partnership 108,000 and improve their skills. In 2009-10 over 233,000 learners Fund in workplaces across the country were helped back into TUC Strategic Partnership 21,512 Fund learning by the union learning fund and union learning representatives. 383W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 384W

Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Hayes: I hope to announce the appointment of a Innovation and Skills what payments were made to new Chair for the UK Commission for Employment trade unions through the Union Modernisation Fund and Skills by the end of October. in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [12926] Union Modernisation Fund Mr Davey: The information on how much has been paid to each trade union from the union modernisation Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, fund in 2009-10 is as follows: Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 July 2010, Official Report, columns 411-12W, on the Union FY April 2009-March 2010 £ Modernisation Fund, (1) how much each member of the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board claimed ACCORD 30,587.50 in expenses under each category in each year since Association of Teachers and 38,976.25 2005-06; [12032] Lecturers (2) where each Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Bakers, Food and Allied Workers 35,962.40 Union Board meeting was held; who attended each meeting; Bakers, Food and Allied Workers 3,877.50 what the cost to the public purse of each meeting was; Union and what the Board’s remit is. [12033] Broadcasting Entertainment 134,167.41 Cinematograph and Theatre Mr Davey: I shall take these questions together. Union The remit of the UMF Supervisory Board, established Chartered Society of 19,951.00 following a public consultation, is as follows: Physiotherapy Communication Workers Union 13,237.65 The Board will advise Ministers on the projects which they consider should be supported by the Fund in each bid round in Communication Workers Union 37,746. 86 the light of their assessment against the selection criteria. Equity 14,104.38 At the request of Ministers, the Board will advise Ministers on First Division Association 97,837 matters relating to the performance or operation of the Fund, General Federation of Trade 32,259.18 including its future development. Unions The final authority for approving bids rests with Ministers. General Federation of Trade 53,978.98 Unions Where Ministers do not follow the recommendations of the Board in full, they must give to the Board their reasons. GMB 63,937.54 Musicians Union 15,284.00 The Board will be advised and supported by DTI (now BIS) officials. Subject to this, the Board is responsible for determining National Union of Journalists 5,814.00 its own procedures, including protocol in cases of possible National Union of Schoolmasters, 28,385.00 conflicts of interest. Union of Women Teachers The Board has met three times, with the following National Union of Teachers 32,916.99 attendees, to review bids to the Union Modernisation Nautilus UK 6,834.31 Fund: PCS—Equality reps 57,062.68 Trade Union Congress 109,508.33 Attendees Trades Union Congress 52,683.23 23-24 November 2005 Union of Construction Allied 11,496.28 Sir Bill Connor Trades and Technicians Judith Hackitt Unison 79,543.50 Daniel Carrigan Unison 16,835.78 Adrian Askew Unison 106,997.01 William Brown Unite (Amicus) 89,217.79 David Metcalf Unite (T&G) 88,302.00 Unite (T&G) 78,077.35 Jeannie Drake USDAW 26,938.50 2-3 July 2007 Wales TUC 44,705.00 Sir Bill Connor Total 1,389,478.54 Daniel Carrigan Adrian Askew We have recently decided to publish the financial data William Brown of funds committed and paid to each union for rounds one and two of the UMF. This is now available on the David Metcalf BIS website from: Jeannie Drake www.bis.gov.uk/policies/employment-matters/strategies/umf Bruce Warman Equivalent information on round three will be published 21 July 2009 in due course. Sir Bill Connor Adrian Askew UK Commission for Employment and Skills William Brown Jeannie Drake John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, David Lebrecht Innovation and Skills when he plans to announce the David Gordon new Chair of the UK Commission for Employment Also in attendance at each meeting was a small and Skills. [12143] secretariat. 385W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 386W

The cost and location of each meeting of the Supervisory London, SW1P Board was as follows: The cost for this meeting was £4,708.09 Meeting of 23-24 November 2005 was held at: Meeting of 21 July 2009 was held at: Hotel Russell City Inn, Russell Square 30 Islip Street, London, WC1B London, SW1P The cost for this meeting was £4,265.46 The cost to for this meeting was £3602.03 Meeting of 2-3 July 2007 was held at: The following table lists the expenses claimed by each City Inn member of the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory 30 Islip Street Board under each category in each year since 2005/06.

£ Member Daily fees Air fares Taxis Rail Fares Mileage Holds Subsistence Total

April 2005 to March 2006 Sir Bill Connor 1,500.00 — — 50.00 50.00 — 148.78 1,748.78 Adrian Askew 1,000.00 — — — — — 75.78 1,075.78 Professor William 1,000.00 — — 24.90 — — 145.90 1,170.80 Brown Daniel Carrigan 1,400.00 — — — — — 126.98 1,526.98 Jeannie Drake 1,000.00 — — — — — 75.78 1,075.78 Judith Hackitt 1,200.00 — — — — — 101.38 1,301.38 David Metcalf 1,050.00 — — — — — 3.71 1,053.71 Total 8,953.21

April 2006 to March 2007 Sir Bill Connor 1,000.00 — 38.00 876.30 350.00 152.00 272.14 2,688.44 Adrian Askew 200.00 — — — — — — 200.00 Professor William 200.00 — — — — — — 200.00 Brown Daniel Carrigan 532.80 8.00 27.50 37.60 — — 605.90 Jeannie Drake 200.00 — 13.00 — — — — 213.00 David Metcalf — — 22.00 — — — — 22.00 Bruce Warman 200.00 — — 27.20 2.00 — — 229.20 Total 4,158.54

April 2007 to March 2008 Sir Bill Connor 1,250.00 — 31.50 1,891.84 264.80 215.34 151.32 3,804.80 Adrian Askew 800.00 — — — — — 46.72 846.72 Professor William 800.00 — 14.40 34.35 —— — 46.72 895.47 Brown Daniel Carrigan 1,300.00 527.20 33.00 8.00 17.60 — 71.19 1,956.99 Jeannie Drake 800.00 — — 8.00 — — 46.72 854.72 David Metcalf 800.00 — 43.00 —— — — 46.72 889.72 Bruce Warman 800.00 — — 26.60 58.00 — 9.60 894.20 Total 10,142.68

April 2008 to March 2009 Sir Bill Connor 1,000.00 — 62.60 469.90 476.40 58.68 385.77 2,453.35 Adrian Askew 200.00 — 11.00 — — — 14.05 225.05 Professor William 200.00 — — 32.40 — — — 232.40 Brown Daniel Carrigan 400.00 272.60 4.00 19.50 17.60 — 53.90 767.60 Jeannie Drake 200.00 — — — — — — 200.00 Bruce Warman 200.00 — — — — — — 200.00 Total 4,078.40

April 2009 to March 2010 Sir Bill Connor 1,750.00 — 8.00 827.70 578.00 167.00 198.17 3,528.87 387W Written Answers6 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 388W

£ Member Daily fees Air fares Taxis Rail Fares Mileage Holds Subsistence Total

Adrian Askew 600.00 — — — — — 15.87 615.87 Professor William 800.00 — — 43.00 — — 15.87 858.87 Brown Daniel Carrigan 400.00 230.60 8.00 — 17.60 — 50.95 707.15 Jeannie Drake 800,00 — — — — — 15.87 815.87 Bruce Warman 900.00 — — 5.00 1.20 — 3.07 909.27 Professor David 700.00 — 14.30 127.50 55.50 — 43.47 940.47 Gordon David Lebrecht 800.00 — — — 400.00 — 246.27 1,446.27 Total 9,822.94

Wales Yorkshire Forward

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for assessment of the likely effects on Wales of his Department’s Business, Innovation and Skills how many jobs in Yorkshire planned spending reductions. [8988] were (a) created and (b) supported by funding from Yorkshire Forward between 1997 and 2010. [12687] Mr Davey: No departmental expenditure limits (DELs) have yet been set for the financial years beyond 2010-11. DELs for the four years from 2011-12 will be set in the Mr Prisk: Since being established in 1999, Yorkshire spending review on 20 October 2010. Forward has created over 225,000 jobs. No assessment has been made of the likely effects on Wales of BIS’ planned spending reductions in financial The following table sets out the total of jobs created year 2010-11. by year.

Wines Total of jobs created

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 1999/2000 17,279 Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department 2000/01 16,882 and its predecessors spent on wine in each year since 2001/02 13,985 1997. [12823] 2002/03 10,888 2003/04 16,544 Mr Davey: The Department does not separately record 2004/05 27,312 spending on wine so the details could be obtained only 2005/06 23,810 at disproportionate cost. All expenditure has been incurred 2006/07 22,254 in accordance with the principles of Managing Public 2007/08 25,456 Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and 2008/09 23,635 Propriety. 2009/10 27,161

389W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 390W

software, (e) interpreting and translation services, (f) Written Answers to recruitment services and (g) training for their staff from their staffing allowance in 2009-10. [11512] Questions Sir George Young: The numbers of Members who have had costs met from their 2009-10 staffing expenditure Tuesday 7 September 2010 for each of the categories requested are as follows: (a) professional advice: 14 (b) cleaning: 22 HOME DEPARTMENT (c) janitorial or reception services: 7 (d) maintenance services for computer hardware and software: Prison Population (Drugs Act) 7 (e) interpreting and translation services: 1 Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home (f) recruitment services: 4 Department what estimate she has made of the effect (g) training for their staff: 30. on the size of the prison population of the implementation of the provisions of the Drugs Act 2005. [13083]

Nick Herbert [holding answer 6 September 2010]: Between 2005 and 2008 the number of immediate custodial WORK AND PENSIONS sentences under the Drugs Act 2005 was 12, imposed on offenders who failed to comply with an initial or follow Child Support Agency: Standards up assessment for specified Class A drug misuse. We have made no further estimate of the impact on the size David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work of the prison population, other than the impact assessment and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve the that accompanied the Bill. The Government will shortly performance of (a) the Child Support Agency and (b) lay before Parliament a memorandum providing a post- the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission legislative assessment of the Drugs Act 2005. against its objectives. [12152] Police: Accountability Maria Miller: The Child Support Agency has improved its performance over the last few years against its objectives. Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the This can be seen in the latest quarterly summary of Home Department whether her Department has (a) statistics published on 28 July 2010: prepared a regulatory impact assessment and (b) estimated the cost to the public purse of implementing http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/ its proposals to introduce elected police commissioners. stats0610.html [12789] The objectives for the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, which has responsibility for Mrs May [holding answer 6 September 2010]: A full the Child Support Agency, are set out in its business impact assessment will be prepared and published ahead plan for 20010-11: of the introduction of the Police Reform and Social http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/pdf/Business-Plan- Responsibility Bill later in this session. We are still 2010.pdf consulting with the public and with partners about However despite positive progress, significant challenges many aspects of the policy, and will be publishing remain. I have had a number of meetings with the Child estimates of costs following that consultation. Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to establish how current delivery fits with the Coalition Government priorities. LEADER OF THE HOUSE As with all areas of Government expenditure, detailed plans are subject to review. Members’ Staff: Allowances Children: Poverty Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Leader of the House what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work on the experience of staff of hon. Members of the and Pensions how many children were lifted out of relative poverty between 1997 and May 2010. [12297] expenses scheme. [11495]

Sir George Young: I have regular discussions on a Maria Miller: Estimates of the number and proportion range of issues with representatives of the Independent of children living in poverty are published in the Households Parliamentary Standards Authority, including the experience Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses of staff of hon. Members of the expenses scheme. household income adjusted (or ’equivalised’) for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Leader of the House of living. how many hon. Members claimed for (a) professional Figures for 1997-98 cover Great Britain only, as advice, (b) cleaning, (c) janitorial or reception services, Northern Ireland data did not become available until (d) maintenance services for computer hardware and the following year. The latest available data covers 2008-09. 391W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 392W

Between 1997-98 and 2008-09, the number of children basis for the application of the habitual residence test with incomes below 60% of the contemporary median and (b) criteria used to determine the outcome of that income reduced by around 0.7 million in Great Britain. test. [12365] In 1997-98, there were around 3.4 million children in relative poverty in Great Britain, which equates to Steve Webb: The information requested is as follows: around 27% of all children. The 2008-09 UK figures (a) General guidance for people applying for Crisis show that around 2.8 million children were in relative Loans is available on the Direct Gov website and leaflet poverty, equating to around 22%. DWP1007. Applications are normally made by telephone and people can discuss their circumstances with the Crisis Loan decision-maker. Table: Number of children living in households with less than 60 per cent of contemporary median household income, before housing costs The Habitual Residence Test does not preclude the Million payment of a Crisis Loan if the application is made as a consequence of a disaster. If the application is not to 1997-98 (GB) 3.4 alleviate the consequences of a disaster and the applicant 1998-99 (UK) 3.4 has failed the Habitual Residence Test, in relation to a 1999-2000 (UK) 3.4 claim for an income-related benefit, a Crisis Loan will 2000-01 (UK) 3.1 not be awarded. 2001-02 (UK) 3.0 (b) The Habitual Residence Test is applied to everyone 2002-03 (UK) 2.9 who claims an income-related benefit such as Income 2003-04 (UK) 2.9 Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income- 2004-05 (UK) 2.7 related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension 2005-06 (UK) 2.8 Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. To 2006-07 (UK) 2.9 satisfy the test a person must first have a right to reside 2007-08 (UK) 2.9 and secondly, be actually habitually resident in the 2008/09 (UK) 2.8 Common Travel Area1 (CTA). A person who fails either Notes: or both parts of the test is treated as a person from 1. These statistics are based on the Households Below Average abroad and does not have access to these benefits. Income series, sourced from the Family Resources Survey. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to In deciding whether a person is actually habitually uncertainty. resident, decision makers, who decide entitlement to 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures benefit, consider a wide variety of factors. These include are single financial years. reasons for coming to the United Kingdom, the length 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ of their stay, future intentions, previous links with the the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ’Households Below Average Income’ (HBAI) series, which country and, in the case of people returning to the uses disposable household income, adjusted (or ’equivalised’) for United Kingdom, the reasons for their absence. household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for 1 The United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and standard of living. the Republic of Ireland. 5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Departmental Consultants Development (OECD) modified equivalisation factors. 6. Numbers of adults and children in low-income households have Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work been rounded to the nearest 100,000. 7. These statistics are based on incomes Before Housing Costs. and Pensions how much was spent on external Source: consultants and advisers by (a) his Department and Households Below Average Income, DWP (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each year since 2005. [12446] Crisis Loans Chris Grayling: Total consultancy spend since 1 April Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for 2005 for DWP (including Executive Agencies and CMEC), Work and Pensions what guidance his Department and its non-departmental bodies (NDPBs) is provided provides to people applying for crisis loans on the (a) as follows:

Financial year spend £ million Body 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

DWP (including CMEC) 130.29 162.62 76.48 95.18 72.08 Disabled Living Allowance Advisory Board 0 0 0 0.001 0 Disability Employment Advisory Committee 00000 Equality 2005 0 0 0.02 0 0 Health and Safety Executive 1.37 0.69 0.44 0.78 1.96 Industrial Injuries Advisory council 00000 Independent Living Fund 0.07 0.15 0.02 0.01 0.06 Personal Accounts Delivery Authority 0 0 0.37 11.25 8.47 Pension Ombudsman/Pension Protection Delivery Fund 1— 1— 0.01 0.04 0.05 Ombudsman Pension Protection Fund 0.8 1.57 1.75 1.6 1.97 Social Security Advisory Committee 00000 393W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 394W

Financial year spend £ million Body 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

The Pensions Advisory Service 1— 0 0 0.05 0.08 The Pensions Regulator 6.68 6.49 4.14 5.61 6.04 Total Spend (including VAT) 139.21 171.52 83.23 114.52 90.71 1 Figures are not available.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work DWP Legal category spending by year and Pensions what the (a) average and (b) highest Spend (£) daily rate paid to consultants by his Department was in 2010-11 5,024,098 each of the last five years. [13066] 2009-10 22,018,223 Chris Grayling: This information is not available in 2008-09 18,854,926 this format as the Department for Work and Pensions 2007-08 18,864,410 typically competes and contracts for particular consultancy 2006-07 14,851,405 services or outcomes on a fixed cost basis rather than by 2005-06 18,564,671 the number of consultant days worked. 2004-05 15,444,475 2003-04 17,263,198 Departmental Legal Costs Note: The 2010-11 spend is for the period 1 April to 30 June 2010 Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much (a) his Department and DWP’s (including Child Maintenance and Enforcement its predecessors and (b) its agencies and non-departmental Commission) costs for external legal advice are shown public bodies spent on legal advice in each year since in the table above. They are captured under a range of 1997. [7569] existing commercial contracts. Prior to 2003, this information was not held centrally and could be provided Chris Grayling: The information is as follows. only at disproportionate cost.

£ 1997 to Body 2002 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Health and Safety — 2,534,539 3,808,111 4,047,071 4,166,872 4,411,027 4,091,135 6,886,350 8,645,694 Executive Independent Living ————118,263 149,815 95,353 161,472 185,654 Fund Personal Accounts ——————13,000 859,000 3,888,000 Delivery Authority The Pensions — — — 14,512 12,803 551 28,355 29,747 36,768 Advisory Service The Pensions ——————571,591 1,069,888 2,362,604 Regulator Pensions ——————39,252 45,000 35,698 Ombudsman Pension Protection ————————— Fund Ombudsman Social Security ————————336.26 Advisory Committee

The following bodies were sponsored by the Department Working Ventures UK closed down on 30 September 2009. for Work and Pensions and its predecessors during the NDPBs operate individual arrangements and I will period for which information is requested. These bodies let the hon. Member have information in relation to have either been closed or replaced by a successor body spend on legal advice for the following: The Pension as shown as follows: Protection Fund, Disability Employment Advisory Pensions Compensation Board was replaced by the Pension Committee, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board, Protection Fund in April 2005; Equality 2025 and Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority ceased on 5 April as soon as possible. 2005, its work is now done by The Pensions Regulator; The Appeals Service moved to the Department of Constitutional Departmental Public Relations Affairs (now the Ministry of Justice) on 1 April 2006; Disability Rights Commissioner was subsumed into the Commission for Equality and Human Rights in September Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2007; and Pensions what the monetary value was of (a) National Employment Panel ceased on 31 March 2008. Its public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts functions have been incorporated into the UK Commission for awarded by his Department in each of the last five years Employment and Skills from 1 April 2008; in each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK. [12448] 395W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 396W

Chris Grayling: Financial data relating to all external Housing Benefit: Greater London spend of the Department are held on a consolidated UK basis. They cannot easily be broken down by nation, Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and region of the UK, or by London without incurring Pensions how many units of temporary accommodation disproportionate cost. The data provided below are in each local authority area in London had housing therefore applicable to total spend across the UK. benefit payments above (a) the local housing authority (a) Public opinion research in each of the last five years caps as set out in the Budget Red Book and (b) above My Department does not conduct opinion polling. the 30th percentile in the most recent quarter for which figures are available. [12306] My Department conducted annual omnibus surveys to monitor public attitudes to the Government’s welfare Steve Webb: The information is not available. reform programme in 2005-10. The local housing allowance (LHA) arrangements Public Attitudes £ only apply to the deregulated private sector, and for temporary accommodation there is no record of the 2005-06 50,000 notional bedroom entitlement or the broad rental market 2006-07 32,030 area to be able to compare them with the applicable 2007-08 40,850 LHA rates. 2008-09 80,525 2009-10 40,800 Industrial Health and Safety

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work (b) Public relations contracts in each of the last five and Pensions whether he consulted (a) trade unions years and (b) families of people killed or injured at work on The Department contracts with PR agencies when the terms of reference of Lord Young’s review of there is a clear case that the agency’s specific expertise health and safety legislation. [13078] and capacity will allow the Department to be more effective in its communications, or to meet a defined Chris Grayling: The Secretary of State did not consult communications need that cannot be met by an in-house with any organisations on the terms of reference for resource. Lord Young’s Health and Safety review. However, during the course of his review, Lord Young £ million consulted with a number of organisations and key 2005-06 1.481 stakeholders, including, for example, the Trades Union 2006-07 1.332 Congress and Families Against Corporate Killers. 2007-08 1.097 Local Housing Allowance 2008-09 1.2 2009-10 0.947 Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many (a) pensioners and (b) Females: Public Expenditure working age households received local housing allowance in March 2010 within each of the broad Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work market rental areas; [12307] and Pensions what assessment he has made of the (2) how many private tenants were in receipt of local effects on women of reductions in his Department’s housing allowance for (a) shared room, (b) one expenditure announced in the June 2010 Budget. [9565] bedroom, (c) two bedroom, (d) three bedroom, (e) four bedroom and (f) five bedroom properties in Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions March 2010 within each of the broad market rental is considering the equality impacts of all proposed areas covering each local authority; [12308] reductions in the Department’s welfare spending announced (3) what estimate he has made of the proportion of in the Budget on 22 June 2010. private tenancies in each broad market rental areas for which local housing allowance is claimed; [12309] Housing Benefit (4) how many private sector tenants of working age were receiving local housing allowance above the 30th Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work percentile of rents in each broad market rental area in and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect March 2010; [12313] of proposed changes to housing benefit levels on housing (5) how many private sector tenants of pension age markets in areas with a high number of properties in the were receiving local housing allowance above the 30th private rented sector. [12171] percentile of rents in each broad market rental area in March 2010; [12314] Steve Webb: We will monitor the impact of the changes (6) how many local housing allowance recipients are to housing benefit announced in the Emergency Budget paying rents at or below the 30th percentile in each through housing benefit data we routinely collect from broad market rental area. [12316] local authorities. We will also be discussing with other Government Departments and the devolved Steve Webb: The information is not available. The Administrations other ways we might monitor the wider Department only collects case-specific data at the point impact of these changes. the local authority makes a decision on a claim and this 397W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 398W can be up to 12 months in the past. Broad rental market Steve Webb: Support for mortgage interest is not a area boundaries are subject to regular review and can benefit in its own right; it is one component in the change resulting in new areas being created. To provide calculation of entitlement to income-related benefits. the requested information by broad rental market area However the Department’s administrative records allow for any specific month would require remapping each it to estimate the expenditures involved on this component. household on the area boundaries for that month which The information is not available in the format requested; could be done only at a disproportionate cost. the available information has been placed in the Library. The information relates to Great Britain, and the financial Local Housing Allowance: Swindon year 2009-10.

Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in receipt of local and Pensions how many people in each region were in housing allowance in Swindon receive a sum in benefit receipt of support for mortgage interest benefit in each (a) lower than, (b) higher than and (c) equal to the region in the last 12 months; and how many of those level of their rent payments. [12083] were also in receipt of (a) income support, (b) jobseeker’s allowance and (c) pension credit in each Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions such case. [12627] published ‘Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in Steve Webb: The information is not available in the 2011-12’ on 23 July, which includes analysis of the format requested. The available information is in the impact of removing the excess for those who receive following tables. housing benefit above their rent. Copies of the document are available in the Library. Table 14 shows the number Claimants of income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and pension credit in receipt of support for mortgage interest: by country of households assessed under the local housing and/or region, as at February and May 2009 arrangements for each local authority who were receiving February May housing benefit above their rent. IS JSA PC IS JSA PC Information on number of households receiving housing benefit awards equal or lower than their rent payments North 3,900 700 6,200 3,900 1,100 6,400 is not available at sub-national level. East North 11,700 1,500 15,000 11,800 2,500 15,000 West Mortgages: Government Assistance Yorkshire 7,800 1,000 9,600 7,800 1,900 9,700 and the John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Humber and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2010, East 5,900 1,100 7,100 5,900 1,500 7,300 Official Report, columns 221-2W, on mortgages: Midlands Government assistance, when he expects to have West 9,300 1,700 9,700 9,500 2,500 9,900 Midlands developed an estimate of the effect of the changes East of 6,600 1,000 9,700 6,600 2,200 9,700 proposed to the level of assistance under the Support England for Mortgage Interest Scheme in the June 2010 Budget London 9,900 2,100 11,700 10,200 2,900 12,100 on the number of home repossessions in each of the South East 7,800 1,200 12,400 7,700 1,400 12,800 next three years; and if he will publish the estimates. South 5,400 700 9,100 5,500 1,400 9,300 [12619] West Wales 5,600 600 7,700 5,600 1,000 7,800 Steve Webb: The Department does not capture Scotland 5,300 500 16,400 5,000 1,200 16,500 information on reasons for ending a benefit claim, including support for mortgage interest, so specific Claimants of income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and information on the number of claimants who no longer pension credit in receipt of support for mortgage interest: by country receive support for mortgage interest payments because and/or region, as at August and November 2009 their property has been repossessed is not available. August November IS JSA PC IS JSA PC The Department is in the process of developing a model to estimate the impact of changes to support for North 3,900 1,300 6,300 3,900 1,500 6,300 mortgage interest on the number of repossessions. However East any estimates will always be limited since detailed case- North 11,900 3,600 15,100 11,600 4,000 15,100 by-case information, such as arrears at the start of a West claim, is not collected by the Department. The Department Yorkshire 7,800 2,700 9,500 7,500 3,300 9,700 will consider whether the results can be used publicly and the Humber once this is work is complete. East 5,900 2,100 7,500 5,600 2,600 7,600 Midlands John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work West 9,100 3,400 9,700 9,100 4,500 10,000 and Pensions how much was paid in support for Midlands mortgage interest benefit in each (a) region, (b) local East of 6,300 2,800 9,700 6,300 3,100 10,100 authority and (c) Jobcentre Plus district in the last 12 England months; and how much was paid to those who were London 9,900 3,700 11,900 9,900 4,400 11,700 also in receipt of (i) income support, (ii) jobseeker’s South East 7,700 2,000 13,000 7,600 2,400 12,900 allowance and (iii) pension credit in each such case. South 5,500 1,800 9,400 5,300 1,900 9,500 [12626] West 399W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 400W

Claimants of income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for pension credit in receipt of support for mortgage interest: by country 2010-11. [12491] and/or region, as at August and November 2009 August November David Mundell: Pension contributions incurred by IS JSA PC IS JSA PC the Scotland Office for the last three years are as follows: Wales 5,600 1,700 7,700 5,400 1,900 7,700 Scotland 4,900 1,600 16,300 4,900 1,800 16,100 Pension contributions (£) Notes: 2007-08 345,063 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. 2. Figures have been uprated using 5% proportions against 100% 2008-09 361,312 Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) totals. 2009-10 396,268 3. For jobseeker’s allowance mortgage interest can only be claimed on income-based jobseeker’s allowance. The planned expenditure for 2010-11 is £430,194. 4. Monthly figures are not available therefore the last four quarters data have been provided. Departmental Responsibilities Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5% sample Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security Benefits: Disqualification Scotland pursuant to the answer of 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 975W, on departmental travel, what the (a) location and (b) times of arrival and Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work departure were of each of his engagements on 13 July and Pensions how many benefit claimants of each 2010. [13255] benefit type successfully appealed against a benefit sanction in 2009-10. [13258] Michael Moore: Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and Mr Djanogly: I have been asked to reply. private sectors as part of the process of policy development The First-tier Tribunal—Social Security and Child and delivery.As was the case with previous Administrations, Support (SSCS) is responsible for considering appeals it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of against decisions made by the Department for Work all such meetings. and Pensions (DWP). Neither the Tribunals Service nor the Department for Work and Pensions is able to provide Departmental Training the information which the hon. Member has requested. This is because appeals against a benefit sanction are Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for not separately identified as part of the appeals process. Scotland how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such course. [13284] SCOTLAND Departmental Billing David Mundell: The Scotland Office encourages all staff to undertake learning and development activities. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for The majority of opportunities are provided through the Scotland what proportion of invoices from suppliers Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice; but his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July where the training need is still not available within and August 2010. [13283] central Government, external training courses may be considered. David Mundell: The Scotland Office paid 100% of its The Office does not maintain a central record of July 2010 invoices within 10 days of receipt. The figures external training courses attended or their associated for August 2010 are not yet available. costs. Departmental Fines

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for TRANSPORT Scotland how many transport-related fines his Departmental Buildings Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for was in each such year. [13285] Transport how much office space per employee his David Mundell: The Scotland Office maintains the Department and its predecessors occupied in each year policy that road traffic violations remain the responsibility since 1997. [13006] of the individual and are not reimbursed from public funds. As such, there has been no expenditure on transport- Norman Baker: As reported in the State of the Estate related fines since 2005. report the Department for Transport reported occupancy, excluding operational properties, of 12.4 square metres Departmental Pensions per person in 2007-08 and 12.7 square metres per person in 2008-09. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Information for the period prior to 2007-08 can be Scotland what the cost was of pension contributions provided only at disproportionate cost. Data for 2009-10 incurred by his Department in each of the last three are currently being collated. 401W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 402W

Departmental Empty Property Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002 and comprises a central Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Department and seven executive agencies. Information Transport how much his Department and its for the period prior to this date is not available. predecessors spent on vacant properties in each year The requested information, where recorded, is provided since 1997. [13025] as follows.

£ Property Centre 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

DfT Central—London 0 0 0 100,637 179,550 333,201 49,851 61,110 HQ1 Driving Standards ———————— Agency2 Driver and Vehicle 54,980 55,222 55,270 65,353 65,988 55,167 n/a n/a Licensing Agency3 Highways Agency— ————218,562 349,457 361,241 440,201 Estates4 Highways Agency— —————1,896,091 1,812,015 2,418,289 Road Schemes5 1 Relates to six vacant former Strategic Rail Authority properties that transferred to the Department on 16 October 2005. Spend includes rent, rates, service charge, professional fees, dilapidations and exit payments. All properties have been disposed of and there are no vacant properties on the central estate. 2 Data for the period prior to 2010-11 are available only at disproportionate cost. 3 Relates to one property which was disposed of in January 2008. 4 These figures include rent/lease, service charge, maintenance, rates, utilities, professional fees and security. 5 These costs are property fees only and do not include any supervision fees.

No other part of the Department has incurred spend contributions and national insurance payments, as well on vacant properties. as any taxable benefits and non consolidated performance related payments. Departmental Rents Departmental Pay Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid by his Department in rent for Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) Transport how much was paid in remuneration in total nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12341] to civil servants in his Department in 2009-10. [9998] Norman Baker: The total amount paid in rent, where Norman Baker: In total, £126,160,000 was paid as recorded, is provided in the following table. remuneration to civil servants by the Department for The data requested (b) (i) (ii) and (c) is available only Transport in 2009-10. This includes pay, employer pension at disproportionate cost.

£ 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Central Department: London HQ 10,845,104 13,461,748 12,894,592 12,743,755 12,804,285 Marine Accident Investigation 76,063 76,063 76,063 76,063 160,073 Branch1 Rail Accident Investigation Branch 138,013 147,134 149,850 128,500 128,500 Executive Agency: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4,122,000 4,558,000 4,921,419 4,754,629 5,073,871 Driving Standards Agency22— 2— 6,737,963 10,927,772 7,277,829 Government Car and Despatch 599,025 759,994 78,253 831,614 748,475 Agency Highways Agency3 6,932,704 7,409,106 7,435,417 11,394,288 11,321,661 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 3,403,733 3,433,058 3,795,598 3,617,736 3,569,149 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3,504,000 3,040,000 3,299,000 3,977,000 3,099,000 Vehicle Certification Agency 170,843 206,040 224,722 215,954 191,181 1 2009-10 data includes rent review and lease surrender rent. 2 Data for 2006-07 and 2005-06 not available due to accounting software issues. The drop in cost between 2008-09 and 2009-10 is because; (a) a number of leasehold properties were disposed of, (b) the rental cost of one of DSA’s former HQ buildings was accounted for as a lump sum, for the financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. This equalled £1.2million (excluding VAT) and (c) a change in the International Financial Reporting Standards meant some properties are now shown as ‘long-term lease properties’ and not ‘rental properties’. 3 These costs exclude centrally funded rental costs associated with office moves. Prior to 2008-09, costs for our Regional Control Centres were managed centrally as part of the project to set up the Traffic Officer Service. It is not feasible to provide a regional breakdown of these costs, Costs for the Regional Control Centres are included from 2008-09 onwards. 403W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 404W

Departmental Security by the Act. The claims are then individually assessed by the Agency’s independent valuation contractors to ensure Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for that the correct amount of compensation is paid. Transport what the reasons are for the increase in The Agency aims to process and settle all claims as security costs incurred by his Department’s agencies quickly as possible. For a small road scheme where and non-departmental public bodies between 2000-01 there are a small number of claims which are and 2008-09. [13355] straightforward, this will usually take about six months to complete. For larger road schemes where there are a Norman Baker: The figures provided in my answer of large number of claims or if the claim is complex, the 27 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1002-1004W, to processing period may take longer, up to 18 months. your previous question, for the costs of protective security for this Department, its Agencies and sponsored bodies Road Traffic Offences are from those records available centrally. The figures provided do not include costs where Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for records are not available centrally or where such records Transport what recent assessment he has made of the no longer exist. Not all of the Department, its agencies cost-effectiveness of the statutory requirement for local and sponsored bodies were able to provide the requested authorities to advertise traffic regulation orders; and if security cost information for each year of this request. he will make a statement. [13332] Therefore the total annual spend on security for earlier years has necessarily omitted any spend for those bodies Norman Baker: The review of traffic signs policy was that were unable to provide this information. This suppresses launched in September 2008. It includes an Enforcement the total spending figures for earlier years when compared Action Plan, within which is a task to: to more recent years where more complete information “Develop alternative models to the traffic regulation order is available. process for the purpose of regulatory traffic signs. In particular, to consider whether more restrictions and prohibitions can be In addition, central records are not to be taken as delivered directly through the regulations.” representative of total costs as there have been differences The procedures for, and cost-effectiveness of, publicising across the Department and its Agencies in approach to proposed traffic regulation orders are being considered attributing administrative spend against security, as opposed within that remit. to ICT, Estates, HR etc. The findings and recommendations of the review In this respect it should be noted that the security should be available by the middle of next year. costs for the central Department before 2007-08 did not include costs associated with the provision for National Roads: Safety Security Vetting, at which time these functions were transferred from the Department’s HR team to the Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for security team. Transport how much funding his Department plans to provide to each local authority through the road safety Highways Agency: Compensation grant in 2010-11. [12201]

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mike Penning: The Government have made clear that how many claims were received by the Highways Agency an urgent priority is to tackle the UK’s record deficit in under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 in the order to restore confidence in our economy and support last 12 months; and what proportion of such claims the recovery. As a contribution to addressing the record were successful. [12146] deficit, we therefore have reduced the previous plans for local authority funding in 2010-11. Mike Penning: In the 12 month period from July 2009 Central Government’s financial support grant to local to July 2010, the Highways Agency received 4023 claims authorities is provided through a variety of mechanisms, for compensation under Part 1 Land Compensation such as formula grant (including the revenue support Act 1973. grant), specific grants and specific capital grants. As a result of the process that claims are required to The Government are clear that local government go through in order to establish eligibility and to calculate needs increased flexibility to take decisions locally. It the amount of compensation payable, not all of the has therefore retained the most flexible funding (formula claims submitted over the last 12 months have been grant) for 2010-11 at the level approved previously by settled within that time. Therefore, I cannot estimate the Parliament (£29 billion). proportion that will prove to be successful. On average, We have also lifted restrictions on how local government however, compensation is paid in 63% of claims submitted. spends its money by removing ring-fences. We expect Under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 local authorities to be able to make savings from efficiency (‘the Act’), compensation can be claimed by people who measures, eliminating waste and, where necessary, reducing own and also occupy property that has been reduced in spending in areas that are lower priorities for their value by more than £50 by physical factors caused by communities. The fact that certain grants have been the use of a new or altered road. The physical factors chosen for reduction over others does not mean that the are noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke and artificial Government expect there to be a direct correlation lighting and the discharge on to the property of any between grant reductions and local authority budget solid or liquid substance. changes. For example, road safety grant was reduced as All Part 1 claims submitted to the Highways Agency this grant was spread evenly across all local authorities, are checked to ensure that claimants are both eligible to not because this was considered an area of lower priority claim, and hold a qualifying interest in land as defined spending. 405W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 406W

The road safety funding allocations for each local their own vehicles on official duty journeys, the authority in 2010-11, as set at April 2010, can be found reimbursement of taxi, bus and underground fares, and on the Department for Transport’s website at: most sea journeys. Comparable figures before 2008-09 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/ and a breakdown below departmental level are not held www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/localauthorities/funding/ centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate fundingstreams/capitalandrevenue/roadsafety/ cost. Reductions to 2010-11 grants are available on the A key principle is that travel should be avoided where Department for Communities and Local Government’s the business need can be met by alternatives to travel, website at: such as e-mail and video or audio conferencing. http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/ localgovernmentfinance/ Nimrod Aircraft Tyres Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Nimrod MRA.4 procurement Transport how many road traffic accidents involved a has cost to date; and what is the estimated cost of crew motor vehicle found to have (a) illegal tread depth and training and preparation for the aircraft prior to (b) poor tyre condition in each of the last 10 years. entering service. [12288] [13553] Peter Luff: Procurement costs for the Nimrod MRA4 Mike Penning: The Department for Transport does to June 2010 are approximately £3.4 billion. not hold any data on whether motor vehicles involved The design and implementation of the in-service in road traffic accidents were found to have illegal tread support solution for the MRA4 aircraft is contracted as depth or poor tyre condition. Since 2005 the police have a single entity which includes the cost of crew training. collected information on contributory factors to personal The estimated total cost of the support solution up to injury road accidents. When a police officer attends the the currently anticipated achievement of initial operating scene of a personal injury road accident they can report capability in October 2012 is £0.6 billion. In addition, ‘tyres illegal, defective or under inflated’ as a contributory the estimated cost of pay for RAF personnel undertaking factor. The following table shows the number of accidents the training until 2012 is £17.2 million. this factor was reported in for each year since 2005. All projects are being considered as part of the Strategic Reported personal injury accidents in which ‘tyres illegal, defective or Defence and Security Review, and the outcome of this under inflated’ was reported as a contributory factor1: GB 2005-09 is expected to be announced in the autumn. Percentage of all Year of accident Number of accidents accidents

2005 1,128 1 2006 1,002 1 EDUCATION 2007 1,027 1 2008 929 1 Building Schools for the Future Programme 2009 860 1 1 Includes only cases where a police officer attended the scene and a Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Education contributory factor was reported. how many children attend schools which have been Contributory factors reflect the police officer’s opinion rebuilt or refurbished under the Building Schools for at the time of reporting, and where a factor may have the Future programme in (a) Wansbeck constituency, contributed to the cause of an accident it may be (b) Northumberland and (c) England. [10212] difficult for a police officer attending the scene after the accident to identify this, so factors may be under-reported. Mr Gibb: As Northumberland has not joined Building Not all reported road accidents are included in contributory Schools for the Future (BSF), no children in the Wansbeck factor analysis, only those where a police officer attended constituency or the local authority attend schools which the scene and at least one contributory factor was have been rebuilt or refurbished under the programme. reported. Exact figures in respect of England are not held centrally, but we estimate that in mainstream secondary schools around 167,000 students are attending schools DEFENCE that have received BSF investment. This is based on a number on roll of 1,100 for the average secondary Departmental Travel school.

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his (a) Department and (b) its Education what proportion of the funding allocated by agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on his Department to school building capital expenditure travel for employees in each year since 1997. [7430] was administered under the Building Schools for the Future programme; and when he expects to announce Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence spent £220 details of future capital allocations for schools. [10846] million on travel in 2008-09 and £210 million in 2009-10. These figures include air and rail fares, short-term car Mr Gibb: Building Schools for the Future has accounted hire, the contract and fuel costs of our fleet and rented for around one-third of the schools capital budget from cars, motor mileage costs reimbursed to staff using 2004. 407W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 408W

On 5 July the Secretary of State announced a review Local Safeguarding Children Boards should publish of all areas of the Department for Education’s capital the overview report and the executive summary— spending. Its purpose is to ensure that future capital anonymised and without identifying details—for all investment represents good value for money. SCRs initiated on or after 10 June unless there are The review team will produce an interim report in the compelling child welfare reasons not to. autumn. Its report will guide future spending decisions According to our records, by 20 July, the Secretary of over the next Spending Review period (2011-12 to 2014-15). State had received two written representations about It will also look at how best to meet parental demand; this policy from organisations representing children’s make current design and procurement cost-effective interests: one in support of full SCR disclosure from the and efficient; and overhaul how capital is allocated and Victoria Climbié Foundation; and one from Cumbria’s targeted. local Safeguarding Children’s Board raising concerns about anonymity, and frankness of participating Building Schools for the Future Programme: Coventry practitioners. The President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) also shared her views Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State with DFE Ministers at the recent ADCS conference. for Education (1) if he will publish the advice he received prior to his decision to end Building Schools Education: Pay for the Future funding for a combined broad spectrum special school in Coventry South constituency; [9130] Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of his (1) how many and what proportion of (a) teachers and decision to end the Building Schools for the Future (b) support staff employed by schools and other education programme on the (a) Alice Stevens, (b) Sherbourne establishments in Colchester constituency will have their Fields and (c) Baginton Fields special schools in pay frozen as a result of the decision to freeze the wages Coventry; [9131] of public sector workers; [4566] (3) what support he intends to provide for the (a) (2) how many and what proportion of (a) teachers Alice Stevens, (b) Sherbourne Fields and (c) Baginton and (b) support staff employed by local education Fields special schools in Coventry following the ending authorities will have their pay frozen as a result of the of the Building Schools for the Future programme; decision to freeze the wages of public sector workers. [9132] [4575] (4) what his policy is on the provision of broad spectrum special schools following the ending of the Mr Gibb [holding answer 28 June 2010]: The Department Building Schools for the Future programme; [9133] does not hold this information. (5) what steps he is taking to ensure that special The Government have announced a two year pay schools in Coventry have adequate facilities to meet the freeze for public sector workers. For teachers in maintained needs of their pupils. [9134] schools in England and Wales this will take effect from September 2011 for two years. The Secretary of State Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2010]: The Secretary announced on 22 June 2010 that teachers’ pay will be of State considered wide-ranging advice from officials increased by 2.3% from 1 September 2010. The minimum on the impact of his decision on the Building Schools salary of a newly qualified teacher in England and for the Future programme, including advice about schools Wales from 1 September 2010 will be £21,588. This in Coventry. This advice did not cover the specific detail exceeds the threshold of £21,000 above which the public of the impact on special schools in Coventry. sector pay freeze will start as announced in the emergency Budget on 22 June. The cancellation of BSF does not represent the end of capital investment in schools. On 5 July the Secretary There is no central mechanism for deciding the pay of of State announced a review of the Department’s capital school support staff, with employers having responsibility programmes. The review will make recommendations for determining salaries at local level. That responsibility to help the decisions of future capital investment in rests with individual local authorities as the legal employer schools, to ensure that investment represents good value of support staff in community and voluntary controlled for money and strongly supports the Government’s schools, and the governing body in foundation and ambitions to reduce the deficit, raise standards and voluntary aided schools. tackle disadvantage. Pupils: Disadvantaged Children: Protection Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for according to what criteria the pupil premium will be Education what representations he has received from allocated. [11458] organisations representing children’s interests on his proposal to publish serious case reviews in full. [10328] Mr Gibb: On Monday 26 July the Secretary of State and the Children’s Minister launched a consultation on Tim Loughton [holding answer 22 July 2010]: The our proposals for school funding in 2011-12, including Government believe that publishing serious case review options on the best deprivation indicator to use to (SCR) overview reports will restore public confidence allocate the pupil premium. The options being considered and improve transparency in the child protection system, are: and ensure that the context in which the events occurred Free School Meal eligibility—which could be current eligibility is properly understood so relevant lessons are learnt or a measure of whether the pupil has ever been eligible for and applied as widely as possible. FSM; 409W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 410W

Tax Credit Indicator—pupils in families in receipt of out of 1 work tax credit; Department Temporary staff and AGO 0 Commercial packages based on classifications of postcodes, TSol 106 such as Mosaic or Acorn. HMCPSI 1 We are also seeking views on proposals about how to NFA 3 extend the coverage of the pupil premium to target SFO 76 Looked After Children, and children whose parents are CPS 293 in the armed forces. 1 Recorded data as at 30th June 2010, with the exception of CPS data Full details of the consultation, and a copy of the which is taken from latest published figures from 315’ March 2010. written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State, can be found online at: Trade Unions http://www.education.gov.uk/news/press-notices-new/pupil- premium Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many Schools: Standards paid manpower hours civil servants in the Law Officers’ Departments spent on trade union-related duties and activities in each year since 1997. [11719] Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of schools rated outstanding The Solicitor-General: TSol gives a facility time allowance by Ofsted at their last inspection changed status in the to each of the two recognised Trade Unions (PCS and last 10 years. [9397] FDA) for its committee members; the monitoring of this allowance is delegated to local business managers Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 July 2010]: 3.8% of and no central record is held of the actual amounts schools rated outstanding at their last inspection have taken during any financial year. The same arrangement changed their status as defined by their designated also covers AGO staff. school type. This comprises schools that have changed between designations as community schools, community The facility time allowed is as follows: special schools, foundation schools, foundation special PCS—an allocation of 1.3 full-time equivalent staff schools, voluntary aided schools and voluntary controlled years for Group Office Holders, In addition, one hours schools. facility time was allowed for each member to attend the Single Sex Education Annual General Meeting. FDA—an allocation of approximately 0.15 full-time Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for equivalent staff years for Group Office Holders. In Education what assessment he has made of the effect of addition, one hours facility time was allowed for each state-funded single sex schools on the balance between member to attend the Annual General Meeting. the sexes in adjacent co-educational state-funded schools; Information regarding the amount of time spent by and if he will make a statement. [10937] Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff on trade union related duties and activities is not available for the Mr Gibb: Under current legislation it is for local period before 2008. The total time spent by paid CPS authorities to assess the likely impact of single sex civil servants on trade union related duties and activities maintained schools and to ensure there is equal access for both unions in the CPS during the periods 2008-09 to single sex provision for the other sex where there is and 2009-10 was 28, 515 hours and 35, 852 hours parental demand. respectively. The Serious Fraud Office does not hold details on the number of days spent by staff engaged on trade union ATTORNEY-GENERAL activities. It would be possible to provide such data only at a disproportionate cost. Departmental Manpower The size of HMCPSI does not justify an agreement for routine facility time. HMCPSI has a Whitley council Stewart Hosie: To ask the Attorney-General how which meets quarterly and is attended by FDA and PCS many legally qualified staff have been recruited by the representatives, and where it is necessary for union Treasury Solicitor’s Department since May 2010; and representatives to devote time to specific activities on where these posts were advertised. [13325] personal cases, this is done by agreement with their line manager. No formal record is maintained. The Solicitor-General: No legally qualified staff have been recruited by the Treasury Solicitors Department No days were spent by civil servants of the National since May 2010. Fraud Authority on trade union-related activities while being paid salaries in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Departmental Temporary Employment Priti Patel: To ask the Attorney-General how many Mr Redwood: To ask the Attorney-General how many civil servants in the Law Officers’ Department spent temporary staff are employed by (a) the Law Officers’ the equivalent of (a) five days or fewer, (b) five to Departments and (b) their agency. [12138] 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days and (f) 25 days or more on trade union-related The Solicitor-General: The information requested is activities or duties while being paid salaries from the contained in the following table: public purse in each year since 1997. [11720] 411W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 412W

The Solicitor-General: TSol and AGO gives a facility Departmental Motor Vehicles time allowance to each of the two recognised Trade Unions (PCS and FDA) for its committee members; the Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, monitoring of this allowance is delegated to local business Olympics, Media and Sport what the expenditure on managers and no central record is held of the actual vehicles of (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non- amounts taken during any financial year. departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for The facility time allowed is as follows: which his Department is responsible in each region of PCS - an allocation of 1.3 full-time equivalent staff England was in each of the last three financial years; years for Group Office Holders. In addition, one hour’s and what the planned expenditure is in each case for facility time was allowed for each member to attend the 2010-11. [12469] Annual General Meeting. FDA - an allocation of approximately 0.15 full-time John Penrose: The Department’s and The Royal Park’s equivalent staff years for Group Office Holders. In (TRP) executive agency expenditure on vehicles in the addition, one hours facility time was allowed for each last three financial years are in the table. In May 2010 member to attend the Annual General Meeting. the Secretary of State cancelled the Department’s car accounts and subject to some fees will save around SFO and HMCPSl do not maintain central records £250,000 a year. The Royal Parks plan vehicle expenditure of the exact amount of time spent by staff on trade of £175,800 for 2010-11 based on existing budget. union activity, and such information could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. £ No days were spent by civil servants of the National DCMS vehicle TRP vehicle Fraud Authority on trade union-related activities while Financial year expenditure expenditure being paid salaries in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Information regarding the amount of time spent by 2007-08 376,861 201,636 CPS civil servants on trade union related duties and 2008-09 276,668 210,549 activities are not available for the period before 2008. 2009-10 318,501 189,977 The requested breakdown of paid CPS civil servants The Department does not collate information on carrying out trade union activities or duties during vehicle expenditure by its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, 2008-09 and 2009-10 is as follows: I have asked their chief executives to write to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire. Copies of Representatives/civil servants their replies will be placed in the Libraries of both 2008-09 Houses. Over 25 days 20 20 to 25 days 1 Listed Buildings: Coventry 15 to 20 days 3 10 to 15 days 9 Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State five to 10 days 10 for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for what reasons Under 5 days 151 the letter outlining his Department’s decision to uphold English Heritage’s listing of Coventry Market was sent 2009-10 to the hon. Member for Workington rather than to the hon. Member for Coventry South. [12095] Over 25 days 32 20 to 25 days 5 John Penrose: I apologise for the unfortunate 15 to 20 days 5 administrative error, procedures have been tightened to 10 to 15 days 8 prevent further occurrence. five to 10 days 22 Local Broadcasting

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Arts: Manpower Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will meet volunteers from East Coast FM to discuss community Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for radio license availability. [12694] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the Mr Vaizey: The licensing of community radio stations creative industries. [13188] is a matter for Ofcom, who operate independently of Government. Mr Vaizey: The last DCMS Creative Industries However, I would welcome the opportunity to hear Economics Estimates bulletin, published in February from volunteers from East Coast FM on this issue. 2010, reported that in the summer quarter of 2008, creative employment totalled just under 2 million jobs. This comprised over 1.1 million jobs in the creative Olympic Games 2012 industries and over 800,000 further creative jobs within businesses outside these industries. A further breakdown Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, is published at: Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of funding http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/ for the Olympic Village was provided by (a) private research_and_statistics/4848.aspx investors and (b) the public sector. [13200] 413W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 414W

Hugh Robertson: It was originally intended that the Olympic Games 2012: Social Rented Housing Olympic Village would be delivered by a private developer. However, as a consequence of the economic downturn, Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the previous Government decided that the private developer Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion option did not offer the best value for money for the of property in the Olympic Village will be converted taxpayer and £650 million of funding for the Olympic into social housing after the London 2010 Olympic Village was therefore provided from the public sector Games. [13202] funding package for the 2012 Games. Additional funding of £268 million was provided by Triathlon Homes, a Hugh Robertson: After the 2012 Games the Olympic consortium of First Base, and East Thames and Southern Village will be converted into a mix of private and social registered social landlords, as part of the agreement to housing available for take-up by local people and others. purchase 1,379 affordable homes, with the balance of In 2009 Triathlon Homes, a consortium of First Base, funding due to be raised by sales of homes for occupancy and Southern and East Thames registered social landlords, after the Games. Further information on this arrangement entered into an agreement with the Olympic Delivery was published in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Authority (ODA) to purchase 1,379 affordable homes Games Quarterly Economic Report, July 2009. in the Olympic Village, representing 49% of the homes available, with an option that 264 of those could be sold Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for on the open market after one year which, if invoked, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions would reduce the proportion of affordable homes to his Department has had on promoting the Big Society 39.5%. Agenda in relation to preparations for the London 2012 Olympics. [13358] Olympic Games 2012: Volunteers Hugh Robertson: My Department is in regular contact with other Departments, including the Office for Civil Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Society, about our plans to develop and deliver a lasting Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he legacy from the London 2012 Games and discussions plans to take to encourage volunteering by people from include the extent to which those plans can help to meet local London boroughs in the London 2012 Olympics. our aspirations for the Big Society. An example of an [13357] area where we are exploring how the Games might help to deliver Big Society aspirations is through volunteering. Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee The Games are reliant on volunteers: from Games-time of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) venue-based volunteers to city volunteers in London, is responsible for recruiting the up to 70,000 ‘games Weymouth and other venue locations plus at ports of maker’ volunteers required to stage the London 2012 entry and along the Torch Relay route. We also see great games. LOCOG will launch the application process to potential for the Games to inspire people across the the general public later this month, backed up with country to volunteer and engage in their local communities. marketing across London boroughs as well as nation-wide. I plan to publish a document in the autumn setting The games are for the whole of the UK and so all local out our vision for the legacy of the Games and confirming boroughs, whether in London or not, should be encouraging the legacy programme. their residents to consider whether to apply to this scheme. In addition, the Mayor of London is seeking Olympic Games 2012: Loans expressions of interest for his ‘London ambassador’ scheme, seeking volunteers to welcome the world to Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, London at train stations, tourist attractions and live Olympics, Media and Sport whether the Government sites. has underwritten loans taken out by the Olympic Delivery Authority. [13201] Tourism: Visas Hugh Robertson: No, nor has the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) taken out any loans. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make an The Government have however given a guarantee in assessment of the effect on levels of inbound tourism support of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s agreement of the cost of a visa to visit the UK compared to the with Triathlon Homes LLP who have undertaken to cost of a visa to visit a country within the Schengen purchase 1,379 affordable homes on the Olympic Village zone. [13205] Development, and took out loans as part of that agreement. The detailed arrangements of this were announced to John Penrose: I have not made a detailed economic Parliament in a ministerial written statement on 22 June impact assessment of the comparative cost and convenience 2009. of obtaining UK and Schengen visitor visas, but I am The details of the ODA’s financial position, including aware of the tourism industry’s grave concerns about commitments, contingent liabilities, subsidiary companies the possible impact on inbound tourism. Accordingly, and investments are set out in its annual report and improving the pre-entry visa experience is something I accounts. The annual report and accounts for 2009-10 am looking at as part of the Government’s new tourism were laid before Parliament on 22 July and copies are strategy, which will be published later in the year. I am available in the House Library or they can be accessed working closely with the Home Office to look at simplifying on the London2012 website at: and improving the process of arranging a visa, including http://www.london2012.com/publications/oda-annual-report- whether there could be greater alignment of the UK accounts-2010.php and Schengen visitor visa processes. 415W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 416W

VisitBritain: Marketing When a company registered under the Companies Acts is dissolved, any property and rights in England Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, and Wales held by the company at the date of its Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department dissolution (including any money in bank accounts) plans to allocate additional funding to Visit Britain for pass to the Crown as “bona vacantia”. The Treasury the purposes of marketing related to the (a) London Solicitor is the Crown’s nominee for dealing with bona 2012 Olympics and (b) Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth vacantia in England (except in the Duchies of Cornwall Games. [13204] and Lancaster), Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, bona vacantia falls to be dealt with by the Queen and John Penrose: Using the opportunities presented by Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer. Income from bona major events, such as the 2012 Olympic Games and vacantia is paid into the Consolidated Fund. Banks and Paralympic Games, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in other institutions holding such funds are entitled to Glasgow and the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup, to make lawful deductions in respect of their charges create a lasting tourism legacy for all our nations remains before remitting the balance as bona vacantia. a major priority. The funding of VisitBritain over the Where a company is placed in liquidation prior to period 2011-15 is part of ongoing Spending Round being dissolved, the liquidator will apply any assets of considerations. Decisions on the outcome of the Spending the company (including any money in bank accounts) Round will be announced in due course. to pay its debts. In these circumstances by the time the company is dissolved there will ordinarily be no assets to pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER In the financial year 2009-10 the Bona Vacantia Division of the Treasury Solicitor’s Department received Constituencies £46,873,362.65 from banks, building societies and other financial institutions and from solicitors’ client accounts Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of dissolved companies. whether redefinition of constituencies consequent upon his proposals to equalise their size will take Departmental Training account of the historic county boundaries. [11799] Graham Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Harper: The Parliamentary Voting System and how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and Constituencies Bill, introduced on 22 July, requires that non-departmental public bodies spent on employee away each constituency be wholly in one of the four parts of days in each year since 1997. [7309] the United Kingdom. In addition, the rules allow the Justine Greening: The information available on spending Boundary Commissions to take account, among other on employee team building events by the Department, things of, local government boundaries (defined as the its agencies and non-departmental body is shown in the boundaries of counties and London boroughs) and following table. local ties that would be broken by changes in constituencies. These considerations are subject to the central principle £000 of the rules, which is that constituencies should be of HM Treasury Asset Protection more equal size. (HMT) Agency

Electoral Register 2005-06 54 n/a 2006-07 191 n/a Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what 2007-08 295 n/a representations he has received on the level of payments 2008-09 388 1 to local authority chief executives for their role in 2009-10 185 2 administering elections. [10784] Data for HMT prior to 2005-06 is not available as Mr Harper: To date, the Cabinet Office has received spending on team building events was not separately three parliamentary questions and four letters from identified prior to that date. The initial data collected in MPs on behalf of their constituents. 2005-06 is not directly comparable to figures for later The Cabinet Office has also received correspondence years due to a change to the accounting system to more from members of the public who have raised this matter accurately capture spending on team-building events. along with other electoral issues. Information on team building events held by the Debt Management Office is not held centrally and could not be provided within the disproportionate costs threshold. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee has TREASURY not held any team building events during the period in Bank Services: Company Liquidations question.

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to access ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS unclaimed funds in bank accounts of wound-up companies; Agriculture: Sustainable Development and what discussions he has had with banks in respect of any outstanding charges to be levied on such accounts Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for before transfer to the Exchequer. [10501] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of her Department’s progress The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply. in promoting sustainable agriculture. [12895] 417W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 418W

Mr Paice: One of DEFRA’s priorities is to support I am satisfied that the current legislation, including and develop British farming and encourage sustainable the Animal Welfare Act 2006, provides adequate protection food production. This is supported by a number of for the welfare of animals being sold as pets. specific actions with associated milestones as set out in the Department’s Structural Reform Plan. Additionally, the Department publishes on the Food and Farming Animal Welfare: Circuses Statistics pages of its website a comprehensive set of indicators which track the performance of the sector in economic, environmental and social terms and collectively Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for provide a broad measure of its sustainability. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2010, Official Report, column 121W, on animal welfare: circuses, whether Ministers have Animal Welfare concluded their consideration of the recent public consultation exercise on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses; and when the results of that Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, consideration are expected to be announced. [12052] Food and Rural Affairs (1) what guidance her Department issues on the housing and sale of animals in pet shops; what recent representations she has received on the Mr Paice: There has been a considerable amount of information for us to consider, as well as a need to meet issue; and if she will make a statement; [12231] representatives of the circus industry and animal welfare (2) whether she plans to review the regulations regarding organisations in order to hear their views. We are currently pet shops, with reference to (a) the age at which children considering matters raised at these meetings. We expect can buy animals and (b) the conditions in which animals to be in a position to announce our decision on the are kept; and if she will make a statement; [12232] proposed way forward in the autumn. (3) under what legislation the sale of exotic pets is regulated; what plans she has to amend such regulation; and if she will make a statement; [12233] Departmental Allowances (4) what exotic animals may lawfully be sold in pet shops; whether she plans to make changes to that Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for regime; and if she will make a statement; [12234] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her (5) what recent representations she has received on Department and its predecessor spent on (a) the sale of (a) exotic animals and (b) endangered reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest species; and if she will make a statement; [12235] staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since (6) what plans she has to amend the regulatory system 1997. [13040] governing the sale of exotic animals and dangerous animals in pet shops; and if she will make a statement. Richard Benyon: The Department was formed in 2001; [12236] to seek information prior to 2005 would incur disproportionate cost. Mr Paice: The business of selling animals as pets is From data held centrally and by the executive agencies, regulated by the Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended, the following shows expenditure on (a) reimbursement 1983). This means that anyone who wishes to sell pet of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense animals as a business must obtain a valid licence from reimbursement claims in each year since 2005-06. their local authority. Local authorities have powers of (a) Reimbursement of staff expenses inspection and can decide whether or not a premise should be licensed. Guidelines for local authority inspectors, £ which include minimum standards of welfare, are produced 2005-06 6,195,092 by. the Local Government Association with assistance 2006-07 10,938,667 from the British Veterinary Association, Chartered Institute 2007-08 9,123,647 of Environmental Health, Ornamental Aquatic Trade 2008-09 8,398,060 Association and Pet Care Trust and are currently being 2009-10 7,950,289 updated. (b) 10 largest staff expenses reimbursement claims in each year since The Convention on the International Trade in 2005-06 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 regulates trade in endangered animals and plants. Although not a welfare convention it aims to make sure that 1 28,975.10 32,360.19 35,042.35 40,600.57 27,430.70 international trade is conducted sustainably, ensuring 2 23,795.85 24,432.25 25,010.57 19,631.81 23,287.84 the long-term survival of species. CITES strictly regulates 3 22,014.61 22,062.55 20,730.59 15,952.99 17,356.70 and monitors trade through a permitting system. Trade 4 19,329.48 21,093.22 19,825.81 15,947.45 16,100.33 in those species at most risk of extinction from international 5 19,116.90 20,168.60 18,292.64 15,122.40 14,606.40 trade is banned except in exceptional circumstances. 6 18,968.98 20,038.66 17,492.98 14,572.12 14,560.33 CITES provisions are applied uniformly in the European 7 18,283.30 18,729.86 17,333.79 14,378.08 13,321.25 Community (EC) through two EC Regulations (Council 8 17,250.08 18,702.93 16,539.96 12,777.10 13,064.48 Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 and Commission Regulation 9 16,873.14 18,208.57 16,419.76 12,193.32 12,611.65 (EC) No. 1808/2001). The regulations are often stricter 10 16,512.77 17,177.50 15,382.05 11,781.60 12,597.63 than CITES itself. 419W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 420W

Departmental Consultants body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible in each year since 2005. [12475]

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: Expenditure on external consultants Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was and advisers for each year since 2005 is shown in the spent on external consultants and advisers by (a) her following table. Main delivery NDPBs have been included, Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public to go to them all would incur disproportionate cost.

£ 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

DEFRA core1 44,000,000 29,000,000 37,290,720 25,173,402 26,101,691 Animal Health — n/a 1,042,202 736,273 2,160,000 Centre for Environment Fisheries and 38,251 161,738 57,803 72,422 95,892 Aquaculture Science Rural Payments Agency 29,500,000 27,900,000 23,400,000 23,200,000 25,000,000 Veterinary Laboratories Agency 163,808 120,588 86,748 64,286 66,006 Veterinary Medicines Directorate 55,444 69,164 111,919 112,812 143,728 Marine and Fisheries Agency — — 142,715 585,273 576,934 Food and Environment Research Agency2 202,467 291,081 300,389 569,209 456,427 Environment Agency 16,129,898 11,609,884 10,289,632 10,772,378 11,060,971 Gangmasters Licensing Authority4 128,900 56,500 0 15,000 9,000 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 28,074 27,811 10,112 32,251 54,290 National Forestry Company 12,444 27,640 0 8,038 14,747 Natural England5 — 3,002,000 2,283,000 1,223,000 2,299,000 Royal Botanical Gardens—Kew 6— 6— 6— 6— 770,000 Sustainable Development Commission3 — — — 738,713 360,517 Commission for Rural Communities 0 0 0 0 0 n/a = Not available 1 DEFRA core—2005-06 and 2006-07 as reported in Department report for management and business consultancy. From 2007-08, as defined by OGC category codes and reported in PSPES. 2009-10 subject to final verification before PSPES submission in October 2010. 2 Formerly Central Science Laboratory. Figures for 2008-09 and 2009-10 include consultancy costs for start up of FERA. 3 SDC formed in 1 January 2009 and figures include consultancy costs for start up. 4 GLA for 2005-06 includes consultancy costs for start up. 5 NE for 2006-07 includes consultancy costs for start up. 6 RBG Kew—To provide a consultancy figure for earlier years would incur disproportionate cost. Notes: AH—formed in October 2005 and data not available for 2005-06 and 2006-07 without disproportionate cost. 2007-08 and 2008-09 as reported for PSPES and 2009-10 as reported in accounts. RPA—With effect from 2007-08 RPA does not employ consultants or advisers. From then all external resources employed to provide expert opinion, including holding interim positions, are recognised and accounted for as contractors. The figures are consistent with a previous answer supplied to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron), 19 July 2010, Official Report, columns 8-10W.

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: Expenditure on the purchase and/or Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) lease of vehicles for the last three financial years and the average and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants planned expenditure for 2010-11 are shown in the following by her Department was in each of the last five years. table. Main delivery NDPBs have been included, to go [12659] to them all would incur disproportionate cost.

Richard Benyon: The rates paid to consultants reflect £000 the scope and duration of the work; the grade and Actuals Planned experience of the consultant(s) chosen for the work; 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 and supply market conditions. DEFRA core 97 847 291 0 The Department does not hold information centrally on the daily rates paid to consultants hired by the Department in each of the last five years. The information Executive agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Animal Health 155 87 88 105 Centre for Environment 64 92 89 <80 Departmental Motor Vehicles Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Rural Payments Agency1 n/a 670 837 550 Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Veterinary Laboratories 91 35 34 123 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the expenditure Agency on vehicles of (a) her Department and (b) each (i) Veterinary Medicines 0000 non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency Directorate for which her Department is responsible in each region Marine and Fisheries 0000 of England was in each of the last three financial years; Agency and what the planned expenditure is in each case for Food and Environment 73 0 102 0 2010-11. [12476] Research Agency 421W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 422W

Richard Benyon: The information requested is not £000 held centrally and could be provided only at Actuals Planned disproportionate cost. 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Flood Control Non-departmental public bodies Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Agency22— 2— 2— 2— Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the provisions Gangmasters Licensing 0 0 25 27 Authority of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 relating Joint Nature Conservation 0000to (a) private drains and sewers, (b) sustainable urban Committee drainage, (c) reservoir safety, (d) flood and coastal risk National Forestry 0000management and (e) surface water management will Company come into effect. [12082] Natural England3 278 757 356 0 Royal Botanical 10 108 19 10 Richard Benyon: As I announced at the Local Gardens—Kew4 Government Floods Forum Conference on 29 July, the Sustainable Development 0000transfer of private sewers will be implemented through Commission regulations under the Water Industry Act 1991. We Commission For Rural 0000published a consultation on draft regulations to provide Communities for the transfer of private sewers on 26 August, and n/a = not available intend to consult with interested parties on related 1 RPA lease all vehicles. Figures shown are the cost for leasing and standards for new sewers later in the autumn. maintenance costs, but exclude fuel and road fund licence costs. 2 Environment Agency: The capital purchase cost of vehicles We plan to consult later this year on the implementation (commercial) deployed to support operational activities in the of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) provisions Environment Agency for each of the last three financial years and of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, including the planned expenditure for 2010-11 is as follows: a proposed timetable for commencement. 2007-08: £2,000,000 2008-09: £4,269,000 We intend that the reservoir provisions in Schedule 4 2009-10: £2,963,000 of the Act should be brought into effect in 2011-12 in 2010-11 forecast: £1,878,000 respect of those reservoirs already regulated under the The majority of Environment Agency commercial vehicles support Reservoirs Act 1975. This will enable a more risk-based flood risk management activities, while lease cars are used to approach to be developed and lead to some deregulation. support environmental regulatory and advisory roles which involve visits to customer sites. The extension of regulation to smaller reservoirs will be Lease Car expenditure is as follows: implemented some time later and will be proportionate 2007-08: £11,754,470 to the risk that they pose. 2008-09: £12,895,932 Implementation of the Flood and Water Management 2009-10: £12,919,802 2010-11 forecast: £12,111,000 Act 2010 will begin with the laying of the Flood and These figures do not include service, repair and maintenance, fuel Water Management Act (commencement No.1 and and insurance costs. transitional provisions) Order 2010 in September. We 3 Natural England provides pool cars for people to use, primarily intend that responsibilities for local authorities to manage on front line delivery activity, and where public transport is not a local flood risks, including surface water, will be the viable option. Pool cars are currently located at most office locations. NE National Nature Reserves (NNR) operations also subject of further regulations from April 2011. have specific requirements for vehicles which are used in the Food Supply: Ombudsman management and maintenance of the reserve. No capital budget has been provided for the purchase of vehicles in 201-11. 4 RBG Kew expenditure excludes gardens equipment (which Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for includes tractors/JCBs but also mowers, trailers, composting Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are equipment etc.) being taken to establish (a) an ombudsman for the food Departmental Public Expenditure supply chain and (b) a Red Meat Road Map. [12375]

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Paice: On 3 August the Government published for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans their response to their consultation to take forward the she has for the future funding of the (a) Darwin establishment of a body to monitor and enforce the Initiative and (b) Overseas Territories Challenge Fund. Groceries Supply Code of Practice. They announced [14152] that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will bring forward new legislation in order Richard Benyon: The next round (Round 18) of Darwin to set up the Grocery Code Adjudicator, which will funding was postponed in July, pending the completion reside within the Office of Fair Trading. The proposal of the Government spending review. A letter explaining will require primary legislation and BIS will be seeking the situation from the chairman of the Darwin Advisory Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee Committee (DAC) is available on the Darwin Initiative approval to publish a draft Bill later this year with the website. intention of bringing forward a Bill in the second Departmental Training session. We are working closely with the beef, lamb and pig Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for meat sector bodies on the development of environmental Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many external roadmaps. These industry-led roadmaps concentrate on training courses were attended by staff of her Department mitigation of the impacts of climate change and will in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public form the basis of each sector’s contribution to the purse was of each such course. [13314] agricultural industry’s Greenhouse Gas Action Plan. 423W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 424W

The first roadmap for pig meat, co-ordinated by the Other management-related research work on alien British Pig Executive (BPEX), and part two of the beef plant species supported by DEFRA includes a collaborative and sheep meat roadmap, co-ordinated by the English project with the Netherlands on four shared invasive Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), are due to be aquatic non-native plants; scoping biological control published this autumn. for a further four highly damaging non-native species of plant; and developing a support protocol and methodology Food: Labelling to enable the Overseas Territories to access invertebrate plant pest identification expertise within the Food and Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Research Agency (Fera). Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the European launched a comprehensive Invasive Non-Native Species Parliament’s proposals to require food from animals Framework Strategy for Great Britain in May 2008. It which have not been stunned prior to slaughter to be has been described in a 2010 European Environment labelled with that information, with particular reference Agency report as an outstanding national response to to the likely effects on faith groups of the implementation the issue in Europe. The Strategy provides a high-level of those proposals. [12136] framework for a range of activities including research and is being implemented on a prioritised basis. We Mr Paice: To date, no discussions have taken place have now started work on developing a clearer statement with ministerial colleagues on this specific amendment of evidence needs to support its continued implementation. proposed by the European Parliament. This will include management-related research and we will be taking this forward in collaboration with key Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for partners. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the European Parliament’s proposals to expand Poultry: Animal Welfare the remit of EU food labelling regulation to include the provision of labelling information on methods of Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for animal slaughter. [12154] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make it her policy to seek the introduction of an Mr Paice: The Government are still considering their intra-EU trade ban on eggs produced by hens housed position on this and the other amendments proposed by in conventional cages if more time is given to other the European Parliament. Member States to phase-out conventional cages from January 2012; [12155] Livestock: Transport (2) what discussions she has had with egg producers on the introduction of a No. 41 production code for Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for enriched cage eggs; [12156] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to revise the rules covering the movement of livestock (3) what steps she is taking to support the egg industry; and if she will make a statement. [12157] to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. [12526]

Mr Paice: DEFRA recently published a consultation Mr Paice: The UK government remain entirely document on the simplification of livestock movement committed to the conventional cage ban coming into rules and holding identification in England. 41 responses force on 1 January 2012 and to supporting industry were received by the closing date of 30 June. Once these during this transitional stage. We will continue to work responses have been analysed, a summary will be published. with the Commission and industry to ensure that everything Further action following the consultation will depend is done to protect UK producers who have already on the outcome of the Spending Review and on any made significant investment to comply with the legislation recommendations the taskforce on farming regulation and to maintain the ban on eggs and egg products may make. produced by hens housed in conventional cages across the EU. Plants: Research This could be by way of an intra-community ban on the trade of eggs produced by hens housed in Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for conventional cages after 1 January 2012, so they may Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she only be sold in the member state of production for a has taken to support research into the management of limited period only; and/or the introduction of a code (a) Japanese knotweed and (b) other alien plant ‘4’ in EU marketing regulations to distinguish eggs species. [13198] produced by hens housed in enriched systems, from those housed in conventional cages that will remain Richard Benyon: DEFRA has been one of the main classified as code ‘3’. funding partners in a long-running project researching I will be meeting the BEIC shortly to discuss this and the possibility of identifying a biological control agent other matters. for Japanese knotweed. A controlled release of the highly specialist psyllid—“Aphalara itadori”—is now Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for under way to help control this plant. If successful, this Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent insect should restrict its growth, slow its capacity to discussions her Department has had with representatives spread vigorously and enhance the effectiveness of of the egg industry on implementation of an action management effort, although it would not eradicate it plan with the objective of ending the practice of beak altogether. trimming; and if she will make a statement. [12427] 425W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 426W

Mr Paice: On 1 March a preliminary meeting of the unnecessary. Minsters are accountable to Parliament Core Stakeholder group for beak trimming was held to and we will continue to publish the data necessary for consider the consultation documents and raise issues of such scrutiny. concern by industry and welfare groups in advance of Policy-advisory the deadline for consultation responses. Where the expertise does not already exist internally, The Beak Trimming Action Group, comprising key DEFRA and other Departments commission additional interested parties, will meet before the end of the year to expert advice from a range of organisations, of which discuss any new scientific research and explore all possible the Commission is one. In the future, where necessary, options on how to manage laying hens without the need we expect policy teams to continue to do this through to beak trim. the usual procurement process. Sheep: Tagging Capacity-building DEFRA leads across Government on sustainable Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for development. We will consider how best to do this Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent taking account of this Government’s priorities. reports she has received on the adequacy of supply of Advocacy tags for the electronic identification of sheep; and if she DEFRA will continue to champion sustainable will make a statement. [12131] development in policymaking across Government. We will build our internal capability and seek to work with Mr Paice: DEFRA officials are in regular contact the many external organisations already working within with tag suppliers to monitor supply. In the spring, this field and who can support us in doing this. delivery times were up to six weeks, due in part to a shortage of transponders following the Icelandic volcanic eruption which disrupted air freight. These delays have Taxis reduced significantly and supply times in most cases now vary from five days to three weeks. Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for DEFRA officials have worked closely with sheep Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her industry bodies to ensure keepers order their tags promptly Department and its predecessor spent on taxi fares in and in good time before they need to move their sheep. each year since 1997. [12983]

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: The Department was formed in 2001; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment to seek information prior to this date would incur she has made of the effectiveness of measures for the disproportionate cost. electronic identification of sheep. [12203] From data held centrally and by the delivery agencies, the following shows expenditure on taxis since 2005-06. Mr Paice: Electronic identification (EID) of sheep is an EU requirement, but the administration and £ implementation of it in Wales, Scotland and Northern 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Ireland is an issue for devolved administrations. DEFRA core 1— 268,095 346,458 299,401 153,308 In England, EID was implemented on 31 December Animal health2 6,137 25,823 34,447 35,560 39,633 2009. It is too early for any implementation assessment Centre for 3— 3— 3— 3— 3— to be made, although DEFRA officials are in regular Environment contact with the sheep industry and are reviewing issues Fisheries & with them as they arise. Aquaculture Science We have identified some issues which require further Rural Payments 40,225 34,298 44,052 59,273 42,925 discussion with the Commission and I have invited EU Agency Commissioner Dalli to visit the UK in the autumn to Veterinary 4— 4— 4— 4— 43,543 see at first hand the practical challenges we are facing. Laboratories Agency4 Sustainable Development Commission Veterinary 4,730 5,789 5,533 3,155 7,192 Medicines Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Directorate Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Marine and 2,630 5,022 5,095 5,432 10,915 Fisheries written ministerial statement of 22 July 2010, Official Agency5 Report, columns 32-3WS, on her Department’s arms- Food & 16,395 19,242 18,301 20,389 20,707 length bodies, how the functions of the Sustainable Environment Development Commission will be undertaken after its Research closure; and if she will make a statement. [12925] Agency6 1 Would incur disproportionate cost. Mr Paice: The Sustainable Development Commission’s 2 AH formed October 2005. four existing functions are watchdog, policy advisory, 3 CEFAS taxi fares are charged to a generic travel code, which includes other types of fares such as rail, air and bus. Obtaining capacity-building and advocacy. costs allocated solely to taxi fares would incur disproportionate cost. Watchdog 4 VLA 2009-10 covers period September 2009 to March 2010. Earlier details not available without disproportionate cost. There are already many organisations and commentators 5 MFA formed October 2005. Became an NDPB 1 March 2010. who will continue to hold the Government to account 6 FERA - formed 1 April 2009, earlier data for Central Science and we believe that a dedicated watchdog body is Laboratory. 427W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 428W

Trees Mr Davey: I recently announced a joint BIS and HM Treasury review of consumer credit and personal insolvency Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, and my Department will be issuing a formal call for Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in evidence later in the year. establishing a national tree planting campaign; and how The OFT has recently published the findings and much will be spent on the campaign in each of the next recommendations from its review of high-cost credit four years. [13242] products, including pawnbroking, payday loans and home collected credit. It concluded that in some respects, Mr Paice: The National Tree Planting campaign is the markets for high-cost credit can be seen to be an important part of the Coalition Government’s aims working reasonably well, although they have identified to enable local people to shape, improve and transform some areas of concern. The OFT made a number of their communities, as part of the Big Society. The recommendations to Government to improve the sector. campaign will build on the work of many individuals Our call for evidence will give industry and consumer and organisations to improve local quality of life by groups the opportunity to provide evidence on how assisting local communities to plant trees in areas in they think the findings of the OFT review should be which they are most needed and will be most valued. taken forward. We are considering the options for the campaign, including funding, in discussion with civil society Business: West Midlands organisations and local government and will be looking for support from the private sector. We anticipate the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State scope and arrangements for the campaign will be for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he announced by the end of the year. has made of the likely length of time between the (a) abolition of Advantage West Midlands and (b) Wines introduction of local enterprise partnerships in the West Midlands; and what steps he plans to take to Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for encourage business growth in the West Midlands in this Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her period. [12096] Department and its predecessor spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12820] Mr Prisk: The Government have asked for outline proposals for local enterprise partnerships by 6 September Richard Benyon: The accounting systems used by the 2010. We are determined that the transition to new Department and its predecessors do not record arrangements will be orderly and are not planning that purchases down to the level of individual items and there should be a gap in the support for business growth therefore the requested information could be provided during this period. The forthcoming White Paper on only at disproportionate cost. sub-national economic growth will set out our approach in more detail.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is Banks: Loans taking to encourage private sector investment in the West Midlands. [12097] Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: The Department’s strategy for sustainable Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to growth set out our approach to promoting investment take to encourage banks to offer a wider choice of across the country. short-term loans for vulnerable customers as an alternative to high-interest payday loans. [13319] The Government believe that business is the driver of economic growth and innovation, and that we need to Mr Davey: This is a complex issue with recent studies take urgent action to boost enterprise and build a new showing that some consumers are using payday loans to and more responsible economic model, to create a fairer avoid sometimes higher unarranged borrowing costs and more balanced economy where new businesses and charged by mainstream lenders such as banks. At present, economic opportunities are more evenly shared between the Government have no plans to encourage mainstream regions and industries. lenders to provide short-term loans as an alternative to The Government are committed to renewing and payday loans. strengthening local economies. We will do this by enabling BIS will be issuing a formal call for evidence later in local authorities located in natural economic areas, in the year on consumer credit and personal insolvency. conjunction with business, to form local enterprise The call for evidence will include the opportunity for partnerships. Local Enterprise Partnerships will therefore industry and consumer groups to provide evidence on be developed from the local level rather than being how they think the findings and recommendations of imposed by central Government giving the private sector the OFT’s recent review of high cost credit, which of the West Midlands the opportunity to direct economic included payday lending, should be taken forward. development policy within their respective partnerships. The Regional Growth Fund, announced at Budget, a Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for £1 billion fund that will initially operate in 2011/12 and Business, Innovation and Skills what safeguards he 2012/13 will provide support for projects that offer plans to introduce to reduce levels of dependency on significant potential for sustainable economic growth high-cost credit. [13320] and can create new private sector employment. It will be 429W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 430W key to recovery across all parts of England, including administering the dormant account for the relevant the West Midlands, to get the private sector going so period. It is also important that the card issuer is that they can lead stimulation of the economy as quickly transparent about the existence of such fees and should as possible. take appropriate steps to ensure that the card holder is made fully aware of the possible application of a dormancy Business: Wi-fi fee prior to them entering into the credit agreement.

Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Consultants Business, Innovation and Skills what guidance his Department issues on the classification of businesses in Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, the hospitality industry offering free wi-fi access to the Innovation and Skills what the (a) average and (b) internet as (a) communications providers and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by his Department internet service providers under the terms of the was in each of the last five years. [12665] Digital Economy Act 2010. [12099] Mr Davey: The information requested is not held Mr Vaizey [holding answer 6 September 2010]: The centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate Department has not yet offered guidance on classification cost. under the Digital Economy Act 2010 to those providing Departmental Public Expenditure free wi-fi accesses to the internet. The relevant requirements of the Digital Economy Act will not have any effect until a code has been approved by Ofcom and Parliament. Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Ofcom is reviewing the responses to its consultation on Business, Innovation and Skills how many of his its draft obligations code. It will issue a statement when Department’s contracts with its suppliers are under this review is completed with a view to approving a code review as a result of the recently announced reductions by the end of the year. in public expenditure; and what the monetary value is of all such contracts which are under review. [3631] Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking Mr Davey: BIS is participating in the centrally-led to prevent illegal file-sharing by those accessing the programme of renegotiation with Government’s key internet through free wi-fi hot spots; and if he will suppliers. However, the detailed information requested make a statement. [12100] is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr Vaizey [holding answer 6 September 2010]: The relevant provisions in the Digital Economy Act are Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for intended to address the online infringement of copyright Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials in irrespective of whether such activity is undertaken via a his Department are working on renegotiating contracts personal internet connection or through a commercially—or for the supply of goods and services to the Department publicly—provided wi-fi network. as a result of recently announced reductions in public spending; what savings are expected to accrue to his Many providers of public wi-fi networks, such as Department from such renegotiations; how much universities, already take measures to prevent infringement expenditure his Department will incur on such which go far beyond what the Act requires, but the Act renegotiations; and when such renegotiations will be brings regulatory certainty and consistency. completed. [3653] However, the Government recognise that more clarification is needed. The Initial Obligations Code, on Mr Davey: BIS is participating in the centrally-led which Ofcom has recently consulted, will set out how programme of renegotiation with Government’s key this will work in practice. suppliers. The Department constantly reviews the contracts Credit Cards: Fees and Charges it has for ICT and facilities management services. Renegotiation of these contracts has so far realised annual savings of £8.8 million. Further savings are Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for anticipated. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions Other than this information on ICT and facilities he has had with representatives of credit card management services, the information requested is not companies on the introduction of an annual dormancy held centrally and could be provided only at fee; and whether he plans to bring forward proposals to disproportionate cost. cap such charges. [13329] Departmental Rents Mr Davey: I have had no discussions with representatives of credit card companies on the introduction of annual Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, dormancy fees and at this time the Government have no Innovation and Skills how much his Department paid plans to introduce proposals to introduce a cap on these in rent for properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) charges. region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five The Office of Fair Trading is not aware of receiving years. [12331] any consumer complaints regarding these types of fees. The Government would be concerned if dormancy fees Mr Davey: This Department and its predecessors were set at an amount that did no more than cover the have paid the following amounts in rent in the last five reasonable cost to the card issuer of maintaining and financial years: 431W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 432W

£ million East Total Yorks/Humber Midlands North West South West Scotland London

2005/06 31.25 0.16 0.03 0.03 0.04 1.15 29.84 2006/07 35.13 0.19 0.03 0.03 0.04 1.33 33.51 2007/08 36.17 0.21 0.05 0.02 0.05 1.27 34.57 2008/09 37.33 0.21 0.04 — — 1.28 35.8 2009/10 38.25 0.24 0.05 — — 1.12 36.84

The above figures are inclusive of VAT. They do not sustain the network, and we are working with Post include charges paid to other Government Departments Office Ltd and other Government Departments to develop under MOTO (memorandum of terms of occupation) new sources of revenue. agreements, nor do they include income obtained from tenants (mainly other Government Departments). Students: Loans Departmental Training Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for number of former UK students living overseas who owe Business, Innovation and Skills how many external money to the Student Loans Company; what estimate training courses were attended by staff of his Department he has made of the (a) total amount owed by such in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public people and (b) average amount owned per person; and purse was of each such course. [13328] if he will make a statement. [12425]

Mr Davey: Training budgets are not held centrally Mr Willetts: The latest estimate of the number of but delegated to line managers and business units. Decisions former English domiciled students with income contingent are made locally on how the money is spent and this loans who are now living overseas was 28,600 as at 30 information is not held centrally. This could be provided April 2010. A breakdown is shown within the following only at disproportionate cost. table:

Digital Technology Breakdown Number

Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Above the earnings threshold and 9,200 Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has repaying Below the earnings threshold for 16,000 made of the effect of the provisions of the Digital that country Economy Act 2010 on public intermediaries, with Above the earnings threshold and 2,200 particular reference to libraries and universities; and if in arrears he will make a statement. [12101] Not provided income details and 1,200 are now considered to be in Mr Vaizey [holding answer 6 September 2010]: We arrears considered carefully the position of public intermediaries, including libraries and universities, under the Act. Libraries (a) The total value of their student loans was £327.2 and universities have taken the opportunity to contribute million. to the Initial Obligations Code discussions—the subject (b) The average amount owed per person is £11,450. of a formal consultation by Ofcom, which closed on 30 This may exclude the effect of recent repayments made July 2010. Ofcom is now in the process of reviewing the via the tax system before the borrowers moved overseas, responses it has received from all stakeholders and will as such repayments may not have been reflected in the publish a formal statement when the review is complete. borrower’s Student Loans Company accounts yet. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that their connection or network is not misused. Intermediaries will need to continue to play their role by taking precautions and taking measures to tackle infringement in order to INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ensure that their connections are not used by individuals to copy material and avoid any repercussions. Africa: Tobacco

Post Offices Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to assist Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, farmers in Africa to grow crops other than tobacco. Innovation and Skills what new sources of revenue for [12902] post offices have been identified by his Department; and what progress has been made in establishing such Mr O’Brien: Increasing the productivity of small sources. [13236] farmers in growing alternative crops has an important part to play not only in improving food security, but Mr Davey: As set out in ‘The Coalition: our programme also as a building block for wealth creation. The Department for government’, we will ensure that post offices are for International Development (DFID) is already allowed to offer a wide range of services in order to supporting such work in a number of African countries. 433W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 434W

In the coming months, DFID will be reviewing its aid £ programmes to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate growth 2,979.42 towards the Millennium Development Goals. Aid spending 2,294.29 on agriculture in Africa is being reviewed as part of this process. 1,836.73 1.767.48 Departmental Allowances 1,762.54 1,674,89 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for 1,653.62 International Development how much his Department 1,596.29 spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) 1,457.14 the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13041] 2007-08 4,223.50 Mr Duncan: The Department for international 3,435.89 Development (DFID) has spent the following amounts 2,629.28 on reimbursement of staff expenses since financial year 2,609.17 2004-05. Information for previous years and for financial 2,184.80 year 2008-09 cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. 1,841.59 1,572.42 Financial year Amount (£) 1,568.99

2004-05 816,744.81 1,551.49 2005-06 903,497.87 1,508.24 2006-07 840,098.98 2007-08 848,271.67 2009-10 3,510.01 2008-09 1— 2,419.46 2009-10 712,773.52 2,154.49 1 In 2008-09, DFID moved to a new financial management system. We suspect that duplicate entries exist in the two systems in this year. 2,042.03 To determine which amounts have been entered into both systems, 2,038.80 and the total amount paid in reimbursements would incur disproportionate 1,805.61 cost. The 10 highest value claims in each of these years 1,783.45 were as follows: 1,779.41 1,597.48 £ 1,594.72 2004-05 2,493.06 2,376.00 Departmental Billing 1,832.68 Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for 1,565.26 International Development what proportion of invoices 1,557.31 from suppliers his Department paid within 10-days of 1,524.22 receipt in July and August 2010. [13307] 1,522.04 1,382.19 Mr Duncan: Information available for payments made to all UK suppliers within 10-day of receipt of invoice 1,369.18 is:- 1,367.50 Month Percentage

2005-06 3,146.08 July 2010 96.59 2,237.06 August 2010 96.85 2,002.71 1,900.44 Departmental Training 1,869.09 1,824.55 Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for 1,749.74 International Development how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department in the 1,642.02 last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse 1,619.39 was of each such course. [13308] 1,616.12 Mr Duncan: Information on the number of external training courses attended by staff is not held centrally 2006-07 2,986.13 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 435W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 436W

Since the Department does not have a learning Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for management system it is very difficult to collate data International Development what steps his Department from 100 sub-departments. We do recognise the need to is taking to encourage provision of (a) healthcare be able to centrally store, acquire and collate various facilities and (b) medicines for emergency care in developing types of human resources (HR) data to enable reporting— countries. [12383] for example for parliamentary questions like one. Whilst it is possible to access data from a variety of different Mr O’Brien: The core of the Department for and diverse systems, this is not without considerable International Development’s (DFID’s) work on health and often disproportionate effort. To that end we are in developing countries is to support national partners working on the design and build of a new HR Management in their efforts to build effective and accessible health system, incorporating the capability to provide (at short services, including emergency healthcare and medicines, notice) a variety of learning and development reports, to prevent, identify and treat the major causes of ill including those relating to further and higher education. health and preventable mortality. This work is scheduled to be completed by end 2010. DFID supports the planning and policy making process Developing Countries: Health Services in our partner countries, but it is for national partners to identify their priorities for healthcare provision. Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department Malaria is providing to developing countries to assist them to provide free healthcare to their people. [12380] Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the oral Mr O’Brien: The Department for International answer of 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 423, on Development (DFID) always seeks to ensure that the malaria, what estimate he has made of the effect on benefits of health services are distributed equitably other aspects of his Department’s annual health when investing in health systems in developing countries. budget of his commitment to spend £500 million per In addition to increasing the quality and supply of year on malaria. [11654] services, DFID works closely with governments and other partners to make sure that these services reach the poor and vulnerable. This requires giving special attention Mr Andrew Mitchell: Tackling malaria is a priority to removing the barriers that prevent those most in need for the Government. We will increase our support to from accessing the care they require, including financial reduce the burden of illness and death caused by malaria barriers for the poorest. in the poorest countries. We are also focusing on reproductive, maternal and newborn health and the The Secretary of State has recently commissioned a achievement of the Millennium Development Goals review of DFID’s aid programmes, including support (MDGs). to the health sector, to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate The Department for International Development (DFID) progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. is currently reviewing all our aid programmes and a spending review is underway across Government. Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Once the reviews are .complete, we will set out details International Development how much funding his of how we plan to spend our commitment of up to £500 Department is providing to developing countries for million on malaria, along with our work on maternal, training of (a) midwives and (b) other health care reproductive and newborn health and other priorities workers in 2010-11. [12381] to achieve the MDGs.

Mr O’Brien: As a part of its health systems strengthening Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State work, DFID funds (a) midwives and (b) other health for International Development pursuant to the oral care workers through various channels including through answer of 2 June 2010, Official Report, column 423, on bilateral programmes, direct support to national health malaria, by what date he intends to fulfil his commitment sector plans of partner countries, and multilateral to spend £500 million per year on malaria. [11655] organisations and global funding instruments such as the World Bank, and the Global Fund for AIDS, TB Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International and Malaria. Development (DFID) is currently reviewing all our aid At central level, DFID supports the Royal College of programmes and a spending review is underway across Obstetrics and Gynaecologists to provide training to Government. midwives and doctors in five countries. We also support Once the reviews are complete, we will set out details the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) to of how we plan to spend our commitment of up to £500 deliver the UK International Health Links Funding million on malaria. Scheme, which promotes partnerships that strengthen capacity and improve health worker capacity in developing countries through training. DFID has provided £3 million Malawi: International Assistance for this programme which is funded jointly with the Department of Health (DH). Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for DFID is currently developing a new Health Partnership International Development what discussions he has Scheme to enable UK based health workers to support had with (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) the Secretary human resources training in partner countries. The of State for Scotland on funding for his Department’s programme will be funded up to £5 million per year. projects in Malawi. [11290] 437W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 438W

Mr O’Brien: The Secretary of State for International Guidance on the use of core funds to the International Development and the Scottish Executive’s Minister for Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF) is contained in Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP, held a Partnership Programme Arrangement (PPA) which discussions on development issues in mid June. They was agreed in 2008. The PPA states that funding is agreed to increased cooperation and coordination, provided in support of reproductive health. underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding, Improving sexual and reproductive health and rights including work in Malawi. There have been no discussions for women in developing countries is a priority for the on this issue between the Secretary of State for International Government. This includes better access to modern Development and the Secretary of State for Scotland. methods of family planning methods and promoting Department for international Development (DFID) women’s choices. officials are in regular contact with the Scottish Executive and the Scotland Office regarding our aid programme Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for in Malawi. International Development how much was spent by (a) the United Nations Population Fund and (b) the Taxis International Planned Parenthood Federation in (i) China, (ii) Uzbekistan, (iii) South Africa and (iv) Namibia on reproductive health issues in each of the Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for last two years for which figures are available; and if he International Development how much his Department will make a statement. [12224] spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12984] Mr O’Brien: This question seeks detailed information Mr Duncan: The Department for International on the activities of two organisations external to the Development (DFID) spent the following on taxi fares UK Government and it is therefore not appropriate for since financial year 2002-03. Figures prior to 2002-03 the Department for International Development (DFID) cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate to answer. My hon. Friend may find the requested cost. information on the websites of these organisations or by approaching the organisations directly. Financial year £

2009-10 255,479 1 2008-09 100,534 HEALTH 2007-08 195,483 2006-07 243,363 2005-06 328.383 Hospital Car Parking Charges 2004-05 243,300 2003-04 143,447 17. Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for 2002-03 105,908 Health when he plans to publish his Department’s 1 In 2008-09, DFID moved to a new financial management system. response to the consultation on hospital car parking We suspect that duplicate entries exist in the two systems in this year. charges. [13163] To determine which amounts have been entered into both systems, and the total amount paid in reimbursements would incur disproportionate Mr Simon Burns: The Government’s response to NHS cost. Car Parking Consultation will be published later this All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the month. principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. Community Hospitals

UN Population Fund and IPPF 18. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how new community hospitals will be funded Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International under the proposed new commissioning structures. Development what records his Department holds on [13164] the uses to which the core funds of (a) the United Nations Population Fund and (b) the International Mr Simon Burns: Under our proposals for new Planned Parenthood Federation have been put over the commissioning arrangements, GP consortia will latest two years for which figures are available; and if he commission the great majority of national health service will make a statement. [12223] services for their patients, including, where appropriate, community hospital services. Arrangements for capital funding will be informed by the responses to the White Mr O’Brien: The use of core funds given to United Paper consultation. Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is governed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UNFPA and the Department for International Ambulance Services Development (DFID). This MOU states that the funding should be used in support of the objectives set out in 19. Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for UNFPA’s Strategic Plan, which they report against Health which organisation will have responsibility for annually. DFID also annually assesses UNFPA’s provision of ambulance services under his proposals performance on a selected range of targets through a for the reform of the national health service; and if he separate performance framework. will make a statement. [13165] 439W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 440W

Mr Simon Burns: Under the proposals for reform, Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not collect a ambulance services will be commissioned by GP consortia. single figure in respect of running costs from primary Consultations on the proposals are however under way, care trusts (PCTs). For the purposes of this question, including one on commissioning arrangements. The the Department has estimated the running costs of services themselves will continue to be provided by Wiltshire PCT in 2009-10 to be £40.232 million. This national health service ambulance trusts and, in the estimate, which represents 6% of the PCT’s total gross case of patient transport, trusts and private providers. expenditure, is derived from the organisation’s own accounts. Cancer Treatment: Blackpool GP Services 20. Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely effect Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for on cancer patients in Blackpool of ending targets on Health if he will take steps to increase provision of health outcomes. [13166] GPs’ out-of-hours services. [13152]

Mr Burstow: This Government have retained cancer Mr Lansley: General practitioner (GP) out-of-hours waiting time targets. We are currently consulting on a services should be provided as part of the 24/7 integrated new Outcomes Framework for the national health service, urgent care service in each area. The national health which will increase transparency and accountability service locally, through GP-led commissioning, in and end the use of targets where there is no clinical consultation with local authorities, will determine how justification. to ensure access to high quality urgent care, including a GP service out-of-hours. Organ Donor Cards Vaccines: Pandemics 21. Karen Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage take-up of Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health organ donor cards. [13167] what plans he has to ensure that appropriate numbers of anti-virals and vaccine doses are purchased in Anne Milton: In autumn 2009, NHS Blood and respect of future pandemics. [13170] Transplant launched a public awareness campaign to encourage people to join the Organ Donor Register Anne Milton: The National Framework for pandemic (ODR) and to discuss organ donation with their family. flu is being revised in the light of the swine flu pandemic NHS Blood and Transplant also work with the national and other evidence so that we remain as well prepared health service, commercial and third sector organisations as possible to respond to any future influenza pandemic. to support national and local initiatives on organ donation. We continue to hold a stockpile of antivirals for over 50% of the population based on the stocks bought for Public Health Responsibilities pandemic preparedness prior to, and at the time of, the swine flu outbreak. 22. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State We are considering our requirements for future vaccine for Health what resources he plans to allocate to local agreements, taking account of the findings of the authorities in respect of their proposed new public independent review of the UK response to the 2009 health responsibilities. [13168] influenza pandemic.

Anne Milton: The Department will create a ring-fenced public health budget. Within this, local Directors of Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater London Public Health will be responsible for health improvement funds, allocated according to relative population health Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health need. what the average vacancy rates were in accident and Work is currently under way to determine baseline emergency departments of each London acute spend on public health. Details of the scope of the healthcare trust for (a) middle grade doctors and (b) budget and allocation process will be announced in due nurses in the latest period for which figures are course. available; and if he will make a statement. [12607] Mr Simon Burns: Vacancy data are not collected in Wiltshire Primary Care Trust the format requested. The following tables display (a) vacancy rates and numbers which have lasted three 23. Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health months or more and (b) total vacancy rates and numbers what the running costs of Wiltshire primary care trust for doctors, consultants and qualified nursing, midwifery were in the most recent period for which figures are and health visiting positions in each London acute available. [13169] hospital trust as at 30 March 2010. 441W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 442W

Three month vacancy rates and numbers for all hospital and community health services (HCHS) doctors (excluding doctors in training and equivalents) and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the London strategic health authority area and by each acute Trust All HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training Consultants and Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Three Three (Staff in Three Three (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in vacancy vacancy time post) vacancy vacancy time post) rate % number equivalent headcount rate % number equivalent headcount

England 1.5 674 43,288 49,525 1.1 349 32,679 34,910 Of which: London 2.2 186 8,116 9,398 1.7 114 6,449 7,142 Of which: Barking, Havering and RF4 2.2 7 318 338 0.5 1 212 218 Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet and Chase RVL 0.4 1 249 280 0.5 1 197 214 Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barts and The London RNJ 0.0 0 383 463 0.0 0 355 417 NHS Trust Bromley Hospitals RG3 1.2 2 160 175 0.0 0 115 124 NHS Trust Chelsea And RQM 0.0 0 181 214 0.0 0 154 175 Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust Ealing Hospital NHS RC3 0.0 0 86 100 0.0 0 63 67 Trust Epsom and St Helier RVR 0.0 0 259 297 0.0 0 200 220 NHS Trust Great Ormond Street RP4 0.0 0 225 248 0.0 0 211 232 Hospital For Children NHS Trust Guy’s And St RJ1 10.3 49 430 470 10.8 49 408 432 Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust Hillingdon Hospital RAS 0.0 0 120 130 0.0 0 87 91 NHS Trust Homerton University RQX 2.1 2 91 100 2.5 2 79 86 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College RYJ 0.0 0 624 819 0.0 0 527 637 Healthcare NHS Trust King’s College RJZ 6.3 30 445 516 1.1 4 368 408 Hospital NHS Trust Kingston Hospital RAX 2.0 3 143 168 0.0 0 121 132 NHS Trust Lewisham Hospital RJ2 1.8 2 110 119 2.0 2 96 103 NHS Trust Mayday Healthcare RJ6 0.0 0 152 185 0.0 0 111 115 NHS Trust Moorfields Eye RP6 0.0 0 103 115 0.0 0 76 82 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Newham University RNH 14.1 17 103 109 1.3 1 77 81 Hospital NHS Trust North Middlesex RAP 1.0 1 100 118 1.2 1 82 87 University Hospital NHS Trust North West London RV8 0.0 0 239 268 0.0 0 191 208 Hospitals NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth RG2 2.0 2 98 106 2.2 2 89 91 Hospital NHS Trust Queen Mary’s Sidcup RGZ 0.0 0 88 97 0.0 0 69 72 NHS Trust Royal Brompton and RT3 2.6 4 147 155 2.8 4 138 144 Harefield NHS Trust Royal Free Hampstead RAL 1.1 3 278 327 0.0 0 255 285 NHS Trust 443W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 444W

Three month vacancy rates and numbers for all hospital and community health services (HCHS) doctors (excluding doctors in training and equivalents) and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the London strategic health authority area and by each acute Trust All HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training Consultants and Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Three Three (Staff in Three Three (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in vacancy vacancy time post) vacancy vacancy time post) rate % number equivalent headcount rate % number equivalent headcount

Royal Marsden NHS RPY 0.0 0 125 136 0.0 0 108 117 Foundation Trust Royal National RAN 0.0 0 56 60 0.0 0 52 55 Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust St George’s Healthcare RJ7 0.0 0 283 311 0.0 0 269 287 NHS Trust University College RRV 0.4 2 501 595 0.0 0 470 525 London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust West Middlesex RFW 2.9 3 100 113 2.6 2 74 79 University NHS Trust Whipps Cross RGC 5.0 7 133 142 1.7 2 116 120 University Hospital NHS Trust Whittington Hospital RKE 0.0 0 116 136 0.0 0 105 118 NHS Trust

Other HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting Training and Equivalents) staff March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Three Three (Staff in Three Three (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in vacancy vacancy time post) vacancy vacancy time post) rate % number equivalent headcount rate % number equivalent headcount

England 3.0 325 10,609 14,615 0.7 2,088 315,410 386,112 Of which: London 4.1 72 1,667 2,256 1.6 858 55,080 67,326 Of which: Barking, Havering and RF4 5.4 6 106 120 2.6 48 1,797 2,216 Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet and Chase RVL 0.0 0 52 66 0.5 7 1,452 1,777 Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barts and The London RNJ 0.0 0 28 46 0.8 18 2,330 2,641 NHS Trust Bromley Hospitals RG3 4.2 2 45 51 0.0 0 808 1,043 NHS Trust Chelsea and RQM 0.0 0 28 39 0.0 0 1,111 1,319 Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust Ealing Hospital NHS RC3 0.0 0 23 33 0.0 0 575 726 Trust Epsom and St Helier RVR 0.0 0 60 77 0.7 11 1,430 2,215 NHS Trust Great Ormond Street RP4 0.0 0 14 16 0.3 3 1,154 1,317 Hospital For Children NHS Trust Guy’s and St Thomas’s RJ1 0.0 0 22 38 3.9 125 3,100 3,597 NHS Foundation Trust Hillingdon Hospital RAS 0.0 0 32 39 0.4 3 749 1,025 NHS Trust Homerton University RQX 0.0 0 12 14 5.1 41 765 1,029 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College RYJ 0.0 0 96 182 0.0 0 3,350 3,808 Healthcare NHS Trust King’s College RJZ 25.3 26 77 108 2.6 57 2,116 2,507 Hospital NHS Trust 445W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 446W

Other HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting Training and Equivalents) staff March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Three Three (Staff in Three Three (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in month month post) full (Staff in vacancy vacancy time post) vacancy vacancy time post) rate % number equivalent headcount rate % number equivalent headcount

Kingston Hospital RAX 11.7 3 23 36 0.3 3 872 1,091 NHS Trust Lewisham Hospital RJ2 0.0 0 14 16 0.0 0 1,151 1,601 NHS Trust Mayday Healthcare RJ6 0.0 0 41 70 0.0 0 300 314 NHS Trust Moorfields Eye RP6 0.0 0 27 33 1.4 11 800 947 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Newham University RNH 38.3 16 26 28 0.0 0 657 786 Hospital NHS Trust North Middlesex RAP 0.0 0 18 31 6.8 116 1,584 2,006 University Hospital NHS Trust North West London RV8 0.0 0 48 60 0.7 6 820 990 Hospitals NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth RG2 * 0 9 15 0.0 0 519 645 Hospital NHS Trust Queen Mary’s Sidcup RGZ 0.0 0 19 25 0.6 6 983 1,099 NHS Trust Royal Brompton And RT3 * 0 9 11 0.0 0 1,677 1,910 Harefield NHS Trust Royal Free Hampstead RAL 11.6 3 23 42 0.5 3 610 734 NHS Trust Royal Marsden NHS RPY 0.0 0 17 19 2.1 8 369 513 Foundation Trust Royal National RAN * 0 5 5 0.1 2 2,042 2,509 Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust St George’s Healthcare RJ7 0.0 0 14 24 0.0 0 943 1,320 NHS Trust University College RRV 6.1 2 31 70 0.0 0 804 965 London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust West Middlesex RFW 3.7 1 26 34 0.0 0 2,164 3,013 University NHS Trust Whipps Cross RGC 22.7 5 17 22 2.1 16 745 904 University Hospital NHS Trust Whittington Hospital RKE 0.0 0 11 18 2.7 30 1,106 1,334 NHS Trust Three month vacancy: 1. Vacancy data are from the Vacancies Survey 2009. 2. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2009. 3. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (full time equivalents). 4. Three month Vacancy Rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post. 5. Three month Vacancy Rates are calculated using staff in post from the Non-Medical Workforce Census September 2008. 6. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. 7. ‘*’ figures where sum of staff in post (as at 30 September 2008) and vacancies (as at 31 March 2009) is less than 10. Staff in post: Staff in post data are from the Non-Medical Workforce Census September 2008. General: 1. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 2. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates. 3. Strategic Health Authority figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care. Source: The Information Centre for health and social care 447W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 448W

Total vacancy rates and numbers for all hospital and community health services (HCHS) doctors (excluding doctors in training and equivalents) and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the London strategic health authority area and by each acute Trust All HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training and Consultants Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Staff in Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in vacancies vacancies time post vacancies vacancies time post rate % number equivalents) (headcount) rate % number equivalents) (headcount)

England 5.2 2,367 43,288 49,525 4.2 1,421 32,679 34,910 Of which: London 7.3 639 8,116 9,398 5.8 399 6,449 7,142 Of which: Barking, RF4 9.7 34 318 338 3.6 8 212 218 Havering And Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet And RVL 0.4 1 249 280 0.5 1 197 214 Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barts And The RNJ 3.3 13 383 463 0.8 3 355 417 London NHS Trust Bromley RG3 1.8 3 160 175 0.0 0 115 124 Hospitals NHS Trust Chelsea And RQM 2.7 5 181 214 3.1 5 154 175 Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust Ealing Hospital RC3 1.1 1 86 100 0.0 0 63 67 NHS Trust Epsom And St RVR 1.9 5 259 297 2.4 5 200 220 Helier NHS Trust Great Ormond RP4 5.5 13 225 248 3.2 7 211 232 Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust Guy’s And St RJ1 22.3 124 430 470 23.2 124 408 432 Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust Hillingdon RAS 4.8 6 120 130 6.4 6 87 91 Hospital NHS Trust Homerton RQX 2.1 2 91 100 2.5 2 79 86 University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College RYJ 3.3 21 624 819 3.8 21 527 637 Healthcare NHS Trust King’s College RJZ 13.9 72 445 516 7.5 30 368 408 Hospital NHS Trust Kingston RAX 3.4 5 143 168 1.6 2 121 132 Hospital NHS Trust Lewisham RJ2 6.8 8 110 119 7.7 8 96 103 Hospital NHS Trust Mayday RJ6 4.4 7 152 185 5.9 7 111 115 Healthcare NHS Trust Moorfields Eye RP6 9.7 11 103 115 2.6 2 76 82 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 449W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 450W

Total vacancy rates and numbers for all hospital and community health services (HCHS) doctors (excluding doctors in training and equivalents) and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the London strategic health authority area and by each acute Trust All HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training and Consultants Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Staff in Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in vacancies vacancies time post vacancies vacancies time post rate % number equivalents) (headcount) rate % number equivalents) (headcount)

Newham RNH 20.1 26 103 109 1.3 1 77 81 University Hospital NHS Trust North Middlesex RAP 7.4 8 100 118 3.5 3 82 87 University Hospital NHS Trust North West RV8 5.1 13 239 268 6.3 13 191 208 London Hospitals NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth RG2 8.4 9 98 106 3.3 3 89 91 Hospital NHS Trust Queen Mary’s RGZ 21.5 24 88 97 8.0 6 69 72 Sidcup NHS Trust Royal Brompton RT3 9.8 16 147 155 10.4 16 138 144 And Harefield NHS Trust Royal Free RAL 9.0 28 278 327 2.1 6 255 285 Hampstead NHS Trust Royal Marsden RPY 1.6 2 125 136 1.8 2 108 117 NHS Foundation Trust Royal National RAN 0.0 0 56 60 0.0 0 52 55 Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust St George’s RJ7 2.1 6 283 311 0.0 0 269 287 Healthcare NHS Trust University RRV 2.5 13 501 595 0.0 0 470 525 College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust West Middlesex RFW 7.4 8 100 113 6.3 5 74 79 University NHS Trust Whipps Cross RGC 15.8 25 133 142 10.1 13 116 120 University Hospital NHS Trust Whittington RKE 5.7 7 116 136 1.9 2 105 118 Hospital NHS Trust

Other HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Staff in (Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in Total Total post) full (Staff in vacancies vacancies time post vacancies vacancies time post) rate % number equivalents) (headcount) rate % number equivalent headcount

England 8.2 946 10,609 14,615 3.1 10,014 315,410 386,112 Of which: London 12.6 240 1,667 2,256 5.1 2,833 55,080 67,326 451W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 452W

Other HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Staff in (Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in Total Total post) full (Staff in vacancies vacancies time post vacancies vacancies time post) rate % number equivalents) (headcount) rate % number equivalent headcount

Of which: Barking, RF4 19.7 26 106 120 4.8 91 1,797 2,216 Havering And Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust Barnet And RVL 0.0 0 52 66 3.6 54 1,452 1,777 Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust Barts And The RNJ 26.0 10 28 46 6.1 151 2,330 2,641 London NHS Trust Bromley RG3 6.2 3 45 51 1.4 11 808 1,043 Hospitals NHS Trust Chelsea And RQM 0.0 0 28 39 2.1 24 1,111 1,319 Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust Ealing Hospital RC3 4.2 1 23 33 1.7 10 575 726 NHS Trust Epsom And St RVR 0.0 0 60 77 5.1 77 1,430 2,215 Helier NHS Trust Great Ormond RP4 29.4 6 14 16 2.0 24 1,154 1,317 Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust Guy’s And St RJ1 0.0 0 22 38 14.2 514 3,100 3,597 Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust Hillingdon RAS 0.0 0 32 39 8.9 73 749 1,025 Hospital NHS Trust Homerton RQX 0.0 0 12 14 6.6 54 765 1,029 University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College RYJ 0.0 0 96 182 3.8 131 3,350 3,808 Healthcare NHS Trust King’s College RJZ 35.1 41 77 108 10.3 242 2,116 2,507 Hospital NHS Trust Kingston RAX 11.7 3 23 36 4.4 41 872 1,091 Hospital NHS Trust Lewisham RJ2 0.0 0 14 16 0.5 6 1,151 1,601 Hospital NHS Trust Mayday RJ6 0.0 0 41 70 4.8 15 300 314 Healthcare NHS Trust Moorfields Eye RP6 25.1 9 27 33 1.4 11 800 947 Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Newham RNH 49.3 25 26 28 1.1 7 657 786 University Hospital NHS Trust North Middlesex RAP 21.5 5 18 31 7.0 120 1,584 2,006 University Hospital NHS Trust 453W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 454W

Other HCHS Doctors (excluding Doctors in Training Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and Equivalents) March 2009 September 2008 March 2009 September 2008 Staff in (Staff in Total Total post (full Staff in Total Total post) full (Staff in vacancies vacancies time post vacancies vacancies time post) rate % number equivalents) (headcount) rate % number equivalent headcount

North West RV8 0.0 0 48 60 3.4 29 820 990 London Hospitals NHS Trust Queen Elizabeth RG2 38.9 6 9 15 2.3 12 519 645 Hospital NHS Trust Queen Mary’s RGZ 48.9 18 19 25 0.7 7 983 1,099 Sidcup NHS Trust Royal Brompton RT3 * 0 9 11 4.5 79 1,677 1,910 And Harefield NHS Trust Royal Free RAL 49.0 22 23 42 5.1 33 610 734 Hampstead NHS Trust Royal Marsden RPY 0.0 0 17 19 3.0 11 369 513 NHS Foundation Trust Royal National RAN * 0 5 5 0.9 18 2,042 2,509 Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust St George’s RJ7 29.4 6 14 24 2.0 19 943 1,320 Healthcare NHS Trust University RRV 29.5 13 31 70 1.8 15 804 965 College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust West Middlesex RFW 10.4 3 26 34 4.5 102 2,164 3,013 University NHS Trust Whipps Cross RGC 41.3 12 17 22 4.0 31 745 904 University Hospital NHS Trust Whittington RKE 30.9 5 11 18 6.3 75 1,106 1,334 Hospital NHS Trust Total vacancy: 1. Vacancy data are from the Vacancies Survey 2009. 2. Total vacancy information is as at 31 March 2009. 3. Total vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill (full time equivalents). 4. Total Vacancy Rates are vacancies expressed as a percentage of vacancies plus staff in post. 5. Total Vacancy Rates are calculated using staff in post from the Non-Medical Workforce Census September 2008. 6. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. 7. ‘*’ figures where sum of staff in post (as at 30 September 2008) and vacancies (as at 31 March 2009) is less than 10. Staff in post: Staff in post data are from the Non-Medical Workforce Census September 2008. General: 1. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 2. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates. 3. Strategic Health Authority figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care. Source: The Information Centre for health and social care

Appointments Commission: Civil Service Live Mr Simon Burns: The costs of the Commission’s Conference attendance at Civil Service Live July 2010 can be analysed as follows: Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the public purse was of the £ Appointments Commission stand at Civil Service Live Space hire 7,880 2010. [12578] Delivery and set up of stand, 2,015 equipment hire 455W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 456W

Dementia £

Staff travel 664 Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the national audit of dementia services to be (a) completed and (b) published; and in what Cancer format it will be published. [12586]

Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Burstow: The Department anticipates that the whether the cancer patient experience survey will form national audit of dementia services will be available in part of the quality accounts of NHS trusts. [12774] October 2010. The format and how the results will be published is yet to be decided. Mr Simon Burns: Quality accounts are annual statements Dementia: Drugs based on the quality improvement objectives chosen by boards of organisations that provide care to national Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State health service patients. Regulations oblige organisations for Health what plans he has to reduce the use of to review all the data available to them. Organisations antipsychotics for the treatment of dementia; and if he will be able to use information from the cancer patient will make a statement. [12841] experience survey if they identify this as an objective for their organisation. Mr Burstow: The National Clinical Director for dementia is leading the work to implement the recommendations For the future, quality accounts will evolve to reflect made by Professor Sube Banerjee in his report into the the Government’s aim of developing a new culture of use of anti-psychotic medicines, which was published in leadership and responsibility across the NHS. Following November 2009. The Department is working with the a formal evaluation over the summer, we will consult on NHS Information Centre to develop an audit of the how the potential of quality accounts can be better prescribing of anti-psychotics for people with dementia. realised, including by: relating the content to emerging outcome measures and quality Dementia: Hertfordshire standards; building in third party assurance through external audit; and Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with extending Quality Accounts to primary and community care providers, following the evaluation of the pilots in North East dementia in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) Stevenage and East Midland strategic health authorities. constituency in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [12839] Proposals will be consulted on in the autumn, with updated regulations and guidance to follow later in the Mr Burstow: The information is not held in the year. format requested. The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) gives Chlamydia: Screening the numbers of patients on the dementia disease register for the financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09. The available Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for figures show the number of those with dementia who Health what steps he plans to take to improve arrangements are on the register at the end of each year. for Chlamydia screening. [13171] Figures are not available for earlier years. Figures for 2009-10 will be published in autumn 2010. Anne Milton: Tackling Chlamydia screening remains The following table shows the figures for the primary part of Tier 2 of the Vital Signs framework. The revised care trusts (PCTs) which cover Hertfordshire. Operating Framework for 2010-11 published in June 2010 stressed the need for the national health service to 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 ensure that it continues to deliver agreed plans with no reduction in the standards or quality of services, for the East and North 2,092 2,204 2,361 Hertfordshire PCT rest of the 2010-11 year. West Hertfordshire 1,996 2,030 2,253 PCT Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Medical Treatments Total 4,088 4,234 4,614 Notes: 1. The QOF figures are collected by national health service organisation rather Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for by constituency and so it is not possible to give figures for Stevenage Health if he will ask the National Institute for Health constituency. 2. Figures are not the number of newly diagnosed dementia patients but the and Clinical Excellence to review its guidelines relating number who are on the register at the end of each year. to the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if 3. The national QOF was introduced as part of the new general medical he will make a statement. [12237] services contract on 1 April 2004. 4. Participation by practices in the QOF is voluntary, though participation rates are very high, with most personal medical services practices also taking Mr Burstow: The National Institute for Health and part. 5. The published QOF information was derived from the quality management Clinical Excellence (NICE) regularly reviews its published analysis system (QMAS), a national system developed by NHS Connecting for guidance. We understand that NICE is currently reviewing Health. its clinical guideline on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic 6. QMAS uses data from general practices to calculate individual practices’ QOF achievement. QMAS is a national information technology system encephalomyelitis to determine whether it needs updating developed by NHS Connecting for Health to support the QOF. and will consult on its review proposals later this year. 7. The QMAS captures the number of patients on the various disease registers Further information is available on NICE’s website at:: for each practice. Source: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG53 The Information Centre for health and social care 457W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 458W

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State Departmental Furniture for Health how many dementia patients have been prescribed antipsychotics in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Stevenage constituency in each of the last five years; Health how many chairs his Department has and if he will make a statement. [12840] purchased in each year since 1997; how much it spent in each such year; and what the five most expensive Mr Burstow: No patient details are recorded when a chairs purchased in each such year were. [12809] prescription is processed. It is therefore not possible to say how many patients receiving a prescription for an Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not hold anti-psychotic drug have a diagnosis of dementia. separate records for the numbers and cost of chairs it Information is collected on the number of prescription has purchased since 1997. Information is held in our items for anti-psychotic drugs within sections 4.2.1 financial system under a general heading ‘furniture and (‘Antipsychotic drugs’) and 4.2.2 (‘Antipsychotic depot fittings’. To provide the information as requested would injections’) of the British National Formulary, outlining incur disproportionate costs. the number of prescriptions written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in England. Departmental ICT

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Consultants Health which IT contracts awarded by his Department in each of the last five years have been abandoned; and Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the monetary value of each such contract was. what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to [12721] consultants by his Department was in each of the last five years. [13058] Mr Simon Burns: The Department abandoned two information technology (IT) contracts in the last five Mr Simon Burns: The Department is unable to provide years. the average and highest daily rates paid to consultants These were the Fujitsu Local Service Provider contract, in each of the last five years. terminated in May 2008 with a value of £1,104 million The preferred practice of the Department is to negotiate over 10 years and the Fujitsu front line helpdesk, terminated costs for a whole piece of work rather than agreeing March in 2009 with a value of £55 million over seven individual day rates. years. Both contracts were awarded as part of the National Programme for IT. This process provides protection from the financial risks being exposed if day rate based contracting was Epilepsy used. In these instances, although considered when costing the work, commissions are awarded on a total fixed cost basis to reflect the appropriate skills mix and Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health resource required to deliver the work. what information his Department holds (1) for benchmarking purposes on (a) emergency hospital readmittance rates for epilepsy, (b) median times for a Departmental Empty Property first epilepsy specialist appointment, (c) rates of epilepsy misdiagnosis and (d) the incidence of deaths caused by epilepsy in (i) England and (ii) other EU Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for member states; [12537] Health how much his Department spent on vacant (2) for benchmarking purposes on comparative and properties in each year since 1997. [13029] sudden unexpected death rates in epilepsy in (a) England and (b) other EU member states; [12538] Mr Simon Burns: The information requested since (3) on the emergency hospital readmittance rate for 1997 is not available. The estimated expenditure excluding people with epilepsy. [12539] VAT by the Department on vacant properties for each of the past five years is: Mr Burstow: Statistics on emergency hospital readmissions rates for epilepsy are not routinely produced. £ The hospital episodes statistics database contains 2005-06 1,750,000 information about admissions to hospital from which 2006-07 1,325,000 bespoke analyses about readmissions can be extracted. 2007-08 950,000 However the analysis necessary to calculate readmissions 2008-09 850,000 is particularly complicated and would incur disproportionate 2009-10 4,350,000 costs. Information on the median time for first specialist The main reason for the increase in 2009-10 is the appointment is not collected. rationalisation of estate in the arm’s length body sector The rates of epilepsy misdiagnosis are not collected. and surplus property being returned to the Department The Department does not routinely hold international for disposal or sub-let. comparative data. However, World Health Organization The Department is actively seeking to dispose of its age-standardised death rates for epilepsy indicate that interest in those properties that remain vacant. the United Kingdom has 1.5 deaths per 100,000 population, 459W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 460W compared with the median rate of a comparable set of expect GP consortia to commission services for their European countries (the EU-15) of 1.07 deaths per populations. We are currently consulting on the most 100,000. appropriate level at which some of these services are All international comparisons should be interpreted commissioned. with caution, due to differences in registration systems The NHS Commissioning Board will also host some and coding conventions. clinical commissioning networks, for example for targeted health services for ill and disabled children, to pool Food Standards Agency specialist expertise. Further details on the Government’s intentions for Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for commissioning and oversight of commissioning decisions Health what criteria the Food Standards Agency takes can be found in the consultation documents into account when selecting subjects for public “Commissioning for patients” and “Local Democratic awareness campaigns. [12669] Legitimacy in Health”, published on 22 July. Copies have already been placed in the Library. Anne Milton: The criteria taken into account by the Food Standards Agency when selecting subjects for General Practitioners: Yorkshire and the Humber public awareness campaigns (primarily salt, saturated fat and food hygiene between 2002 and 2010) are: Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of GP subject is a key part of the agency’s strategic objectives; commissioning teams which will be required in (a) subject has a clear public health benefit; York and (b) North Yorkshire to discharge the subject offers support to industry (for reformulation in terms commissioning responsibilities currently assigned to the of healthier eating and for safer and cleaner commercial kitchens North Yorkshire and York primary care trust; what in terms of food hygiene) and is suitable for partnership activity with both industry and non-governmental organisations; estimate he has made of the number of staff who will be and employed by those teams; and what estimate he has subject has clear potential for savings in public finance. made of the annual cost to the public purse of their operation. [12838] General Practitioners Mr Simon Burns: We do not wish to be unduly prescriptive about the size of general practitioner (GP) Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health commissioning consortia. There have been widespread with reference to the proposals in the Health White variations in the size and population coverage of primary Paper, how it is planned that GP consortia will be care trusts (PCTs), which are currently responsible for supported to commission appropriate services for (a) commissioning national health service health care services, children with autism and mental health problems and and there is no evidence to suggest a single ‘right’ size. (b) other people with complex needs. [12516] Practices will have flexibility within the new legislative framework to form consortia in ways they think will Mr Burstow: To support general practitioner (GP) secure the best health care and health outcomes for consortia in their commissioning decisions, we will create their patients and locality. The NHS Commissioning an independent NHS Commissioning Board. The board Board will, however, need to satisfy itself that consortia will provide leadership for quality improvement through are of sufficient size to manage financial risk effectively. commissioning. This will include setting commissioning guidelines on the basis of clinically approved quality The White Paper laid out proposals for fundamental standards developed with advice from the National changes to the ways that the NHS is structured and run. Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, in a way The precise costs of the transition to the new system, that promotes joint working across health, public health and of running the new organisation, will not be known and social care. until the new organisations that will underpin the new system have been designed in more detail. We have GP consortia will be responsible for commissioning launched a series of consultations on how the new the great majority of national health service services. organisations should be designed, and once the results We will expect consortia to involve relevant health and of this are known we will publish a full impact assessment social care professionals from all sectors in helping of the new systems. design care pathways or care packages that achieve The White Paper also makes a commitment to reduce more integrated delivery of care, higher quality, and NHS management costs by more than 45% over the more efficient use of NHS resources. We will be working next four years, freeing up further resources for front-line with the NHS and professional bodies in the transition care. to the new arrangements to promote multi-professional involvement. The consultation document on new NHS commissioning arrangements “Liberating the NHS: Commissioning The White Paper also creates a new role for local for patients”, published on 22 July, seeks views on government in setting the local strategic context for whether there should be a minimum or maximum commissioning of health improvement, health and social population size for GP commissioning consortia. A care. This will be informed by Joint Strategic Needs copy has already been placed in the Library. Assessments which all commissioners will use to guide their commissioning activities. Motor Neurone Disease It is proposed that the NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for commissioning national and Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health regional specialised services for patients with complex how many people have been diagnosed with motor and rare disease. For less rare and complex services we neurone disease in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland 461W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 462W and (d) Northern Ireland; and what steps his Department The Government are currently consulting on how has taken to provide support services for such people. best to implement the reforms in the White Paper, and [12830] has published further details for consultation. As explained in an analytical strategy published alongside the White Mr Burstow: Information on the number of people Paper, the Department is using the consultation period diagnosed with motor neurone disease is not collected. to inform the development of an impact assessment, However, the National Framework for Long-term which will provide a wide-ranging and robust analysis neurological Conditions (the NSF) estimates that around of the proposals, including their impact on local authorities. two new cases of motor neurone disease are diagnosed The impact assessment will be published alongside or each year per 100,000 population. shortly after the response to the consultation. The NSF was developed to address the long-term Nutrition health and social care needs of people living with neurological conditions, including those with rapidly Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health progressing conditions such as motor neurone disease. pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 20 July NHS: Civil Service Live Conference 2010, Official Report, column 12WS, on machinery of government changes, which nutrition programmes will transfer from the Food Standards Agency to his Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Department. [12614] Health what the cost to the public purse was of the NHS Choices stand at Civil Service Live 2010. [12835] Anne Milton: The following nutrition policy work for England will be transferred to the Department: Mr Simon Burns: The NHS Choices stand at Civil lead on nutritional labelling and European Union negotiations; Service Live 2010 was shared with Directgov and health claims, dietetic food and food supplements; businesslink.gov.uk. The total cost of the stand was calorie information in catering establishments; £12,165 plus VAT. NHS Choices contribution to these reformulation to reduce salt, saturated fat and sugar levels in costs was £4,055 plus VAT. food and reducing portion size (including in catering); NHS: ICT nutrition surveys and nutrition research; and scientific advice and secretariat to Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health public purse of the National Programme for IT in (a) pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 20 July 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10. [12579] 2010, Official Report, column 12WS, on machinery of government changes, if he will report annually on his Mr Simon Burns: The total cost of the national Department’s progress in respect of those nutrition programme for information technology (IT) includes policy programmes transferred from the Food both central costs, and the costs managed by local Standards Agency to his Department. [12616] national health service bodies incurred in implementing the systems, for example in training staff and upgrading Anne Milton: Information about the Department’s computer hardware. programmes of work will be provided to Parliament in In its report “The National Programme for IT in the its annual report. NHS: Progress since 2006”, published in May 2008, the Salt National Audit Office estimated that some £3.55 billion had been spent on the programme to 31 March 2008. This figure included an estimate for local NHS expenditure, Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which is not routinely collected in a way that differentiates pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 20 July expenditure on the national programme from other 2010, Official Report, column 12WS, on machinery of local IT-related expenditure. government changes, if he will make it his policy to continue the salt reduction programme when Total cumulative expenditure, estimated on the same responsibility for that programme transfers from the basis, to 31 March 2009 was £4.738 billion, and to 31 Food Standards Agency to his Department. [12617] March 2010, £5.829 billion. Anne Milton: The Government recognise the extensive NHS: Reorganisation work already carried out to encourage the food industry to reduce levels of salt in food, and the significant James Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for achievements that have been made by ail sectors of the Health if he will conduct an assessment of the effect of food industry. his proposed reforms to the NHS on local authorities, We are committed to improving public health, and with particular reference to the potential merging of we will continue to engage with the food industry on adult social care and health provision. [12628] product reformulation. Mr Burstow: The Government have not proposed Smoking: Public Places merging adult social care and health provision, although our White Paper, “Equity and Excellence: Liberating Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the NHS”does propose a new function for local authorities in respect of how many venues his Department has of joining up the commissioning of local national health issued an exemption from the ban on smoking in public service services, social care and public health. places since the implementation of that ban. [12584] 463W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 464W

Anne Milton: None. Exemptions are listed in the selection of the final indicators for the framework, legislation, statutory instrument 2007 No. 765. Public reference will be made to Quality Standards. This process Health England. The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) is described in chapter 3 (page 18, paragraph 3.3-3.63) Regulations 2007, and therefore cannot be issued on a of the consultation document. discretionary basis. The NHS Outcomes Framework will provide a mechanism by which the Secretary of State for Health Thromboembolism can hold the proposed NHS Commissioning Board to account for the outcomes it is securing for patients Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health through its role in allocating resources and overseeing (1) how he plans to develop an indicator for venous the commissioning process that, in future, will be led thromboembolism reduction to reflect the National locally by general practitioner consortiums. How Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Quality consortiums are held to account for delivering these Standard which can be used by the NHS Commissioning outcomes will be a matter for the NHS Commissioning Board and GP consortia; [12512] Board to determine, subject to legislation. (2) what (a) evidence and (b) procedures will be used to define the indicators which will appear in the Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to Baroness Thornton of 19 July finalised NHS Outcomes Framework; [12513] 2010, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 170-1WA, (3) if he will bring forward proposals to include on health: malnutrition, (1) what changes he plans to reduced venous thromboembolism as an indicator for make to the nationally-defined goal in the Commission safe treatment within the first NHS Outcomes Framework. for Quality and Innovation scheme for acute providers [12555] for 2011-12 in respect of reducing the incidence of venous thromboembolism by increasing the percentage Mr Simon Burns: The Government’s White Paper of patients who must be risk-assessed using the national ‘Equality and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’, published risk assessment tool before payment is triggered; [12623] 12 July, set out how the improvement of health care outcomes for patients should be the primary purpose of (2) what plans he has to retain for 2011-12 the the national health service. current proportion of one fifth of the financial value of each acute provider in respect of the Commission for On 19 July, we launched a public consultation on Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme which is proposals for developing an NHS Outcomes Framework. linked to nationally-defined CQUIN goals. [12624] ‘Transparency in outcomes—a framework for the NHS’, seeks views on the structure, and core principles that Mr Simon Burns: We expect to clarify any changes to should underpin the development of the framework as the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation framework well as the more specific outcome indicators that should for 2011-12, including the financial value of schemes be included. The consultation can be accessed via the and whether there will be any nationally defined goals, following link: later this year. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/ DH_117583 Tobacco and a copy has already been placed in the Library. The consultation document puts forward proposals Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for a framework structured around five broad outcome (1) what the cost was of his Department’s tobacco goals or domains. policy team in the latest period for which figures are Domain 1: Preventing people from dying prematurely; available; and if he will make a statement; [12277] Domain 2: Enhancing the quality of life for people with (2) pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2010, Official long-term conditions; Report, columns 890-91W, on tobacco, what the job Domain 3: Helping people to recover from episodes of ill (a) title and (b) description is of the seven people health or following injury; employed in the tobacco policy team; and what recent Domain 4: Ensuring people have a positive experience of care; estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public and purse of employing those people. [12421] Domain 5: Treating and caring for people in a safe environment and protecting them from avoidable harm. Anne Milton: The grade titles and pay bands of the Within domain 5, which looks at patient safety, venous seven civil servants employed in the Department’s Tobacco thromboembolism (VTE) has been included as an example Programme are set out in the following table: in the improvement area covering safe treatment. In Annex A (page 59, paragraph 3.63) of the consultation Whole-time Current inner equivalent civil London pay range document, the example indicator for VTE measures the servants in tobacco (minimum- incidence of VTE through Hospital Episode Statistics Grade programme maximum) data. To support the achievement of outcomes in all domains of this framework, there will be a suite of Deputy Director 0.5 £58,200-£117,800 Quality Standards setting out what high quality care (SCS1) looks across all major pathways of care. Grade 6 1.0 £57,967-£73,828 Grade 7 1.5 £46,698-£60,962 During the consultation period, the Department will Senior Executive 1.0 £35,498-£45,118 be analysing potential outcome indicators against a set Officer of criteria; which will lead to the selection of 20-30 Fast Stream Officer 1.0 £28,884-£41,546 evidence-based outcome indicators that are clinically Executive Officer 1.0 £23,767-£29,600 relevant and reflect what is important to patients. In the 465W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 466W

Arms Control Whole-time Current inner equivalent civil London pay range servants in tobacco (minimum- Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Grade programme maximum) and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been Administrative 1.0 £19,579-£23,120 made in negotiations on establishing an International Officer Arms Trade Treaty to limit the sales of arms to unsuitable states. [13228] Civil servants in the Department’s Tobacco Programme are based in London and support Health Ministers Alistair Burt: The UK actively supports the UN achieve the Government’s objectives in the area of process to establish a strong, robust, legally binding tobacco control. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that will establish common international standards for the trade in conventional arms. Negotiation of an ATT began in New York from 12 to 23 July 2010 and good progress has been made. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE The meeting resulted in the chair of the process, Ambassador Moritan, producing a number of documents that will form a solid basis for negotiations to continue 1 Carlton Gardens in February 2011. The timetable remains ambitious, but the UK will continue to support efforts to secure this Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign important Treaty. and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) refurbishment and (b) redecoration of the non-residential areas within Departmental Billing 1 Carlton Gardens has been undertaken since his appointment; and what the cost to the public purse was Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for in each case. [13206] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13298] (FCO) has undertaken some required refurbishment and redecoration of the non-residential areas of 1 Carlton Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gardens since the appointment of my right hon. Friend (FCO) supports the Government’s Prompt Payment the Foreign Secretary. initiative and since its launch the Department and its The refurbishment and redecoration of the non- agencies have continued to work hard to improve the residential areas has been undertaken in accordance percentage of supplier invoices paid promptly. This with lease obligations and as a result of the Quadrennial combined performance meant that the FCO paid 96.45% Inspection of 2009. and 95.57% of supplier invoices within 10 days of receipt in July 2010 and August 2010 respectively. We are required under the terms of the fully repairing lease to The FCO is aware of the importance of paying suppliers promptly, and makes every effort to pay 80% “as often as necessary, well and substantially to repair, renew, of supplier invoices within five working days. uphold, clean and keep in repair the demised premises.” The cost for this essential upkeep was met from the Departmental Buildings FCO Estates maintenance budget as follows. (a) Refurbishment costs for internal walls damaged by water Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for ingress: £3,271; Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those (b) Painting, redecoration and some replastering of the stairwell overseas properties which his Department shares (a) covering three floors: £12,506. with other United Kingdom departments and (b) with foreign governments. [12187] Afghanistan: Religious Freedom Alistair Burt: The information is as follows: Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions shares its overseas office accommodation with other he has had with the government of Afghanistan on the United Kingdom Government Departments and the extent of religious freedom in that country. [12041] British Council in the 164 posts listed as follows. Full address details for the overseas properties involved can Alistair Burt: The Government strongly supports the be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s right to freedom of religion or belief. We are working to website support all individuals who face discrimination and www.fco.gov.uk persecution on the basis of religion, wherever they are Abu Dhabi, British Embassy in the world. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Abuja, British High Commission has a regular dialogue with the Afghan Government on Accra, British High Commission human rights, including the need to ensure the security Addis Ababa, British Embassy of all Afghans, regardless of religion. Article two of the Afghan Constitution provides for freedom of religion, Algiers, British Embassy and we expect the Afghan Government to fully implement Alicante, British Consulate this. In addition, we will also raise particular cases of Almaty, British Embassy Office concern with the Afghan Government as necessary. Amman, British Embassy 467W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 468W

Amsterdam, British Consulate-General Hong Kong, British Consulate-General Ankara, British Embassy Islamabad, British High Commission Ashgabat, British Embassy Istanbul, British Consulate-General Asmara, British Embassy Jakarta, British Embassy Astana, British Embassy Jerusalem, British Consulate-General Athens, British Embassy Kabul, British Embassy Baghdad, British Embassy Kampala, British High Commission Bahrain, British Embassy Karachi, British Deputy High Commission Baku, British Embassy Kathmandu, British Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan, British High Commission Khartoum, British Embassy Bangkok, British Embassy Kigali, British High Commission Banjul, British High Commission Kingston, British High Commission Barcelona, British Consulate-General Kinshasa, British Embassy Beijing, British Embassy Kolkata, British Deputy High Commission Beirut, British Embassy Kuala Lumpur, British High Commission Belgrade, British Embassy Kuwait, British Embassy Berlin, British Embassy Kyiv, British Embassy Berne, British Embassy La Paz, British Embassy Bogota, British Embassy Lagos, British Deputy High Commission Brasilia, British Embassy Lashkagar, Provincial Reconstruction Team Bratislava, British Embassy Lilongwe, British High Commission Bridgetown, British High Commission Lima, British Embassy Brussels—British Embassy Lisbon, British Embassy Brussels, UK Permanent Representation to EU Los Angeles, British Consulate-General Bucharest, British Embassy Luanda, British Embassy Budapest, British Embassy Lusaka, British High Commission Buenos Aires, British Embassy Madrid, British Embassy Cairo, British Embassy Malaga, British Consulate Canberra, British High Commission Manila, British Embassy Caracas, British Embassy Melbourne, British Consulate-General Castries, British High Commission Mexico City, British Embassy Chennai, British Deputy High Commission Miami, British Consulate-General Chicago, British Consulate-General Milan, British Consulate-General Chisinau, British Embassy Minsk, British Embassy Chongqing, British Consulate-General Moscow, British Embassy Colombo, British High Commission Montserrat, Office of the Governor Copenhagen, British Embassy Mumbai, British Deputy High Commission Dakar, British Embassy Muscat, British Embassy Damascus, British Embassy Nairobi, British High Commission Dar Es Salaam, British High Commission New Delhi, British High Commission Dhaka, British High Commission New York, British Consulate General Doha, British Embassy New York, UK Mission to the United Nations Dubai, British Embassy Nicosia, British High Commission Dublin, British Embassy Oslo, British Embassy Dushanbe, British Embassy Ottawa, British High Commission Dusseldorf, British Consulate-General Panama City, British Embassy Erbil, Office of the British Embassy Paris, British Embassy Freetown, British High Commission Paris—UK Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Gaborone, British High Commission Co-operation and Development Geneva, British Consulate General Podgorica, British Embassy Geneva, UK Mission to the United Nations Port Louis, British High Commission Georgetown, British High Commission Port of Spain, British High Commission Gibraltar—Office of the Governor Prague, British Embassy Guangzhou, British Consulate-General Pretoria, British High Commission Hanoi, British Embassy Pristina, British Embassy Harare, British Embassy Quito, British Embassy Havana, British Embassy Rabat, British Embassy Helsinki, British Embassy Rangoon, British Embassy Ho Chi Minh City, British Consulate-General Riga, British Embassy 469W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 470W

Rio de Janeiro, British Consulate-General Nouakchott (Delegation of the European Union to Mauritania) Riyadh, British Embassy Pyongyang (German Embassy). Rome, British Embassy Co-located office space governed by separate lease agreements, Sana’a, British Embassy or jointly owned: Santiago, British Embassy Bamako (Canadian Embassy) Santo Domingo, British Embassy Dar Es Salaam (Dutch Embassy, German Embassy, Delegation Sao Paulo, British Consulate-General of the European Union to Tanzania) Sarajevo, British Embassy Quito (German Embassy) Seoul, British Embassy Reykjavik (German Embassy). Shanghai, British Consulate-General Singapore, British High Commission Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Skopje, British Embassy Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much office Sofia, British Embassy space per employee his Department occupied in each year since 1997. [12994] St Petersburg, British Consulate-General Stockholm, British Embassy Alistair Burt: The space occupied per employee of the Suva, British High Commission Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK Taipei, British Trade and Cultural Office for: Tallinn, British Embassy 2008-09—24.7 square metres NIA (Net Internal Area) Tangier, British Consulate 2009-10—14.3 square metres NIA Tashkent, British Embassy The information requested is not available for previous Tbilisi, British Embassy years. Tehran, British Embassy Since 2008 the FCO has been improving the quality Tel Aviv, British Embassy of data relating to space utilisation on the estate. Better The Hague, British Embassy data allow for more accurate reporting, that along with Tirana, British Embassy more open planning of new offices have helped bring Tokyo, British Embassy down the amount of space occupied per person. Tripoli, British Embassy The nature of the two Grade I and II listed buildings Tunis, British Embassy in London whose internal configuration cannot easily Ulaanbaatar, British Embassy be changed makes it difficult to secure further improvements Vienna, British Embassy and achieve the Government property unit’s space guidelines Vienna, UK Delegation to the Organisation for Security set for the UK estate. Cooperation in Europe Vienna, UK Mission to the United Nations Departmental Consultants Vilnius, British Embassy Warsaw, British Embassy Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Washington, British Embassy and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on Wellington, British High Commission external consultants and advisers by (a) his Department Yaounde, British High Commission and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which his Department is responsible Yerevan, British Embassy in each year since 2005. [12481] Zagreb, British Embassy The main users of the FCO overseas platform are the Alistair Burt: Consultants are used where they fulfil a UK Border Agency; the Department for International business need and the skills required are not available Development, the Ministry of Defence, the Serious internally. Annual expenditure on consultants at the Organised Crime Agency, the British Council, HM Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been Revenue and Customs, the Metropolitan Police and the published each year in our annual departmental report, Department for Work and Pensions. copies of which are available in the Library of the (b) Office accommodation shared with foreign House and on our website. Actual consultancy expenditure governments can be broken down into the following in 2008-09 was £29.9 million rather then the estimated three categories: figure of £63.6 million quoted in the 2008-09 departmental Space sublet by the FCO to foreign governments: report. Consultancy expenditure for 2009-2010 was £23 Baghdad (Canadian Embassy, Danish Embassy, Delegation of million. the European Union to Iraq) FCO Services were established as an executive agency Chisinau (Dutch Honorary Consul) in 2006 and then as a trading fund in on 1 April 2008. Freetown (French Consulate) Consultancy expenditure figures have been published Goma (French Diplomatic Representative) separately from the FCO since 2006 and can be found in the FCO Services annual report in the notes to the Kabul (New Zealand Embassy) accounts, available in the Library of the House and on Lashkar Gah (Delegation of the European Union to Afghanistan) the FCO Services website. Space sublet by foreign governments to the FCO: Wilton Park consultancy expenditure forms part of Antananarivo (German Embassy) their published annual reports. Expenditure for the Monrovia (US Embassy) years they have used consultancy services are: 471W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 472W

£ £

2007-08 8,612 2007/08 167,835 2008-09 9,969 2008/09 33,543 2009-10 12,000 2009/10 1461,320 1 £244,000 funded by the Low-Carbon Technology Fund within the British Council consultancy costs, as disclosed in the Department for Energy and Climate Change to support the FCO’s audited annual accounts, are as follows: 10:10 commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 Expenditure in the current financial year (2010/11) is £ £38,865, and there are currently no plans for further expenditure during 2010/11. 2005-06 28,000 2006-07 140,000 Departmental Official Hospitality 2007-08 148,000 2008-09 372,000 Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 2009-10 1,066,000 and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister The increased consultancy costs for the British Council in his Department in (a) May and (b) June 2010. in 2009-10 were incurred in support of the Doubling English growth programme relating to legal, local tax [10113] and other professional advice, as well as further specific Alistair Burt: The total spend for Ministers on international tax advice which the British Council procured Government hospitality was: in support of the establishment of the Shared Services Centre and other subsidiaries overseas. (a) May 2010—£356.49 (b) June 2010—£233.96 Departmental Empty Property These figures are based on services used and paid for in the months of May and June. Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Temporary Employment Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. [13013] Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many temporary staff Alistair Burt: This information is not held centrally are employed by (a) his Department and (b) British and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. embassies and consulates. [12139] Alistair Burt: As of 1 July 2010 the Foreign and Departmental Fines Commonwealth Office (FCO) employed 215 staff directly on temporary contracts of 12 months or less in the UK. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for This figure does not include agency staff, specialist Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many transport- contractors, interim managers and consultants who do related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its not have direct contracts of employment with the FCO, staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the as we are currently compiling data on these categories public purse was in each such year. [13300] of workers. I will update my right hon. Friend when this exercise is complete. Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office To compile detailed information on temporary staff (FCO) would normally expect all its staff to pay any at our 258 posts overseas would incur disproportionate transport-related fines without recourse to public funds. cost. Budgets in the FCO are devolved to individual directorates within the UK and its network of over 250 Departmental Training posts overseas. As a result, this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for cost. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department Departmental Motor Vehicles in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such course. [13299] Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the expenditure on Alistair Burt: In the last financial year (2009-10) vehicles of (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non- Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff attended departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for a range of external course—that is courses designed which his Department is responsible was in each region and provided outside the FCO. Some of these were paid in each of the last three financial years; and what the for centrally, and others were sourced and paid for on planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11. [12482] an individual basis by FCO teams and posts in response to their specific business needs. Alistair Burt: FCO Services operates a UK based Human Resources Directorate of the FCO centrally fleet of vehicles on behalf of the Foreign and funded three main external programmes: the Open Commonwealth Office (FCO). Total expenditure in University Scheme which cost about £345,000 for about each of the last three financial years was as follows: 115 staff; Advanced Apprenticeships which cost about 473W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 474W

£1,365 for seven staff to attend; and a number of the Alistair Burt: We are aware of the representations National School of Government’s courses to the cost of from Amnesty International about the case of Reza about £22,000 for 12 staff. This makes a total of £368,365. Shahabi. I raised the case of Reza Shahabi of the It would incur a disproportionate cost to provide Tehran Bus Workers Union with the Iranian ambassador details of external training courses procured by directorates on 18 August. I also raised the case of his colleague, other than Human Resources as this information is not Saeed Torabian. I expressed concern at their detention held centrally. and asked the Iranian ambassador to provide further details of why the individuals had been detained and on Hezbollah what charges.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Iran: Uranium and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the (a) number and (b) range of Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Hezbollah’s missiles. [12692] and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Israeli, (b) US, (c) Egyptian, (d) Alistair Burt: We are concerned by recent reports of EU and (e) Jordanian counterpart on Iran’s stockpile weapons transfers to Hezbollah, including Hezbollah’s of enriched uranium. [12968] own claims that it possesses significant military capabilities. We do not have specific figures but assess that since the Alistair Burt: The UK maintains a regular dialogue end of the 2006 Lebanon conflict Hezbollah has replenished with our key allies and regional partners on this issue. its holdings of short- and long-range rockets and missiles. The latest report from the Director General of the Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has was discussed at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting received on the number of Hezbollah members (a) in in June 2010. The report indicated that Iran has produced Lebanon and (b) who have been trained in Iran. 2,427 kg of low enriched uranium (LEU), enriched to [12693] less than 5%. The report also states that Iran has produced 5.7 kg of LEU enriched to just under 20%. Alistair Burt: We do not have definite figures but This is a significant step towards the ability to enrich to Hezbollah has a significant number of members within weapons grade levels. Lebanon. Open sources indicate anywhere between 10,000 The UK continues to implement the dual-track approach and 200,000 party members, however no distinctions to the Iranian nuclear programme, the objective of are made between potential Hezbollah fighters, paid which is to achieve a diplomatic solution to the nuclear party members or Hezbollah party affiliates. issue. The UK has been in regular discussions with the We do not have any numbers for Hezbollah members EU over the implementation of sanctions against Iran who have been trained in Iran. that go above and beyond those sanctions agreed in UN Security Council Resolution 1929. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he Israel: Overseas Trade has had with his EU counterparts on Hezbollah’s military capability in southern Lebanon. [12961] Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary his Department has made of the effects of changes to and I have regular discussions with our EU counterparts access arrangements for workers and goods entering or on the situation in the middle east and will raise Hezbollah leaving Gaza since the announcements of Prime if or when necessary. Minister Netanyahu on 20 June and 5 July 2010. [11998] Iran: Prisoners Alistair Burt: According to the UN, a total of 1,048 Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for truckloads of goods entered Gaza in the week beginning Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent 15 August 2010, compared to 573 trucks for the week discussions he has had with the Iranian government on beginning 6 June 2010. the imprisonment of Reza Shahabi; [12737] Despite the increase of imports into the Gaza Strip in (2) if he will take steps to secure the release of Reza recent weeks, ongoing restrictions on the entry of Shahabi from imprisonment in Iran. [12739] construction materials, as well as on exports, continue to hamper major reconstruction and development projects. Alistair Burt: I raised the case of Reza Shahabi of the Tehran Bus Workers Union with the Iranian ambassador The UK, together with the EU and Quartet, will on 18 August. I also raised the case of his colleague, continue to press Israel to increase the capacity of the Saeed Torabian. I expressed concern at their detention crossings for imports and exports and to allow the and asked the Iranian ambassador to provide further movement of people which are all vital to alleviate the details of why the individuals had been detained and on dire situation in Gaza. what charges. Libya Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for responded to representation from Amnesty International Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on the imprisonment of Reza Shahabi. [12738] (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department 475W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 476W have had with their Libyan counterparts in the last 12 the next edition on 23 September 2010, and will be months; and what matters were discussed at those available from the Ministry of Justice website at: meetings. [12304] http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ judicialandcourtstatistics.htm Alistair Burt: Since becoming Minister for Middle East and North Africa, I have met the Libyan Europe Cemeteries Minister, Abdulati al-Obidi and the Libyan Minister for Public Security, General Abd al-Fatah Younis al-Obidi. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for to the Libyan Foreign Minister, Musa Kusa by telephone. Justice what progress the Government have made in the We both discussed UK-Libya relations, including issues implementation of those recommendations of the relating to our difficult past, such as the importance of Eighth Report of the Environment, Transport and restarting the stalled investigation into the unlawful Regional Affairs Committee, Session 2001-02, HC 91, killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. on cemeteries which it accepted. [12046] Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in Tripoli and in London have regular contact with their Libyan Mr Djanogly: We are currently considering what counterparts to discuss issues of mutual interest, such further steps might be taken in response to the Committee’s as co-operation on migration and counter-terrorism. recommendations. In particular, we are reviewing the case for re-using old cemeteries and updating the existing UN Security Council legislation. I will write to the hon. Member with details of the action that has been taken to date. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy of his Closed Circuit Television: Prisons Department is on the addition of (a) India, (b) Brazil, (c) Germany and (d) Japan as a permanent member Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for of the United Nations Security Council. [13244] Justice what guidance his Department provides to prisons on the (a) use and (b) regulations governing the use of Mr Bellingham: The Government support permanent closed circuit television cameras in visiting areas. [12417] seats on a reformed UN Security Council for Japan, India, Germany and Brazil as well as African representation. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in Mr Blunt: Prisons may use CCTV systems overtly to his speech at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on monitor activity in visiting and other areas for reasons 1 July 2010 ’this Government will be at the forefront of of security. Their use is governed by a number of those arguing for the expansion of the UN Security National Offender Management Service policy Council’. The Government consider that the Security documents including those that provide advice and Council needs to be reformed to ensure it is more guidance to staff on the Data Protection Act, prisoner representative of the modern world whilst no less effective communications, information management, searching, in taking necessary decisions. and visits. Prisons may also use CCTV for covert surveillance subject to meeting the requirements for directed surveillance set out in the Regulation of Investigatory JUSTICE Powers Act.

Care Proceedings Courts Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many care orders have been issued in England Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for in each of the last five years. [12743] Justice (1) which magistrates courts in England had a utilisation rate of above 80 per cent. in 2009-10; and Mr Djanogly: The following table shows the number what the average time taken to complete a case was at of children made subject to a care order, in all tiers of those courts in that period; [12917] court of England, in each year from 2004 to 2008, the (2) what the average time taken to complete a case last year for which figures have been published. was in England in 2009-10. [12918] The number of children made subject to a care order in all tiers of court, England, 2004 to 2008 Mr Djanogly: In 2009-10 there were 44 magistrates Number courts in England with a utilisation rate of above 80%. 2004 7,180 Courtroom utilisation is the time a courtroom is used, against the hours that a courtroom is available for use. 2005 6,490 These courts are listed with the utilisation rate in the 2006 6,650 following table. 2007 7,020 2008 6,530 The table also shows the estimated average times from the date an offence was committed to the date a Statistics on public law disposals for England and case was completed in a magistrates court, for criminal Wales are published on an annual basis by the Ministry cases in these magistrates courts during 2009-10. These of Justice in the statistical report ‘Judicial and Court figures are sourced from the quarterly Time Interval Statistics’. Statistics for 2009 are due to be published in Survey. 477W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 478W

The estimated average time taken from the date an Table 1: Magistrates courts utilisation rate and estimated average offence was committed to the date of completion for time from offence to completion for all defendants in all criminal cases in England, for courts with a utilisation rate over 80% in criminal cases across all magistrates courts in England 2009-10 in 2009-10 was 141 days. Estimated average Table 1: Magistrates courts utilisation rate and estimated average number of days time from offence to completion for all defendants in all criminal Utilisation rate from offence to cases in England, for courts with a utilisation rate over 80% in Magistrates courts (%) completion 2009-10 Uxbridge 94 136 Estimated average number of days Walsall 81 102 Utilisation rate from offence to West London 93 118 Magistrates courts (%) completion Wimbledon 84 146 Aylesbury 87 156 All magistrates courts 141 in England with a Banbury 85 178 utilisation rate above Basingstoke 81 107 80% Blackpool 92 122 1 Figures not shown due to low sample sizes. Bristol 84 98 Notes: Camberwell Green 84 85 1. Statistics on the estimated average time from offence to completion are counted by defendant, rather than by case. Where a City of London 92 159 case involves more than one defendant, each defendant is counted City of Westminster 115 167 separately. Crawley 87 135 2. The working assumption is that a courtroom is available 25 Ealing 82 109 hours per week (five hours per weekday). These data come from an internal management system. The data are subject to our minimal Gateshead 86 104 levels of quality assurance and are based on the data currently Greenwich 85 141 available. Harrow 97 173 3. Utilisation rates of over 100% are possible when the actual Hatfield 118 1— number of hours used are higher than the standard availability for the period. Hendon 89 155 Source: Leicester 84 137 Courtroom Utilisation (Magistrates) and the magistrates courts Luton 83 143 Time Intervals Survey, HM Courts Service Performance Database Maidstone 93 241 (’OPT’). Newcastle Upon 90 137 Courts: Sentencing Tyne Newton Aycliffe 81 98 Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for North Tyneside 81 106 Justice (1) on how many and what proportion of occasions Northallerton 94 138 the maximum sentence for an offence was given in (a) Northwich 80 179 crown courts and (b) magistrates courts in the latest Nuneaton 91 123 year for which figures are available; [12390] Preston 86 118 (2) what the average length was of a sentence handed Reading 83 154 down for each offence by each court in England and Redhill 80 133 Wales in the latest period for which figures are Richmond Upon 80 166 available. [12395] Thames Scunthorpe 91 110 Mr Blunt: The number of offenders sentenced to Sevenoaks 83 177 immediate custody, the maximum permissible sentence Sittingbourne 82 183 (estimated) and the immediate custodial sentence length Slough 102 116 is provided for both magistrates courts and the crown South East 90 126 court is shown in the following tables. Northumberland Few offenders receive a maximum sentence for an South Western 82 214 indictable offence at magistrates courts as the statutory Stratford Upon Avon 90 128 maximum for most offences lies outside the jurisdiction Thames 101 109 of a magistrate. Thanet (Margate) 94 75 Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned for Torquay 81 147 publication on 21 October 2010

Persons sentenced to immediate custody by court, average custodial sentence length and number of maximum permissible sentences used1, 2, 3

Percentage Percentage Average of sentences Average of sentences custodial Number of where custodial Number of where Total sentence maximum maximum Total sentence maximum maximum immediate length sentences sentence is immediate length sentences sentence is Offence group custody (months)4 given5 given custody (months)4 given given

Violence Against 3,745 4.0 — — 9,635 23.0 496 5.1 Person

Sexual Offences 169 4.0 — — 2,835 46.7 39 1.4 479W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 480W

Persons sentenced to immediate custody by court, average custodial sentence length and number of maximum permissible sentences used1, 2, 3 Percentage Percentage Average of sentences Average of sentences custodial Number of where custodial Number of where Total sentence maximum maximum Total sentence maximum maximum immediate length sentences sentence is immediate length sentences sentence is Offence group custody (months)4 given5 given custody (months)4 given given

Burglary 3,304 4.2 — — 6,656 24.1 0 0.0 Robbery 481 8.4 — — 4,614 35.3 2 0.0 Theft and 16,947 2.1 — — 4,061 11.7 3 0.1 Handling Fraud and 926 2.8 — — 4,740 12.3 4 0.1 Forgery Criminal 473 2.3 — — 684 24.7 3 0.4 Damage Drug Offences 1,293 2.5 — — 8,195 37.5 32 0.4 Indictable 269 4.9 1 0.4 1,133 10.5 6 0.5 Motoring Other Indictable 3,656 1.9 4 0.1 5,242 17.4 31 0.6 (Not Motoring) Total 31,263 2.7 5 0.0 47,795 25.1 616 1.3

Summary 12,964 2.6 975 7.5 1,125 3.3 211 18.8 Non-Motoring Summary 6,121 3.2 469 7.7 257 3.3 33 12.8 Motoring

All offences 50,348 2.7 1,449 2.9 49,177 24.5 860 1.7 1 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008. 4 Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. 5 Few people receive a maximum sentence for an indictable offence at a magistrates court as the statutory maximum for most offences lies outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate Note: 0.0% - Means less than 0.05% Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Departmental Billing Mr Blunt: The following tables show details of live contracts for consultancy services and the provision of Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for specialist contractors and interim managers via agencies. Justice what proportion of invoices from suppliers his In addition the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) contracts Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and for the provision of temporary clerical, administrative August 2010. [13289] and ancillary staff with the following agencies. The monetary value specified against each agency relates to Mr Djanogly: The percentages of payments made the aggregate value of spend for quarter 1 of the within 10 days to all suppliers for the months of July 2010-11 financial year. and August 2010 are: Temporary clerical and administrative Percentage £

July 2010 93 Brook Street UK Ltd. 2,406,792 August 2010 93 Office Angels Ltd. 509,644 Departmental Consultants Employment Plus Ltd. 70,891 Hays Specialist Recruitment 822,307 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what external (a) agencies and (b) consultancies Temporary ancillary (non clerical and administrative) are undertaking work commissioned by his Department; £ and what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost to the public purse Hays Construction 1,924,418 is of each piece of work commissioned. [12905] 481W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 482W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

NOMS Operational 250,000 19 July 2010 29 October 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Framework Scenario Analysis (Consultancy) E-working project for Royal 270,000 1 July 2010 30 March 2011 AMTEC Courts of Justice (Consultancy) Financial Accounts team 36,000 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Adam Price leader System Integrator Services/ 6,187,000 6 April 2010 30 November 2011 Parity R&R Programme and MoJ Shared Services Front line eRecruitment and 126,350 TBC TBC Parity redeployment system team/ MoJ Shared Services Business Analyst and System Config Manager Solutions Architect/Shared 111,000 1 July 2010 28 February 2011 ASE Consulting Services Programme MoJ ICT Transformation 14,000,000 1 July 2010 31 March 2010 TBC Programme—non payroll staff Communications Manager 36,750 22 February 10 21 August 2010 COI GovGap Access to Justice Change 71,000 6 April 2010 23 August 2010 Hudson Global Resources Ltd. Programme Finance Manager ICT Procurement Telecoms 75,400 1 June 2010 26 August 2010 Parity Resources Ltd. Category Manager Accountant 34,754 26 April 2010 26 August 2010 Reed Personnel Services Communications Manager 37,638 29 March 2010 28 August 2010 COI GovGap Various Test Resource to assist 69,560 30 November 2009 29 August 2010 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 77,480 30 November 2009 31 August 2010 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme To provide communications 78,225 4 January 2010 31 August 2010 COI GovGap support to the New Prisons site search project Costings Manager 86,420 7 June 2010 31 August 2010 Hays Specialist Recruitment HR Change Project Manager 93,125 24 February 2010 31 August 2010 Walker Cox Procurement and Contract 74,500 1 May 2009 31 August 2010 Matchtech Management Study into methodology of 75,000 1 February 2010 1 September 2010 Jo Day short term outcome study of SDP Study into methodology of 75,000 1 February 2010 1 September 2010 Jo Day short term outcome study of SDP C-NOMIS project 83,132 1 April 2010 3 September 2010 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Business Analyst 88,920 1 April 2010 3 September 2010 Parity Resources Ltd. Comms Manager 64,908 15 February 2010 14 September 2010 COI GovGap Communications 27,621 22 March 2010 17 September 2010 COI GovGap Agency Staff 2,784 1 April 2010 26 September 2010 Michael Page Communications Officer 33,462 29 March 2010 28 September 2010 COI GovGap Core Programme—Project 90,395 2 November 2009 30 September 2010 NES IT planner NOMIS Security Architect 103,641 17 October 2009 30 September 2010 Sands Evaluation of Virtual Courts 94,834 1 September 2009 30 September 2010 WM Enterprise To provide activity based 102,030 30 May 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark costing for Crown Court Financial Accounts Team 106,326 2 July 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Leader Review the Delivery of Drug 24,010 16 December 2009 30 September 2010 Arun Sondhi Rehabilitation Requirement Lawyer 44,285 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 Venn Group Supporting PSBU with 195,000 6 April 2010 30 September 2010 PA Consulting Group competitive dialogue MoJ Head of Group Accounts 62,650 1 January 2010 30 September 2010 Allen Lane Communications Officer 39,138 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 COI GovGap Regional Finance Manager 45,365 7 June 2010 7 October 2010 Badenoch and Clark Lead reward specialist 126,259 6 April 2010 8 October 2010 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 483W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 484W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Content Manager to MoJ 27,621 21 April 10 15 October 2010 COI GovGap through COI Non Executive Director 79,200 20 October 2009 19 October 2010 Partners of Prisoners Business Change Manager 148,500 19 October 2009 19 October 2010 QI Consulting SS Business Change Lead 153,340 24 May 2010 26 October 2010 Dbi Consulting Strategic Alliance 162,327 26 May 2010 26 October 2010 Hays Reprocurement Manager Implementation Manager for 118,013 1 February 2010 29 October 2010 Smartsourcing TCE Act programme Core Programme Change and 60,399 1 February 2010 29 October 2010 Hays Configuration Manager IT Service Manager 98,753 1 October 2009 31 October 2010 NES IT Interim Change Manager 93,005 1 April 2010 31 October 2010 Hays Specialist Recruitment Procurement and Contract 165,495 28 May 2010 31 October 2010 Hays Management Senior Scientific Officer 138,450 1 May 2010 4 November 2010 QI Consulting Business Case Manager 145,800 17 June 2010 16 November 2010 Russam GMS Business Change Manager 137,940 6 April 2010 19 November 2010 NES IT (Vetting) Design and Development 162,401 15 August 2009 30 November 2010 Amtec Consulting plc Manager Senior Scientific Officer 113,525 1 March 2010 30 November 2010 QI Consulting Procurement unit Manager 166,225 1 March 2010 30 November 2010 Matchtech Group UK Ltd. Accountant/Tester 61,643 19 April 2010 30 November 2010 Michael Page Developer/Tester 52,140 19 April 2010 30 November 2010 Monarch Recruitment Ltd. Procurement Project Manager 122,500 7 December 2009 6 December 2010 Russam GMS RPU SE Procurement 161,601 17 May 2010 10 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Manager Resource Manager 294,930 11 December 2010 22 December 2010 Methods Consulting Ltd. Findings and acceptance of 112,893 20 January 2009 30 December 2010 National Centre for Social interim findings report Research Technical Architect 231,340 20 July 2009 31 December 2010 Parity Resources Ltd. NOMIS Programme Support 295,868 1 April 2010 31 December 2010 Sand Resources Ltd Change Manager 121,897 1 August 2009 31 December 2010 NES IT Resource Manager 84,063 1 April 2010 31 December 2010 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Change Manager 81,417 1 January 2010 31 December 2010 NES IT Non Executive Director 161,400 1 January 2010 31 December 2010 Janardan Sofat Project Implementation 139,500 11 January 2010 10 January 2011 Sand-UK Manager Business Analyst 173,420 1 June 2010 30 January 2011 Tribal Consortium Senior Project Management 194,350 1 February 2010 31 January 2011 Badenoch & Clark Ltd. Support Transforming Justice—Public 105,417 1 February 2010 1 February 2011 Andrew Darton engagement Programme Transforming Justice—Public 206,250 1 February 2010 1 February 2011 Future Company engagement Programme Transforming Justice—Public 115,326 1 February 2010 1 February 2011 Craig Ross Dawson engagement Programme Shared Services Design and 226,797 14 June 2010 25 February 2011 Amtec Consortium Implementation PM Belief in Change Programme 148,500 1 March 2010 1 March 2011 Antonio Pangallo Technical support 118,470 26 April 2010 31 March 2011 Sand Resources Ltd. Responsibility for delivery of 211,006 1 December 2009 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. the NOMIS programme Document Manager 114,575 2 November 2009 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd Environments Manager 282,791 22 October 2009 31 March 2011 Sand Resources Ltd. NOMIS programme technical 148,985 1 April 2010 31 March 2011 Sand Resources Ltd. support NOMIS Information 148,917 1 August 2009 31 March 2011 Sand Resources Ltd. Technology Business Analyst Senior Quality Assurance 215,378 1 April 2010 31 March 2011 LA International Provision of an evaluation 93,340 1 September 2009 31 March 2011 Darnley Consultancy Ltd. officer Maintain NOMIS Test 258,415 1 August 2009 31 March 2011 NES IT Strategy 485W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 486W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Data Share Project Manager 224,138 29 August 2009 31 March 2011 NES IT Overall responsibility for 335,665 5 September 2009 31 March 2011 Alpine Resourcing NOMIS Programme Technical and Requirements 344,640 27 March 2010 31 March 2011 Technology Project Services Adviser NOMIS Programme 225,632 2 November 2009 31 March 2011 Sand Resources Ltd. Various Test Resource to assist 168,730 18 March 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 150,780 1 June 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Test Analyst 158,678 26 April 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Test Analyst 158,678 26 April 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Provision of Integrated 125,650 1 June 2010 31 March 2011 London Offender Management Quality Assurance Manager 184,885 1 May 2010 31 March 2011 Methods Consulting Ltd Freelance Events Consultant 59,932 1 April 2009 31 March 2011 COI GovGap Business Change PM 276,430 1 April 2010 31 March 2011 Tri bal Consortium Programme Support Manager 127,039 18 January 2009 30 April 2011 Russam GMS Various Test Resource to assist 135,720 1 April 2010 31 May 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 109,200 1 April 2010 31 May 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 150,400 1 April 2010 31 May 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 127,680 1 April 2010 31 May 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 122,670 5 June 2009 31 May 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Business Case Manager 387,332 1 December 2009 31 May 2011 Parity Resources Ltd. Shared Services programme 158,760 4 March 2010 31 May 2011 Hays Various Test Resource to assist 147,278 1 April 2010 31 July 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 141,440 1 April 2010 31 July 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Test Analyst (change of role) 128,520 1 June 2010 31 July 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Test Analyst 118,860 29 August 2010 31 July 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Test Lead 122,670 30 August 2010 31 July 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Various Test Resource to assist 192,400 1 April 2010 31 August 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 191,290 1 April 2010 1 September 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Provision of a three year 40,467 23 March 2009 22 March 2012 De Montfort Expertise Ltd. maintenance contract to the risk of harm guidance and training resource In house bidding capability 41,663 18 September 2009 17 September 2012 P A Consulting Consultancy to HM Courts 53,010 1 December 2009 30 November 2012 RNIB Access Consultancy Service Disability Services Discrimination Estate In-house delivery of internal 110,585 4 January 2010 3 January 2013 Ernst & Young audit services Various Test Resource to assist 204,450 1 April 2010 30 November 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 204,450 1 April 2010 30 November 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Various Test Resource to assist 115,362 1 April 2010 30 November 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. with the NOMIS Programme Head of Service Operations 108,900 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Qi Consulting Problem and Incident Support 46,662 1 July 2010 26 October 2010 LA International Assurance Analyst 56,760 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Ltd Infrastructure Architect 49,500 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Kaiko Business Support 13,226 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 Kelly Services Service Capacity and 14,362 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Barnett Personnel Availability Support Information Assurance 158,760 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 NES IT Test Manager 78,400 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Badenoch & Clark 487W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 488W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Continual Service 66,620 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 HAYS Improvement Analyst Programme Manager 103,275 27 July 2010 31 January 2011 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 61,380 22 March 2010 21 September 2010 Amtec Consulting Project Manager 100,800 7 July 2010 31 March 2011 Amtec Consulting Project Manager 46,666 1 July 2010 26 October 2010 LA International Project Team Member 19,976 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Brook Street Project Team Member 38,414 4 June 2009 31 July 2010 Brook Street Quality Assurance/PPM 45,184 6 April 2010 30 September 2010 Amtec Consulting Standards and Tooling Change Control 51,328 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Hays IT Analyst/Programmer 47,394 1 August 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Analyst/Programmer 65,920 1 July 2010 31 January 2011 NES IT Analyst/Programmer 53,719 19 July 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Analyst/Programmer 23,706 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Head of Customer Service 91,740 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Advantage (TPS) Relationship Business Support Officer/PA 17,765 1 May 2010 30 September 2010 Adept recruitment Assurance Analyst 29,315 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 Methods Consulting Ltd. Enterprise Architect 56,100 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Ltd. Lead Accreditor 75,900 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Capgemini Business Support 17,470 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 Kelly Services Business Plan and Delivery 78,480 1 November 2010 31 March 2011 Badenoch & Clark Assurance Solution Architect 59,400 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Application Architect 43,400 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Service Continuity Analyst 41,104 10 May 2010 6 October 2010 Advantage (TPS) Infrastructure Services Analyst 105,600 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Methods Consulting Acceptance into Service 38,153 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Analyst Programme Manager 121,970 29 March 2010 28 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Senior Project Manager 95,345 1 April 2010 26 September 2010 Venn Group Project Manager 104,076 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 AMTEC Consulting Project Manager 61,600 29 March 2010 28 October 2010 AMTEC Consulting Junior Analyst/Programmer 36,630 1 August 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Solution Development 13,129 1 June 2010 1 October 2010 Reed Employment Support Lead Account Manager MoJ 46,900 24 May 2010 24 August 2010 Badenoch & Clark HQ Head of Service Delivery 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Veredus Problem and Incident Analyst 22,572 2 August 2010 30 September 2010 Reed Specialist Recruitment Problem and Incident Support 25,080 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 NES IT Head of Financial Services 195,020 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Tribal Consortium Unit Request for Service Support 9,330 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Adept Request for Service Support 7,799 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Employment Plus Problem, Incident and 65,802 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 NES IT Security Manager Infrastructure Architect 37,885 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Monarch Recruitment Information Architect 70,552 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Monarch Recruitment Information Security Manager 150,920 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 SELEX Communications Ltd. Head of Security Architecture 205,800 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Actica Consulting and Project Delivery IA Governance Analyst 105,840 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 ASE Consulting Infrastructure Architect 45,540 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Ltd. Technical Manager 245,000 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Cap Gemini Solution Architect 49,500 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Kaiko Infrastructure Services 135,238 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Rullion Computer Personnel Manager Infrastructure Services Analyst 34,497 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 HAYS IT Application Services Analyst 40,578 12 April 2010 30 September 2010 Monarch Acceptance into Service 37,950 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 NES IT Manager 489W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 490W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Service Level Analyst 27,961 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Sand Resources Service Level Analyst 56,547 15 March 2010 30 September 2010 Monarch Recruitment Service Level and 66,550 1 August 2010 31 December 2010 NES IT Improvement Manager Lead Account Manager—CJG 195,750 21 April 2010 20 April 2011 Badenoch & Clark Lead Account Manager MoJ 47,972 24 May 2010 24 August 2010 Badenoch & Clark HQ Head of Vendor Management 155,760 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Veredus and Service Transition Request for Service Support 9,330 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Adept Release Analyst 38,614 26 April 10 6 October 2010 Monarch Recruitment Assurance Analyst 29,315 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 Methods Consulting Ltd. Configuration Analyst 33,825 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 Methods Consulting Infrastructure Architect 34,255 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Sand Resources Ltd. Security Operation Support 5,882 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Kelly Services Lead Accreditor 205,800 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 ACTICA Consulting Finance and Operation Lead 58,500 3 July 2010 31 December 2010 Networkers MSB Business Support 10,064 18 May 2010 17 August 2010 Brook Street Personal Assistant 19,864 1 May 2010 30 September 2010 Northern Recruitment Group Application Architect 37,950 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Solution Architect 49,698 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Service Capacity and 34,320 1 April 2010 30 June 2010 Methods Consulting Availability Analyst Solution Architect 195,588 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Badenoch & Clark Interim Head of ICT 176,400 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 ASE Consulting Networks Information Assurance 102,960 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Selex Communications Information Assurance 114,840 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Regency ITC Information Assurance 49,500 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Portcullis Computer Security Ltd. Technical Lead-ICT 277,965 1 April 2010 31 March 2011 Computer People Procurement Senior Testing Manager 87,384 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Reed Technology Acceptance into Service 37,350 7 May 2010 31 August 2010 Certes Computing Manager Acceptance into Service 42,000 4 May 2010 6 October 2010 Certes Computing Analyst Acceptance into Service 9,652 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Barnett Personnel Analyst Head of Delivery 180,590 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Alpine Consortium Management (NOMS) Configuration Support 32,070 24 May 2010 6 October 2010 Monarch Recruitment ATIA Portfolio Management 130,680 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 PCUBED and Best Practice Lead Infrastructure Architect 30,544 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Monarch Contract Recruitment Service Capacity and 19,475 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 Methods Consulting Availability Analyst Technical Manager 64,609 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Sand Resources Ltd. Solution Architect 49,829 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Sand Resources Ltd. Infrastructure Architect 80,040 2 August 2010 31 March 2011 Certes Computing Information Assurance- 136,620 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Alpine Resourcing Ltd. delivery and advisory SME Test Manager 45,796 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Senior Project Manager 54,450 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Senior Project Manager 38,746 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Monarch Recruitment Senior Project Manager 100,572 2 August 2010 31 March 2011 Hays IT Senior Project Manager 23,100 1 July 2010 31 July 2010 Alpine Consortium Senior Project Manager 95,454 29 March 2010 28 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Senior Project Manager 32,406 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Monarch Recruitment Senior Project Manager 177,500 1 March 2010 31 March 2011 Amtec Consulting Senior Project Manager 48,389 17 May 2010 16 September 2010 Advantage Senior Project Manager 165,829 17 May 2010 16 July 2011 Advantage Technical Resourcing 491W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 492W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Senior Project Manager 141,941 17 May 2010 31 March 2011 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 142,302 1 April 2010 31 March 2011 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 26,219 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Project Manager 32,406 1 July 2010 26 September 2010 Monarch Recruitment Test Analyst MCOBS 20,951 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 NetworkersMSB Test Manager Omni T 76,908 1 August 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Web Developer 27,060 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Redeployment Manager 55,770 1 August 2010 31 December 2010 Networkers MSB Resource Co-ordinator 7,488 1 July 2010 13 August 2010 Badenoch & Clark Test Manager Omni T 81,780 1 August 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing e-working project 43,560 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Web developer 27,060 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Application Service Analyst 22,000 1 August 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Resources Application Service Analyst 30,709 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Rullion Computer Personnel RFS Support 6,468 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Kelly Services Senior Recruitment Advisor 68,000 3 May 2010 24 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 23,100 1 August 2010 30 September 2010 Amtec Resource Administrator 11,889 19 April 2010 18 September 2010 Employment Plus Test Analyst MCOBS 43,260 1 July 2010 26 October 2010 LA International DIR Project Specialist 119,513 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Hudson Personal Assistant 77,068 1 July 2009 31 March 2011 Adept Recruitment Continual Service 9,737 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Reed Employment Improvement Recruitment Team Lead 31,600 13 May 2010 31 August 2010 Elan Test Analyst OMNI T 87,200 1 June 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Personal Assistant 10,798 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Adept Recruitment RFS Support 7,862 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Adept Recruitment Senior Project Manager 104,545 24 May 2010 23 November 2010 Badenoch & Clark Programme Manager 41,800 1 July 2010 31 August 2010 ASE Recruitment Advisor 15,600 14 May 2010 31 August 2010 Elan Test Analyst MCOBS 65,943 1 July 2010 31 January 2011 Acumen Consortium Test Analyst MCOBS 28,710 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Test Analyst Omni T 78,400 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Ltd. Customer Service Support 15,479 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 Employment Plus RFS Support 34,974 1 October 2009 30 September 2010 TBC (Hudson/Northern Recruitment Group) Project Finance 125,775 1 July 2010 30 March 2011 Michael Page International Comms Manager 66,805 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Hudson Global resources Project Planner 46,487 18 July 2010 31 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Test Analyst MCOBS 31,020 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Test Analyst Omni T 83,980 9 November 2009 31 July 2010 Capita Resourcing Test Manager Quip 145,506 5 January 2010 31 December 2010 Capita DIR Project Specialist 79,870 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Advantage Technical Analyst 26,035 1 July 2010 26 August 2010 Methods Consulting Test Analyst MCOBS 36,300 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Test Analyst MCOBS 32,010 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Test Analyst Omni T 103,550 1 June 2010 31 March 2011 Capita Resourcing Service Transition Manager 197,960 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Methods Consulting Business Support Officer 12,297 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Kelly Services Service Level Analyst 11,225 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Reed Employment RFS Support 6,727 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Employment Plus Service Architect 63,512 24 May 2010 30 November 2010 Monarch Recruitment Recruitment Co-ordinator 31,680 15 March 2010 29 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 62,603 11 June 2010 31 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Resource Co-ordinator 35,000 19 April 2010 31 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Project Manager 41,581 7 June 2010 31 October 2010 Badenoch & Clark Test Manager Omni T 61,236 1 June 2010 30 October 2010 Capita Resourcing e-working project 43,560 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Parity Web Developer 27,060 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Badenoch & Clark Customer Service Support 11,035 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Morgan Hunt Personal Assistant 11,321 29 May 2010 30 September 2010 Brook Street 493W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 494W

Total cost of Requirement description contract (£) Contract start Contract end Supplier name

Project Co-ordinator 33,930 1 July 2010 30 October 2010 Parity Project Finance 127,400 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Platinum resources Recruitment Advisor 57,460 3 May 2010 24 December 2010 Elan Project Communications 43,500 1 July 2010 30 October 2010 Michael Page International Project Communications 37,065 1 July 2010 30 October 2010 Hudson Global resources Senior Project Manager 152,844 1 April 2010 31 December 2010 Hudson Global Resources Resource Co-ordinator 14,916 24 May 2010 23 August 2010 NetworkersMSB NOMIS Service Manager 30,888 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Rethink Recruitment Solutions Service Level Manager 32,472 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Amtec Head of Finance 131,340 1 July 2010 31 December 2010 Tribal Consortium Technical Support 33,000 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Change and Release 28,248 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Advantage Technical Consulting Security Operation Analyst 54,131 2 August 2010 2 February 2011 Advantage Technical Consulting Athena Support Manager 64,733 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Manpower DIR Project Specialist 92,781 20 July 2010 31 March 2011 Monarch Technical Support 33,000 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Project Co-ordinator 54,715 28 March 2010 29 October 2010 — Project Co-ordinator 15,851 1 April 2010 30 September 2010 Adept Technical Support 33,000 1 July 2010 30 September 2010 Badenoch & Clark Programme Manager 186,200 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 ASE Senior Project Manager 118,125 12 July 2010 31 March 2011 Amtec Athena Project Manager 100,940 1 July 2010 31 March 2011 Parity Resources

Departmental Contracts Departmental Training

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what contracts his Department and its agencies Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for have with each private sector company; on what date Justice how many external training courses were attended each such contract commenced; what the duration is of by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and each such contract; what estimate he has made of the what the cost to the public purse was of each such cost to the public purse of each such contract; and if he course. [13290] will make a statement. [12908]

Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not maintain Mr Djanogly: Responsibility for employee learning central records of contracts held by the department and and development training is devolved to business groups its agencies with private sectors companies. To obtain within the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). the information requested would require the manual Most training occurs within the normal working collection of all records and associated data from each environment in the form of on the job learning and individual agency at a disproportionate cost. development where employees receive detailed procedural and operational training, coaching, and day-to-day advice. Prison and probation officers, however, have to undergo Departmental Fines extensive formal training to undertake their duties in accordance with professional standards. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for The figures provided include both internal and external Justice how many transport-related fines his training courses. The MoJ’s accounting systems do not Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each separately quantify expenditure on internal and external year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse training courses. Costs are subsumed within numerous was in each year. [13291] categories of expenditure, for example training, training courses, training courses/event. It would incur Mr Djanogly: It is not the Ministry of Justice’s policy disproportionate costs to scrutinise all the individual to settle any transport-related fines on the behalf of its transactions which might potentially include external staff. training costs across the Ministry and its executive agencies. Additionally, It would also incur disproportionate There is no evidence held centrally to indicate since costs to identify the number of staff that attended these 2005 that the Ministry of Justice and its predecessor, external training courses. the Department for Constitutional Affairs, has settled any transport-related fines on behalf of its staff. To The following table shows expenditure on both internal provide absolute confirmation of this would incur and external training courses for the financial year disproportionate cost. ending 31 March 2010. 495W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 496W

2009-10 witnesses in family proceedings in (a) magistrates Department £000 courts, (b) county courts and (c) the High Court in each year since 2002; [13192] Ministry of Justice HQ 3,194 NOMS (excluding probation 19,170 (2) what estimate he has made of the average amount trusts)1 of payments to (a) child psychologists, (b) child HMCS2 120 psychiatrists, (c) adult psychologists, (d) adult psychiatrists, Tribunals Service 707 (e) play therapists, (f) radiologists and (g) paediatricians OPG 54 as expert witnesses to family courts in each year from Total 25,245 2002; and if he will make a statement; [13193] 1 The expenditure on employee training for NOMS covers all staff (3) if he will reverse the decision to exclude training courses (including first aid) and further education courses. independent social workers from the remit of the This also includes the purchase of associated materials and equipment. Expert Witnesses Review Group; and if he will make a Note: statement. [13194] Figures for MOJ HQ, HMCS and Tribunals exclude Magistrates and Judicial training. Mr Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) Dogs: Animal Welfare does not routinely collect or separately record the amounts paid to expert witnesses in legally aided cases because Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice they do not contract with them directly. However, my how many people were (a) prosecuted for and (b) Department recently asked the LSC to conduct a limited convicted of involvement in dog fighting in (i) 2006, (ii) file review exercise of payments made to expert witnesses in legal aid cases to inform our ‘Analysis of expert 2007, (iii) 2008, (iv) 2009 and (v) 2010. [12647] witness fees paid in legal aid work research project’. Mr Blunt: Section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 Independent social work (ISW) groups have been (which came into force 6 April 2007) created specific invited to see and to comment on any emerging findings offences for involvement in animal fighting but not from the expert witness fees project as part of a wider specifically dog fighting. The number of defendants reference group. proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty As has always been made clear, however, the file at all courts for this offence, England and Wales 2007 to review exercise did not collect information on payments 2008 (latest available) are shown in the following table. to ISWs as these were consulted on as part of the joint Dog fighting offences prior to 6 April 2007 were Ministry of Justice (MOJ)/LSC consultation ‘Family prosecuted under the Protection of Animals Act 1911. Legal Aid Funding from 2010’ which ran from 18 As this Act does not separately identify animal fighting December 2008 to 3 April 2009. As a result of the or dog fighting within the statute, the Ministry of consultation, new payment rates for ISWs will be Justice are unable to provide any figures for this period. implemented with the new civil contracts in October Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned for 2010. publication on 21 October 2010. Data for 2010 are planned for publication in the autumn, 2011. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will consult independent social workers who have Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and provided expert witness reports to courts since 2002 to 1 found guilty at all courts for animal fighting offences , England and assess the financial effect on them of the proposed Wales, 2007 and 20082, 3, 4 reduction of fees from 14 October 2010; and if he will Proceeded against Found guilty make a statement. [13195] 2007 — — 2008 5 5 Mr Djanogly: Changes to the rates paid for independent 1 Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 8. Came into force on 6 April social work in civil legal aid cases will come into effect 2007. (Note: animals other than dogs may be included). with the new civil legal aid contracts from 14 October 2 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons 2010. From this date, the fees paid by the Legal Services for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they Commission (LSC) for independent social work will be 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 set at the same level as those currently paid by the imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more Children and Family Court Advisory Service (CAFCASS) offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory and CAFCASS Cymru. The new rates will apply to maximum penalty is the most severe. both public and private law children cases. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have The changes were consulted on and agreed as part of been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the joint MOJ and Legal Services Commission (LSC) the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken consultation, Family Legal Aid Funding from 2010 to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are which took place between December 2008 and April taken into account when those data are used. 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and 2009. It was not possible to assess the financial impact August 2008. on individual independent social workers (ISW) as the Source: LSC does not contract with them directly. However, full Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. consideration was given to all written responses received from ISWs and the LSC met with several ISW groups Expert Evidence: Social Work during consultation. The consultation response document and impact assessment was published on 21 October Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2009 and is available on the LSC website at: (1) what estimate he has made of the average payment https://consult.legalservices.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/ per hour made to independent social workers as expert FamilyFees2008/listdocuments 497W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 498W

First Offenders: Custodial Treatment and (b) Crown courts in the latest period for which figures are available. [12415] Mr Blunt: Figures for the number and proportion of Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for offenders sentenced to immediate custody for indictable Justice what proportion of defendants with no offences in 2008, the most recent data available, by previous (a) convictions and (b) cautions was given a court type and previous conviction or caution history custodial sentence for a first offence in (a) magistrates are presented in the following table.

The proportion of offenders who were sentenced to immediate custody for indictable offences in 2008 without previous convictions or without previous cautions by court type: England and Wales Offenders who were sentenced for indictable offences in 2008 Without previous convictions Without previous cautions Without previous convictions/cautions Immediate Immediate Immediate custody All % custody Alt % Custody All %

Magistrates courts 2,025 20,810 10 13,394 39,896 34 1,186 17,916 7 The Crown courts 10,361 43,470 24 22,852 76,755 30 8,341 15,561 54 All courts1 12,389 64,379 19 36,261 117,348 31 9,529 33,889 28 1 The All courts figures include cases where the court is not recorded

The figures shown are a further breakdown of the Appeals Tribunal in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and criminal history statistics presented in chapter 6 of (c) the UK and determination of the appeal in the last ‘Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales 2008’ which 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [12042] was published on 28th January 2010 and can be found at Mr Djanogly: The average time from submission to http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm determination of attendance allowance appeals between ’Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales 2009’ with July 2009 and June 2010 (the most recent period for 2009 data will be published on 21 October 2010. which figures are available) was:

The figures have been drawn from the police’s Weeks administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is Glasgow 16.22 subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Scotland 15.05 The figures are provisional and subject to change as UK 15.81 more information is recorded by the police. The Tribunals Service target is to deal with 75% of Freedom of Information: Legislation SSCS appeals within 16 weeks. Juries: Crown Courts Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [13237] James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the Mr Djanogly: The Government are considering a average proportion of a juror’s attendance time that is range of options to increase transparency, including spent in court in Crown court cases. [12050] extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to additional public authorities. The Government Mr Djanogly: The information provided details the will announce their intentions in due course. percentage of time jurors actually sat on trials in Crown court cases in the financial year 2008-09 and 2009-10 Freedom of Information: Network Rail for each HMCS region in England and Wales. HMCS juror utilisation figures in the Crown courts Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Percentage whether the Government plans to extend the provisions HMCS region 2008-09 2009-10 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to Network Rail. [12196] London 74.0 76.6 Midlands 55.4 65.3 Mr Djanogly: The Government are considering a North East 59.5 60.8 range of options for increasing transparency, including North West 59.8 64.3 extending the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to South East 60.5 64.3 additional public authorities. South West 54.0 59.7 The Government will announce their intentions in Wales 59.1 63.2 due course, including any in relation to Network Rail. England and Wales 62.8 67.2 Independent Appeals Tribunal Justices’ Clerks: Surrey

Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average time was between submission Justice how many Clerks to the Justices who were of an attendance allowance appeal to the Independent qualified solicitors or barristers there were in Surrey 499W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 500W between (a) 1979 and 1989, (b) 1990 and 1999 and (c) Magistrates Courts: Sentencing 2000 and 2009. [12914]

Mr Djanogly: The clerks to the justices for Surrey Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for between 1979 and 2009 were: Justice (1) how many and what proportion of those sentenced in magistrates courts in the latest year for In the period 1979 to 1989 there were six justices’ clerks, three which figures are available were given a period of (a) of whom were solicitors and three were barristers. immediate and (b) suspended custody; [12389] In the period 1990 to 1999 there were four justices’ clerks, one of whom was a solicitor and three were barristers. (2) how many people have been given community In the period 2000 to 2009 there was one justices’ clerk who sentences in each of the last three years. [12419] was, and still is, a barrister. The justices’ clerk is the principal legal adviser to the Mr Blunt: The number of offenders and proportion magistrates and the provider of consistent legal advice of total offenders sentenced to immediate custody or throughout their clerkship. Decisions on the numbers suspended sentence at magistrates courts in England of justices clerk before 2005 were taken by Magistrates and Wales for 2008 are shown in table 1. Courts Committees in consultation with magistrates. The number of offenders sentenced to a community The position of justices clerks was reviewed in 2007 sentence at magistrates courts in England and Wales when the number of clerkships was reduced from 70 2006 to 2008 are shown in table 2. to 49. This information is taken from chapter 1 (table 1.5) Legal Aid: Compulsorily Detained Mental Patients and chapter 3 (table 3.3) of Sentencing Statistics 2008, available at the following link: Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm Justice what assessment his Department has made of Court proceedings data for 2009 are due to be published the adequacy of the level of funding for legal aid for on 21 October 2010. cases relating to mental health legislation compared to Table 1: Number and percentage of immediate and suspended that for other legal sectors. [12597] custodial sentences given in magistrates courts, 2008 Proportion of the Mr Djanogly: The vast majority of spend in the total sentenced mental health category of law is applied to clients Number (percentage) seeking to challenge the terms of their detention under Total sentenced 1,265,287 100 the Mental Health Act by applying to a mental health Immediate custody 50,348 4.0 tribunal. Given the importance of this work it is provided Suspended custody 23,705 1.9 without reference to a client’s financial circumstances.

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) continues to Other sentences ensure that demand for mental health legal services is Fine 880,353 69.6 met. Following the recent tender for new contracts from Community sentence 174,832 13.8 October 2010, they will be allocating approximately 1,500 more new matter starts in mental health in the Otherwise dealt with 85,075 6.7 2010-11 contract year than were allocated in 2009-10. Conditional discharge 41,363 3.3 The mental health contract tenders were carried out on Absolute discharge 9,611 0.8 a non-competitive basis, and the number of applicants Table 2: Number of community sentences handed down at all courts, who have been provisionally offered a contract closely by year, 2006-08 matches the number of existing providers. The LSC is Number confident that the overall provision of mental health services will remain good. 2006 190,837 2007 196,424 2008 190,171 Legal Services Commission: Training Notes: 1. The category ’other’ includes: one day in police cells, disqualification order, restraining order, confiscation order, travel restriction order, Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice disqualification from driving, and recommendation for deportation what (a) training his Department has provided and (b) and other miscellaneous disposals. guidance his Department has issued to the Legal 2. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Services Commission in respect of procurement law Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the and the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. [13069] detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. 3. These data have been taken from the Ministry of Justice Court Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice were engaged Proceedings database. These data are presented on the principal in the development and agreement of the policy that offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than was implemented through the tender process. However, one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for as the Legal Services Commission has managed the two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the tender process, trained and qualified procurement and statutory maximum is most severe. legal staff from the Commission have participated in 4. Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates’ court for April, July, and the entire tender process and no further input from the August 2008. Ministry was sought or offered in respect of procurement Source: law and the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. Justice Statistics—Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 501W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 502W

Magistrates Courts: Woking Table B: Woking magistrates court capital costs £000

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 0 Justice (1) what expenditure his Department has 2009-10 95.3 incurred on Woking magistrates court in each of the last five years; [12769] Magistrates: Surrey (2) what expenditure his Department has incurred on upgrading facilities at Woking magistrates court in Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for each of the last 20 years. [12886] Justice what the average annual number of magistrates in Surrey was in the period (a) 1980 to 1989, (b) 1990 Mr Djanogly: The total resource costs for Woking to 1999 and (c) 2000 to 2009. [12884] magistrates court for the last five financial years are shown in the table A. These resource costs exclude Mr Djanogly: Data for the periods 1980 to 1995 are income but include non-cash costs, staffing costs and no longer retained. On average, there were 422 magistrates judicial costs and align with the data held on the MOJ per year in Surrey during the period 1996 to 1999. accounting system. Despite an extensive search, it was not possible to The capital costs relating to improvement works for locate data for the year 2000 in the archives. On average, Woking magistrates court for the last five financial there were 367 magistrates per year in Surrey during the years are shown in table B. period 2001 to 2009. Up until 1 April 2005 magistrates courts were the responsibility of locally managed Magistrates Courts Offensive Weapons: Leeds Committees who were statutorily independent. Whilst information from the last five financial years is readily Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for available, it is not possible to collate information for the Justice how many people have been prosecuted for years prior to this without incurring disproportionate carrying an offensive weapon or bladed article in Leeds costs. North West constituency in each of the last five years. Table A: Woking magistrates court resource costs [12244] £000 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in the West Yorkshire police force Staff costs (wages and 642.8 656.0 619.2 618.2 271.1 area for possession of offensive weapons or having an salaries)1 article with a blade or point in a public place, 2004 to Agency staff 0.9 15.0 3.8 16.9 6.9 2008 (latest available) is shown in the following table. Property rent and 82.9 99.5 105.7 110.0 115.4 rates Court proceedings data are not available at parliamentary Maintenance and 22.1 31.3 44.2 21.4 22.5 constituency level. improvement Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 Other property costs 30.2 25.9 108.4 112.2 117.8 October 2010. (inc. security, cleaning, waste and refuse) Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in the West Yorkshire Other expenditure 9.8 5.8 4.0 10.0 9.1 police force area for offences of possession of offensive weapons and having an article with a blade or point1, 2004-082,3 Printing, postage and 20.0 17.5 18.1 17.1 18.3 office expenditure Number Staff travel and other 4.3 7.5 4.7 6.9 1.9 2004 581 Depreciation and 21.3 25.7 134.3 119.5 115.5 2005 557 amortisation2 2006 512 Diminution of fixed 0.5 2.1 319.7 608.0 634.8 2007 507 and intangible assets2 2008 563 Fuel and utilities 19.7 44.1 65.9 55.5 44.4 1 Includes offences under the following statutes: Contracted out 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 Prevention of Crime Act 1953—section 1 services Criminal Justice Act 1988—section 139(2) as added by Offensive IT and 5.8 5.9 8.9 8.1 7.4 Weapons Act 1996—section 4(1). telecommunications Criminal Justice Act 1988—section 139. Judicial costs 41.2 63.2 83.8 60.7 57.4 Criminal Justice Act 1988—section 139A(1) as added by Offensive Total resource costs 901.5 999.8 1,520.9 1,764.4 1,422.5 Weapons Act 1996—section 4(1) 2 The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the 1 From 2009-10 Woking magistrates court legal staff were accounted principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant for at an area level, thus decreasing the staff costs attributed to has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is Woking magistrates court. the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same 2 In 2007-08 Woking magistrates courthouse was transferred on to disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the HMCS asset register as part of the property transfer, thus the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most increasing depreciation and amortisation, and diminution costs of severe. Woking magistrates court in the ensuing years. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate Table B: Woking magistrates court capital costs and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have £000 been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken 2005-06 0 to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are 2006-07 0 taken into account when those data are used. 2007-08 0 Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. 503W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 504W

Parliamentary Questions Mr Blunt: A range of housing advice is provided in prisons and in the community to help offenders to find Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for suitable and sustainable housing. Initial needs assessments Justice on how many occasions his Department and its are provided both in custody and for those offenders predecessor has not provided answers to Parliamentary serving community sentences. In prison, housing advice questions on the grounds of commercial confidentiality is either provided by an ‘in house’ team or by a voluntary in each of the last five years. [12879] sector body under contract. In the community, offenders with housing needs are signposted to appropriate housing Mr Djanogly: The information requested could be support services. provided only by manually checking each parliamentary Most of the local resources for housing provision lie questions folder on the PQ database at a disproportionate outside the criminal justice system and so the Ministry cost. However, the database has been adapted so that of Justice and NOMS play an important role in promoting this information will be centrally recorded in the future. strong local partnerships to tackle housing needs among Police: Fines offenders. The recent establishment of the cross- Government ministerial group on homelessness is expected Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for to consider what further action is needed to support Justice if he will bring forward proposals to give police housing provision for offenders. the power to collect fines imposed by courts. [12396] Mr Djanogly: Financial penalties are currently collected Prisoners: Drugs and enforced by HMCS. Assistance from the police may occasionally be required to execute warrants for Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for fine default. Justice what estimate he has made of the number of There are no plans to provide the police with powers prisoners who were drug addicts in the latest period for to collect fines. which figures are available. [12763] Prison Service: Contracts Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) estimates that on average 55% of those entering Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for prison are drug dependent. Justice which private finance initiative prison contracts have been re-financed since 1997; and what savings his Drug treatment need in prisons is determined on a local basis. Central estimates of treatment need are Department achieved from each contract. [12700] reliant on epidemiological surveys. The figures above Mr Blunt: Of the nine private finance initiative prison are derived primarily from an Office for National Statistics (PFI) contracts currently in place, our records show (ONS) report1 which followed a large psychiatric survey none have been re-financed and therefore no savings in of morbidity among prisoners2 in 1997. relation to refinancing has occurred. A more recent source of information regarding prevalence Prisoners of substance misuse among sentenced prisoners is ‘The problems and needs of newly sentenced prisoners: results Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for from a national survey’, published by the Ministry of Justice how many prisoners serving sentences on the Justice in October 2008. This reviewed 1,457 newly latest date for which figures are available were born (a) sentenced prisoners from 49 prisons. It showed 62% of prisoners reporting some drug use and 41% of the in the UK and (b) outside the UK. [12368] sample reporting heroin, cocaine powder or crack cocaine Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not record a (HCC) use during the four week period prior to custody. prisoner’s place of birth, only their nationality, which is In 2009-10, a total of 60,067 clinical interventions for self declared. As at June 2010, the most recent available drug dependency and 66,459 substance misuse triage data, there were 71,016 British nationals and 11,135 assessments (undertaken by CARAT3 services) were foreign nationals in prison (plus a further 2,851 had no conducted in prisons4. nationality recorded). 1 Singleton N., Farrell M. and Meltzer. H. (1998) ‘Substance The number of foreign national prisoners held in all misuse among prisoners in England and Wales’. Office for National prison establishments in England and Wales by nationality Statistics. is published quarterly in the population in custody 2 Office for National Statistics (1997) ‘Psychiatric morbidity bulletin, found under the following link: among prisoners’. http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ 3 Counselling. Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare. populationincustody.htm 4 These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. These figures have been drawn from administrative Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, IT systems which, as with any large scale recording the level of detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent system, are subject to possible errors with data entry in any large-scale recording system. and processing. Prisoners: First Aid Prisoners’ Release: Housing

Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking (a) directly Justice what recent estimate he has made of the annual and (b) through partnership working to ensure that cost to the public purse of (a) obtaining health and former offenders have access to secure housing on safety certificates and (b) first aid training for release. [12081] prisoners to enable them to work in prison. [12413] 505W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 506W

Mr Blunt: Neither the National Offender Management Table 1: Recorded prisoner-on-prisoner assaults by prison: 2002-09 Services (NOMS) nor the Skills Funding Agency routinely Number of incidents collect the information requested. Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Dovegate 40 56 75 66 66 55 44 51 Prisons: Violence Dover14169 923644738 Downview 13 6 14 28 25 12 12 24 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Drake 1—1379621821 Justice how many assaults by prisoners on (a) a Hall prisoner and (b) a prison officer were recorded in each Durham 65 59 79 89 146 127 120 84 East 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— prison establishment in each year since 2002; and if he Sutton will make a statement. [12904] Park Eastwood 15 26 33 51 47 15 10 14 Mr Blunt: The following table details the number of Park assault incidents, by establishment, of prisoner on prisoner Edmunds 1—47262327272134 and prisoner on prison officer from 2002 until 2009, the Hill last full year for which we have figures. The National Elmley 88 84 104 134 100 125 122 104 Erlestoke 6 10 26 26 22 35 38 23 Offender Management Service does not record the number 1 of assaults, rather it records assault incidents in which Everthorpe 9 —204265696156 one or more persons have been assaulted. Exeter 37 37 26 34 35 24 38 61 Featherstone 60 52 54 69 70 90 103 62 Prisons have a responsibility to keep prisoners, staff Feltham 459 568 573 547 475 427 551 604 and visitors safe. The management of violence and its Ford 7 1—20176 6101— reduction, including support for staff, is central to Forest 304 308 397 429 339 213 233 227 successful prison management. It is fundamental to Bank NOMS’ objectives and vital to achieving the broad aims Foston 17 19 26 26 23 28 10 14 of safer custody. Hall Frankland1521182426314142 Table 1: Recorded prisoner-on-prisoner assaults by prison: 2002-09 Full 915273645525249 Number of incidents Sutton Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Garth 36 23 26 59 63 65 92 77 Gartree 1— 1— 1—10812910 Acklington 49 39 33 38 73 65 50 91 Glen 222 240 230 269 341 364 464 538 Albany 1— 1—151— 1— 1— 1—10 Parva Altcourse 167 162 185 194 195 225 153 197 Gloucester5636624156476366 Ashfield 429 271 305 500 624 653 607 392 Grendon 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—6 Ashwell 8 9 15 17 9 17 17 11 Guys 43 41 49 43 57 73 68 49 Askham 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Marsh Grange Haslar 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—8159 Aylesbury 44 26 21 78 80 79 89 138 Haverigg 19 17 22 30 41 68 80 73 Bedford 49 44 49 41 55 36 55 62 Hewell 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 67 127 Belmarsh 60 76 66 53 51 25 27 40 Cluster Birmingham 90 105 139 102 118 109 96 95 Hewell: 271 258 192 149 151 213 87 1— Blantyre 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Blakenhurst House Hewell: 23 25 19 28 20 8 7 1— Blundeston 36 39 26 14 15 33 30 42 Brockhill Brinsford 281 304 326 344 187 187 324 148 Hewell: 1— 1—61— 1— 1— 1— 1— Hewell Bristol 107 84 100 95 85 73 72 55 Grange Brixton 130 122 106 73 40 60 78 83 High 85 98 119 101 134 118 157 117 Bronzefield n/a n/a 37 92 113 98 103 101 Down Buckley 46 72 76 62 57 37 24 19 Highpoint 130 82 92 73 74 80 82 87 Hall Hindley 88 177 63 112 348 498 491 485 Bullingdon 59 40 36 59 44 68 87 85 Hollesley 179 45 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Bullwood 1— 1— 1—201510127Bay Hall Holloway 98 91 80 94 121 118 112 56 Bure n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Holme 71 89 69 86 98 124 96 106 Camp 47 67 51 54 55 56 70 48 House Hill Hull 84 91 168 166 121 140 87 107 Canterbury 9 1—121513203032 Huntercombe 45 77 79 95 184 280 393 308 Cardiff 46 51 53 50 47 25 19 14 Kennet n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1—2735 Castington 363 312 384 361 360 385 431 424 Kingston 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Channings 12 21 22 38 53 54 56 48 Wood Kirkham 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Chelmsford 60 63 84 68 105 32 39 135 Kirklevington 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Coldingley 1— 1— 17 8 20 11 13 27 Lancaster 12 11 1—101020139 Cookham 91371— 1— 1—1995Lancaster 130 16 185 435 362 356 326 264 Wood Farms Dartmoor 25 21 15 30 26 27 38 29 Latchmere 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Deerbolt 154 167 204 164 152 160 180 214 House Doncaster 87 39 77 94 144 127 192 412 Leeds 95 154 138 109 104 92 81 75 Dorchester 9 13 11 19 18 33 26 25 Leicester 70 59 53 42 51 34 40 58 507W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 508W

Table 1: Recorded prisoner-on-prisoner assaults by prison: 2002-09 Table 1: Recorded prisoner-on-prisoner assaults by prison: 2002-09 Number of incidents Number of incidents Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Lewes 89 104 60 62 73 63 130 90 Wealstun 9 14 7 9 28 24 41 26 1 1 1 1 1 Leyhill — — —67— —6Weare 48 52 55 23 n/a n/a n/a n/a Lincoln 82 69 50 56 60 87 123 60 Wellingborough 12 17 12 31 49 35 77 122 Lindholme 17 43 42 33 37 52 57 47 Werrington 134 133 111 140 144 140 197 152 Littlehey 31 32 37 41 39 38 22 24 Wetherby 41 175 414 492 403 353 388 367 Liverpool 94 108 119 128 162 226 222 207 Whatton 1—91— 1— 8 16 26 20 Long 16 17 16 36 38 43 29 29 Whitemoor 30 18 18 21 22 31 27 24 Lartin Low 94 117 88 62 68 65 74 54 Winchester 43 67 57 47 35 26 29 45 Newton Wolds5227412330495031 Lowdham 20 20 20 37 73 41 47 26 Woodhill 7 27 51 66 57 52 93 57 Grange Wormwood 69 89 129 141 147 137 123 108 Maidstone 16 10 21 14 11 19 16 15 Scrubs Manchester 191 218 187 142 172 127 143 144 Wymott 1—81— 9 24 30 28 44 Moorland 177 139 34 94 89 91 86 85 Moorland 28 11 1—81— 1— 1— 1— Open Table 2: Recorded prisoner-on-officer assaults by prison 2002-09 Morton 7 13 16 9 15 12 8 14 Number of incidents Hall Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Mount 17 25 16 55 48 45 77 68 New 47 32 77 84 44 56 64 39 Acklington 1— 1— 1— 1—7998 Hall Albany 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1 1 1 1 1 1 North — — — —7— —8Altcourse 46 44 40 45 36 51 43 40 Sea Camp Ashfield 124 62 71 152 128 86 130 75 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Northallerton 80 82 87 104 82 100 99 72 Ashwell — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Norwich 132 128 11 20 40 13 1— 1— Askham — — — — — — — — Grange Nottingham 61 66 74 64 55 85 83 74 Aylesbury 12 15 — 15 18 13 29 24 Onley 516 509 161 152 153 216 222 170 Bedford 17 13 10 14 27 12 13 11 Parc 198 233 227 247 241 314 381 376 Belmarsh 82 52 44 34 22 22 14 27 Parkhurst 16 34 38 37 33 11 16 19 Birmingham 53 58 83 94 78 78 73 62 Pentonville 129 165 120 139 155 145 186 200 Blantyre 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Peterborough n/a n/a n/a 100 221 220 213 200 House Portland 71 67 129 154 127 193 166 148 Blundeston 1— 1— 1—771—116 Preston 23 73 67 78 78 105 117 120 Brinsford 24 31 26 17 8 12 17 10 Ranby3938193052426775Bristol 51 25 45 28 41 14 34 31 Reading 7 23 25 76 57 45 25 46 Brixton 73 48 64 49 37 36 31 49 Risley 44 63 110 103 104 108 112 64 Bronzefield n/a n/a 17 85 77 41 80 65 Rochester 33 51 102 78 100 75 143 187 Buckley 12 36 16 23 10 11 9 1— Rye Hill 10 19 40 54 65 66 35 19 Hall Send 1— 1— 1—17118139Bullingdon 24 23 14 15 23 21 21 19 Shepton 10 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Bullwood 1— 1— 1—871— 1— 1— Mallet Hall Shrewsbury3544415029394021Bure n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Spring 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Camp 8128121—10161— Hill Hill Stafford 11 19 41 58 39 76 62 60 Canterbury 1—71— 1— 1— 1—81— Standford 1— 1— 1—71— 1— 1— 1— Cardiff 14 11 15 19 14 1— 1—7 Hill Castington 53 52 53 50 42 41 30 32 Stocken 37 38 34 39 43 60 58 47 Channings 1— 1— 10 8 7 16 17 12 Stoke 239 137 239 438 505 526 500 409 Wood Heath Chelmsford 26 15 23 37 51 21 13 42 Styal 17 9 29 25 39 58 39 22 Coldingley 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—71— 1— 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sudbury — — — — — — — — Cookham 1—141— 1— 1— 1— 1—23 Swaleside 31 26 29 33 41 52 57 54 Wood Swansea916162030192624Dartmoor 11 10 1— 11 7 8 15 10 Swinfen 127 110 96 104 89 88 88 56 Deerbolt 9 1—263221343628 Hall Doncaster 30 25 22 24 45 28 16 38 Thorn 56 43 7 19 143 84 42 31 Dorchester 1— 1— 1—998811 Cross Dovegate 29 46 75 34 55 41 15 17 Usk\Prescoed 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—11141— Dover 1—101— 1— 1—122610 Verne101316229101814 Downview 10 6 7 30 9 11 6 1— Wakefield 10 8 18 25 24 17 36 20 Drake 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Wandsworth 54 51 74 77 69 95 59 79 Hall Warren 1— 93 162 257 268 321 333 270 Durham 24 34 29 41 43 57 60 62 Hill East 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Wayland 25 65 51 59 49 58 56 54 Sutton Park 509W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 510W

Table 2: Recorded prisoner-on-officer assaults by prison 2002-09 Table 2: Recorded prisoner-on-officer assaults by prison 2002-09 Number of incidents Number of incidents Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Eastwood 1— 14 9 21 26 8 6 1— Long 7 1— 1—1511159 9 Park Lartin Edmunds 1—9209131— 1— 1— Low 27 16 25 27 19 18 24 16 Hill Newton 1 1 Elmley 23 25 20 30 17 27 39 22 Lowdham — —121634393111 Grange Erlestoke 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—96— Maidstone 1—61— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Everthorpe 1— 1— 1— 9 13 12 6 15 Manchester 53 58 60 69 65 77 69 79 Exeter 12 11 1—711861— Moorland 22 21 13 20 16 14 21 1— Featherstone 17 8 18 1 —916710Moorland 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Feltham 83 103 172 131 116 104 90 97 Open Ford 1— 1—71— 1— 1— 1— 1— Morton 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—6 Forest 39 62 75 83 50 33 28 36 Hall Bank Mount 1—137 815202023 Foston 281481125251217New Hall 25 21 14 23 57 46 24 22 Hall North 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Frankland 12 1— 13 9 10 19 13 20 Sea Camp Full 71111181281913 1 1 1 Sutton Northallerton 6 11 13 10 6 — — — 1 1 1 Garth81066881112Norwich 24 24 17 18 17 — — — Gartree 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Nottingham 12 15 28 12 22 43 27 34 Onley 68 86 13 27 29 23 13 14 Glen 41 28 39 31 40 50 38 50 Parva Parc 27 55 57 44 48 49 53 61 Gloucester 12 13 6 12 13 6 6 17 Parkhurst 9 18 16 14 1—121— 1— Grendon 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Pentonville 113 90 94 120 59 61 86 70 Guys 1—61— 1—12151618Peterborough n/a n/a n/a 72 134 112 75 78 Marsh Portland 22 15 41 37 41 37 24 20 Haslar 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Preston 10 9 18 24 29 44 47 21 Haverigg 1—61— 1— 1—171015Ranby 9 8 1— 1—16162617 Hewell 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—923Reading 6 7 16 14 11 9 11 1— Cluster Risley 15 18 26 32 28 23 22 9 Hewell: 10 25 51 44 31 35 12 1— Rochester — 15 16 23 13 1—3030 Blakenhurst Rye Hill 18 20 38 65 47 41 14 8 1 1 1 1 Hewell: 13 —10149— — — Send 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Brockhill Shepton 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Hewell: 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Mallet Hewell Shrewsbury 1—111— 1—61— 1—6 Grange Spring 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— High 59 45 56 38 69 66 99 60 Hill Down Stafford81061311898 Highpoint 46 20 18 13 22 20 25 26 Standford 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Hindley 25 23 13 30 55 41 52 76 Hill Hollesley 18 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Stocken 10 11 9 12 7 9 15 6 Bay Stoke 49 20 37 52 64 66 54 60 Holloway8888937899919548Heath Holme 13 20 18 27 24 20 14 20 Styal 1— 7 12 13 32 45 18 10 House Sudbury 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Hull1627293323302022Swaleside 31 18 16 7 10 1—722 Huntercombe 15 18 15 14 32 22 31 63 Swansea 1—61— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Kennet n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1— 1— 1— Swinfen 781—1099108 Hall Kingston 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Thorn — — — — — — — — Kirkham — — — — — — — — Cross 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Kirklevington — — — — — — — — Usk\Prescoed 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lancaster — — — — — — — — Verne 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Lancaster 20 10 27 46 52 32 16 22 Wakefield 7 7 7 10 8 12 12 15 Farms Wandsworth 79 73 84 86 36 31 36 44 Latchmere 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— Warren 1—12193435464435 House Hill Leeds 57 75 39 36 16 18 17 26 Wayland 7 11 8 1— 9 10 18 12 1 1 Leicester 15 11 —71679— Wealstun 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—6127 Lewes1420101513142014Weare 9 10 6 1— n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Leyhill — — — — — — — — Wellingborough 1— 1— 1—16131—137 Lincoln 22 11 22 20 15 22 34 22 Werrington722181920133021 Lindholme 1—181—121319229Wetherby 9 11 70 66 56 35 40 47 Littlehey 6 12 10 10 1— 1— 1— 1— Whatton 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—111— 1— Liverpool 37 46 35 21 18 30 34 23 Whitemoor 22 15 16 18 10 22 18 16 511W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 512W

Table 2: Recorded prisoner-on-officer assaults by prison 2002-09 Number sentenced at all courts under the Housing Act 20041, 2006-08 Number of incidents 2006 2007 2008 Prison 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Immediate ——— Winchester 14 13 14 10 10 1— 1—15custody Wolds 12 7 10 1—81—71— Total sentenced 6 40 129 1 Woodhill 16 35 39 72 68 52 39 19 Comprises: Summary offences except under SS.72(1), (2) and (6), 95(1) and (5), 139, 236 Wormwood 54 37 69 58 54 69 63 49 and 241 Scrubs Summary offences connected with HMO and housing licences Wymott 1— 1— 1— 1— 1— 1—99Failure to comply with overcrowding order or obstructing a relevant person in n/a = Not applicable—prison not open. performance of anything required by Parts 1 to 4 of this Act 1 Numbers less than 6 are not provided. Intentionally altering, suppressing or destroying document required to be Notes: produced under S.235 notice 2 1. A new key performance indicator for serious assaults was introduced in The category ‘other’ includes: one day in police cells, disqualification order, 2003-04 and as a result reporting of all assault incidents improved. Reported restraining order, confiscation order, travel restriction order, disqualification incidents before 2005 are therefore not directly comparable with later figures. It from driving, and recommendation for deportation and other miscellaneous is now expected that all assaults, including fights, should be reported whether or disposals. not there was an injury. As this was not the case in the past care needs to be The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom taken when interpreting changes over the years. these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When 2. Rises or falls in numbers of assault incidents from one year to the next are not a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for a good indicator of underlying trend. Changes to prisons will affect numbers of which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for incidents. In addition, some prisons may have opened new wings/house blocks two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory or closed others for refurbishment. These often explain large increases or maximum penalty is the most severe. decreases from one year to the next. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and 3. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Care is taken complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted when processing and analysing the returns but the detail collected is subject to from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although the forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection figures are shown to the last individual the figures may not be accurate to that processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those level. data are used. Source: Private Rented Housing: Landlords Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. Prosecutions: Students Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many landlords have been (a) sentenced to Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for custody and (b) fined for offences related to lettings in Justice (1) how many individuals have been (a) the private rented sector under the provisions of each prosecuted for and (b) convicted of failing to declare relevant Act in each quarter of the last three years. student status under section 112 or 111 of the Social [12090] Securities Administration Act 1992; [12378] Mr Blunt: The following table shows the number of (2) how many prosecutions there have been under offenders sentenced at all courts for offences under the section 112 of the Social Securities Administration Act 2004 Housing Act (which covers most offences by 1992 since 2001; and in how many of those cases (a) a landlords), England and Wales 2006 to 2008 (latest guilty plea was entered and (b) a guilty verdict was available). Other than where specified in the statute, returned after a plea of not guilty was entered. [12416] information held by the Ministry of Justice on its Court Proceedings Database does not identify a defendant’s Mr Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against professional status, which includes whether or not they at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for were a landlord. offences under sections 111 or 112 of the Social Securities Landlords may also be prosecuted under the 1977 Administration Act 1992 in England and Wales for the Rent Act or the 1984 Landlords and Tenants Act, but years 2001 to 2008 (latest available) are shown in the information collated under these Acts cannot identify following tables. the landlord from other defendants either. Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice Number sentenced at all courts under the Housing Act 20041, 2006-08 on individuals proceeded against is limited to the description 2006 2007 2008 provided in the statute. Sections 111 and 112 of the Social Securities Act 1992 do not separately identify Fine 6 37 123 individuals that failed to declare their student status, Conditional —23these figures are not available. discharge Otherwise dealt —— 3Information on guilty pleas at the magistrates courts with2 are not collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice. As Absolute —1—cases under sections 111 and 112 of the Social Securities discharge Administration Act 1992 will be heard at the magistrates Community ———court, plea data are not available. sentence Suspended ———Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 sentence October 2010.

Number1 of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under section 111 or 1122 of the Social Securities Administration Act 1992, in England and Wales, for the years 2001-08 2001 2002 2003 2004 Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Statute against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty

Section 111 (a) Social Securities Administration Act 1992 513W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 514W

Number1 of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under section 111 or 1122 of the Social Securities Administration Act 1992, in England and Wales, for the years 2001-08 2001 2002 2003 2004 Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Statute against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty

Persons 343 293 233 197 246 202 370 303 Others3 00103000 Total 343 293 234 197 249 202 370 303

Section 111 (b) Social Securities Administration Act 1992 Persons 2,160 1,945 2,260 1,993 2,078 1,838 2,855 2,455 Others3 00000000 Total 2,160 1,945 2,260 1,993 2,078 1,838 2,855 2,455

Section 112 Social Securities Administration Act 1993 Persons 7,590 6,296 7,033 5,796 7,431 6,072 6,788 5,689 Others3 00332132 Total 7,590 6,296 7,036 5,799 7,433 6,073 6,791 5,691

2005 2006 2007 20084 Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Proceeded Statute against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty against Found guilty

Section 111 (a) Social Securities Administration Act 1992 Persons 522 414 457 369 554 453 194 153 Others3 10111120 Total 523 414 458 370 555 454 196 153

Section 111 (b) Social Securities Administration Act 1992 Persons 4,012 3,453 5,719 4,871 7,031 6,024 6,440 5,355 Others3 11001011 Total 4,013 3,454 5,719 4,871 7,032 6,024 6,441 5,356

Section 112 Social Securities Administration Act 1993 Persons 6,206 5,007 4,327 3,239 3,049 2,458 3,348 2,704 Others3 21320000 Total 6,208 5,008 4,330 3,241 3,049 2,458 3,348 2,704 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 The following statutes and corresponding offence descriptions have been used: Social Security Administration Act 1992 S.111(a)(b)—Wilful obstruction of an inspector or authorised officer; failure to produce documents or furnish information Social Security Administration Act 1992 Sec.111A as added by Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 Sec 13,—Dishonest representation for obtaining benefit etc. Social Security Administration Act 1992 Sec 112 False representation. Contravention of regulations etc. 3 Others includes companies and public bodies 4 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfromlarge 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

Public Contract Regulations 2006 Mr Djanogly: Regulation 15 (8) of the Public Contract Regulations 2006 states:

“Where the contracting authority does not offer unrestricted Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and full direct access by electronic means to the contract documents what steps the Legal Services Commission has taken to in accordance with paragraph (6), the contracting authority shall send the contract documents to an economic operator within six ensure compliance with Regulation 15(8) of the Public days of the receipt of a request from that economic operator, Contract Regulations 2006 regarding access to provided that the documents are requested in good time before electronic documentation in respect of tender processes the date specified in the contract notice as the final date for the in 2010. [12588] receipt by it of tenders”. 515W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 516W

While the Legal Services Commission (LSC) is not at risk. Handcuffs are permitted for use in secure training under a strict obligation to comply with this in respect centres only in exceptional circumstances where their of its legal services contracts (as they are classified as use would be the safest option. Any use of handcuffs Tart B’ contracts), the LSC has offered unrestricted and must be approved by the director of the centre. full direct access to the 2010 contract documentation The available information is set out in the following for the purposes of the 2010 tender exercises for mainstream table. The data have been supplied by the Youth Justice publicly funded civil and crime services. The contract Board and have been drawn from administrative IT documentation was made available at the time of the systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, tenders via the LSC website to all applicant organisations. are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time. Public Procurement Law Use of handcuffs in secure training centres, 2006 to 20101 Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Medway Rainsbrook Oakhill Hassockfield what (a) advice and (b) guidance the Legal Services 2006 0 0 7 36 Commission has issued on compliance with public 2007 0 0 0 9 procurement law relating on terms and conditions of 2008 0 0 0 7 tenders in respect of (i) non-discrimination, (ii) equal 2009 0 0 0 1 treatment, (iii) transparency, (iv) mutual recognition 2010 0 0 0 4 and (v) proportionality to those responsible for 1 Data supplied by the Youth Justice Board. formulating such terms and conditions. [12876] Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Djanogly: The drafting of the contract and tender Justice how many times children have been made to Terms and Conditions was supervised by the Legal kneel down on the ground to have handcuffs attached Service Commission’s (LSC) legal team which consists or removed in each secure training centre in each of the of qualified solicitors with extensive experience in public last five years. [11464] procurement exercises. The legal team were assisted by external solicitors and counsel on various aspects of Mr Blunt: It is essential that approved and effective this procurement exercise. The legal team also delivered techniques are available to staff in custodial establishments appropriate training and guidance on procurement legal who find themselves dealing with young people whose principles to assessors. The LSC’s procurement team, behaviour puts the young people themselves, or others, some of whom are qualified by the Chartered Institute at risk. Handcuffs are permitted for use in secure training of Purchasing and Supply, were also involved. centres only in exceptional circumstances where their use would be the safest option. Any use of handcuffs Rape: Victim Support Schemes must be approved by the director of the centre. The available data, provided by the Youth Justice Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Board, indicates that no young people were made to what the location is of each rape crisis centre in kneel down to have handcuffs attached or removed in England and Wales. [13229] the past five years. Data for Oakhill between June 2005 and June 2007 are not available. The data have been Mr Blunt: Victims of rape and sexual assault can seek drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with support from a range of voluntary-sector providers, any large scale recording system, are subject to possible including rape crisis centres. The Government do not errors with data entry and processing and may be currently hold details of the location of each rape crisis subject to change over time. centre in England and Wales. The commitment made in the Coalition agreement to Solicitors: Children provide stable, long-term funding to existing rape crisis centres remains a priority and, as part of efforts to deliver this commitment, work is under way to map Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice rape crisis centre provision throughout England and (1) what estimate his Department has made of the Wales. The results of this analysis, including the locations number of Children’s Panel-accredited solicitors based of centres and details of how we intend to deliver the in Bridgend in each year from 2000 to 2010; and if he commitment, will be made public later in the year once will make a statement; [13189] the outcomes of the Comprehensive Spending Review (2) what estimate has been made of the number of are known. Children’s Panel-accredited solicitors there will be in Bridgend from October 2010; and if he will make a Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques statement. [13190]

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Djanogly: The Law Society runs the Children Justice how many times handcuffs have been used on Panel Accreditation Scheme. The Legal Services children in each secure training centre in each of the Commission therefore does not hold records of membership last five years; and for what purpose in each case. of this accreditation scheme. [11463] The tender process for the 2010 Standard Civil Contracts run by the LSC is ongoing and will be complete only Mr Blunt: It is essential that approved and effective once all appeals are completed and necessary pre-contract techniques are available to staff in custodial establishments verification checks have finished. As part of these processes who find themselves dealing with young people whose the LSC anticipates that there may be some movement behaviour puts the young people themselves, or others, of provision with additional contracts being awarded to 517W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 518W those successful at appeal and potential withdrawal of months but submitted one claim, and it is those claims offers if verification identifies that organisations are not that usually feature in the 10 largest in each year. The in a position to deliver the work provisionally awarded. figures for each year from 2004 along with the 10 The LSC estimates that these two processes will be highest claims in each year are as follows: completed in mid September, after which time they will have a final list of organisations delivering family services £ in Bridgend and will at that time be able to provide T and S Highest information on the numbers of children panel members Claim Total for year delivering services under the new contracts. 2004-05 17,543 Young Offender Institutions 1 1,131.50 2 972.36 Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for 3 513.20 Justice what the average annual cost to the public purse 4 503.55 was of a place in (a) HMP Hollesley Bay, (b) HMP Warren Hill and (c) Warren Hill Young Offender 5 490.74 Institution in each of the last two years. [12008] 6 411.70 7 357.60 Mr Blunt: The average annual cost of a place is as 8 346.41 follows: 9 318.35

£ 10 291.35 Establishment 2008-09 2009-10 2005-06 28,537 1 914.21 Hollesley Bay 20,408 20,100 Warren Hill 44,147 44,580 2 891.95 3 679.10 The figures are based on the financial outturns for 4 588.55 each year and the average certified normal accommodation (CNA). HMP & YOI Warren Hill has been a juvenile 5 580.65 holding establishment for the period referred to and 6 552.35 therefore there is only one figure presented. 7 546.40 Youth Custody: Restraint Techniques 8 531.50 9 468.82 Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for 10 458.30 Justice pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2009, 2006-07 37,182 Official Report, column 181W,on youth custody: restraint 1 1,230.12 techniques, what piloting of new systems of restraint he 2 739.32 has undertaken since October 2009. [13068] 3 630.27 Mr Blunt: As part of the ongoing work to implement 4 558.95 the recommendations in the Independent Review of 5 554.80 Restraint, the National Tactical Response Group is 6 540.55 developing a new behaviour management and restraint 7 538.67 system which is intended to replace PCC (the system currently used in Secure Training Centres). This new 8 454.57 system will be examined and accredited by a panel of 9 429.16 medical and operational experts. The accreditation process 10 429.13 will begin this autumn. Once accredited an early adaptor 2007-08 47,779 site will be identified and the system assessed further before wider roll-out is considered. 1 514.60 2 512.20 3 488.70 WALES 4 425.77 5 403.30 Departmental Allowances 6 399.06 7 386.80 Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department and its predecessor 8 364.35 spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) 9 360.60 the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in 10 357.15 each year since 1997. [13036] 2008-09 76,815 Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in 1 1,942.13 July 1999. Records before 2004 do not exist for the 2 864.53 reimbursement of staff expenses. In recent years staff 3 809.10 have sometimes filed claims spanning a number of 519W Written Answers7 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 520W

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT £ T and S Highest Public Buildings: Environment Protection Claim Total for year

4 645.60 Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for 5 595.70 Communities and Local Government what incentives his Department provides for public buildings to be built 6 560.60 in an environmentally friendly way. [13226] 7 517.15 8 513.80 Andrew Stunell: Communities and Local Government 9 470.70 is responsible for the England and Wales Building 10 461.50 Regulations. These set out the standards which new buildings must meet, and Part L of the Regulations 2009-10 77,078 (conservation of fuel and power) sets out energy efficiency 1 3,032.81 standards for all new domestic and non-domestic buildings. 2 793.67 The current Part L represents 90% improvement on 3 549.40 1990 standards, and in October 2010, the new standards will specify a further 25% reduction in carbon emissions 4 523.10 from new buildings compared to the current 2006 5 519.12 Regulations. The Building Regulations cover all public 6 508.94 buildings apart from the Crown Estate (buildings owned 7 484.54 by Government Departments). There are no incentives offered for complying with the regulations, but the 8 469.85 Government’s proposed Green Deal will provide building 9 458.00 occupiers with access to funding for energy efficiency 10 436.60 measures, to be repaid through savings on their energy bills. 521W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 522W Written Answers to Business Link West Midlands Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Questions for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future of Business Link West Midlands; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Wednesday 8 September 2010 Business Link West Midlands in (a) supporting access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, (b) assisting businesses to diversify, (c) assisting businesses to increase their efficiency and (d) assisting businesses BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions; and what Business steps he plans to take to maintain levels of support for access to business finance in the West Midlands. [12566] Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is Mr Prisk: The Department is committed to modernising taking to assist small and medium-sized enterprises. how support, information and advice are provided to [14169] businesses. With the proposed reform of the regional development agencies who manage the service in the Mr Prisk: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regions, we are currently considering how services are account for more than 99% of private businesses, and best delivered in the future. The Spending Review and SME performance and activity is clearly a key driver of current financial realities mean that we are also examining the UK economy. If we are to promote growth in the how to deliver these within a smaller overall Department economy, we need to address the challenges that small budget. businesses face: providing a predictable tax system that rewards endeavour; better access to both debt and equity No decision will be taken on the future of Business finance; less red tape; a skilled workforce; and support Link, not only in the West Midlands but across England, for exports to markets around the globe. until all the options have been properly considered. That is why June’s Budget announced a series of In terms of Business Link West Midlands’ effectiveness, measures aimed at helping small businesses, including: during 2009/10 the Business Link: A £200 million extension to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (a) Provided support for access to finance to 731 businesses, with (EFG), to benefit around 2,000 extra small businesses. In total, 360 of these undertaking in depth consultancy support helping the EFG will now support up to £700 million in bank lending them to raise over £15 million of external finance. to viable small businesses. (b) Helped 300 businesses to diversify into new markets or A new Enterprise Capita! Fund to support small businesses products, with these businesses investing over £2 million of their with high growth potential—combining both Government and own funds to do so. private sector funding. (c) and (d) Supported over 200 businesses via it’s Resource Confirmation of a Growth Capital Fund, to provide funding Efficiency programme, which was only launched in September of between £2 million and £10 million for SMEs with strong 2009 to help businesses to reduce costs and their carbon footprint, growth potential. and to increase their competitiveness. However, it is too early to Creation of a Regional Growth Fund in 2011-12 and 2012-13, be able to measure the impact on carbon dioxide emissions. encouraging private sector enterprise to help areas adjust to Lastly, the Government have also launched a consultation reductions in public spending, particularly in those places paper ’Financing a Private Sector Recovery’, which most reliant on public sector employment. closes to responses on 20 September 2010 and this will Two key areas of concern to small businesses are help inform our future approach to supporting businesses ensuring that there is less red tape and being able to to access appropriate finance. access the finance they need to grow. We have already committed to introducing a “one-in one-out” rule for Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State new regulations, sunset clauses, a new Reducing Regulation for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he Cabinet Committee and an immediate review of all has made of the effects on small and medium-sized inherited regulation in the pipeline. We have also published enterprises in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands a joint consultation with the Treasury on business finance, of the reduction in funding allocated to Business Link aimed at ensuring that the banking system and financial West Midlands. [12567] markets meet the needs of the economy over the long term. This is available at: Mr Prisk: Responsibility for, and the decisions on http://www.bis.gov.uk/businessfinance funding to Business Link West Midlands, rests with We are also making it easier for small businesses to Advantage West Midlands Development Agency not bid for public sector contracts, with an aspiration that the Department. 25% of all Government procurement should be from SMEs. Together with the Office of Government Commerce, Following the Chancellor’s budget statement on 24 this Department is taking forward measures in this May all RDA’s were tasked with finding budget cuts for area. For example, by the end of 2010, businesses will 2009/10 of £270 million. As a consequence of this all be able to gain free and easy online access to all new RDAs have reviewed their contractual commitments to central Government tender documents for contracts all projects and services that they fund to identify areas over £10,000. This will be a significant step forward, as where budget savings can be made. currently only contracts worth over £20,000 are available I cannot quantify the impact these will make on the online. ability of the Business Link West Midlands to support 523W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 524W businesses either in Coventry or the West Midlands as a Finally, in April 2010, ownership of Investors in whole, as the detail of where cuts will fall are still being People was transferred from this Department to the worked through. UK Commission for Employment and Skills leaving one vacant floor in 7-10 Chandos Street, London. The Departmental Billing estimated cost of this space for the current financial year is £430,000. Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Fines Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13327] Business, Innovation and Skills how many transport- related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its Mr Davey: Since May 2010 and in line with other staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the Government Departments, BIS has recorded and published public purse was in each such year. [13321] the proportion of invoices paid within five working days of receipt. The Department publishes this information Mr Davey: The Department has not settled any transport at: related fines on behalf of staff in any of the years since http://www.bis.gov.uk/about/procurement/prompt-payment/ 2005. bis-payment-performance However, during July and August 2010, the Department Departmental Work Experience paid 98.6% and 99% on invoices within 10 working days or receipt respectively. In the same period, the Department Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for paid 93.9% of invoices in both months within five Business, Innovation and Skills how many unpaid, working days. expenses-only internships there have been in (a) his Department and (b) public bodies which fall within his Departmental Empty Property Department’s area of responsibility in the last 12 months. [13808] Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Mr Davey: There have been no unpaid or expenses-only Department and its predecessors spent on vacant interns in the last 12 months. properties in each year since 1997. [13024] Export Credits: India Mr Davey: This Department and its predecessors have had an active estates rationalisation programme Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for since 2000 and have successfully let vacant space on its Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Export core HQ estate to other Government Departments. The Credits Guarantee Department will provide assistance only vacant space we currently have on the core Estate for the recently-announced sale of Hawk jets to India. is 800 square metres at St Mary’s House in Sheffield. [13450] This has been vacant since April 2006 with costs as follows: Mr Davey: ECGD will not be providing assistance for the sale of Hawk jets to India. £ Insolvency 2006/07 129,200 2007/08 145,700 Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2008/09 174,800 Innovation and Skills whether he plans to bring 2009/10 220,500 forward proposals to set a cap on the fees charged by insolvency practitioners. [13597] Previously, two floors at Atholl House, Aberdeen, were vacant during the financial years 2004/05 until Mr Davey: We currently have no plans to introduce 2007/08. The costs incurred during each of these years legislation to cap the level of fees charged by insolvency was as follows: practitioners. Power to set such fees rests with the creditors or the court. £ However, the Government are considering their response 2004/05 199,400 to the Office of Fair Trading’s review into the corporate 2005/06 297,800 insolvency market, published on 24 June 2010. In that 2006/07 302,100 review the Office of Fair Trading recommended that the 2007/08 325,200 complaints process should be extended to include complaints over fees charged by insolvency practitioners. After the dissolution of the Learning Skills Council In advance of the Government’s full response it would in April 2010, properties not required for the Skills be inappropriate to comment on one separate Funding Agency or the YoungPeople’s Learning Agency recommendation at this stage. were transferred back to this Department. There are currently 19 properties with vacant space which falls Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, within the BIS estate at an estimated cost this financial Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is year of £8.8 million. An active programme to market taking to encourage greater transparency in the this space to seek tenants is under way. insolvency sector. [13598] 525W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 526W

Mr Davey: In March, the Insolvency Service published There are no plans to make substantive changes to the second annual Review of Insolvency Practitioner this reporting process. Regulation. The review sets out the essential features of the regulatory regime that governs insolvency practitioners, Manufacturing Advisory Service what the public and businesses can expect from it and what steps the regulators are taking to improve it. Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Changes were also made to the procedural insolvency Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for rules in England and Wales in April to require insolvency the future of the (a) Manufacturing Advisory Service practitioners to provide more information to creditors and (b) Manufacturing Advisory Service West on the progress of insolvency cases, in particular in Midlands. [14146] relation to remuneration and other expenses incurred. Additionally, creditors have been given new rights to Mr Prisk: The Government fully recognises the vital request further information from the office-holder on role that is played by the Manufacturing Advisory the remuneration and expenses shown in the progress Service, both nationally and in the West Midlands, in reports that they are sent. helping UK manufacturers to improve productivity and The Office of Fair Trading recently issued a report on achieve success in an increasingly competitive economy. its market study into the operation of the corporate Future funding for all business support, including the insolvency industry and the Government are studying Manufacturing Advisory Service, is subject to the spending its findings prior to issuing a response. review which will be announced on 20 October 2010. The Government considers that manufacturing will Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, be an important component in rebalancing the economy Innovation and Skills what the average time taken to and supporting UK growth in the future. settle an insolvency case was in the latest period for Manufacturing Industries which figures are available. [13599]

Mr Davey: The Insolvency Service does not record Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for this information. Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to encourage UK-based manufacturers to employ staff Following the introduction of the Enterprise Act locally rather than import products, with particular 2002, administration has a statutory time limit of 12 reference to Rolls Royce Hucknall. [13076] months, although this may be extended with the permission of the court or by the agreement of creditors. Mr Prisk: This Department recognises the importance Liquidations do not have a statutory time limit, but to the UK of the advanced manufacturing sector and research conducted by the Insolvency Service suggests the high-value jobs it supports. Growth in this sector is that the average length of a liquidation is around 2 to an important part of creating a balanced and resilient 2.5 years. economy. In a globally competitive market it must ultimately be a commercial decision for individual The Enterprise Act 2002 also introduced a statutory companies whether to manufacture items themselves or 12-month time limit for bankruptcy, and provides for put work into the supply chain, either in the UK or earlier discharge in some cases. overseas. However, we are committed to working with businesses, including Rolls-Royce, to create conditions Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, that enable UK manufacturers to thrive; to see how we Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has can better support employers and individuals to invest to review the regulation of the Insolvency Service. in learning and to develop the skills they and our [13600] economy need; and to promote best practice and effective employment relations. Mr Davey: At present, operation of the Insolvency Service is regulated through the requirement to produce, Motor Vehicles: Government Assistance and lay in Parliament, an annual corporate plan, as well as annual fees orders, which set the fees charged by Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for official receivers for their work in dealing with bankruptcy Business, Innovation and Skills how many orders for and insolvency case administration. For the service’s vehicles were placed through the vehicle scrappage work in company investigation and enforcement, and scheme. [13959] redundancy payments, funding is set through allocations made from BIS and HMRC respectively and the level of Mr Prisk: The final figures for orders taken under the this allocation is made in response to submissions from vehicle scrappage scheme will not be available until all the service to each Department, as part of their wider outstanding claims under the scheme have been validated budget-setting. and paid. This work continues as final claims are submitted For all areas of the service, the corporate plan sets under the scheme. out its vision for delivering services, with particular emphasis on its plans and targets for the coming year. Overseas Trade: Algeria The plan is reviewed by BIS to ensure that its goals are realistic and that targets are achievable within the resources Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for available, and yet are set at a level to stretch the organisation. Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has Performance against the targets and budgets is reported made of the total level of trade between the UK and to the Minister on a quarterly basis. Algeria in (a) 2005, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009. [14215] 527W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 528W

Mr Prisk: Overseas trade statistics data for UK trade Mr Prisk: We do not intend to have a requirement for in goods with Algeria are shown in the following table: a central public body to produce a regional economic or skills strategy. £ million UK exports of goods to UK imports of goods Regional Development Agencies: Information Officers Algeria from Algeria

2005 145 473 James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many press 2008 268 842 officers each regional development agency employed in 2009 327 540 each year since 2005; [11818] Table 9.13 of the UK Balance of Payments Pink (2) what the average salary of a press officer in a Book gives the following figures for UK trade in services regional development agency was in each year since with Algeria: 2005. [11819]

£ million Mr Prisk: The average press officer salary and numbers UK exports of services to UK imports of services of press officers employed by the regional development Algeria from Algeria agencies in each year since 2005 are set out in the 20051 109 113 following table. 2008 214 88 Average press officer salary 2009 157 65 £ 1 Data for services trade in 2005 are taken from the 2007 publication and may not be consistent with the later figures. 2005/06 25,268 2006/07 31,026 Post Offices 2007/08 27,095 2008/09 32,387 2009/10 33,561 Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Number of press officers (FTE) Library a copy of the Post Office’s branch business RDA 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 migration industry standard gravity model. [14027] AWM22232 Mr Davey: This is commercially sensitive information EEDA 2.51 2 2.42 2.96 2 and it is not appropriate for it to be placed in the emda 2 2 2 2 2 Libraries of the House. LDA 1.06 2.25 4 1.16 3.58 NWDA 5.1 4.9 5.2 6 6 Post Offices: Bank Services ONE 5 5 4 4 3.61 SEEDA 2 2.46 4 1.83 1.38 Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for SWRDA 3 3 2.31 1.39 0.81 Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer YF 3 2.5 4 4 3 of 8 July 2010, Official Report, column 508, to the hon. Member for Norwich South, on the Post Office network, Regional Development Agencies: Redundancy Pay what account he is taking in his consideration of the case for a Post Office bank of the effects of such a bank Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, on (a) sustaining the Post Office network and (b) the Innovation and Skills what measures are in place to wider society and economy of the UK; and if he will make severance provision for staff working for a regional make a statement. [13483] development agency. [13887]

Mr Davey: We want Post Offices to offer a wide range Mr Prisk: The regional development agency staff are of services—including financial and Government eligible for severance payments under the Civil Service services—to generate revenues in order to help sustain Compensation scheme as agreed by the Cabinet Office. the network. Post Offices already play an important role The regional development agencies will each consider in putting essential financial services within everyone’s when to introduce severance schemes according to business reach, in particular those who may have difficulty accessing need during the transition period to closure following other providers. The size of the Post Office network the Cabinet Office guidance. means that important services are available throughout the country: the access criteria for the Post Office network Supermarkets: Competition ensure that 99% of the UK population are within three miles of their nearest post office outlet, and in deprived Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for urban areas 99% are within one mile of their nearest Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions post office outlet. he has had with the Competition Commission on the supermarket sector. [13603] Regional Development Agencies Mr Davey: Ministers have not recently held any specific John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, discussions with the Competition Commission (CC) on Innovation and Skills who will have responsibility for the supermarket sector. However, BIS Ministers and regional economic and skills strategies after regional officials regularly meet with the CC to discuss a wide development agencies have been abolished. [12144] range of competition issues. 529W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 530W

On 3 August the Government announced their proposals diverse faith-based audience when I spoke at the annual to set up the Groceries Code Adjudicator in response to meeting of the Inter Faith Network for the UK on a CC recommendation. 8 July 2010. The Government are working to help create http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-law/docs/ a Big Society where everyone, whatever their background, competition-matters/10-1011-groceries-supply-code-practice- is able to contribute to Britain’s prosperity and to play government-response their part in a proud and inclusive society. Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Community Relations: Coventry Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a grocery Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State supply chain ombudsman. [13962] for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to promote community cohesion in Coventry. Mr Davey: The Government’s proposals to establish [14154] a Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) were published on 3 August 2010 in response to a public consultation Andrew Stunell: Cohesion in Coventry will be promoted held earlier in the year. by local activity arising through reforms linked to Localism http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-law/docs/ and the Big Society.Building cohesion requires a bottom-up competition-matters/10-1011-groceries-supply-code-practice- approach that promotes social responsibility and uses government-response the energy and ideals of citizens, communities and the We intend to publish a draft Bill during the first voluntary sector to bring different people together. This session to set up the GCA. Government are working to help create a Big Society where everyone, whatever their background, is able to Window Blinds: Safety contribute to Britain’s prosperity and to play their part in a proud and inclusive society, bringing people to Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for come together to solve problems and improve life for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer their communities. of 14 June 2010, Official Report, column 319W, on window blinds: safety, what assessment he has made of Departmental Fines the joint statement of 15 June 2010 from the US administration, Health Canada and the European Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission on the safety of looped blind cords. [13638] Communities and Local Government how many transport- related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its Mr Davey: The Government welcome the joint letter staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the of 15 June by the Commission, Health Canada and the public purse was in each such year. [13276] US Consumer Product Safety Commission, to their respective standardisation organisations urging them to Robert Neill: The Department’s travel rules state clearly come to a swift and ideally harmonised response to the that individuals are personally liable for any parking/ safety risks posed to young children by certain internal transport fines they incur. blinds. This letter has further highlighted the urgent EU Grants and Loans: North West need to take action if we are to eliminate this cause of injury and death. Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for The Standard setting process will take time and looks Communities and Local Government what discussions unlikely to be concluded until late 2011 at the earliest. he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the In the meantime, this Department will continue to work decision to freeze further North West Development with industry, through the British Blind and Shutter Agency spending from funds allocated under the current Association, and others like Royal Society for the Prevention European Regional Development Fund programme. of Accidents, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust [14011] in ensuring the appropriate safety messages are conveyed to consumers and retailers. To this end the Department Robert Neill: There is not a freeze on RDAs spending has invited the major retailers of internal blinds to a funds allocated under the European Regional Development safety seminar to be held on 27 September. Fund. However, in view of the impending abolition of the RDAs, a moratorium has been placed on them providing match funding from their own resources where COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT this goes beyond the 2010-11 financial year. Potential ERDF beneficiaries should therefore continue Community Relations to submit applications to the relevant Regional Development Agencies until new arrangements for the Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for regional administration of the programmes have been Communities and Local Government what recent announced. discussions he has had on policies to increase public awareness of different cultures, religions and communities. Government Office for the West Midlands [13362] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Andrew Stunell: My right hon. Friends the Secretary for Communities and Local Government whether he of State and the Minister for Decentralisation met consulted (a) employees, (b) businesses and (c) local leaders from the main faiths at an event hosted by the authorities in the West Midlands before his decision to Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace on 16 abolish the Government Office for the West Midlands. July 2010, where the Big Society was discussed. I met a [12563] 531W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 532W

Greg Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answers Greg Clark: The Government office for London assigned given to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and existing resources to support the redeployment of staff. Arran (Katy Clark) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, The Government office for London closed on 1 September Riverside (Mrs Ellman) on 27 July 2010, Official Report, with staff returning to their Departments for redeployment. column 1037W. The Secretary of State’s announcement on 22 July Government Offices for the Regions made clear that final decisions regarding the future of the Government offices will be made at the end of the spending review following consideration of consequential Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State issues. Any decisions on resources for the redeployment for Communities and Local Government what his most of staff will therefore be made once the spending review recent estimate is of the savings which will accrue to the is complete. Extensive discussions have taken place with Exchequer consequent on the closure of the Departments including Cabinet Office. Government Office Network. [12564]

Greg Clark: On 22 July 2010 the Government announced Housing: Construction their intention in principle to abolish the remaining Government offices. We anticipate savings from any Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for final decision to close the Government offices. The Communities and Local Government (1) what proportion exact sums will not be clear until the end of the spending of the council tax allowance for each unit of new build review. housing district councils will receive under the New Homes Bonus Scheme in the first six years of its operation; Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and to which bodies, and in what proportion, the remainder for Communities and Local Government what assessment of the allowance will be allocated; [14120] he has made of the likely effects on equalities in each (2) how many new homes he expects to be built in region of the abolition of the Government Office Network. each region under the New Homes Bonus Scheme in [12565] each year to 2014-15. [14121]

Greg Clark: On 22 July 2010 the Government announced Grant Shapps: The Government are committed to their intention in principle to abolish the remaining increasing housing supply and seeing more of the homes Government offices. Equality assessments on the impact that people want, in the places that people want them, on staff and delivery of Government policy are being to meet Britain’s housing need. The previous Government’s carried out as part of the consideration of consequential policy of centralist top down targets clearly failed. The issues referred to in the Secretary of State’s announcement. New Homes Bonus will shift power back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils and give local Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for communities a direct and substantial share in growth Communities and Local Government what estimate he rather than just absorbing the costs. has made of the savings that will be made in each region in England arising from the closure of the Government In a letter to local authority leaders on 9 August, I set Office Network; what analysis his Department has made out my intention to consult on the specific design of such savings; and what methodology was used to features of the New Homes Bonus alongside the spending calculate them. [14008] review. A copy of this letter was sent to all MPs and placed in the Library of the House. Greg Clark: On 22 July 2010 the Government announced their intention in principle to abolish the remaining Housing: Empty Property Government offices following consideration of consequential issues. We anticipate savings from any Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities final decision to close the Government office network. and Local Government what steps he plans to take to These will be worked out as part of the spending review make more effective use of unoccupied homes in tackling process with the exact sums to follow in the autumn. unmet housing needs. [13231]

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Grant Shapps: We are looking closely at the cause and Communities and Local Government what estimate he nature of empty homes and the full range of potential has made of his Department’s annual estate costs, measures to bring empty homes back into use, as part including dilapidations, following the closure of the of a well functioning housing market. Government Office Network. [14010]

Greg Clark: The Department’s annual estate running Local Government Finance costs are estimated to be £21.5 million. The Department does not publish its estimates of dilapidations settlements Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for as to do so may impact on the outcome of commercial Communities and Local Government if he will negotiations or associated court proceedings. consider the merits of abolishing the floor damping factor in his next calculation of the local government Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for finance settlement. [13679] Communities and Local Government what resources he has assigned to redeploying Government Office Robert Neill: Floor damping has a role in limiting Network staff; and whether he has had discussions on changes in formula grant from one year to the next. The this matter with (a) Ministers and (b) officials of the 2011-12 Local Government Finance settlement will be Cabinet Office. [14016] consulted on in the usual manner in due course. 533W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 534W

Medway Council: Finance range of issues, relevant to his portfolio, and these have included the contract rights renewal undertakings. Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Cricket Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the grant to Medway Council (a) with and (b) without floor damping in each of the last five years. [13680] Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will hold Robert Neill: Figures giving a breakdown of Formula discussions with the International Cricket Council on Grant, including floor damping amounts, for the years measures to restore public trust in the sport. [14014] requested for all authorities are available on our website. Figures for 2010-11 are at: Hugh Robertson: I hope to meet the President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sharad Pawar, to http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1011/grant.htm discuss what more we can do to support the true values Floor damping amounts and Formula Grant allocated of the game at the beginning of October during my visit for Medway district council to the Commonwealth games in Delhi. are: Football: Maintenance £ million Floor damping Formula grant Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress has been 2010-11 -4.320 85.130 made on proposals to reform football governance to 2009-10 -4.857 82.225 encourage and support the co-operative ownership of 2008-09 -5.502 79.120 football clubs by supporters. [13241] 2007-08 -4.519 71.281 2006-07 -4.755 68.258 Hugh Robertson: I am answering in my capacity as Minister for Sport (and the Olympics). Our priority for National Tenant Voice football is to win the Football World Cup bid for 2018. However, co-operative ownership of football clubs by Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for supporters is a matter I take seriously and I will work Communities and Local Government what discussions closely with the football authorities on this issue. I am he had with representatives of tenants’ groups (a) encouraged by plans from the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust prior to and (b) after taking the decision to abolish to increase supporter involvement in Arsenal Football National Tenant Voice. [13839] Club and look forward to seeing how the scheme develops.

Grant Shapps: I have had many discussions with Mass Media: Prostitution tenants’ groups over the past few years, and more recently with representatives of the National Tenant Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Voice (NTV). before taking the decision not to proceed Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring with the NTV. I plan to meet representatives of the forward proposals to prohibit the advertising of sexual National Tenant Organisations shortly. services in newspapers and other mainstream media. [13806]

Hugh Robertson: The Government have no plans to CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT prohibit the advertising of legally permitted sexual services in newspapers and other mainstream media. Non-broadcast Contract Rights Renewal Merger Undertakings advertising in the UK is strictly controlled through industry self-regulation, enforced by the Advertising Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Standards Authority (ASA). Broadcast advertising is Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent similarly controlled by the ASA working in a co-regulatory discussions he has had with Ofcom on the future of the partnership with Ofcom. This regulatory system is contract rights renewal merger undertakings. [13260] independent of Government and is ultimately responsible for setting the standards in advertising. Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State has regular The advertising of legally permitted sexual services is discussions with senior representatives from Ofcom about subject to strict rules in both Advertising Codes on issues of interest. The contract rights renewal undertakings misleading the public, social responsibility, harm, and is one of a wide range of issues which have been covered offence (with a particular emphasis on protecting children) in the course of these discussions. and taking into account both the content of an advertisement and the context in which it appears. Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Advertisements found to be in breach of these rules are Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent removed and prohibited from appearing again. discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on responsibility for the contract rights renewal merger Olympic Games 2012: Contracts undertakings. [13261] Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: My hon. Friend the Minister for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many Culture, Communications and Creative Industries has contracts related to the London 2012 Olympics have discussions with ministerial colleagues about a wide been awarded to businesses and organisations in (a) 535W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 536W the West Midlands, (b) Wolverhampton and (c) Polling undertaken by ODA Transport Wolverhampton North East constituency; and what Amount (£) the monetary value is of each such contract. [13368] 2008-09 155,000.00 Hugh Robertson: Information on businesses across 2009-10 50,000.00 the nations and regions that have won Olympic-related These figures are attributed to attitudinal and awareness contracts directly supplying the Olympic Delivery Authority research with businesses and Londoners to 2012 Games, (ODA) or in the supply chains of its contractors is events monitoring research, and research carried out at available in the business section of the London 2012 existing events across the UK to verify and align transport website under the heading ODA Suppliers, where you modelling assumptions and data. will be able to find suppliers listed by venue and sector: http://www.london2012.com/business Olympic Games 2012: Walsall South Here you will also find information on businesses that have won contracts in the supply chains of the ODA’s contractors. Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he The estimated value of the contracts awarded to has made of the likely effect on the economy of Walsall businesses in the West Midlands is to date £418,649,180. South constituency of the London 2012 Olympics. Of this, the figure for businesses in Wolverhampton is [13545] £261,785,842 and to date no businesses have been awarded contracts in the Wolverhampton North East constituency. Hugh Robertson: I have not made a specific assessment The ODA is unable to release the value of individual of the likely effect on the economy of the Walsall South contracts at this time as this is commercially sensitive constituency of the 2012 Games. However, Walsall South information. These figures represent the committed spend and the west midlands region stands to gain from the to date, rather than the end contract value, as in many wide range of opportunities created by the 2012 Games, cases this will not yet be known. These figures only through businesses winning Games-related work, increased account for the contracts awarded by the ODA to its tourism and cultural celebrations. own top tier of contractors (tier one contractors). The figures do not include the values of contracts further Information on businesses across the nations and down the supply chain, in tiers two, three and so on, regions that have won Olympic- which are awarded by the tier one contractors and not related contracts directly supplying the Olympic Delivery by the ODA. The ODA estimates that the total value of Authority (ODA) or in the supply chains of its contractors supply chain contracts to the regions runs into millions is available in the business section of the London 2012 of pounds, but these are not public procurements and website under the heading ODA Suppliers, where you so the full value of contracts won across the UK is not will be able to find suppliers listed by venue and sector: captured by the figures provided. The ODA estimates www.london2012.com/business that overall up to 50,000 contracts will be generated Here you will also find information about how businesses throughout its supply chains. in the area can access Olympic-related opportunities. You will also find information on the London 2012 Olympic Games 2012: Public Opinion website about other opportunities for the region to benefit economically, including pre-Games training camps: Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for http://trainingcamps.london2012.com Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the 2012 sporting venues: answer of 22 July 2010, Official Report, column 472W, on Olympic Delivery Authority, if he will place in the http://www.london2012.com/games/olympic-sports/ football.php Library an analysis of the polling undertaken by the Olympic Delivery Authority over the last three years. and about the Nations and Regions Group, which aims [13602] to maximise the economic, as well as sporting and cultural, benefits of the Games in the West Midlands Hugh Robertson: The figures listed in the table provide and across the UK: a further breakdown of polling undertaken by the http://www.london2012.com/about-us/the-people-delivering- Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) over the last three the-games/the-nations-and-regions-group/index.php years: Polling undertaken by ODA Communications Radio: Broadcasting Amount (£) Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 28,766.94 Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he 2008-09 12,328.69 has made of the cost to the public purse of continuing 2009-10 12,942.50 transmissions from FM radio transmitters in each year after 2015. [13867] These figures are attributed to polling on the effectiveness of the ODA Community Relations activity and health, Hugh Robertson: The Government have made no safety and environment site communications with workers. specific assessment of the cost to the public purse of Polling undertaken by ODA Transport continuing FM transmission in each year after 2015. Amount (£) However, such considerations will form part of the 2007-08 90,000.00 Government Cost Benefit Analysis, details of which are set out in the Digital Radio Action Plan. 537W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 538W

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for welfare are considered under the local ethical review Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he process within his Department’s establishments has made of the cost to the public purse of replacing designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) FM radios after the cessation of FM transmissions in Act 1986. [11797] 2015. [13877] Peter Luff: Before any research work involving animals Hugh Robertson: No cost to the public purse is is undertaken, it is essential to establish that the use of anticipated. The Government have suggested that 2015 animals is justified ethically as well as scientifically. should be a target date for a digital radio switchover, Consequently, an ethical review is mandatory under the and if a target date is set, we have stated that FM terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 broadcasting would continue for community and small-scale before the Home Office will grant a licence for research local stations, for as long as it is needed and is viable. involving animals. The Home Office also recommends Therefore consumers’ FM radios would not become that the ethical review process should include lay members obsolete as a result of the switchover. who are independent of the work. The Digital Radio Action Plan sets out the Government’s To meet these requirements the Dstl ethical review commitment to a comprehensive cost benefit analysis process is conducted through meetings that are open to to examine the impact on both consumers and industry all members of Dstl staff working at the Porton Down of a radio switchover. site and has an independent chair. The meetings start with the licence holder presenting the work proposed Sports: Females and answering any questions. This is followed by a general discussion of the ethical issues, including the Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State overall welfare of the animals, surrounding the work. for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his The aim of the meeting is to arrive at a consensus as to Department is taking to increase women’s whether it is reasonable ethically to carry out the work participation in physical activity and sport (a) under discussion. nationally and (b) in Newcastle upon Tyne North The Home Office independent Animal Procedures constituency. [13821] Committee (APC) is responsible for monitoring compliance with animal welfare regulations. The MOD is confident Hugh Robertson: Over the period 2009-12, Sport that through the Home Office Inspectorate and the England plans to invest £480 million in the national APC, the issues of animal welfare will be seriously governing bodies (NGBs) of sport to deliver increases considered and compliance with all extant regulations in participation across different groups in society within ensured. their individual sports. In addition to this core funding, Sport England is investing in a £10 million Active Dstl Porton Down operates in accordance with the Women initiative. This funding is aimed at helping principles of the three Rs (replacement, reduction and women in disadvantaged communities and women caring refinement) and has an active programme to increase for children under 16 to take part. Successful applicants the implementation of the three Rs by exploring the use will demonstrate the ability to increase participation for of non-living models in order to reduce the requirement these two groups. for animal experimentation. Sport England are committed to continuing to help Tissue and cell cultures, and physical or computer NGBs deliver and to push them to do as much as based modelling are used wherever it is possible and possible to deliver for less well represented groups in commensurate with good practice. However, where these sport. In the particular case of women and girls; funded alternatives are considered inadequate as a means of and supported by Sport England, the Women’s Sport predicting human response, experiments on animals and Fitness Foundation is actively engaged with all of may be necessary. the NGBs, working in a consultancy capacity to advise the individual NGBs on best practice for increasing Armed Forces women’s participation in sport. The focus of Sport England funding is delivered Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for through the national governing bodies of sport and as a Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the result we do not break down our funding on a purely Chief of the General Staff’s Briefing Team Report constituency basis. Investments have been made on the 2009. [12645] basis of each governing body’s ability to increase the number of people playing and enjoying their sport, and Mr Gerald Howarth: Yes. I shall place in the Library to create development pathways for those with talent. of the House a copy of the most recently published Newcastle upon Tyne North, as well as other areas of report, covering 2009, compiled by the Chief of the the country will benefit directly from this investment. General Staffs Briefing Team.

Armed Forces: Training DEFENCE Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Animal Experiments what training is provided on the provisions of the Geneva Conventions to personnel of each rank of the Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force Defence how his Department ensures that the views of deployed to an area of conflict; and if he will make a independent, external experts in ethics and animal statement. [13254] 539W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 540W

Nick Harvey: In addition to annual Law of Armed Departmental Motor Vehicles Conflict training, all Service personnel are required to complete mandatory pre-deployment training. An element Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for of these training activities is specific to the rules of Defence what the expenditure on vehicles of (a) his engagement for a given location and the requirements Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public and responsibilities for compliance with the Geneva body and (ii) executive agency for which his Conventions and their additional protocols. Service Department is responsible in each region of England personnel will not be deployed to an area of conflict was in each of the last three financial years; and what without knowing how they may engage an enemy and the planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11. what international laws their actions are subject to. [12488]

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gerald Howarth: It is not possible to attribute Defence how many (a) military personnel and (b) Ministry of Defence expenditure on vehicles to English civilian members of his Department are engaged in the regions, as the information is not held centrally and to Early Training Transformation project on a (i) full-time collate it would incur disproportionate cost. In England, and (ii) part-time basis; and whether the costs of these Scotland and Wales, the MOD’s fleet of administrative personnel are being attributed to the programme. and other non-operational transport, commonly known [13681] as the White Fleet, is provided under a private finance initiative contract currently provided by Babcock Land Nick Harvey: The information is not readily available (Whitefleet Management) Ltd. The combined expenditure as it is not collected in the format requested. It is not in the last three financial years was: possible to break down the figures into military and civilian, because no distinction is made in the data £ million capture. Leased Short term Total (ex Financial year vehicles hires VA T ) The number of personnel involved in the Early Training Transformation (ETT) process is estimated to be 108 2007-08 64.67 37.36 102.03 staff, and their involvement varies from five to 60% of 2008-09 65.16 39.29 104.45 their working day for the duration of the course they 2009-10 69.06 38.50 107.56 are reviewing. These figures do not include hires through Government Procurement Cards, MOD Agencies, and non-departmental Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for public bodies, as this falls outside the scope of the UK Defence what account he has taken in the Defence White Fleet contract. These details are not held centrally Training Review of lessons learnt from the private and—could be provided only at disproportionate cost. finance initiative project at the Defence Animal Centre. Different commercial arrangements exist in Northern [13682] Ireland where the majority of White Fleet is purchased rather than leased. Expenditure in the last three Financial Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence Private Finance Years was: Unit is responsible for the promulgation of specialist advice and guidance on private finance initiatives (PFI) Financial year Total (£ million) (ex VAT) across the Department. A key element of this support function is the ongoing identification of lessons learnt 2007-08 1.98 so that best practice is applied. Consequently the Defence 2008-09 2.94 Training Rationalisation Project continues to benefit 2009-10 0.75 from the very latest experience from PFI projects across Information on leased vehicles in Northern Ireland is Government, including that from the Defence Animal not held centrally and could be provided only at Centre project. disproportionate costs. On current estimates, the forecast White Fleet expenditure Departmental ICT for the current FY (2010-11) is expected to be similar to that for 2009-10. However, on current plans Project Phoenix is looking at how the MOD’s White Fleet Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for requirements could be provided in a more cohesive way Defence which IT contracts awarded by his in order to achieve value for money by, for example, Department in each of the last five years have been including requirements for Northern Ireland and the abandoned; and what the monetary value of each such mainland UK under one contract or making use of contract was. [12727] pan-government framework agreements. This work is unlikely to start before September 2011 and is dependent Peter Luff: Information on IT contracts abandoned on the outcome of the SDSR. in each of the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Under Departmental Training the ongoing ICT Project Review, one planned Ministry of Defence ICT contract has already been halted: The Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Land Information Architecture Office (IAO) project Defence how many external training courses were attended which had a projected through life cost of £4,765,000. by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and The ICT Project Review continues to review other what the cost to the public purse was of each such existing MOD ICT contracts. course. [13293] 541W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 542W

Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence is dedicated DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER to developing its staff by providing training and development opportunities to help employees realise their full potential and support the achievement of Departmental Internet business objectives. External training costs are delegated to lower level Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister budgets. As such, the information requested is not held pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2010, Official Report, centrally and would be available only at disproportionate column 248W on departmental internet, if he will publish cost. (a) the options considered for translation of the content of the Your Freedom website into other languages and Trident (b) the reason given for not proceeding with each option. [11259] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he has taken of the US The Deputy Prime Minister: Three potential options administration’s recent decision on nuclear warhead were considered for translating the content of Your production in his assessment of future UK warhead Freedom in to other languages. Firstly, re-architecting requirements; and if he will make a statement. [13656] the current system, so that it can handle multiple languages. This would mean that users could view a translated Nick Harvey: The UK’s deterrent has always been, version of the site that would mirror the current site but and remains, operationally independent of the US. would not translate any user generated content. While Under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement the UK this was the best option in terms of giving equal experience and US communicate closely about nuclear matters and to English and other language speakers, because it we have noted the recent US decision to cancel the would involve significant changes to an off-the-shelf- Reliable Replacement Warhead programme. As yet no product, the costs were prohibitive at £120, 000 (more decisions have been taken on whether to refurbish or than 37 times the cost of the original Your Freedom replace the UK’s nuclear warhead. application). Secondly, we looked at producing a static page to the Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for existing site copy in other languages and a box into Defence whether the decision on the UK’s future which comments/ideas could be entered. This would nuclear warheads is due to be taken during the present have ensured that ideas and comments of those submitting Parliament; and whether he plans to announce to in other languages were gathered. However, the cost of Parliament the estimated cost of warhead (a) this option was disproportionate at £1, 800 per language, replacement and (b) refurbishment as part of the or more than 50% the cost of the original application. Trident value for money review. [13657] Thirdly, we considered incorporating a sentence of copy at the bottom of the home page text, linking Nick Harvey: The Trident value for money study is people to a freely-available online translation tool. While considering the future nuclear deterrent’s programme cost-free, none of the tools available was judged to be timetable. No decisions have been taken on whether to sufficiently accurate. refurbish or replace the UK’s nuclear warhead. The 2006 White Paper ‘Future of the United Kingdom’s Having considered options for translation of the Nuclear Deterrent’ (Cm6994) set out the initial cost content, it was decided that a better approach would be estimate of replacing or refurbishing the UK’s nuclear to enable users to submit ideas, which could then be. warhead as £2-3 billion at 2006-07 prices. On current translated before passing on to officials working on plans, we will be in a position to release more up to date processing and evaluating contributions. At the moment, cost estimates later this year after the project has passed this option is only available to Welsh speakers. Translation Initial Gate approval point. is being provided by the Wales Office.

Tyres

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for EDUCATION Defence whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies take into account rolling resistance as a performance criterion Children: Day Care when purchasing tyres. [13550]

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence’s vehicles are Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for fitted with tyres as recommended by the Original Equipment Education how many childcare places there were (a) in Manufacturer (OEM). Their recommendation results each county in the East of England and (b) nationwide from their experience and exhaustive testing to ensure in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008 and (iii) 2009; and how many such that vehicles meet with legislative and user requirements. places there have been in each area in 2010 to date. The rolling resistance as a performance criterion is [7048] taken into account in some, but not all, instances by the OEM, as other vital criteria such as load carrying Sarah Teather: Information on the number of registered capacity, vehicle speed, terrain and/or climatic conditions, child care places available in England and in each local as well as whole life cost and anticipated life, are equally, authority in the east of England Government office if not more important. region for 2007 to 2010 is shown in the following table. 543W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 544W

Table: Number1 of registered child care places2 for children under eight Table: Number1 of registered child care places2 for children under eight years of age, east of England Government office region, position at 31 years of age, east of England Government office region, position at 31 March each year, 2007 to 2010 March each year, 2007 to 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010

England 1,551,100 1,549,100 1,346,100 1,309,900 Thurrock 3,700 3,500 3,400 3,300 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 100. 2 Data Source: Ofsted—total includes child minders, child care on East of 169,900 168,600 146,200 143,800 3 non-domestic premises, child care on domestic premises and home England child carer. 3 Total may not add up to sum of constituent parts due to rounding. 4 Bedford n/a n/a n/a 4,100 Bedfordshire local authority split into Bedford borough and central Borough4 Bedfordshire on 1 April 2009. Class Sizes Bedfordshire4 13,100 13,400 10,500 n/a Cambridgeshire 21,200 20,700 18,600 18,100 Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Central n/a n/a n/a 6,300 Education what the teacher to pupil ratio was in each Bedfordshire4 school in Bedford constituency in each of the last five City of 7,400 7,400 6,000 5,700 Peterborough years; and what the average teacher to pupil ratio was in England in each of those years. [11310] Essex 36,800 36,100 32,400 32,800 Hertfordshire 36,400 36,600 33,700 32,400 Mr Gibb: The following table provides the pupil:teacher Luton 5,100 4,900 4,500 4,400 ratio in each local authority maintained school in Bedford Norfolk 21,500 21,100 17,200 16,900 constituency and in England in each January, 2005 to Southend-on- 4,700 4,800 4,200 4,100 2009, .the latest information available. School level figures Sea for 2010 are expected to become available in August Suffolk 20,000 20,000 15,500 15,700 2010.

Pupil:teacher ratios (PTR)1,2 in local authority maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools3: Each January 2005-104—Coverage: Bedford parliamentary constituency and England Pupil:teacher ratios LAEstab School name 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20104

England overall PTR5 17.4 17.2 17.1 16.9 16.8 16.7

Nursery: 6201000 Cherry Trees Nursery School 19.0 18.8 25.0 19.6 17.8 n/a 8201003 Southway Early Childhood Centre 32.9 15.0 26.0 25.2 18.5 n/a 8201009 Peter Pan Nursery School 17.0 18.1 17.0 18.0 18.6 n/a England nursery PTR 16.5 16.3 16.8 16.3 16.5 16.2

Primary: 8202006 Livingstone Lower School 22.3 23.6 22.7 18.3 18.4 n/a 8202007 Edith Cavell Lower School 25.5 25.5 25.6 20.4 19.6 n/a 8202008 Goldington Green Lower School 24.5 23.3 22.1 20.8 22.5 n/a 8202009 Castle Lower School 27.1 28.0 25.0 24.1 23.3 n/a 8202013 Priory Lower School 19.3 18.3 17.4 18.3 22.5 n/a 8202014 Queen’s Park Lower School 6— 6— 26.3 28.2 24.3 n/a 8202045 Elstow Lower School 23.3 23.4 32.4 23.4 22.9 n/a 8202061 Bedford Road Lower School 21.7 21.2 23.5 24.8 25.2 n/a 8202062 Camestone Lower School 23.1 23.0 24.4 25.5 25.7 n/a 8202064 Balliol Lower School 24.1 23.9 21.6 21.5 19.7 n/a 8202147 Putnoe Lower School 25.5 25.8 22.6 20.9 20.0 n/a 8202156 Stephenson Lower School 22.8 22.1 19.9 23.2 20.8 n/a 8202163 Brickhill Lower School 24.6 23.3 24.1 26.2 27.5 n/a 8202173 Hazeldene Lower School 29.1 26.5 21.2 24.4 23.3 n/a 8202178 The Hills Lower School 25.7 25.2 27.1 24.8 24.5 n/a 8202183 Scott Lower School 21.2 22.0 21.0 20.3 20.5 n/a 8202186 Springfield LowerSchool 24.6 21.9 22.1 21.2 25.7 n/a 8202211 Shackleton Lower School 19.9 18.3 25.6 20.1 20.9 n/a 8202294 Cauldwell Lower School 27.0 24.8 20.0 24.1 21.0 n/a 8203342 St Joseph’s RC Lower School 29.1 27.0 28.8 26.9 24.5 n/a 6203350 St John Rigby RC VA Lower School 26.6 26.7 27.4 23.1 22.7 n/a England primary PTR 22.5 22.0 21.8 21.6 21.4 21.3 545W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 546W

Pupil:teacher ratios (PTR)1,2 in local authority maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools3: Each January 2005-104—Coverage: Bedford parliamentary constituency and England Pupil:teacher ratios LAEstab School name 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20104

Secondary: 8204000 Goldinglon Middle School 19.6 19.9 19.6 19.4 20.4 n/a 8204047 Robert Bruce Middle School 23.0 20.9 18.7 20.1 17.7 n/a 8204050 Newnham Middle School 21.9 22.9 21.4 20.1 21.8 n/a 8204064 Hastingsbury Upper School and Community 17.9 18.0 16.7 17.0 17.1 n/a College 8204072 Westfield Middle School 19.1 17.2 20.5 18.7 17.4 n/a 8204081 John Bunyan Upper School 18.2 22.4 22.6 17.1 14.6 n/a 8204085 Mark Rutherford Upper School and 14.6 16.3 17.7 17.4 15.2 n/a Community College 8204098 Daubeney Middle School 18.7 19.1 20.9 18.2 19.8 n/a 8204118 Woodside Middle School 17.4 15.8 15.0 16.0 18.1 n/a 8204126 Beauchamp Middle School 18.7 17.8 20.7 17.9 20.7 n/a 8204127 Harrowden Middle School 25.0 23.4 20.7 28.2 25.1 n/a 8204605 St Thomas More Catholic School 18.1 17.6 17.6 18.2 17.5 n/a 8204607 St Bede’s Catholic Middle School 21.1 19.3 6— 6— 6— 6— England secondary PTR 16.7 16.6 16.5 16.1 15.9 15.7

Special: 8207005 Grange School 8.4 9.6 8.6 8.3 8.2 n/a 8205951 St John’s School 8.4 7.5 8.0 6.6 7.2 n/a 8207012 Ridgeway School 7.4 7.3 8.5 8.0 8.6 n/a England special PTR 6.3 6.2 6.2 6.1 6.2 6.1 n/a = not available 1 For statistical purposes only, pupils who do not attend both morning and afternoon at least five days a week are regarded as part-time. Each part-lime pupil is treated as 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE). 2 The within-school PTR is calculated by dividing the total FTE number of pupils on roll in schools by the total FTE number of qualified teachers regularly employed in schools. 3 There are no city technology colleges or academies in Bedford constituency. 4 Provisional. 5 The overall PTR is based on the total FTE number of pupils on roll in local authority maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools and the FTE of all teachers in these schools (including: centrally employed; occasional teachers; those on employment based routes to QTS; others without GTS, those on paid absence and any replacements). The teacher numbers are from the 618g survey. 6 Not applicable. Source: School Census

Departmental Public Expenditure http://www.education.gov.uk/news/news/~/media/Files/ lacuna/news/SoStoDCSs.ashx. Details of the funding available for 2011-12 onwards Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for will be discussed and agreed as part of the current Education whether his Department plans to reduce its spending review . expenditure through the termination of (a) area-based and (b) other targeted grants. [11461] Drugs: Misuse Mr Gibb: Details of the reductions the Department of Education has made to the area based grant and other targeted grants to local authorities as a result of Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for its contribution to the £6.2 billion worth of saving in Education what assessment he has made of the effects 2010-11 are set out in the Secretary of State’s letter of on young people of the illegal use of ketamine. [7745] 16 June 2010 to directors of Children’s Services. A copy of that letter is available at the following website. Sarah Teather: The Government obtain expert medical http://www.education.gov.uk/news/news/~/media/Files/ advice to ensure that our information for young people lacuna/news/LetterDCS16June2010v2.ashx. is accurate and credible. The advice provided to health The Secretary of State also wrote to directors of professionals and young people on Ketamine includes Children’s Services on 14 July 2010 setting out details of the information on the FRANK website, public health the capital grants to local authorities that are being updates and advice provided in leaflets. These are reviewed reduced in 2010-11. These reductions were as a result of and approved by the Department of Health. the Treasury’s announcement on 5 July 2010, that Ketamine was made a Class C controlled substance Departments had to address unrealistic inherited spending in 2006 following a report and recommendations from commitments for 2010-11, where funding was reliant on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). under spends through the end year flexibility system. A Substances controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act copy of that letter is available at the following website. are kept under review. 547W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 548W

Among 11 to 15-year-olds, 0.6% report having used Mr Gibb: The proportions of pupils at the end of Ketamine in the last year. This is compared to 1.7% of Key Stage 4, entering the equivalent of at least one full 16 to 24-year-olds. GCSE, that did not pass the equivalent of one GCSE at grade A*-C are presented in the following table. Extracurricular Activities Percentage Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 on the provision of (a) homework clubs, (b) breakfast John Mansfield School 36.4 25.2 1— 1— 1— clubs, (c) after school activities and (d) school music Walton Community 27.6 22.3 1— 1— 1— of reductions in the levels of area-based grants. [4757] School Hereward Community 18.2 28.1 1— 1— 1— Sarah Teather: Local authorities should be able to College achieve the necessary savings through efficiencies across Bretton Woods 42.3 28.9 1— 1— 1— their budgets rather than cuts to frontline services. The Community School Area Based Grant is a form of funding where the Bushfield Community 34.5 32.0 27.1 25.0 26.5 Department makes specific allocations to local authorities, College but where local authorities have flexibility about how Ken Stimpson 25.0 30.8 20.6 19.9 17.3 they spend it. Community School 2 2 2 2 The ring-fenced Music Grant in the Standards Fund Hampton College — — — — 3.2 1 1 2 is not part of the Area Based Grant, and is not affected The Voyager School — — — 36.5 33.1 by the wider decision to remove ring-fencing from funds The King’s School 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.8 0.8 that go to local authorities. The Area Based Grant Jack Hunt School 14.8 17.4 20.4 13.3 17.3 includes start up funding for extended services through Deacon’s School 1.9 1.2 1— 1— 1— schools—which can include homework clubs, breakfast Stanground College 32.1 21.4 19.4 17.4 6.8 clubs, and after school activities. The start-up funding is St John Fisher 31.0 21.0 26.1 28.3 17.1 intended to support the co-ordination and advice provided Catholic High School by local authorities that has enabled schools to develop Orton Longueville 25.5 21.1 23.1 24.0 22.7 access to extended services. In practice 98% of schools School are now providing access to these services, and so there Arthur Mellows 10.5 6.9 7.0 1.3 0.4 Village College is less need for the start-up funding. Peterborough High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Financial Services: Education School Thomas Deacon 1— 1— 2— 2.7 4.2 Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Academy if he will assess the merits of including in the national Ormiston Bushfield 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— curriculum (a) practical financial management and (b) Academy awareness of marketing. [12612] Marshfields School 100.0 90.9 87.0 84.0 76.9 Heltwate School 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Mr Gibb: The Government announced on 7 June our The Causeway School 2— 2— 1— 1— 1— intention to make changes to the National Curriculum. The Phoenix School 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— We intend to restore the National Curriculum to its 1 School is not published as part of the Achievement and original purpose—a core national entitlement organised Attainment Tables. around subject disciplines. We plan to consult a wide 2 School has fewer than 11 pupils that entered the equivalent of at range of academics, teachers and other interested parties least one GCSE so data has been suppressed to guard against individual identification. to ensure that the core curriculum can compare with Source: those of the highest performing countries in the world. Achievement and Attainment Tables data Further details will be announced in due course. Free School Meals Headteachers Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will estimate the number of pupils in Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) England, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Dudley Education what guidance his Department provides on borough who would have been eligible for a free school measures to retain experienced head teachers. [9970] meal under the proposal in the Pre-Budget Report 2009 to extend the eligibility criteria. [12531] Mr Gibb: We are making headship more attractive by reducing red tape, giving head teachers more autonomy Mr Gibb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I to run schools and empowering head teachers to maintain gave to the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood discipline. (Ed Balls) on 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 1215W. The age profile indicates that the number of head teachers retiring will increase in the near future. In 2008 GCSE: Peterborough 59%1 of head teachers in the maintained sector were aged 50 and over compared to 50% in 2000. Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of pupils entered for In the light of this we need both to retain experienced GCSEs by each school in the Peterborough Local head teachers and ensure that we have a sufficient Education Authority area obtained no GCSEs at supply of good quality school leaders for the future. grades A* to C in each of the last five years. [11190] To secure this we support: 549W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 550W

(i) roles such as the National Leaders of Education which Schools: Special Educational Needs provide opportunities for the best and most experienced heads to take on new roles to bring about system wide improvement. John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (ii) reforms made to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme which have how many statutory assessments for a statement of given heads more flexibility to phase their retirement. special educational needs were undertaken in each local 1 Database of Teachers Records (data for 2007 and 2008 are education authority in England in 2009; and how many provisional) resulted in a child being statemented. [10460]

Pupils: Disadvantaged Sarah Teather: Information on the number of children assessed for special educational needs and the number of children for whom statements were made for the first Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for time during the calendar year is published in the Statistical Education whether all funding from his Department to First Release, “Special Educational Needs in England, assist children from more deprived backgrounds will be January 2010”: routed through the pupil premium. [11462] http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000939/ index.shtml Mr Gibb: The current school funding system already table 20. includes funding to assist pupils from deprived backgrounds. The targeting of that funding is, however, flawed and insufficiently transparent. We intend to introduce a pupil premium for disadvantaged pupils. On 26 July 2010, the Secretary of State for Education, announced ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE in a written ministerial statement, the launch of a consultation on the introduction of the premium. In Boilers: Government Assistance that consultation, we have said that for 2011-12 we intend to continue with the current methodology for the Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State distribution of school funding to allow for a clear and for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to transparent introduction of the pupil premium. We also take to reduce the time between receipt and recognise, however, that the funding system should more acknowledgement of applications made under the boiler accurately reflect pupil characteristics and so we intend scrappage scheme; what steps he plans to take to reduce to review the system for funding schools beyond 2011-12. the time taken between application and issuing payments under the scheme; and if he will make a statement. Schools: Databases [14430]

Gregory Barker: Applications to the Boiler Scrappage Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for scheme closed on 26 March 2010. An automated response Education how many open maintained primary and was produced to acknowledge applications. secondary schools in England were on the edubase The number of valid vouchers yet to be claimed is 24. database on 25 May 2010. [10602] There are fewer than 200 claims, or less than 0.2%, which have yet to be paid. These are mainly outstanding Mr Gibb [holding answer 22 July 2010]: The information claims where we have requested additional information requested is as follows. before we will be able to make the payment. The Energy Schools in England Saving Trust who deliver the scheme are acting within Local authority advertised service standards to pay monies on receipt of maintained Academies a valid claim within five weeks. Their guidance notes that it some cases it will take a little longer for the Primary 17,023 — payments to go through and appear on bank statements. Secondary 3,135 — Total 20,158 203 Departmental Billing Notes: 1. The figures represented in this table do not include Special Schools. 2. The table includes Academies because this type of establishment Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for receives state funding from the Government. Energy and Climate Change what proportion of invoices Source: from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of EduBase2 receipt in July and August 2010. [13316] Schools: Science Gregory Barker: The percentage of invoices paid by the Department within 10 days of receipt in July 2010 Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for was 99.1% and 99.0% in August 2010. Education what steps his Department plans to take to assist school science departments to work together with Departmental Fines high technology employers in their areas. [11812] Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: I refer my hon. Friend to the response given Energy and Climate Change how many transport- to my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its Lunesdale (David Morris) on 14 July 2010, Official staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the Report, column 773W. public purse was in each year. [13318] 551W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 552W

Gregory Barker: Departmental policy is that the driver offshore regulatory regime; when he plans to undertake of the vehicle is responsible for following all advice, a more comprehensive review of the matter; and if he guidance and legislation in relation to road safety and is will make a statement. [13978] therefore also responsible for meeting the cost of any fines incurred (including parking fines), as a result of Charles Hendry: Following the Gulf of Mexico incident, any driving offence. The Department will not meet and on the basis of the information available at that those costs. time, senior management in DECC conducted a rapid review of the implications for DECC’s offshore regulatory Fuel Poverty regime. The recommendations made to me in the light of this Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy initial review have already been acted upon. This was and Climate Change what plans he has to ensure that only the first stage in the review process and as such I do fuel regulators have adequate powers to reduce the level not intend publishing any material. However, as stated of fuel poverty. [13624] in the Annual Energy Statement, a further review will be carried out as soon as the more precise and detailed Gregory Barker: It is for Government to decide the findings from the Gulf of Mexico investigations have strategy for tackling fuel poverty, and setting the framework been released (currently anticipated early 2011). This for this to happen. Where Ofgem, as the independent will enable us to determine what more, if anything, regulator, have a role it is in using their monitoring and needs to be done to reinforce further our regulatory enforcement powers to ensure licensed energy companies approach and keep our safety regime as one of the most comply with this framework. robust in the world. The findings from this review will Under the Gas and Electricity Acts, Ofgem and the be published. Secretary of State are required to have regard to the interests of certain groups of vulnerable consumers Renewables Obligation when carrying out their functions. Members: Correspondence Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has for the future of the Renewables Obligation scheme; and if he Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy will make a statement. [13619] and Climate Change when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Basildon and Charles Hendry: The coalition agreement makes clear Billericay of 29 July on the construction of a combined our commitment to maintaining a banded Renewables heat and power generation facility in that constituency. Obligation, and not changing the ground rules for [13881] existing investments. We are also committed to implementing a full feed-in-tariff, with the aim of securing Gregory Barker: The matter raised in the letter is the a significant increase in investment in renewables so responsibility of the Department for Communities and that we can meet both the legally binding renewable Local Government. The letter was transferred to and energy—target in 2020, and our longer term accepted by that Department on 17 August for reply. decarbonisation objectives. Nuclear Power We are still working through the details of such a feed-in-tarriff, any changes made to the support mechanism Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for will be considered in light of wider electricity market Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the reform. proportion of new electricity generating capacity which should be met by new nuclear power capacity. [13963] Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the timescale is for Charles Hendry: The UK needs a mix of all types of his Department’s review of the Renewables Obligation new electricity generating capacity, including new nuclear, scheme banding levels. [13622] in order to achieve energy security at the same time as dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Gregory Barker: A banding review is scheduled to begin in October 2010 with changes to be introduced on It is for industry to propose the specific type of 1 April 2013. energy developments that they assess to be viable within the strategic framework established by Government. This is the nature of a market-led energy system and Torness Power Station therefore the Government do not propose to set targets or limits on the amount of new nuclear power. Instead, Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for it is Government policy that new nuclear power should Energy and Climate Change if he will visit Torness be able to contribute as much as possible to the UK’s Nuclear Power Station to discuss the role of nuclear need for new non-renewable electricity generation capacity. power in contributing to security of energy supplies. [13630] Offshore Industry: Regulation Charles Hendry: In my role as Energy Minister, it is Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for my intention to visit a range of power stations, including Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to nuclear power stations. I would be pleased to visit publish the rapid review of the implications of the Torness nuclear power station at some point in the Deepwater Horizon incident for his Department’s future. 553W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 554W

Warm Front Scheme Making Space for Nature Review

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place he has had on the Warm Front grant scheme; and if he in the Library a copy of the report of Sir John Lawton’s will make a statement. [13361] review of wildlife sites and ecological networks in England. [14322] Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers keep in regular contact with key stakeholders that have an interest in Richard Benyon: The independent review into England’s the Warm Front scheme. network of wildlife sites ‘Making Space for Nature’ Funding for the scheme is just over £1.1 billion for chaired by Professor Sir John Lawton is due to report the current three-year spending period to March 2011. later in September. I will arrange for a copy of the This includes a cash provision of £345 million for report to be placed in the Library. 2010-11. Funding for future years will be considered as part of the budget and spending review processes. Natural England: Planning

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Natural England has spent on external legal advice on planning issues in each of the last five years for which Boilers: Biofuels figures are available. [13652]

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: The figures provided in the following Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the table represent the amount Natural England has paid answer of 12 July 2010, Official Report, column 455W, for legal advice and representation in major casework on boilers: biofuels, if she will take steps to establish a (including, but not limited to, the provision of solicitors full emissions profile for the use of B30K fuel in and legal counsel) plus other technical advice on domestic boilers, including the emission of all air interpretation of Government planning and other policy. quality pollutants contained in her Department’s air Natural England commenced operations on 1 October quality strategy. [13875] 2006 and therefore comparative full year data for 2005-06 and 2006-07 cannot be provided. Richard Benyon: The Department has no plans to establish a full emission profile for B30K. Legal and planning advice £

Departmental Official Engagements 2007-08 470,889 2008-09 393,828 Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10 289,228 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Ministerial commitments she has on 8 September 2010. [13628]

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State will be holding meetings with Departmental officials and representatives FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE from the water industry on 8 September. British Indian Ocean Territory: Fisheries Departmental Sponsorship Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what costs her has made in renegotiating the contract with the Marine Department incurred in connection with its Resources Assessment Group for management of sponsorship of the Environmental Innovation in Waste fisheries in the Chagos Island. [13443] Collection Achievement of the Year award at the Municipal Journal Awards 2010 in respect of (a) Mr Bellingham: The current contract between the sponsoring the award, (b) publicity in connection with British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration sponsoring the award and (c) travel, accommodation and MRAG Ltd for the provision of management of and subsistence for the cost of Ministers, staff or the British Indian Ocean Territory Fisheries Regime guests of her Department attending the award. [13649] will expire on 31 May 2011. The BIOT Administration is considering requirements Richard Benyon: The Environmental Innovation In for any new contract which will be put out to tender. Waste Collection Achievement of the Year award was a commitment of the previous Government and was jointly sponsored with the Department for Communities and British Overseas Territories: Environment Protection Local Government. The only charge to the Department was £11,750 including VAT which was paid to sponsor Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State the award. The Department incurred no costs in relation for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he to publicity, travel, accommodation or subsistence for has for the future funding of the Overseas Territories Ministers, staff or guests. Environment programme. [14144] 555W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 556W

Mr Bellingham: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Mr Jeremy Browne: I represented the UK at the Secretary (Mr Hague) announced in his statement to inauguration of President Juan Manuel Santos in August. the House on 29 June 2010, Official Report, column I took the opportunity of a private meeting with the 37WS, we will sustain in future years (resources permitting) President and several of his Ministers on 9 August to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s programme urge more progress on human rights. I was encouraged spending in support of the Overseas Territories. The by the President’s commitment to make human rights a FCO’s contribution to the joint FCO-Department for “non-issue” in Colombia. We welcome this renewed International Development Overseas Territories commitment and we will work with his administration Environment programme is currently funded from the towards this common end. Overseas Territories Programme Fund. Further decisions During his visit to the UK as President-elect in July, will be taken once the outcome of the spending review Juan Manuel Santos stressed to my right hon. Friend is clear. the Prime Minister his strong commitment to improving the human rights situation in Colombia. Burma: Human Rights The human rights situation in Colombia is of significant concern. High levels of poverty and inequality, and the Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for continued internal conflict fuelled by the cocaine trade, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions continue to undermine respect for human rights. Human he has had (a) in international fora and (b) with the rights defenders, including civil society activists, lawyers, Burmese regime on the rights of the Rohingya people trade unionists, journalists and religious leaders continue in Burma. [13381] to suffer frequent violence and intimidation. We receive regular reports about human rights abuses committed Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK is deeply concerned at by state security forces, the Revolutionary Armed Forces the continuing ethnic, religious and political persecution of Colombia (FARC), illegal armed groups and criminal endured by the Rohingya ethnic group in Burma. They gangs. The high level of impunity exacerbates the problem. are victims of widespread human rights violations including We will continue to regularly raise these concerns denial of citizenship, economic deprivation and restrictions with senior Colombian Ministers, and continue to work on freedom of movement. I discussed the situation with unions and employer organisations to strengthen faced by ethnic groups, including the Rohingya, at an labour relations in Colombia. We are also working with EU/ASEAN meeting on 26 May, at which the Burmese the UN on a research initiative to help improve trade Foreign Minister was also present. At the end of July I union human rights protection and the development of travelled to South East Asia and raised our concerns positive labour relations. With the EU and other partners, about ethnic minorities in Burma with representatives we will continue to encourage a stronger relationship from the Thai, Philippine and Indonesian governments. between the Colombian Government and Civil Society. We also plan to raise the issue in the forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council. Our ambassador Indonesia: Religious Freedom in Rangoon repeatedly raises his concern at the discrimination and treatment of ethnic minorities with Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Burmese regime and will continue to do so. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to promote inter-religious dialogue and co-operation Burma: Prisoners in Indonesia. [13393]

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jeremy Browne: We, along with our EU partners, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what raise human rights concerns with the Indonesian representations he has made to the Burmese military Government and have pressed the authorities to ensure leadership on freeing (a) Aung San Suu Kyi and (b) the rights of all religious minorities. We will continue to call for religious tolerance across Indonesia. other political prisoners. [13411] At the UK’s request, freedom of religion was included Mr Jeremy Browne: Aung San Suu Kyi and over as a substantive item on the agenda of the first 2,100 other political prisoners continue to be unjustly EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue held in June detained. Many prisoners are held in harsh conditions 2010. The EU noted Indonesia’s efforts in promoting in remote locations far from their families. I raised interfaith dialogue and raised concerns over treatment Burma at the EU-ASEAN meeting on 26 May, at which of the Ahmadiyya community and recent attacks on the Burmese Foreign Minister was present. I made clear Christians. that the continued detention of political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi was unacceptable. Our ambassador Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign in Rangoon repeatedly raises the need for the release of and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations all political prisoners, with ministers in the Burmese he has received on (a) attacks on churches in Indonesia, military government and will continue to do so. (b) restrictions on the construction of churches in that country and (c) the revocation of licences for some existing churches. [14118] Colombia: Human Rights Mr Jeremy Browne: We are aware, through media and Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign diplomatic reporting, of some incidents of churches and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he being attacked, construction restrictions and licences has had with the government of Colombia on human being revoked. No representations have been made to rights in that country. [13623] the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 557W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 558W

At the UK’s request, freedom of religion was included Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign as a substantive item on the agenda of the first and Commonwealth Affairs whether officials of his EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue held in June Department observed the recent trial of Ismail Besikci, 2010. We, along with our EU partners, continue to raise Zeycan Balci Simsek and Selcuck Kozagacli in Turkey. human rights concerns with the Indonesian Government [13870] and have pressed the authorities to ensure the rights of all religious minorities. We will continue to call for Mr Lidington: There were no UK or EU observers religious tolerance across Indonesia. present at the trial of Ismail Besikci, Zeycan Balci Simsek and Selcuck Kozagacli. Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Department has received on (a) the effect on the and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the demographics of Papua of migration from other parts Prime Minister has received from (a) the government of Indonesia and (b) the effect of such migration on of Turkey and (b) Turkish citizens resident in the UK levels of religious harmony and freedom in Papua. in respect of the treatment in that country of Kurds not [14119] involved in PKK violent actions. [13871] Mr Jeremy Browne: We have received no independent Mr Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Foreign reports on this issue. Secretary has received no representations from the Mexico: Climate Change Government of Turkey in respect of the treatment of Kurds in Turkey. However, the British Government Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for regularly discusses this issue with the Turkish Government Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he in the context of Turkey’s EU accession negotiations. plans to take to work with the Government of Mexico Turkish citizens resident in the UK sometimes write to on tackling climate change. [11564] their MPs to voice their various concerns, but we have no record of receiving correspondence specifically relating Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government have prioritised to this issue. working with Mexico on climate change. Our embassy in Mexico has an established team working on a wide range of political and practical co-operation, including projects to build domestic capacity in Mexico and promote HEALTH opportunities for bilateral trade in low carbon sectors. Both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I, and Ministers at the Department for Energy and Climate Antibiotics Change have discussed the climate change agenda with our Mexican opposite numbers. The Foreign and Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary Health what assessment he has made of the effects of of State with responsibility for Climate Change, my the NDM-1 enzyme on public health; and what steps he hon. Friend Henry Bellingham, has also met with the is taking to reduce those effects. [13854] Mexican Ambassador to the UK to discuss Climate Change. Further ministerial contact is planned in the Anne Milton: So far 60 patients with bacteria producing months ahead. the New Delhi metallo-6-lactamase (NDM) enzyme Mexico will host the next meeting of the UN Framework have been identified in the United Kingdom by the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—commonly Health Protection Agency. Bacteria with the NDM referred to as the Conference of the Parties—COP 16 in enzyme do not appear to be a major immediate threat Cancun in November this year. The UK and Mexico to public health but are a concern because they are are fully supportive of ambitious global action to tackle resistant to nearly all antibiotics, including the carbapenems, climate change at the summit—and the UK is supporting which are commonly used against infections due to Mexican preparations for Cancun both through support multi-resistant bacteria. to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through As resistant bacteria with NDM and other similarly- our diplomatic efforts to raise ambitions for a global broad resistances can spread rapidly and compromise deal. hospital care, guidance highlighting the importance of early identification and reporting of cases and the need Turkey: Human Rights for increased awareness and infection control was issued in January and July 2009. The Health Protection Agency Mr MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for and our advisory committee ARHAI (Advisory Committee Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated has received on the number of Kurdish children (a) Infection) are keeping the situation under close review prosecuted and (b) imprisoned in Turkey under that and will advise of any further action as necessary. country’s counter-terrorism legislation in the last 12 months. [13868] Blood: Contamination Mr Lidington: The UK Government have not received figures reporting on the number of Kurdish children Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for prosecuted and imprisoned under Turkish anti-terror Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness legislation. In July, the Turkish Parliament passed an of screening processes for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in amendment to the anti-terror law which gives children blood and blood products; and if he will make a statement. greater protection in the judicial system. [13757] 559W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 560W

Anne Milton: At present, there are no validated blood replicates the recommendations of Lord Archer’s report. screening tests for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease on The Government therefore do not believe that legislation the market. The Department, together with the UK is necessary. blood services, continues to monitor scientific research We are currently looking at the needs and wishes of and development in this area. those who have been infected with HIV and/or hepatitis The Department is aware of other companies and C by NHS supplied contaminated blood and blood academic institutions which are attempting to develop products. I have recently held a series of meetings with tests. A process, which involves the UK Blood Services the Chairs of the Macfarlane and Eileen Trusts and the and the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Skipton Fund, as well as representatives of campaign Tissues and Organs (SaBTO), has been established to groups and other affected individuals, to gather information review test development and advise Health Departments. and evidence. We intend to report the outcome of this Unfortunately, the development of a test with appropriate work by the end of this year. sensitivity and specificity is proving technically difficult. Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Health what recent assessment his Department has for Health for what reasons there is a difference in the made of the adequacy of levels of payment made to level of payments for haemophiliac patients infected those affected by contaminated blood and blood with HIV by contaminated blood or blood products products. [14092] and those infected with hepatitis C; and if he will make a statement. [13759] Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of introducing Anne Milton: The difference between the ex gratia annual payments for haemophiliac patients who payment schemes for HIV and hepatitis C reflect the contracted hepatitis C from contaminated blood or different times when they were set up. When the Macfarlane blood products similar to those for patients who and Eileen Trusts, which make payments to individuals contracted HIV. [13760] infected with HIV by contaminated NHS blood and blood products, were established, there was no effective Diana R. Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for antiretroviral drug treatment for HIV to prevent progression Health pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2010, Official to AIDS, and life expectancy was short. When the Report, column 516W, on blood: contamination, when Skipton Fund, which makes ex gratia payments to he expects to decide on his policy on equalising the people infected with hepatitis C from NHS treatment level of payments made by the Skipton Fund and the with blood, blood products or tissue, was set up in 2004, Macfarlane Trust for people infected by contaminated there were already the National Institute for Health and blood and blood products. [13531] Clinical Excellence recommended drug treatments for hepatitis C available. Anne Milton: We are currently looking at the needs Nevertheless we are currently looking at the needs and wishes of those who have been infected with HIV and wishes of those who have been infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C by NHS supplied contaminated blood and/or hepatitis C by NHS supplied contaminated blood and blood products. I have recently held a series of and blood products. I have recently held a series of meetings with the chairs of the Macfarlane and Eileen meetings with the Chairs of the Macfarlane and Eileen Trusts and the Skipton Fund, as well as representatives Trusts and the Skipton Fund, as well as representatives of the campaign groups and other affected individuals, of the campaign groups and other affected individuals, to gather information and evidence. We intend to report to gather information and evidence. We intend to report the outcome of this work by the end of this year. the outcome of this work by the end of this year. Continuing Care

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for for Health what assessment he has made of the merits Health what recent representations he has received on of the provisions of the Contaminated Blood (Support the criteria set for continuous health care; and if he will for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill [Lords]. [13761] make a statement. [12897]

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Burstow: The eligibility criteria for continuing Health (1) what steps he is taking to implement the healthcare, published in National Framework for NHS recommendations of the report of the Archer Inquiry continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care on contaminated blood and blood products which were July 2009, were revised following a review process where accepted; [13626] issues were raised by health and social care professionals, (2) what timescale he has set for the implementation key stakeholders and members of the public. of the recommendations of the report of the Archer The Department continues to receive correspondence Inquiry on contaminated blood and blood products on the eligibility criteria for continuing healthcare from which were accepted. [13627] Members of Parliament, members of the public and their legal representatives. Anne Milton: Lord Archer’s report was published in February 2009. A number of the recommendations Departmental Consultants were either already in place in one form or another, or have since been implemented. The Contaminated Blood Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill, which Health how much was spent on external consultants has been introduced into the House of Lords, largely and advisers by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) 561W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 562W non-departmental public body and (ii) executive Since the publication of the White Paper, “Equity agency for which his Department is responsible in each and Excellence: Liberating the NHS”, the Department year since 2005. [12458] has been working to develop a new system to deliver education and training based on the principle that it Mr Simon Burns: The expenditure on external consultants should be driven by healthcare provider decisions and and advisers by the Department is shown in the following underpinned by strong clinical leadership. A public table: consultation is planned for later this year.

£000 Health Inequalities Unit: Awards Organisation 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Department of 133,000 205,000 132,000 121,300 1— Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what costs the Health Inequalities Unit 1 Figure awaiting publication Note: incurred in connection with its sponsorship of the The figure for 2009-10 is currently being validated and will be released in due Reducing Health Inequalities Achievement of the Year course. award at the Municipal Journal Awards 2010 in respect The expenditure on external consultants and advisers of (a) sponsoring the award, (b) publicity in by each of the Department’s executive non-departmental connection with sponsoring the award and (c) travel, public bodies and its executive agency is shown in the accommodation and subsistence payments to Ministers following table: of his Department or staff or guests of the Health Inequalities Unit of his Department attending the £000 award. [13650] Organisation 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Council for Healthcare 978 573 519 693 501 Anne Milton: The Municipal Journal Reducing Health Regulatory Excellence Inequalities Achievement of the Year Award 2010 was General Social Care Council 202 107 23 76 45 sponsored by the Department under the previous Monitor 8,584 5,141 2,497 2,873 2,989 Government. Appointments Commission 57 0 85 108 62 The cost of sponsoring the award was £19,995 excluding Alcohol Education and 000028VAT, which was paid to the Hemming Group Ltd. The Research Council Department’s Health Inequalities Unit incurred no travel, Care Quality Commission — — — — 9,068 accommodation or subsistence costs for Ministers, staff Human Fertilisation and 261 388 816 1354 360 Embryology Authority or guests. The award will not be sponsored in 2011. Health Protection Agency 194 168 197 420 189 Human Tissue Authority 18 111 305 305 312 Health Professions: Training Medicines and Healthcare 2,135 1,125 801 1,178 340 products Regulatory Agency (Executive Agency) Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on ringfencing of funding for Departmental Training multi-professional education and training. [13785] Anne Milton: The multi-professional education and Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for training budget is allocated to strategic health authorities Health how many external training courses were to fund investment in the training and development of attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 the health care work force, including costs of clinical months; and what the cost to the public purse was of placements, tuition fees and student support. The funding each such course. [13311] is not ring fenced although the Department has an annual service level agreement with each strategic health Mr Simon Burns: Information is not held centrally authority that sets out the outcomes expected from the about which and how many external training courses investment. were attended by staff in the Department. Decisions on external training courses for staff are made locally, by Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health directorates. To collect such information would incur (1) what discussions he has had with (a) the disproportionate cost. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and (b) the Higher Education Funding Council for Doctors: Training England on proposals to transfer funding for multi- professional education and training to the Higher Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Funding Council for England; [13786] Health what steps he is taking to improve the quality of (2) what criteria will apply to determine the amount training for doctors. [13199] of multi-professional education and training funding to be transferred from each strategic health authority Anne Milton: The content and standard of medical (SHA) to successor bodies when SHAs are abolished; training is the responsibility of the General Medical [13879] Council (GMC), which is the competent authority for (3) which organisations will have responsibility for medical training in the United Kingdom. Its role is that multi-professional education and training funding of custodian of quality standards in medical education following the abolition of strategic health authorities. and practice. [13880] 563W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 564W

Anne Milton: “Equity and Excellence: Liberating the information prescription are tailored to each patient’s NHS” set out the principles for the future arrangements individual needs, through discussions with health and for education and training. The Department will publish social care professionals. proposals for consultation later this year. This will The Information Prescriptions Service include proposals on the future management of multi- www.nhs.uk/ips professional education and training funding. In developing these proposals, the Department has held exploratory has recently been launched to give health and care discussions with a number of organisations including professionals easy access to NHS information alongside the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and quality-assured information from Britain’s leading charities. the Higher Education Funding Council for England. We will publish details of further developments in The purpose of this discussion was to understand how our information strategy in the autumn. other areas of higher education are funded to inform the development of proposals. Mental Health Services

Health: Disadvantaged Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for provision of psychological therapies by each primary Health what steps he plans to take to improve the care trust in each year from 2000 to 2010; and if he will health of residents in the most deprived areas. [14062] make a statement. [13246]

Anne Milton: We expect to publish a White Paper on Mr Burstow: Psychological therapy services are organised public health later this year. This will outline the at a local level and commissioners in primary care trusts Government’s plans for establishing the new public (PCTs) determine their provision. They have a duty to health service, and it will also map a cross-Government consider the level of local need, through joint strategic strategy on public health that will be taken forward in needs assessments and commission services to meet this the future. need. The Government have made it clear that tackling We do not hold information centrally about the level health inequalities is a priority. Improving equity and and nature of provision of psychological therapies in fairness is a theme of this Government. Everyone should the national health service for the period 2000-10. We have the same opportunities to lead a healthy life, no do, however, have information about the provision of matter where they live or who they are. services to treat mild to moderate anxiety and depression, as organised under the Improving Access to Psychological The White Paper, “Equity and Excellence: Liberating Therapies (IAPT) programme since 2006. The programme the NHS”, published on 12 July 2010, announced the aims to improve access to evidence based talking therapies establishment of an independent and accountable National in the NHS through an expansion of the psychological Health Service Commissioning Board. The board will therapy workforce and service. have an explicit duty to tackle inequalities in health care access and outcomes. 114 PCTs across England, providing access to around 60%, of the population in England, have already established This White Paper also announced plans for the new IAPT services and more the 2,500 therapists have already public health service that will have an important role in joined (and completed) the IAPT training programme. reducing inequalities in health. The public health budget will be ring-fenced and allocated to reflect relative Services are designed to meet local need and to date: population health outcomes, with a new “health premium” 932,283 people have been referred to psychological therapy to promote action to reduce health inequalities. We will services; therefore create a service that both recognises the impact 324,550 people entered IAPT services; of deprivation and rewards improvement, providing 177,786 people have completed treatment; further incentives to reduce inequalities in health. 57,255 people have moved to recovery; and 8,363 people have moved off sick pay and benefits. Health: Information Mental Health Services: Older People Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contribution he expects information prescriptions Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to make to the healthcare information revolution. how many consultants specialising in old age [12766] psychiatry there are in each primary care trust; and if he will make a statement. [13251] Mr Burstow: The Department is committed to ensuring that patients have the information they need to make Mr Burstow: The requested information is not collected choices and to take greater control of making decisions centrally. about their care and well-being. Information prescriptions are an important contribution NHS: Reorganisation to this, providing a mechanism for patients to access the information they need, when they need it most. Information Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for prescriptions contain information and signposts to further Health pursuant to the letter issued on 13 July 2010 by sources of advice and support, such as local patient the NHS chief executive, what estimate he has made of groups and self-management programmes, access to his Department’s expenditure in each cost category on benefits and social care services. The contents of an the proposed reorganisation of the NHS. [13865] 565W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 566W

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper “Equity and Anne Milton: A rapid evaluation of the scheme’s Excellence: Liberating the NHS” laid out proposals for early impact in Devon and Cornwall was carried out in fundamental changes to the ways that the national early 2006 and informed the scheme’s national roll out health service is structured and run. These changes were in November of that year. described in the letter of the NHS chief executive on 13 The Department has recently commissioned an July 2010. The precise costs of the transition to the new assessment of the scheme’s nutritional impact through system will not be known until the new organisations the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young that will underpin the new system have been designed in Children which focuses on measuring the nutritional more detail. status of children aged 4-18 months. Sampling work A number of consultations on how the new organisations will begin this year and results are expected to be should be designed are being published, and once the completed by autumn 2012. results of these are known we will publish the costs of Two further research projects on the broader impact the new system in an impact assessment. of Healthy Start have been commissioned from the NHS: Training university of Bristol and the university of York. These will explore in particular how vouchers are used and the Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health time scale, though still under discussion, is expected to how much funding has been allocated for multi- be expected to completed by autumn 2012. professional education and training to each strategic Self-harm: Health Services health authority in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12. [13878] Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Anne Milton: The Multi Professional Education and (1) if he will bring forward proposals to increase Training (MPET) budget allocations to strategic health provision of services for people who (a) repeatedly authorities (SHAs) in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are shown self-harm and (b) self-harm and are diagnosed with a in the following table. personality disorder; and if he will make a statement; [13247] MPET budget allocated to SHAs £000 (2) if he will commission research into the provision 2009-10 2010-11 of a dedicated self-harm service as part of the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [13248] NHS North East 253,184 259,613 (3) what his latest estimate is of the incidence of NHS North West 663,787 688,434 self-harm among older people; and if he will NHS Yorkshire and 487,592 498,824 commission research on the reasons for such self-harm; the Humber [13249] NHS East Midlands 359,159 371,517 NHS West 481,489 493,815 (4) what steps he is taking to reduce the number of Midlands older people who (a) attempt and (b) commit suicide; NHS East of 362,862 375,139 [13250] England (5) if he will take steps to improve NHS treatment of NHS London 1,084,937 1,112,755 depression in older people; and if he will make a NHS South East 260,108 271,104 statement. [13253] Coast NHS South Central 308,271 314,111 Mr Burstow: Suicide, attempted suicide and intentional NHS South west 385,075 396,493 self-harm are almost always symptoms of a complex England total 4,646,463 4,781,806 mix of problems like mental illness, personality disorder, social exclusion and poverty. Reducing them is a priority. No budget has yet been calculated or allocated for Equally, we recognise that more needs to be done to 2011-12. reduce the inequality currently experienced by many Nutrition older people trying to access mental health services and receiving care. We have recently announced that, in the Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for months ahead, we will reshape mental health strategy. Health what the name of each organisation that took The issues of self-harm, suicide and of eliminating discrimination in services for older people experiencing part in the Healthy Food Marks pilots is. [13866] mental health problems will be considered as part of Anne Milton: 78 public sector organisations took part that strategy. in two pilot phases (October to December 2009 and Smoking February to July 2010) for the Healthier Food Mark project. The names of these organisations are available on the Healthier Food Mark website at: Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ Health if he will bring forward legislative proposals to Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_114781 create an offence of smoking in cars where children are present. [13625] School Milk Anne Milton: We have no plans to extend the smokefree Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for law to private vehicles. Many families are now voluntarily Health what recent assessment his Department has making their homes and cars smokefree, reducing their made of the effectiveness of the Healthy Start scheme. children’s exposure to second-hand smoke. We will [13614] continue to urge parents to do this in encouraging them 567W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 568W to take responsibility for their children’s health. The Note: Public Health White Paper due later this year will set AII figures quoted are internal management information only out our priorities for action in this and other areas of and are subject to change. This information has not been quality tobacco control. assured under National Statistics protocols. Tobacco: Retail Trade Asylum: Gloucestershire Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the display of Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for the tobacco products in retail premises. [14432] Home Department what the cost to the public purse of provision of asylum seeker (a) accommodation and Anne Milton: The Government are developing options (b) support services in Gloucestershire was in each of around the display of tobacco in shops. the last five years. [13407] Tuberculosis: Children Damian Green: The Annex to this reply provides estimated costs for accommodation and for subsistence Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health payments in Gloucestershire for the years 2006-07 to how many children were diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2009-10. The information is not available to provide each of the last five years. [13518] similar figures for 2005-06. Annex Anne Milton: The information requested is shown in Table 1: Estimated cost of accommodating asylum-seekers in the following table. Gloucestershire Tuberculosis case reports in children aged 16 or under, England, Financial year Estimated cost (£000) 2004-091 Age group (years) 2006-07 669 Under 5 5 to 16 Total 2007-08 824 2008-09 774 2004 146 366 512 2009-10 789 2005 153 376 529 Note: 2006 116 391 507 We are unable to provide similar information for 2005-06 as 2007 156 431 587 accommodation provision in that year was on a different basis. Such 2008 167 416 583 records as are available do not provide a suitable basis for analysis by county for 2005-06. 2009 148 362 510 Table 2: Subsistence payments to asylum-seekers in Gloucestershire 1 Data for 2004 to 2008 as at September 2009. Data for 2009 is £000 provisional as at February 2010. Source: Financial Health Protection Agency year S95 costs S4 costs Total 2006-07 251 29 280 2007-08 271 51 322 HOME DEPARTMENT 2008-09 214 69 283 Asylum: Deportation 2009-10 219 78 297 Notes: 1. These figures are based on average accommodation costs and Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the average numbers of applicants accommodated. They should therefore Home Department on how many occasions removals be treated as approximations. by the UK Border Agency have been abandoned or 2. We do not have the information available to provide similar postponed because the deportee has required medical information for 2005-06. treatment in each of the last two years. [13221] Table 3: Payments to Gloucestershire authorities for UASCs £ Damian Green: When a UKBA removal is abandoned Financial Gloucestershire South or postponed, this is called a failed removal. year C.C. Gloucestershire Total UKBA attribute failed removals into certain categories. 2006-07 184,892 0 184,892 There is no specific category for ‘deportee requiring 2007-08 438,703 9,957 448,660 medical treatment’. However we do record the following 2008-09 381,988 81,970 463,958 categories: 2009-10 1,124,359 78.209 1,202,568 Medical reps received Note: Subject deemed medically unfit by carrier These figures are for payments made in each financial year rather than for liabilities incurred in those years. We do not have information Subject medically unfit to fly available to provide similar figures for 2005-06. The latest full two years worth of data available is for 2008-09 and 2009-10. Over these two years, 602 removals Borders: Personal Records failed due to one of the above three reasons. It should be noted that these are instances of failed removals i.e. Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the the same individual could potentially fail to be removed Home Department how much her Department has paid on medical grounds on multiple occasions. to Deloitte Consulting for work on the eBorders programme It should be noted that when a removal has failed since September 2005; whether further payments remain every effort is made to ensure their successful removal at to be made; how much her Department has paid to a later date. Raytheon for work on the eBorders programme since 569W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 570W

November 2007; and what (a) incentives and (b) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- performance indicators were used to measure Deloitte’s stats.html performance. [12877] The Government have been clear in its commitment to end the detention of children. We therefore continue Damian Green: Since September 2005 the e-Borders to work with our corporate partners to find an alternative programme has paid Deloitte Consulting £37.3 million; that protects the welfare of children, without undermining there is an amount of £139,414 remaining to be paid for our immigration laws. work done during June and July 2010. Since November 2007 e-Borders has paid £188.9 million to Raytheon. Entry Clearances: Overseas Students Performance indicators were included within work packages agreed with Deloitte Consulting. These included Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for the detailed lists of deliverables to be completed within Home Department if she will assess the financial scheduled timescales. The acceptance criteria were agreed effects on educational institutions of implementation by the manager of the relevant workstream with a of her Department’s proposed changes to the student review being completed prior to acceptance. visa system. [14039] Reports of monthly progress were reviewed and agreed at the programme level. Damian Green: It is the Government’s aim to reduce These detailed the work completed and activities to net migration to sustainable levels; tens of thousands be completed in the following month. Any failure to not hundreds of thousands. The Government will be complete a deliverable to the accepted criteria would reviewing the non-economic immigration routes with a result in a percentage deduction in fees. No incentives view to bringing forward proposals in due course. Economic were agreed within work packages. impact on the sector will be assessed as part of the detailed consideration of the student visa system. Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers Security Industry: Regulation Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions each Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Minister in her Department has met the Chief Home Department whether she plans to bring into Scientific Officer in her Department since 6 May 2010. force those provisions of the Crime and Security Act 2010 relating to the private security industry not yet in [10029] force. [11940] Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 20 July 2010]: I have met with Professor Bernard Silverman, the Home Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 27 July 2010]: I Office’s Chief Scientific Officer on one occasion. announced on 17 August 2010 the Government’s intention to ban wheel-clamping and towing on private land in My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has met England and Wales. The ban will be included in the with him once on 28 July 2010; the Minister of State for Government’s Freedom Bill which will be introduced Security and Counter-Terrorism has met with him five later this year. Accordingly, sections 42 and 44 of the times; the Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Crime and Security Act 2010, which provide for the Justice has met with him once; and the Parliamentary regulation of the vehicle immobilisation industry by Under-Secretary of State for Crime Prevention has met way of business licensing, will be repealed. with him on two occasions. The 2010 Act also includes a provision, section 43, In addition, Professor Silverman has been present at which would extend the scope of the Security Industry a number of larger meetings chaired by the Home Authority’s voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme Secretary, and one chaired by the Minister of State for beyond private security contractors to enable other Policing and Criminal Justice. businesses to apply for membership in respect of their in-house security operations. The Government will consider Detainees: Children their plans for commencement of this provision in due course. Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been UK Border Agency: Patrol Craft detained in immigration removal centres since 6 May 2010. [13606] Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to review the Damian Green: Published management information number of vessels used by the UK Border Agency for shows 115 children entered detention and were held coastline patrols. [13213] solely under Immigration Act powers in Q2 2010. Of these, 50 children had entered between 6 May and Damian Green: In line with the requirements of the 30 June. Comprehensive Spending Review, all UKBA resources The latest published information on children detained and assets are under review and this includes the Border solely under Immigration Act powers relating to the Force cutter fleet. second quarter 2010 are available in the Table 3.4 of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the United Kingdom, April to June 2010 in the Library of Home Department what the cost to the public purse of the House and the Home Office’s Research, Development coastline patrols by the UK Border Agency was in each and Statistics website at: of the last five years. [13214] 571W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 572W

Damian Green: Approximate operating costs (running http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- costs for vessels and crew salaries) are as follows: stats.html The Government have been clear in its commitment £ million to end the detention of children. We therefore continue to work with our corporate partners to find an alternative 2005-06 9.2 that protects the welfare of children, without undermining 2006-07 9.5 our immigration laws. 2007-08 10.8 2008-09 10.3 2009-10 10.9 INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vessels are used by the ICT UK Border Agency to patrol the Scottish coastline; and how many staff are employed to crew these vessels. John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, [13215] representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many field Damian Green: Our Cutter fleet is deployed according visits staff and officers of the Independent Parliamentary to risk and intelligence and works closely with other Standards Authority have made to assess the effectiveness agencies and is a key component in making our border of its remote data access system since 7 May 2010. secure. In order to respond effectively to risk and intelligence [13666] one cutter and on occasion two cutters are deployed in Scottish waters. Each cutter carries a maximum crew of Mr Charles Walker: The online expenses system is 12 border force officers. monitored remotely for effectiveness frequently. This allows IPSA to see how the remote access system is Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the working and therefore field visits specifically to assess Home Department how many arrests have been made remote access are not required. following coastline patrols by the UK Border Agency John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, in each of the last five years. [13216] representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many complaints Damian Green: The number of arrests made in the the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority last five years in relation to patrols by cutters in UK and has received about loss of data entered into its online international waters respect of the seizures is as follows: claims system since 7 May 2010. [13667] Arrests Mr Charles Walker: The IPSA has advised me that it 2006 6 is not aware of any complaints relating to loss of data entered into the online expenses system. 2007 2 2008 23 John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, 2009 5 representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent 2010 13 Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the log out 1 Arrests to date parameters for the Independent Parliamentary Standards It is important note that these figures do not include Authority online claims system are. [13668] arrests which may have been made by other agencies and police forces. Mr Charles Walker: To log off the online expenses system users must first click the “log off” button in red at the top of the screen and close the window before Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre signing out of the secure website by clicking on “sign out” on the right had side of the screen. Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the If the page is closed prematurely while the user is Home Department how many children are being held logged in, the system will lock the user out for a period at Yarl’s Wood detention centre. [13605] of approximately five minutes. In addition, to protect MPs data, the online expense Damian Green: Published data, using the usual rounding system automatically logs users out after five minutes of conventions in our statistical publications to ensure the inactivity. confidentiality of individual case files, show that as at 30 June 2010 there were less than three people detained John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, solely under Immigration Act powers at Yarl’s Wood representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent removal centre who were recorded as being less than 18 Parliamentary Standards Authority, for what reason years of age. This figure includes any cases where the the hon. Member for Bassetlaw was unable to access the age is disputed at the time. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority online Information on children detained solely under expenses system at 14.30 on 29 July 2010. [13669] Immigration Act powers relating to the second quarter 2010 are available in the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Mr Charles Walker: The online expense system suffered Statistical Summary, United Kingdom, April to June a technical problem on 29 July 2010 resulting in a short 2010 in the Library of the House and the Home Office’s period of unavailability. This was remedied on the same Research, Development and Statistics website at: afternoon by stopping and restarting the web services. 573W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 574W

Members: Allowances Consultancy spending (£000)

John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, 2007-08 21,200 representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent 2008-09 24,500 Parliamentary Standards Authority, when the Independent 2009-10 19,100 Parliamentary Standards Authority plans to reimburse the hon. Member for Bassetlaw for his claims for sums Departmental ICT spent on office rental. [13670] Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Charles Walker: The IPSA has advised me that it International Development which IT contracts awarded does not consider it appropriate to comment publicly by his Department in each of the last five years have on expense claims submitted by individual MPs. been abandoned; and what the monetary value of each such contract was. [12722] Redundancy Pay Mr O’Brien: In 2008, the Department for International Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for Development cancelled an internal information technology Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for project run by our Pakistan office. The project had the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, spent £7,000 at the point of cancellation. how many Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority staff have received redundancy payments; of Developing Countries: Debts what amount in each case; and for what reasons. [14305] Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many countries with Mr Charles Walker: No IPSA staff have received debts to the UK had all or part of that debt cancelled redundancy payments. between 1997 and May 2010. [13672]

Mr O’Brien: At least 49 countries with debts to the UK had all or part of that debt cancelled between 1997 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT and May 2010. Information on debt relief from the Department for Conflict Resolution: Females International Development (DFID) before 2001 could not be provided without disproportionate cost. This figure therefore includes (i) debt relief provided by Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for International DFID 2001 to 2010 and (ii) debt relief provided by the Development how many officials of his Department Export Credit Guarantees Department 1997 to May have engaged in the cross-departmental process on renewal 2010. of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in the last month; and what the payband of East Kilbride each such official is. [13643] Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr O’Brien: Nine officials from the Department for International Development what the (a) rent and (b) International Development (DFID) have been engaged operating cost of his Department’s offices at (i) Abercrombie in the cross-departmental process of renewing the National House, East Kilbride and (ii) Palace Street, London Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in the past SW1 were in the last 12 months for which figures are month. A senior civil servant (deputy director) is leading available. [12163] this process, supported by two senior advisers (DFID A1 payband), five advisers (A2 payband) and one Mr O’Brien: The rent and operating costs for programme coordinator (B1 payband). Abercrombie House (East Kilbride) and Palace Street (London) during the financial year 2009-10, were as Departmental Consultants follows:

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Abercrombie International Development how much was spent on 2009-10 House Palace Street Total (£) external consultants and advisers by (a) his Department Rent Freehold 5,245,684 5,245,684 and (b) each non-departmental public body for which Operating costs 11,459,000 2,054,000* 3,513,000 he is responsible in each year since 2005. [12494] 1 Excludes rates

Mr O’Brien: Amounts spent on external consultants Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for and advisers by the Department for International International Development how much of his Department’s Development (DFID) in each financial year since 2007-08 property at (a) Abercrombie House, East Kilbride and are set out in the table. Information on a comparable (b) Palace Street, London SW1 is vacant. [12164] basis is not available for earlier periods. No external consultancies were commissioned by the Commonwealth Mr O’Brien: None of the Department for International Scholarship Commission, DFID’s only non-departmental Development’s property in Palace Street or Abercrombie public body, from 2005-06 to 2009-10. House is vacant. 1 Palace Street is shared with Visit 575W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 576W

Britain and Visit England (agencies of the Department Mr O’Brien: Neither Ministers nor officials from the of Culture, Media and Sport). Department for International Development (DFID) have had discussions with their Libyan counterparts. International Assistance: Disability Overseas Aid: Finance

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what objectives he has for International Development what the Government’s policy on assistance for disabled people in developing budget for overseas aid (a) was in 1997-98 and (b) is in countries at the forthcoming UN summit on the 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the number Millennium Development Goals. [12209] of people lifted out of poverty by actions attributable to UK aid expenditure in each year since 1997. [13673] Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government, along with our European Union partners, is working hard to Mr O’Brien: United Kingdom official development secure the strongest possible outcomes for the world’s assistance in 1997 was £2.1 billion. The Department for poor at the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) International Development’s (DFID) budget for 2010-11 summit next month to ensure that efforts to reach the is £7.7 billion. The total level of official development MDGs must seek to support the poorest and most assistance from other Government Departments and vulnerable people, including disabled people. agencies for 2010-11 will be finalised in the course of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a major the current spending review. cause of disability in the developing world. Successfully DFID does not hold estimates of the number of addressing the NTDs challenge is fundamental to achieving people lifted out of poverty by actions attributable to the MDGs, particularly MDG 6 (Combat HIV/AIDS, UK aid expenditure in each year since 1997. Recent Malaria and Other Diseases). The Department for estimates suggest that DFID’s aid lifts 3 million people International Development is working to ensure a out of poverty each year. substantive reference to NTDs and maternal and child The Government are committed to making UK aid health in the MDG summit’s outcome document which more effective in reducing poverty, through improved will focus international efforts and actions over the next transparency and value for money. As part of this work, five years. Focusing on improving health in the developing we are looking to develop new ways of standardising world will help to reduce incidences of disability. and aggregating the results of individual projects to help improve estimates of our impact on poverty reduction. Israel Zimbabwe: Politics and Government Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for paid to (a) B’Tselem, (b) HaMoked, (c) Yesh Din, International Development what recent discussions he (d) Ir Amin, (e) Bimkom, (f) the Public Committee has had with the (a) Government of South Africa, (b) Against Torture in Israel, (g) the Israeli Committee African Union and (c) Southern African Development Against House Demolition, (h) Gisha, (i) the Community members on progress on the provisions of Association for Civil Rights in Israel, (j) Peace Now, the Zimbabwean Global Political Agreement relating (k) Mossawa and (l) Breaking the Silence in each to land audit. [12740] financial year since 2005-06; for what purposes those payments were made; and what assessment he has Mr O’Brien: In recent months, the Secretary of State made of the effectiveness of his Department’s spending has had discussions with key interlocutors in the on each such programme or project undertaken by Zimbabwean Global Political Agreement process. These each such organisation. [11500] discussions have not gone into the specifics of moving forward on a land audit. Mr Duncan: The Department of International The UK continues to work closely with other donors Development (DFID) has not provided funding directly through the United Nations and World Bank in supporting to any of these organisations. However DFID, along the policies required for an effective land audit. We will with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry consider further support to a physical land audit when of Defence provides funding to the Conflict Prevention we are confident this will be used for the benefit of the Pool (CPP). For details of CPP support to these people of Zimbabwe. organisations and the UK Government’s view of their effectiveness, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer provided by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (Mr Hague) of 6 September JUSTICE 2010, Official Report, columns 219-21W. Prisoners: Religion

Libya: Overseas Aid Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in respect of which prisons he has received recent reports Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for on the religious radicalisation of prisoners. [12410] International Development what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department have had with Mr Blunt: Prison staff are asked to submit reports to their Libyan counterparts on his Department’s work in prison security departments on any subject of concern. that country in the last 12 months. [12303] Guidance and training have been provided to help staff 577W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 578W identify potential concerns around extremism and Civil VHCC costs are not recorded centrally in a way radicalisation. The guidance draws a clear distinction that separates (a) solicitor costs, (b) counsel fees and with the legitimate practice of faith or expression of (c) disbursement costs. Therefore the detailed information political ideas. Where staff observe behaviours which requested is not readily available. give rise to concern they are reported using these established procedures. Each report is considered and its likely Departmental Assets reliability and importance assessed, in order for appropriate actions to be taken. Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice It is important to note that reporting may be partial, (1) which former (a) buildings and (b) land owned by uncorroborated or duplicative. Therefore the number of (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental prisons where reports of radicalisation has been received public bodies and (B) agencies for which his does not of itself indicate an established or absolute Department is responsible have been sold since May level of risk. 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued In the most recent three month period (May to July in each case; [12324] 2010), national recording systems show 44 prisons in England and Wales logged Security Information Reports (2) how much was paid by his Department in rent for of incidents which might relate to manifestations of properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) attempted radicalisation. This figure represents a snapshot nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12325] in time influenced by operational variables such as Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was created population mix, regime and other factors. in May 2007 and information relating to buildings and Radicalisation is a societal phenomenon; the holding land, including rents, is only held centrally from that of extremist views does not necessarily lead to violent date. Obtaining this information before May 2007 would extremist behaviour and the challenge is to identify and incur disproportionate costs. Information on MoJ non- manage risks appropriately. Prisons therefore work closely departmental public bodies is not held centrally and with the police and other partners to manage those could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. risks among offenders and have a developed programme The following tables give details of the proceeds of of work to deliver more effective management of those the sale of properties and amounts paid in rent since risks. May 2007. It includes information from MoJ headquarters, Although care is taken when processing and analysing National Offender Management Service Agency (custodial the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies and non-custodial), HM Courts Service, Tribunals Service inherent in any large scale recording system. and the Office of the Public Guardian. A breakdown of buildings and land sold is not available Care Proceedings: Finance and information on the sale of properties is not held on a regional basis. The following tables detail total revenue Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for from the sale of land and property by MoJ bodies. Justice (1) how much the High Cost Case Unit spent on (a) solicitors’ costs, (b) counsels’ fee and (c) disbursements £ million on care proceedings in the last 12 months for which 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 figures are available; [12655] Her Majesty’s Courts 6.6 11.0 1.5 12.1 2.5 (2) how much the High Cost Case Unit spent on care Service proceedings in the last 12 months for which figures are Office of the Public 00000 Guardian available; [12656] Tribunal Service 0 0 0 0 0 (3) how much was spent by the High Cost Case Unit National Offender 12.8 22.1 12.1 10.4 3.1 on the 10 most costly care proceedings in the last 12 Management Service months for which the figures are available. [12654] Agency Ministry of Justice —0000 Headquarters Mr Djanogly: The most costly public law Children Act proceedings, for which the final bill was authorised Information on rent paid on MoJ properties is not in financial year 2009-10, were as follows: held on a regional basis, other than for London. The 1. £356,400 following tables provide figures for rents paid. 2. £323,580 England 3. £271,330 £ million 4. £229,860 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 5. £221,910 Her Majesty’s Courts 36.0 41.3 43.4 Service 6. £217,030 Office of the Public 000 7. £215,200 Guardian1 8. £214,880 Tribunals Service 29.9 29.9 29.1 9. £212,340 National Offender — 17.6 17.5 Management Service 10. £211,120 (NOMS) Agency2 Spend on public law Children Act cases in financial MoJ headquarters 27.8 28.1 26.4 year 2009-10, under the very high cost case (VHCC) 1 Rent for the OPG is paid by the Ministry of Justice headquarters. 2 Central records of rent paid by NOMS agency is not held before 2008-09. It scheme, was £57 million. This figure includes solicitor is not broken down by region and includes data for Wales which could not be fees, counsel fees and disbursements. disaggregated. 579W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 580W

Scotland With regard to vacant property, information is only £ million available for the NOMS Agency from 2008-09. A cost 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 of £517,000 was incurred in 2008-09 and £719,000 in 2009-10. Tribunals 2.5 2.4 2.4 Service1 1 The Tribunals Service is the only part of the MoJ that pays rent on property in Scotland. Drugs: Crime Wales £ Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Justice how many people were (a) prosecuted for and Her Majesty’s Courts 1,300,000 1,400,000 2,000,000 (b) convicted of an offence of involvement in illegal Service drug trafficking or usage in each year since 2006. Office of the Public 000 [13639] Guardian1 Tribunal Service 1,000,000 1,000,000 955,369 Mr Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against National Offender ——— Management Service2 at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for drug trafficking and possession of illegal drugs, England MoJ HQ 116,806 116,461 116,461 and Wales 2006 to 2008 (latest available), is given in the 1 Rent for the OPG is paid by the Ministry of Justice HQ. 2 Central records of rent paid by NOMS Agency is not held before table. 2008-09. It is included in the data for England in the table above. Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October 2010. Departmental Buildings Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for guilty at all courts for offences related to drugs trafficking and Justice (1) how much office space per employee his possession1, England and Wales, 2006 to 20082,3,4,5 Department and its predecessors occupied in each year Proceeded against Found guilty since 1997; [12996] Drug trafficking (2) how much his Department and its predecessors offence description 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. Unlawful 874 818 830 835 783 745 [13015] importation of a drug controlled Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice was created in May under misuse of 2007 and information before then is not held centrally. Drugs Act 1971 Obtaining these details would incur disproportionate Unlawful 29 38 16 35 36 29 costs. exportation of a drug controlled The following data include headquarters buildings under misuse of for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), National Offender Drugs Act 1971 Management Service (NOMS) Agency, including custodial Production of or 1,903 2,649 3,300 1,480 2,120 2,627 and non-custodial estate, the Tribunals Service and the being concerned in Office of the Public Guardian. HM Courts Service the production of a details are not held centrally and could be obtained controlled drug. only at disproportionate cost. Having possession of 6,572 7,130 7,931 5,062 5,499 6,443 a controlled drug Information on over 60 other MOJ agencies and with intent to supply. non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally Supplying or 4,232 4,323 4,508 3,499 3,507 3,940 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. offering to supply (or Office space per employee being concerned in supplying or offering Square metre to supply) a Office space Office space Office space controlled drug. per employee per employee per employee Having a controlled 11511— Body 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 drug in possession on a ship; Being Ministry of 17 15 n/a knowingly concerned Justice in the carrying or headquarters concealing of a National n/a n/a 12 controlled drug on a Offender ship. Management Concealing or 21 21 11 6 7 6 Service transferring the Agency proceeds of drug Tribunals 8910trafficking; Assisting Service another person to Office of the n/a n/a 10 retain the benefit of Public drug trafficking; Guardian Acquisition, n/a = Not available possession or use of Note: proceeds of drug Data on floor space for MOJ headquarters for the period 2009-10 trafficking. have not yet been processed. The details in the table are based on Total drugs 13,632 14,980 16,601 10,918 11,953 13,790 available information. trafficking offences 581W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 582W

Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found Central and south London guilty at all courts for offences related to drugs trafficking and £ possession1, England and Wales, 2006 to 20082,3,4,5 Amount Legally Administratively Proceeded against Found guilty outstanding cancelled cancelled Drug trafficking offence description 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 2007-08 34,480,244 1,874,266 3,242,871 2008-09 38,157,039 2,484,088 5,584,663 Total possession 29,725 33,195 39,510 28,040 31,722 38,087 2009-10 42,113,989 1,474,824 1,018,757 offences1 1 Includes offences under statutes: Customs and Excise Management Act 1979; Misuse of Drugs Act 1671; Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as Magistrates Courts: Surrey amended by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1694; Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990; Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for 2 Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July Justice how many representations he has received from and August 2008. (a) residents of Surrey and (b) magistrates in Surrey 3 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant on the closure of Woking Magistrates Court; and if he has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence will place in the Library a copy of each such is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the representation. [12761] same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is Mr Djanogly: The consultation period extends until the most severe. 4 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are 15 September. We will share the number of responses accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these received and a summary of them when the Lord Chancellor data have been extracted from large administrative data systems publishes his decision for each area. generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care As of 26 August the Department had received 142 should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken Into account when those data are formal responses to the consultation on the provision of used. court services in Kent Surrey and Sussex. 5 The number of defendants found guilty in a particular year may exceed the number proceeded against as the proceedings in the magistrates court took place in an earlier year and the defendants Prisoners: Pay were found guilty at the Crown court in the following year or the defendants were found guilty of a different offence to that for which Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice they were originally proceeded against. (1) what guidance his Department provides prisons on Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice the (a) level and (b) means of calculation of remuneration paid to prisoners for work undertaken whilst in prison; Fines: Magistrates Courts [12411] (2) what activities are classified as work for the Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice purposes of the remuneration paid to prisoners. [12412] what the monetary value was of outstanding fines imposed by Bexley Magistrates Court in each of the Mr Blunt: Guidance on prisoners’ pay is set out in last three years; and what the monetary value was of Prison Service Order 4460 (Prisoners’ Pay), a copy of fines written off in that period. [12543] which has been placed in the House Library. The order sets out minimum rates of prisoner pay and requires Mr Djanogly: HMCS systems do not identify the prison governors and directors of contracted prisons to value of fines for individual courts as the accounting is devise local pay schemes that pay either the minimum managed in centralised units. To identify the value or above the minimum rate of pay and that reflect outstanding and written off for individual courts would regime priorities. incur a disproportionate cost as it would require a The purpose of paying prisoners is to encourage their manual search of all court records. constructive participation in the regime of the establishment. Bexley is within the central and south area of the Prisoners are remunerated if they participate in purposeful London Local Criminal Justice Board area so set out in activity which is defined as undertaking work, induction, the following table are the amounts outstanding and education, training or offending behaviour programmes. written off in the last three years. The value of outstanding balance includes the amount Prisons: Finance owed for fines imposed in the magistrates and crown courts plus compensation, victims surcharge, costs and John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the value of unpaid fixed penalty notices that are transferred Justice (1) what the cost to the public purse has been of to HMCS for enforcement as a fine. The outstanding the provision of each private finance initiative prison balance has risen through the application of a strict since its opening; [12909] policy that only allows fines to be written off in certain (2) what the operating cost has been of each private circumstances. The outstanding balance includes fines finance initiative prison since its opening. [12910] imposed a number of years ago during the period when fines could not be cancelled (2004 to 2006) and fines Mr Blunt: It is not possible to provide a complete which are being paid by instalments. Some of the balance answer to the hon. Member’s question in relation to outstanding could be as much as 10-years-old. providing operating costs for these PFI contracts (since Fines can be either administratively cancelled or legally their opening), as centralised detailed historical data is cancelled. Amounts written off can relate to fines that not available for all periods in question, and to investigate were imposed in either the current or any previous year. further would incur significant disproportionate costs. 583W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 584W

There are nine private finance initiative prison (PFI) The current estimated value of the contracts is a contracts currently in place for England and Wales. The forecast of their net value and is included for information. table that follows provides an annual net present valve It should be noted that there are a number of changeable (NPV) calculated for the winning bidder. It should be factors that affect the annual cost of running each of noted that there is no direct relationship in the table the prisons set out above, e.g. population levels, service between the current estimated annual value of the contract requirements and variations in RPI to which the contracts for 2010-11 and the original NPV for the whole of life are subject. contract.

Original opening net present value Current estimated 25 year contract which Main service (NPV) annual value Name of Prison Location ends: provider (£ million) 2010-11 (£)

HMP Altcourse Fazakerley, Merseyside 30 May 2023 G4S 1247 48,565,339 HMP Ashfield Pucklechurch near 31 October 2024 Serco 1121 24,838,073 Bristol HMP Bronzefield Ashford, Middlesex 16 June 2029 Kalyx 1219 28,102,124 HMP Dovegate Marchington near 8 July 2026 Serco 1240 35,461,326 Uttoxeter, Staffordshire HMP Forest Bank Salford, Greater 19 January 2025 Kalyx 1197 38,747,315 Manchester HMP Lowdham Grange Nottingham 15 February 2023 Serco 1137 26,559,484 HMP Parc Bridgend, South Wales 14 December 2022 G4S 1266 44,592,734 HMP Peterborough Cambridgeshire 13 February 2028 Kalyx 1291 33,636,428 HMP Rye Hill Onley, near Rugby, 20 January 2026 G4S 1154 19,940,044 Warwickshire 1 Over 25 years.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Blunt: I met with representatives of the POA, Justice what the construction cost was of each private PCS and the Prison Service Joint Industrial Council on finance initiative prison opened since 1996. [12911] 7 September and representatives of the Prison Governors’ Association on 8 September. Mr Blunt: The following table shows the construction cost of each private finance initiative (PFI) prison built since 1996. Taxis Construction cost Prison Opening date (£ million) Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Pare (Bridgend) November 1997 47 Justice how much his Department and its predecessors Altcourse December 1997 68 spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12977] (Liverpool) Lowdham Grange February 1998 25 (Nottingham) Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) accounting Ashfield (Bristol) November 1999 26 systems do not record expenditure on taxis separately Forest Bank January 2000 45 from other forms of travel and subsistence. This is also (Manchester) true of the Ministry’s predecessor departments, the Rye Hill (Rugby) January 2001 37 former Department for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Dovegate July 2001 64 Chancellor’s Department. It would incur disproportionate (Uttoxeter) costs to examine thousands of individual expense claims Bronzefield June 2004 43 and Government Procurement Card records held locally (Ashford, Surrey) to isolate expenditure on taxis. Peterborough March 2005 68 Some information is available for central functions within the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Additionally, the contract for a new PFI prison at and the former Office of Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) Belmarsh West (South East London) was signed on 30 for the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 from Home Office June 2010 and construction has started. The estimated systems. As accounting records were migrated to MoJ’s construction cost is £97 million. systems in November/December 2008, expenditure for 2007-08 is not for the full year. Prisons: Trade Unions National Offender Management Services Centre £000 (rounded)

2005-06 64 Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07 72 Justice when he next expects to meet representatives of 2007-08 89 Prison Service trade unions. [12007] 585W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 586W

Office for Criminal Justice Reform Michael Moore: In the week beginning 20 July 2010, I £000 (rounded) met with a wide range of external parties, from a cross-section of sectors. 2005-06 121 2006-07 14 Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 15 Scotland which meetings he was due to hold did not All travel by Ministry of Justice staff members and take place in the week beginning 20 July 2010. [13608] Ministers is completed in line with the published rules for official travel and subsistence within the staff handbook. Michael Moore: Meetings may occasionally have to The rules are in accordance with the guidelines set out be postponed for a variety of reasons and rescheduled in the Civil Service Management Code. as soon as practical for all parties. As was the case with The MoJ’s policy on staff use of taxis states that staff previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings. ″may only claim reimbursement of taxi fares where there is no other suitable form of public transport or if you have heavy luggage to transport or where the saving in official time is Horse Racing important″ Unpaid Fines Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for colleagues on the contribution of horseracing in Scotland Justice what the monetary value was of outstanding to the Scottish economy; and if he will meet Friends of fines imposed by (a) Keighley magistrates’ court and Scottish Racing to discuss this matter. [13632] (b) Bradford Magistrates’ Court in each of the last three years; and what the monetary value was of fines Michael Moore: I have not yet had the opportunity to written off in that period. [12401] discuss the contribution of horseracing in Scotland to the Scottish economy with the Secretary of State for Mr Djanogly: HMCS systems do not identify the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. value of fines for individual courts as the accounting is managed in centralised units. To identify the value Social Security Benefits outstanding and written off for individual courts would incur a disproportionate cost as it would require a Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for manual search of all court records. Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Keighley and Bradford are both within the West ministerial colleagues on the likely effects of changes to Yorkshire Local Criminal Justice Board Area so set out the benefits system on people in Scotland; and if he in the table are the amounts outstanding and written off will visit carers in East Lothian to discuss this matter in the last three years. with them. [13631] The value of outstanding balance includes the amount owed for fines imposed in the magistrates and crown Michael Moore: I have had a number of discussions courts plus compensation, victims surcharge, costs and on these issues with ministerial colleagues, including the the value of unpaid fixed penalty notices that are transferred Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. As I said to HMCS for enforcement as a fine. The outstanding previously in my response to PQ 12562 on 6 September balance has risen through the application of a strict 2010, Official Report, column 12W,the Spending Review policy that only allows fines to be written off in certain Framework document issued by HM Treasury on 8 circumstances. The outstanding balance includes fines June 2010 states that the Government will look closely imposed a number of years ago during the period when at the effects of their decisions on different groups in fines could not be cancelled (2004-06) and fines which society, especially the least well off, across the United are being paid by instalments. Some of the balance Kingdom. outstanding could be as much as 10 years old. Fines can be either administratively cancelled or legally cancelled. Amounts written off can relate to fines that were imposed in either the current or any previous year. TRANSPORT West Yorkshire Aviation: Security £ Amount Administratively outstanding Legally cancelled cancelled Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the 2007-08 12,890,971 3,456,578 4,187,950 implications for UK air transport safety and security of 2008-09 14,852,420 2,456,015 1,300,731 the abolition of his Department’s Transport Security 2009-10 17,067,374 3,627,781 1,044,621 and Contingencies team (TRANSEC); and what estimate he has made of the effect on the public purse SCOTLAND of the transfer of TRANSEC’s responsibilities to the Home Office. [14096] Departmental Responsibilities Mrs Villiers: No decision has been taken to abolish Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for TRANSEC. The cost of all Department for Transport Scotland what meetings with external parties he held in activity is under review in the comprehensive spending the week beginning 20 July 2010. [13607] review. 587W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 588W

M5: Gloucestershire Network Rail is responsible for performance data for the rail industry. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Network Rail’s chief executive at the following address Transport what progress has been made on installing for such information: traffic lights at junction 12 of the M5 as part of the Iain Coucher section 106 undertaking in respect of the Hunt’s Grove Chief Executive development. [13396] Network Rail Kings Place Mike Penning: Work to improve M5 junction 12 90 York Way including the installation of traffic signals to improve London, N1 9AG traffic flows began on 6 September. The scheme also includes remodelling the roundabouts at that junction. Railways: Kent To minimise delays to traffic these works will be carried out overnight and will take approximately 14 weeks to complete. The scheme is being funded by contributions Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for from three developers as well as the Highways Agency. Transport what public consultation his Department plans to undertake on the timetable specification for the next Integrated Kent Franchise. [13841] Motorways: Ashton under Lyne Mrs Villiers: The current Integrated Kent Franchise Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for is operated by Southeastern and is due to end in March Transport how many times (a) the grass has been cut 2014. The Department for Transport would normally and (b) litter has been collected from the (i) consult on the contents of a new franchise around 18 roundabout on Junction 24 of the M60 and (ii) area months before a replacement franchise is due to commence. surrounding Junction 2 on the M67 in the latest period It should be noted that the Department is currently for which figures are available. [13722] consulting on amendments to the franchising system, which may alter the process that will be employed in Mike Penning: Since January 2010, the Highways future. Agency has cut the grass where required for safety reasons, at Junction 24 of the M60 Motorway, on one occasion. Along the entire length of the M67, including Railways: Lincoln Junction 2, the Agency has twice cut the grass where required for safety reasons, within that period. Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Since January 2010, the Agency has undertaken 11 Transport what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in litter clearance exercises at Junction 24 of the M60. his Department have had with Network Rail on its Within that period, seven litter clearance exercises have proposed closure of Lincoln high street level crossing been undertaken along the entire length of the M67, for up to 40 minutes an hour between 0800 and 1900 including Junction 2. daily. [13635] Mrs Villiers: Department for Transport Ministers Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for and officials communicate regularly with Network Rail. Transport what the frequency of grass cutting and The operation of Lincoln high street level crossing is an litter collection is on the area surrounding Junction 2 operational matter for Network Rail. on the M67. [13723] Network Rail advises that the possible proposed Mike Penning: The frequency of grass cutting is additional down-time of the level crossing derives from determined by regular inspections to ensure that the a scheme involving upgrades at various locations on the grass is kept at a level that will not affect visibility for joint line from Werrington Junction, near Peterborough, motorists. The Highways Agency continually monitors to Doncaster via Spalding, Lincoln and Gainsborough the entire length of the M67, including Junction 2, and Lea road. This route forms a major part of the Strategic cuts the grass on its land as and when required. This Freight Network programme and works in conjunction continual monitoring also determines the timing of the with the Felixstowe to Nuneaton project and other Agency’s litter clearance exercises along the M67. grade separation schemes to free up capacity for passenger services on the network. Railways: Gloucester Network Rail understands that proposals to increase freight capacity through Lincoln will have an impact on the level crossing. The company has been working Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for closely with Lincolnshire county council, and will continue Transport (1) what proportion of passenger rail services to work with all parties to achieve a suitable solution. I (a) departing from and (b) arriving at Gloucester note that the hon. Member has been in touch with railway station were on time in each year since 1997; Network Rail on this issue. [13402] (2) how many passenger rail services called at Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Gloucester railway station in each year since 1997. Transport whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his [13403] Department discussed with East Coast Trains its decision not to operate a direct rail route between Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not Lincoln and London seven times per day; and whether hold the information requested. the decision has temporary or permanent effect. [13636] 589W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 590W

Mrs Villiers: The decision to provide one new through Norman Baker: I will be happy to meet a delegation service between Lincoln and London in the May 2011 led by the hon. Member. Please write to my office at the timetable rather than the seven originally proposed was Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 taken following discussions with the train operator. Marsham street, London SW1P 4DR to arrange a The forthcoming refranchising of intercity East Coast suitable date and time. train services will provide an opportunity for potential Travel: Concessions train operators to review the number of through services between Lincoln and London that might be provided in the future. Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to provide special grant Railways: North West payments to travel concession authorities to fund the national concessionary travel scheme beyond March Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 2011. [13671] what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on rail services in the North West; and if he will make a Norman Baker: The special grant funding provided statement. [13079] to Travel Concession Authorities by the Department for Transport following the introduction of the England-wide Mrs Villiers: The Secretary of State regularly meets scheme in 2008 covered the period from 2008-09 through with stakeholders from across the rail industry, including to 2010-11. The Department for Communities and Local Network Rail. Such discussions may include reference Government is currently consulting on the distribution to rail services in the north-west. of formula grant funding to local authorities from As Minister of State, I met with Network Rail during April 2011 onwards. The proposals set out in that a visit to Manchester in July. Topics discussed included consultation include transferring the concessionary travel the Northern Hub study and Network Rail’s proposals special grant into formula grant. Final decisions on the for improvements to Manchester Victoria station. future funding route for the concessionary travel scheme will be taken as part of the spending review. I refer the hon. Member to my previous answers on north-west rail services on 7 June 2010, Official Report, columns 38-39W and 24 June 2010, Official Report, columns 299-300W. TREASURY Railways: Theft Departmental Internet

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Transport what steps he is taking to prevent the theft of which Minister in his Department authorised the launch metals from the railway network. [14061] of the Spending Challenge website. [13873]

Mrs Villiers: Metal theft is a crime which hits the Justine Greening: The Spending Challenge website railway particularly hard and causes levels of disruption was launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. out of all proportion to the value of the material stolen. That is why the British Transport Police, as the national Members: Correspondence police force for the railway, is in the forefront of efforts to tackle the problem. Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The British Transport Police hosted a national conference when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. on the subject in Leeds last July bringing together Member for Basildon and Billericay of 9 July on his police forces, Network Rail, the scrap metal industry constituent, Mr A Burny. [13882] and others with an interest to consider further measures to deal with cable and other metal theft. The approach Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member. is to target the thieves and the scrap yards where they seek to sell their stolen material. Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Roads: Accidents Member for Basildon and Billericay of 26 July on his constituent, Mr J Dewhurst. [13883] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what target he has set for a reduction in the number of Justine Greening: The hon. Member’s correspondence road casualties over the next five years. [12972] was transferred to the Department for Works and Pensions that will reply directly. Mike Penning: The UK already has some of the safest roads in the world, but the coalition is considering how to make them even safer and whether this will include targets going forward. WALES Roads: Lincoln Fast Jet Training

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for 13. Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet a delegation of local representatives Wales what recent discussions she has had with the to discuss the prospects for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass Secretary of State for Defence on fast jet training in project. [13637] Wales. [13145] 591W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 592W

Mrs Gillan: I have had discussions with my right hon. Departmental Consultants Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on a number of defence issues affecting Wales. Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for Women and The Government are in the final stages of the Strategic Equalities what the (a) average and (b) highest daily Defence and Security Review which includes all aspects rate paid to consultants by the Government Equalities of defence. Final decisions will be made by the National Office was in each of the last five years. [13067] Security Council in the autumn. As part of this review, I have arranged to speak with my right hon. Friend the Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office Secretary of State for Defence in the coming days to is unable to provide data about daily rates as this discuss the possible effects of the review on defence information is not collated centrally and could be obtained projects in Wales, including fast jet training. only at disproportionate cost. Since its creation on 12 October 2007 the Government Equalities Office has Legislative Powers: National Assembly spent the following amounts on consultancy.

14.Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Average cost of Financial Consultancy Number of consultancy if the Government will make it their policy to support year spend (£) consultancies (£) the granting of additional legislative powers to the National Assembly for Wales. [13146] 2007-081 12,138 1 12,138 2008-09 19,673 5 3,934 Mrs Gillan: It is for the people of Wales to decide 2009-10 0 0 0 whether the National Assembly for Wales gains further 2010-112 000 legislative powers. The Government are committed to 1 From 12 October 2007 holding a referendum by the end of the first quarter of 2 As at 31 July 2010 next year. We will not prejudge the outcome. Departmental Official Hospitality

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES Ian Austin: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office Age: Discrimination spent on hospitality for events hosted by each Minister in (a) May and (b) June 2010. [10122]

James Wharton: To ask the Minister for Women and Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office Equalities what recent representations she has received spent £1,803 on the provision of hospitality at a ministerial on whether increases in travel insurance premiums from event in June 2010. There was no expenditure on hospitality the age of retirement constitute age discrimination; and in May. if she will make a statement. [12500]

Lynne Featherstone: Since taking office in May 2010 I Equalities and Human Rights Commission have received one letter on whether increases in travel insurance premiums from the age of retirement constitute Philip Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and age discrimination. Equalities how many complaints of (a) sex, (b) race The Government remain committed to ending harmful and (c) disability discrimination at work have been age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities made by staff of the Equalities and Human Rights and services. Given the fast-changing demographics as Commission in each of the last four years. [12372] people live longer, it is even more important to ensure that older people are treated fairly when accessing products Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights such as travel insurance. Commission is independent and manages its own affairs; A ban on age discrimination in the provisions of the following is based on information it has provided. goods, facilities and services is contained in the Equality The following table details the number of complaints Act 2010. The Government are currently considering received by the Commission since its inception in 2007 how these provisions can be implemented in the best in the format of grievances and employment tribunal way for business. claim forms (ET1).

Sex, Sex and disability Year of complaint Race Disability Sex disability Sex and race and race Total

October2007toMarch20080110002 April 2008 to March 2009 51612015 April 2009 to March 2010 1330018 April 2010 to July2010 0000000 Total 6 5 10 1 2 1 25 593W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 594W

WORK AND PENSIONS £ million Year ending 31 31 31 31 Departmental Allowances Pension contributions March March March March costs by: 2011 2010 2009 2008

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental 474.0 464.8 425.9 421.9 Work and Pensions how much his Department and its predecessor spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement Executive Agencies: claims in each year since 1997. [13047] Jobcentre Plus 294.3 286.9 248.3 244.7 Pensions Disability 50.4 52.1 56.0 61.6 Chris Grayling: DWP spent the following on: Carers Service (a) reimbursement of staff expenses in each of the Crown Non- years since 2005-06. Departmental Public Bodies: Total amount reimbursed Child Maintenance 32.1 32.2 33.4 35.6 in staff expenses Reimbursed expenses as and Enforcement (£ million) percentage of paybill Commission 2005-06 64.90 2.03 Health and Safety 26.7 26.5 25.2 24.4 Executive 2006-07 75.96 2.47 Source: 2007-08 63.97 2.11 Published Accounts. 2008-09 54.08 1.79 2009-10 58.65 1.84 The table details employer contributions to the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme made by the Department, Notes: 1. The figures above cover staff travel costs, including rail, air, car hire Executive Agencies and Crown Non-Departmental Public and staff subsistence and incidental costs. Bodies per the published accounts for the three years 2. Information prior to 2005-06 is not available. ended 31 March 2010, and forecast information for the year ended 31 March 2011. Please note that the forecast (b) On the 10 largest claims, that information would information is based on actuals for the four months be available only at disproportionate cost. ended 31 July 2010, extrapolated for the remainder of the year. Departmental Billing Information has only been included for entities included in the Resource Accounting boundary. The corporate centre figures are not published separately but are included Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for in the departmental figures. Work and Pensions what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt Departmental Public Consultation in July and August 2010. [13301] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to increase became a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code in the involvement of young members of the public in the March 2009 and set a target to pay 90% of correct making of decisions that affect them by (a) Ministers invoices within 10 days of receipt. This target applies to in his Department, (b) officials in his Department and all invoices paid by the Department and its agencies. (c) public bodies which fall within his Department’s The target has been met consistently since the signing of area of responsibility. [12269] the Code. Chris Grayling: Securing the opinions of young people The percentage of all supplier payments made within is essential to the Department for Work and Pensions 10 days of receipt of an invoice for July is 97%. and its Ministers. I will let the hon. Member have the information on We encourage the involvement, not only of young August’s figures as soon as possible. people, but of all groups in society, in our policy-making processes. We highlight major consultations as widely as possible, notifying them to a wide variety of interested Departmental Pensions parties through relevant media, and produce them in a number of formats to promote ease of access. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work We work routinely with a wide variety of stakeholders and Pensions what the cost was of pension contributions and, through our various consultative forums, DWP incurred by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non- and its agencies endeavour to involve a full range of departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for customer organisations that represent the interests of which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) all our customers, including young people. For example: each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland Our Equality Schemes Customer Reference Group was formed in each of the last three financial years; and what the to help the Department involve customers specifically on equality planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12445] issues and to act as a consultation group. It provides insight across the range of the Department’s policies and services through the personal experience of the representatives. A protected Steve Webb: Such information that is available is in characteristic of its remit is age and a young representative has the following table. been specifically recruited to be a regular member of the group. 595W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 596W

Equality 2025 is a high-level advisory group of disabled people each claimant in (a) Coventry South constituency and which offers Ministers and senior Government officials strategic (b) the West Midlands arising from his proposed advice at the very early stages of policy development and in-depth reforms. [13664] examinations of existing policy areas on issues that affect disabled people. The group has members who have experience in dealing with issues that affect young people, and includes two young Chris Grayling: We are committed to reforming the disabled people. benefits system to make work pay and are seeking views Under the auspices of the European year for combating poverty, on a range of options set out in the consultation paper st DWP is funding a project in conjunction with the EU which ‘21 Century Welfare’ (Cm 7913). involves the voices of young people. The project is being managed The financial implications of any change will depend by Save the Children and is called Inspiring Change. The project on the detailed design of the chosen option. We do not supports young people to run ‘change’ projects to the benefit of aim to reduce the levels of support for people in the their communities, while learning new skills. most vulnerable circumstances; but these reforms must DWP regularly uses customer insight research techniques to ensure that benefits are well targeted and go to those gain a better understanding of their customers. This has included recently seeking the views of young people as part of a cross-section who need them most, backed up by the right help to get of customers on a variety of topics including the barriers homeless into work. and people with mental health problems experience in joining the labour market, their experience in claiming benefits including International Pension Centre: Translation Services Social Fund and the design of future service delivery models. Children and young people are a priority customer group within the Pension Disability and Carers Service. In recognition Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work of this, the Family Carers Group was established. This is a forum and Pensions how much the International Pension which provides a focus on issues specific to children and young Centre spent on translation and interpretation in each people claiming disability living allowance and provides a mechanism of the last five financial years for which figures are for consultation on service delivery issues impacting on them. available; and if he will make a statement. [12424] Departmental Public Expenditure Steve Webb: The information is in the following table.

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Financial year Amount (£) and Pensions how much his Department contributed to each carer’s charity it funds in each of the last 12 2005-06 309,000 months. [13675] 2006-07 294,000 2007-08 198,000 Maria Miller: The Department for Work and Pensions 2008-09 461,000 and its agencies do not ordinarily directly fund charities. 2009-10 231,000 The Department does, however, work closely with charities Note: and voluntary organisations to help people access the Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. services and benefits to which they are entitled. Source: Oracle Application Desktop Integrator (ADI) reports for each of the The Department also encourages a wide range of financial years. providers from the voluntary and charitable sectors— alongside providers in the private and public sectors—to Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services contract with it to deliver employment programmes. It is not possible, however, to identify payments made to charitable organisations except at disproportionate cost; Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department’s payment systems identify the individual Work and Pensions what the geographic direct dial recipients, but do not show the status of those recipients phone number for the Jobcentre Plus area benefits i.e. whether they are private, public, charitable or voluntary office at James Watt Way, Crawley is; and what estimate sector organisations. he has made of the annual cost to benefit claimants of directing them to use 0845 phone numbers to contact Housing Benefit: West Midlands area benefit offices. [13660]

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Steve Webb: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra the number of people in (a) Coventry South Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member constituency and (b) the West Midlands who would be with the information requested. affected by implementation of his proposed changes to Letter from Darra Singh: housing benefit. [13663] The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the geographic direct dial phone number for the Steve Webb: The information is not available at the Jobcentre Plus area benefits office at James Watt Way, Crawley is; constituency level. and what estimate he has made of the annual cost to benefit The Department published a document on “Impacts claimants of directing them to use 0845 phone numbers to of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local contact area benefit offices. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12” on 23 Plus. July, which includes analysis at the local authority level. The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) telephony A copy of the document has been placed in the Library. strategy is to rationalise the numbers we publish for our customers so that they are clearly directed to the service they require. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Jobcentre Plus contact centres operate a virtual telephony network for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of where calls are directed to the next available advisor with the the average change in the amount of benefit received by appropriate skills to answer customers’ enquiries. Disclosure of 597W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 598W the geographic number you requested would compromise this Steve Webb: Estimates of the number and proportion strategy and would lead to a reduced service to our customers. of pensioners living in poverty are published in the Additionally, releasing geographic numbers behind the 0845 Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI service lines would result in additional costs to Jobcentre Plus as uses household income adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) for we would not be able to manage calls as effectively. Jobcentre Plus household size and composition, to provide a proxy for would also lose key call management information essential to the standard of living. planning and allocation of staff resources. It is free to call DWP 0800 numbers from BT landlines and Figures for 1997-98 cover Great Britain only, as agreements are in place to ensure that it is free to call via nine of Northern Ireland data did not become available until the UK’s largest mobile phone operators, representing 95% of the the following year. The latest available data covers 2008-09. mobile market. The 0845 numbers are not part of the agreement Relative poverty for pensioners is defined as households because they are for enquiries that typically take less time to with income below 60% of contemporary median resolve. DWP strives to achieve the right balance between meeting customer needs and using taxpayers’ money effectively. equivalised income after housing costs. Calls from landlines to 0845 numbers vary according to provider In 1997-98, there were around 2.9 million pensioners and are subject to periodic change. The rate is set based on the in relative poverty in Great Britain, which equates to customer’s personal contract arrangements. For example, BT, the around 29% of all pensioners. The 2008-09 UK figures largest landline provider, does not charge for 0845 calls where the show that around 1.8 million pensioners were in relative customer has a Call Plan and the call is made within the call plan poverty, equating to around 16%. times. BT accounts for two-thirds of landline provision and our recent research shows that over 75% of our customers contact us Estimates of the number of pensioners who have using landlines. been lifted out of poverty are not available, as each year As the cost to the customer of calling our 0845 numbers is different households are surveyed to produce low income dependant upon their method of calling and their personal call statistics in the Households Below Average Income plans it is not possible to determine the cost of calls to the series. However, information is available about the net Department’s 0845 telephone numbers. change over the period requested. Between 1997-98 and 2008-09, the number of pensioners with incomes below Pensioners: Leeds 60% of the contemporary median income reduced by around 1.2 million in Great Britain. Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Notes: Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to 1. These statistics are based on the Households Below Average reduce the level of pensioner poverty in (a) Leeds Income series, sourced from the Family Resources Survey. North West constituency and (b) Yorkshire; and if he 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject will make a statement. [13641] to uncertainty. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income Steve Webb: We will restore the earnings link for the figures are single financial years. basic state pension from April 2011, with a ‘triple 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown guarantee’ that the basic state pension will increase by employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5%. In the event that Pensions publication “Households Below Average Income”(HBAI) the basic state pension is increased by more than earnings series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or in 2011, the Government’s intention is that the majority ‘equivalised’) for household size and composition, as an income of pension credit recipients will benefit from the full measure as a proxy for standard of living. cash value of this increase. 5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes We want to ensure that older people receive the help have been equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) modified equivalisation factors. that they are entitled to. We will be conducting a research study later this year into the feasibility of using existing 6. Numbers of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions of pensioners data to help to improve the take-up of pension credit. in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest We will help prevent people from falling into poverty percentage point. in later life by simplifying the rules and regulations 7. These statistics are based on incomes after housing costs. relating to pensions to help reinvigorate occupational pensions. We will encourage companies to offer high-quality Personal Accounts Delivery Authority: Travel pensions to all employees and will work with businesses and the industry to support auto enrolment. Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the increase Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Leeds in expenditure on travel by the Personal Accounts Delivery North West constituency receive (a) the basic state Authority between 2007-08 and 2008-09. [13353] pension and (b) pension credit. [13642] Steve Webb: The main reason for the lower reported Steve Webb: The information requested for those in expenditure in 2007-08 is because this only covers the receipt of the state pension and pension credit in Leeds single month of March 2008, whereas the figures for North West constituency as at February 2010 has been 2008-09 represent 12 month’s expenditure. The Personal placed in the Library. Accounts Delivery Authority only started to account for its own expenditure from 1 March 2008, when it Pensioners: Poverty achieved grant-in-aid status. Prior to this, all its expenditure was accounted for and reported within DWP accounts. Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2008-09 also represented a period of growth for and Pensions how many pensioners were lifted out of PADA, when teams were expanded in London, Newcastle poverty between 1997 and May 2010. [12298] and Leeds in preparation for the procurement of services 599W Written Answers8 SEPTEMBER 2010 Written Answers 600W that will underpin the National Employment Savings full state retirement pension have accrued less than the Trust (NEST). This period also necessitated a small full number of entitlement years by means of number of overseas visits so that PADA could gain a contributions or bought-back years. [13633] better understanding of the scheme’s administration and investment markets and how future NEST contracts Steve Webb: At the end of the 2008-09 tax year, there for such services might be structured. were 1.6 million individuals over state pension age in Social Security Benefits: Disqualification the UK and overseas whose full basic state pension entitlement depended on national insurance credits or Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work home responsibilities protection awards. and Pensions how many benefit claimants receiving Notes: only national insurance contribution credits received a 1. Figures exclude individuals for whom entitlement to full basic benefit sanction in 2009-10. [13257] pension is derived wholly or in part from their former spouse’s national insurance contributions. Chris Grayling: The information is not available. 2. The figure is for individuals reaching state pension age before 6 Social Security Benefits: Fraud April 2009. These individuals are not affected by changes to the calculation of entitlement to the basic state pension for people reaching state pension age from 6 April 2010. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Source: Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Information Commissioner on the proposal for use DWP, Information Directorate: Lifetime Labour Market Database of credit ratings agencies to monitor benefit recipients’ 1% sample of the National Insurance Recording System. spending; what assessment he has made of the compliance of the proposal with data protection legislation; and if Winter Fuel Payments he will make a statement. [13653]

Steve Webb: The Secretary of State has not met with Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work the Information Commissioner to discuss the Department’s and Pensions how many pensioners were in receipt of proposal to make wider use of Credit Reference Agency the winter fuel payment on the date of each increase to data. DWP officials have, however, had an initial meeting the payment since its inception. [13534] with the Information Commissioner on this issue and a follow up meeting is planned for later in September. As discussions on the Department’s proposals are Steve Webb: The available information is in the tables. ongoing, the Information Commissioner has not yet made an assessment of compliance with data protection Rate of payment (£) Numbers of individuals legislation. 1999- 100 10,084,130 State Retirement Pensions 2000 2000-01 200 11,105,745 2001-02 200 11,201,895 Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for 2002-03 200 11,348,040 Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of the

Rate of payment (aged Rate of payment (aged Number of individuals Number of individuals Total number of up to 79 years) (£) 80+) (£) (aged up to 79 years) (aged 80+) individuals

2003-04 200 300 9,133,840 2,334,395 11,468,235 2004-05 200 300 9,087,935 2,313,235 11,401,170 2005-06 200 300 9,172,750 2,342,010 11,514,760 2006-07 200 300 9,326,030 2,376,870 11,702,900 2007-08 200 300 9,644,550 2,424,190 12,068,740 2008-09 250 400 9,886,690 2,470,700 12,357,390 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. All figures are for GB. 3. 2008-09 is the latest year for which figures are available. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% data

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work payment in 2010-11. The payment for households with and Pensions what future rate of winter fuel payments someone aged up to 79 years of age will be £250 and for he plans for people aged (a) 60 years or over and (b) households with someone aged 80 and over it will be 80 years or over. [14158] £400. Steve Webb: Households with someone born on or Decisions for subsequent years are a matter for HM before 5 July 1950 will be eligible for a winter fuel Treasury as part of the budget cycle. ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. PRIME MINISTER ...... 312 WALES—continued Engagements...... 312 Prison Capacity...... 311 Public Expenditure Reductions...... 309 WALES...... 303 Rural Economy...... 311 Airbus A400M ...... 305 Ryder Cup...... 312 Expenditure Reductions (Policing)...... 310 S4C ...... 304 National Assembly Powers...... 309 Welsh Businesses...... 307 Parliamentary Constituencies ...... 303 Winter Fuel Payments...... 307 Policing ...... 306 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 15WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Investment in the Further Education Estate...... 15WS AFFAIRS...... 17WS Equine Infectious Anaemia...... 17WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 16WS Thurrock Thames Gateway Urban Development Corporation...... 16WS DEFENCE...... 16WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 18WS Defence Fixed Telecommunications Services ...... 16WS Extradition Review ...... 18WS PETITION

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITION Blockade of Gaza...... 3P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 6 September 2010—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 358W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Apprentices...... 358W Post Offices: Finance...... 374W BP: Libya ...... 359W Public Sector: Procurement...... 374W Civil Service Live Conference...... 359W Regional Development Agencies...... 374W Departmental Assets...... 360W Sector Skills Councils...... 375W Departmental Buildings...... 361W Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Departmental Furniture...... 361W Property...... 376W Departmental Internet ...... 361W Telephone Services...... 376W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 362W Tobacco ...... 377W Departmental Pay ...... 364W Trade Competitiveness ...... 377W Departmental Pensions ...... 364W Trade Unions ...... 378W Departmental Written Questions ...... 367W Trade Unions: Finance...... 380W Electric Vehicles: Finance...... 368W UK Commission for Employment and Skills ...... 383W Employment Agencies: Regulation ...... 368W Union Modernisation Fund...... 384W EU Grants and Loans...... 369W Wales ...... 387W Football: Insolvency...... 370W Wines ...... 387W Further Education: Finance...... 370W Yorkshire Forward ...... 388W Industrial Disputes ...... 370W Internet: Public Libraries ...... 371W EDUCATION...... 339W Internet: Regulation...... 371W Academies...... 339W Manufacturing Advisory Group ...... 372W Academies: Equality ...... 340W Minimum Wage ...... 372W Academies: Faith Schools ...... 340W Nanotechnology: Cosmetics...... 373W Academies: Finance ...... 341W National Composites Centre...... 373W Academies: Property ...... 341W Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 373W Academies: School Meals ...... 341W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION—continued EDUCATION—continued Building Schools for the Future Programme ...... 342W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 349W Building Schools for the Future Programme: National Citizens Service: Morecambe ...... 349W Construction...... 343W New Schools Network...... 350W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Ofsted: Care Homes...... 351W Lancashire ...... 343W Personal, Social, Health and Economic Building Schools for the Future Programme: Education ...... 351W North London ...... 343W Pre-school Education...... 351W Children: Day Care ...... 344W Qualifications: Doncaster ...... 352W Class Sizes...... 344W Schools: Ealing ...... 352W Curriculum ...... 344W Schools: Finance...... 352W Departmental Billing ...... 344W Schools: Special Educational Needs...... 353W Departmental Buildings...... 345W Schools: Standards...... 353W Departmental Civil Servants ...... 346W Schools: Transport ...... 355W Departmental Contracts ...... 346W Schools: VAT ...... 355W Departmental Official Cars...... 346W Schools: Visits...... 355W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 347W Secure Training Centres: Inspections ...... 355W Departmental Reorganisation...... 347W Sixth Form Colleges: Buildings...... 356W Education: Colchester...... 347W Sixth Form Education...... 356W Education: Finance...... 347W Teach First...... 356W Educational Psychology: Manpower...... 347W Teachers: Employment...... 357W Faith Schools ...... 348W Westgate School Newcastle ...... 357W Foster Care ...... 348W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 358W Free Schools...... 348W Young People: Unemployment...... 358W General Teaching Council...... 349W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 7 September 2010—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 409W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER—continued Departmental Manpower...... 409W Electoral Register...... 415W Departmental Temporary Employment ...... 409W Trade Unions ...... 410W EDUCATION...... 406W Building Schools for the Future Programme ...... 406W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 427W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Banks: Loans ...... 427W Coventry ...... 407W Business: West Midlands...... 428W Children: Protection...... 407W Business: Wi-fi ...... 429W Education: Pay...... 408W Credit Cards: Fees and Charges ...... 429W Pupils: Disadvantaged...... 408W Departmental Consultants...... 430W Schools: Standards...... 409W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 430W Single Sex Education...... 409W Departmental Rents...... 430W Departmental Training ...... 431W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Digital Technology...... 431W AFFAIRS...... 416W Post Offices ...... 431W Agriculture: Sustainable Development...... 416W Students: Loans ...... 432W Animal Welfare ...... 417W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 418W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 520W Departmental Allowances...... 418W Public Buildings: Environment Protection...... 520W Departmental Consultants...... 419W Departmental Motor Vehicles ...... 419W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 411W Departmental Public Expenditure ...... 421W Arts: Manpower...... 411W Departmental Training ...... 421W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 412W Flood Control...... 422W Listed Buildings: Coventry...... 412W Food: Labelling...... 423W Local Broadcasting ...... 412W Food Supply: Ombudsman ...... 422W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 412W Livestock: Transport ...... 423W Olympic Games 2012: Loans ...... 413W Plants: Research...... 423W Olympic Games 2012: Social Rented Housing ...... 414W Poultry: Animal Welfare ...... 424W Olympic Games 2012: Volunteers...... 414W Sheep: Tagging...... 425W Tourism: Visas ...... 414W Sustainable Development Commission ...... 425W VisitBritain: Marketing ...... 415W Taxis ...... 426W Trees ...... 427W DEFENCE...... 405W Wines ...... 427W Departmental Travel ...... 405W Nimrod Aircraft...... 406W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 465W 1 Carlton Gardens ...... 465W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 415W Afghanistan: Religious Freedom...... 465W Constituencies...... 415W Arms Control...... 466W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— JUSTICE...... 475W continued Care Proceedings ...... 475W Departmental Billing ...... 466W Cemeteries ...... 476W Departmental Buildings...... 466W Closed Circuit Television: Prisons ...... 476W Departmental Consultants...... 470W Courts...... 476W Departmental Empty Property...... 471W Courts: Sentencing...... 478W Departmental Fines ...... 471W Departmental Billing ...... 479W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 471W Departmental Consultants...... 479W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 472W Departmental Contracts ...... 493W Departmental Temporary Employment ...... 472W Departmental Fines ...... 493W Departmental Training ...... 472W Departmental Training ...... 494W Hezbollah ...... 473W Dogs: Animal Welfare...... 495W Iran: Prisoners ...... 473W Expert Evidence: Social Work...... 495W Iran: Uranium...... 474W First Offenders: Custodial Treatment...... 497W Israel: Overseas Trade ...... 474W Freedom of Information: Legislation...... 497W Libya...... 474W Freedom of Information: Network Rail...... 497W UN Security Council...... 475W Independent Appeals Tribunal...... 497W Juries: Crown Courts ...... 498W Justices’ Clerks: Surrey...... 498W HEALTH...... 438W Legal Aid: Compulsorily Detained Mental Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater Patients ...... 499W London...... 440W Legal Services Commission: Training...... 499W Ambulance Services ...... 438W Magistrates Courts: Sentencing...... 500W Appointments Commission: Civil Service Live Magistrates Courts: Woking ...... 501W Conference...... 453W Magistrates: Surrey ...... 502W Cancer ...... 455W Offensive Weapons: Leeds...... 502W Cancer Treatment: Blackpool...... 439W Parliamentary Questions...... 503W Chlamydia: Screening ...... 455W Police: Fines...... 503W Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Medical Treatments ... 455W Prison Service: Contracts ...... 503W Community Hospitals...... 438W Prisoners ...... 503W Dementia ...... 456W Prisoners: Drugs ...... 504W Dementia: Drugs...... 456W Prisoners: First Aid...... 504W Dementia: Hertfordshire ...... 456W Prisoners’ Release: Housing ...... 503W Departmental Consultants...... 457W Prisons: Violence...... 505W Departmental Empty Property...... 457W Private Rented Housing: Landlords ...... 511W Departmental Furniture...... 458W Prosecutions: Students ...... 512W Departmental ICT ...... 458W Public Contract Regulations 2006 ...... 513W Epilepsy ...... 458W Public Procurement Law ...... 515W Food Standards Agency...... 459W Rape: Victim Support Schemes ...... 515W General Practitioners ...... 459W Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques ...... 515W General Practitioners: Yorkshire and the Humber . 460W Solicitors: Children ...... 516W GP Services...... 440W Young Offender Institutions...... 517W Hospital Car Parking Charges ...... 438W Youth Custody: Restraint Techniques ...... 517W Motor Neurone Disease...... 460W NHS: Civil Service Live Conference...... 461W NHS: ICT ...... 461W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 389W NHS: Reorganisation...... 461W Members’ Staff: Allowances...... 389W Nutrition...... 462W Organ Donor Cards ...... 439W SCOTLAND...... 399W Public Health Responsibilities...... 439W Departmental Billing ...... 399W Salt...... 462W Departmental Fines ...... 399W Smoking: Public Places ...... 462W Departmental Pensions ...... 399W Thromboembolism...... 463W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 400W Tobacco ...... 464W Departmental Training ...... 400W Vaccines: Pandemics ...... 440W Wiltshire Primary Care Trust ...... 439W TRANSPORT ...... 400W Departmental Buildings...... 400W Departmental Empty Property...... 401W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 389W Departmental Pay ...... 401W Police: Accountability ...... 389W Departmental Rents...... 402W Prison Population (Drugs Act)...... 389W Departmental Security ...... 403W Highways Agency: Compensation...... 403W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 432W Road Traffic Offences...... 404W Africa: Tobacco ...... 432W Roads: Safety ...... 404W Departmental Allowances...... 433W Tyres ...... 405W Departmental Billing ...... 434W Departmental Training ...... 434W TREASURY ...... 415W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 435W Bank Services: Company Liquidations...... 415W Malaria ...... 436W Departmental Training ...... 416W Malawi: International Assistance...... 436W Taxis ...... 437W WALES...... 517W UN Population Fund and IPPF...... 437W Departmental Allowances...... 517W Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 390W WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Child Support Agency: Standards...... 390W Housing Benefit ...... 395W Children: Poverty ...... 390W Housing Benefit: Greater London...... 396W Crisis Loans ...... 391W Industrial Health and Safety...... 396W Departmental Consultants...... 392W Local Housing Allowance...... 396W Departmental Legal Costs ...... 393W Local Housing Allowance: Swindon ...... 397W Departmental Public Relations ...... 394W Mortgages: Government Assistance...... 397W Females: Public Expenditure...... 395W Social Security Benefits: Disqualification...... 399W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 521W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 542W Business ...... 521W Departmental Internet ...... 542W Business Link West Midlands ...... 522W Departmental Billing ...... 523W EDUCATION...... 542W Departmental Empty Property...... 523W Children: Day Care ...... 542W Departmental Fines ...... 524W Class Sizes...... 544W Departmental Work Experience...... 524W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 545W Export Credits: India ...... 524W Drugs: Misuse...... 546W Insolvency...... 524W Extracurricular Activities...... 547W Manufacturing Advisory Service...... 526W Financial Services: Education ...... 547W Manufacturing Industries ...... 526W Free School Meals...... 547W Motor Vehicles: Government Assistance...... 526W GCSE: Peterborough ...... 547W Overseas Trade: Algeria ...... 526W Headteachers ...... 548W Post Offices ...... 527W Pupils: Disadvantaged...... 549W Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 527W Schools: Databases...... 549W Regional Development Agencies...... 527W Schools: Science ...... 549W Regional Development Agencies: Information Schools: Special Educational Needs...... 550W Officers ...... 528W Regional Development Agencies: Redundancy ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 550W Pay...... 528W Boilers: Government Assistance...... 550W Supermarkets: Competition ...... 528W Departmental Billing ...... 550W Window Blinds: Safety...... 529W Departmental Fines ...... 550W Fuel Poverty...... 551W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 529W Members: Correspondence ...... 551W Community Relations ...... 529W Nuclear Power...... 551W Community Relations: Coventry...... 530W Offshore Industry: Regulation ...... 551W Departmental Fines ...... 530W Renewables Obligation...... 552W EU Grants and Loans: North West...... 530W Torness Power Station...... 552W Government Office for the West Midlands...... 530W Warm Front Scheme ...... 553W Government Offices for the Regions ...... 531W Housing: Construction...... 532W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Housing: Empty Property ...... 532W AFFAIRS...... 553W Local Government Finance ...... 532W Boilers: Biofuels...... 553W Medway Council: Finance...... 533W Departmental Official Engagements ...... 553W National Tenant Voice ...... 533W Departmental Sponsorship ...... 553W Making Space for Nature Review...... 554W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 533W Natural England: Planning ...... 554W Contract Rights Renewal Merger Undertakings .... 533W Cricket ...... 534W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 554W Football: Maintenance...... 534W British Indian Ocean Territory: Fisheries...... 554W Mass Media: Prostitution...... 534W British Overseas Territories: Environment Olympic Games 2012: Contracts...... 534W Protection ...... 554W Olympic Games 2012: Public Opinion ...... 535W Burma: Human Rights...... 555W Olympic Games 2012: Walsall South ...... 536W Burma: Prisoners ...... 555W Radio: Broadcasting ...... 536W Colombia: Human Rights...... 555W Sports: Females...... 537W Indonesia: Religious Freedom...... 556W Mexico: Climate Change...... 557W DEFENCE...... 537W Turkey: Human Rights ...... 557W Animal Experiments ...... 537W Armed Forces ...... 538W HEALTH...... 558W Armed Forces: Training ...... 538W Antibiotics ...... 558W Departmental ICT ...... 539W Blood: Contamination ...... 558W Departmental Motor Vehicles...... 540W Continuing Care ...... 560W Departmental Training ...... 540W Departmental Consultants...... 560W Trident ...... 541W Departmental Training ...... 561W Tyres ...... 541W Doctors: Training...... 561W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued JUSTICE—continued Health: Disadvantaged...... 563W Prisons: Finance...... 582W Health Inequalities Unit: Awards...... 562W Prisons: Trade Unions...... 583W Health: Information...... 563W Taxis ...... 584W Health Professions: Training ...... 562W Unpaid Fines ...... 585W Mental Health Services ...... 564W Mental Health Services: Older People...... 564W SCOTLAND...... 585W NHS: Reorganisation...... 564W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 585W NHS: Training ...... 565W Horse Racing ...... 586W Nutrition...... 565W Social Security Benefits...... 586W School Milk ...... 565W Self-harm: Health Services...... 566W TRANSPORT ...... 586W Smoking...... 566W Aviation: Security...... 586W Tobacco: Retail Trade ...... 567W M5: Gloucestershire...... 587W Tuberculosis: Children ...... 567W Motorways: Ashton under Lyne ...... 587W Railways: Gloucester...... 587W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 567W Railways: Kent...... 588W Asylum: Deportation ...... 567W Railways: Lincoln...... 588W Asylum: Gloucestershire ...... 568W Railways: North West ...... 589W Borders: Personal Records ...... 568W Railways: Theft ...... 589W Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers ...... 569W Roads: Accidents ...... 589W Detainees: Children...... 569W Roads: Lincoln...... 589W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 570W Travel: Concessions...... 590W Security Industry: Regulation ...... 570W UK Border Agency: Patrol Craft ...... 570W TREASURY ...... 590W Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre ...... 571W Departmental Internet ...... 590W Members: Correspondence ...... 590W INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE ...... 572W WALES...... 590W ICT ...... 572W Fast Jet Training ...... 590W Members: Allowances ...... 573W Legislative Powers: National Assembly ...... 591W Redundancy Pay ...... 573W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 591W Age: Discrimination...... 591W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 573W Departmental Consultants...... 592W Conflict Resolution: Females ...... 573W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 592W Departmental Consultants...... 573W Equalities and Human Rights Commission ...... 592W Departmental ICT ...... 574W Developing Countries: Debts ...... 574W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 593W East Kilbride...... 574W Departmental Allowances...... 593W International Assistance: Disability ...... 575W Departmental Billing ...... 593W Israel...... 575W Departmental Pensions ...... 593W Libya: Overseas Aid...... 575W Departmental Public Consultation...... 594W Overseas Aid: Finance ...... 576W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 595W Zimbabwe: Politics and Government ...... 576W Housing Benefit: West Midlands...... 595W International Pension Centre: Translation JUSTICE...... 576W Services ...... 596W Care Proceedings: Finance...... 577W Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services ...... 596W Departmental Assets...... 578W Pensioners: Leeds...... 597W Departmental Buildings...... 579W Pensioners: Poverty ...... 597W Drugs: Crime ...... 580W Personal Accounts Delivery Authority: Travel ...... 598W Fines: Magistrates Courts ...... 581W Social Security Benefits: Disqualification...... 599W Magistrates Courts: Surrey ...... 582W Social Security Benefits: Fraud ...... 599W Prisoners: Pay ...... 582W State Retirement Pensions...... 599W Prisoners: Religion...... 576W Winter Fuel Payments...... 600W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied, nor can corrections be made in the Weekly Edition. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Wednesday 15 September 2010

STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT GREATLY FACILITATES THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF THE VOLUMES

Members may obtain excerpts of their Speeches from the Official Report (within one month from the date of publication), on application to the Stationery Office, c/o the Editor of the Official Report, House of Commons, from whom the terms and conditions of reprinting may be ascertained. Application forms are available at the Vote Office.

PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £3·50. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £525. WEEKLY HANSARD Single copies: Commons, £12; Lords, £6. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £440. Lords, £225. Index: Annual subscriptions: Commons, £125; Lords, £65. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £40. Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. WEEKLY INFORMATION BULLETIN compiled by the House of Commons, giving details of past and forthcoming business, the work of Committees and general information on legislation, etc. The Annual Subscription includes also automatic despatch of the Sessional Information Digest. Single copies: £1·50. Annual subscriptions: £53·50. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 515 Wednesday No. 42 8 September 2010

CONTENTS

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 303] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Wales Prime Minister

Privilege [Col. 323] Statement—(Mr Speaker)

PAYE Contributions [Col. 324] Answer to urgent question—(Mr Gauke)

Sex and Relationships Education [Col. 338] Motion for leave to introduce Bill—(Chris Bryant)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Opposition Day [4th allotted day] [Col. 343] Crime and Policing [Col. 343] Motion—(Alan Johnson) Amendment—(Mrs May)—on a Division, agreed to Motion, as amended, agreed to

Diabetes [Col. 435] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Football Clubs (Governance) [Col. 73WH] Unscrupulous Landlords [Col. 99WH] Unauthorised Encampments [Col. 108WH] Direct Democracy Initiatives [Col. 132WH] Telford (Regeneration) [Col. 141WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 15WS]

Petition [Col. 3P] Observation

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 339W] [see index inside back page]